It was quick. Like really quick. Just imagine an apple hanging above the head, ripe and red. And someone just jumps really high and grabs it. It was that. It was easily, swiftly done by him.
The tree thought he was just another passer-by. Thus, didn’t make it a point to lift its’ branch a bit higher. Well actually, it was already much higher than the usual reaching height.
The tree wanted to take its’ last precious apple back. But it could not. The man stared at it, it looked away. He then stared at the apple. His eyes are tired and sunken. He sat down, his back on the tree trunk. He curled up, inhaling the aroma from the tree. The one apple sat safely in his hands which he rested against his chest.
It saw him kissing the apple, not hurting its’ little red pride even a bit. The tree looked down at him, its’ branches shadowing him from the scorching afternoon heat. The man moved one hand to stroke it, as if saying thank you for its unconscious good deed. The tree felt something changed deep within itself.
The man fell asleep and dreamt of a river. Instead of water, honey flowed in it. He stopped by the river bank and tried to cup some honey for himself. As he leaned forward, his precious apple fell into the river. The striking red apple floated on the golden river of honey. It bobbed so gracefully, like an intoxicated ballerina. He tried to grab it but he couldn’t. He reached further and suddenly, he fell into the river.
He woke startled, his hands hung in the air. The apple was gone. The tree on which he leaned on was also gone. He looked around. He was in a middle of a desert. The desert wind whispered mocking into his ears. Saying everything was an absurd lies. That he believed for nothing.
Tears threatened to fall from his eyes.
That was when he saw the apple peeling, and a pair of the most beautiful feet he ever saw. The maiden was wrapped in a rich red robe. Just like an apple. Her hair is dark brown and lustrous. The color of her skin is almost white with a tinge of yellow. She is his apple.
She looked into his eyes and walked towards him. He wanted to touch her but he couldn't move. So he waited for her to come to him.
She kneeled in front of him. Her face very close to his, she said, “Are you hungry?”
The man woke up. His phone is vibrating in his pocket.
“Sayang, are you hungry? Let’s have early dinner, shall we?” it was his wife. He smiled for the maiden in his dream.
