Treasure

To us, what is a treasure?
Is it Gold that we luckily found beneath the ground that has been hidden by a group of robbers or pirates?
Perhaps something that is given to us, whether it is a cheap bracelet from the accessory store, by a famous man or woman?

Our living self is a treasure. Our loved ones is a treasure.

Mr. Richard Mellings is an old retired lawyer. He lives at an old house just somewhat beneath the brooklyn bridge. He lives a simple, quiet life. right now we see him arriving after an "old time's sake" party with his colleagues. it's all over now and this old man certainly deserves to rest. but as he enters his house, he could feel very tired. he sat on a couch beside his fireplace, which he lit with a match that nearly snapped into two because of his grip that is so light. perhaps just a sign of how tired this old man is.

he sighed. perhaps delighted to feel a little at ease.
he can't stand up and go to bed. he feels as though his knees are gonna collapse if he take just one erection with his body.
beside him lies a table with two bottles of whiskies. Perhaps a drink would liven him up. yes, wine has always awakened him.

yet as he tried to get the bottle, he would feel very tired. "Old age...i'm just getting old...life circulates..." he thought. so he just sat there, probably trying to catch sleep in that warm, cozy couch.
he stares on the fire.

why would he feel so tired when just minutes ago he's with his friends having fun? or maybe, it wasn't tireness...it's sadness he's feeling right now...

but why would he feel sad? he was successful. he graduated at harvard, his parents are proud of him. he was a decent and good lawyer...what could he ever ask for?
he has friends that are always there for him until now...
so why would he feel sad?
he has lived over these past few days happily...

but then he realized...he has been living alone, in sadness, solitude and melancholy. but he wouldn't be like this if only his loved one has married him.

Yes, if he had married he wouldn't be like this. he would have a family to take care of him, to make him feel more special. and destiny has been selfish to him...

Eleanor was the prettiest girl he has ever seen. he loves her bright blue eyes, her porcelain skin, she was Richard's best friend. but when he asked her to marry him, she said no.
Eleanor would love him only as her brother. she would play with him, talk with him but to marry him no.
and that is the greatest sadness, perhaps the greatest sorrow in Richard's life.

and until Eleanor left New York, she wouldn't accept Richard's proposal...and until now, Richard hasn't heard of her again, and yet Richard hasn't forgot her up to now...'cause it's hard to forget

Somethings we forget, and somethings we can never forget...

He stared at the fire. A drop of tear flooded his eyelids.
What he have to remember Eleanor?
A picture. A black and white picture. a last fragment of his lost love...a last fragment that he treasure and hold dear.

he took out his wallet from his pants to view the picture. it never gets old.
He fell in love with a woman who can't love him back. Richard fell into tears with the very thought.

Suddenly, the window behind him flew open for a wind has blew it.
the felonious wind went inside his house, and since his grip on the picture is light, it got carried away by the wind and went into the fire.

Richard fell from the couch and went to the fire to get the picture. but it is too late, for the picture burns easily because it is too old.

He then felt a pain in his chest...until all he ever saw was darkness...but a light seem to illuminate...