The scent of our memories
Every person has their unique traits. That's why I always believe that the scent of a person is suited to their personality. A bubbly one might smell like bubblegum, an office woman can smell like an elegant floral fragrance, and a sweet girl can smell as sweet as a vanilla scent.
At every stage of my life, there is a new scent of mine. A perfume isn't just a liquid mixture to produce a pleasant fragrance; it's more like a flash of memories in a bottle.
There were moments when I smelled my friend’s shoulder just to make sure he was still using the perfume when we first met.
When I met you differently, I started using a different fragrant. I told myself that I wanted to make this memorable.
I sprayed a powdery-like puff of fragrance, instead of a floral scent, behind my ears and wrists. While you were using a peppermint perfume,
That was your scent.
For years, I wanted you to smell me so you could always remember every moment we had, just like what I always do to you.
I locked the door, left my house, and rode a bus. As I sat beside the window, I closed my eyes. Then, I felt like someone was sitting beside me, and I opened my eyes.
I look at the man sitting beside me because I am always so sure that I know this person. But I wonder why my nose can't smell familiarity.
You looked at me and said, "Hi."
I smiled bitterly, and you spoke again.
"I know you're wondering why I smell differently now." He still knows that I used to smell his shoulders.
"Yes." I just look at you.
A strange scent became clear to me. You changed your perfume for you to move on; for you to stop sniffing for familiar memories.
"But why are you still using the same perfume?" you asked.
That question hits my senses.
Now, I see the truth. I taste the tears of realization. I smelled the shame in me. I hear the loudness of silence. I feel the sadness.
Because an empty bottle should've been thrown away since it's empty. But how, if I can still smell the scent of our memories in those bottles?
Written by Seenicaetoh
