Leafing through the faded pages, I come across worn words. Lost in time or maybe in another time- I wondered if they stood for something more. 

Streaks of water, add to the havoc played by time on the blue ink. My present looks back at its past trying to find a link. My childhood, it calls to me. Pretty pinks and pale lavenders invite me in. I throw the doors of time open and step into a world of dreams. Never imagined, these sheets of papers could invoke such lucid memories. 

"Look sister, a pansy. Can you believe, it's actually red?" I called out to the one with whom I used to share a bed. 

Twinkling eyes, had brimmed with awe; catching my gaze, they had whispered "Ah!"

Tiny footsteps we had taken together, ignoring all the surrounding grandeur. At ten, a secret prize was all that mattered. The urge to reach grandma's gate pushed us to scurrey faster. 

Once there, we saw someone that made our hearts skip a beat and steps falter. Eyes, like low hanging clouds, heavy with guilt, we muttered, "Father… "

Hands on hips, bushy brows crawling unfathomably close. "Where have you been?" he had let out a questioning roar. 

"Closing your eyes won't hide you from me. Pray tell, I ask again, where have you been?"

"The pansy park. The one by the stream." Like a mouse trapped, desperate to be set free, we offered in a squeak. 

"The boogeyman, I swear, he will get his hands on you one day. All you do is disobey me and make your mother dismay." Disapproval stole light from his usual bright gray pools. 

"Sorry, father. Please, forgive us fools."

"Day in and day out, you both yonder without fear. I wish I could cage your curiosity, lest you commit a blunder and worry your dear mother."

"That's enough, honey. You are scaring them. Look at those puppy eyes; stop teasing them. Threading further, I am afraid will set those pearl-like tears free. Then no one will be worse than me!"

Mother's threat worked wonders. Father nodded and crouched next to us all somber. With left he caressed my cheek, with right he ruffled Sara's locks. "Dears, you must be watchful on the clock. I don't have eyes in the sky; I can't always guard you like a hawk." 

Mother mellowed. She reached out to us. "Let me see, what's with all the fuss."

Hesitant, still on guard, winds failed to carry her response very far.

I took the mantle and forged ahead. Feeling like a soldier, returning uninjured, his goals met. "It's a pansy, as red as grandma's lips. Go on, Sara, show it to mother before it wilts."

The brilliant flower, it peeked out of Sara's cupped palms. "Greetings from the land of flowers." It seemed to say without any qualms. 

I heard it then, a familiar, beloved sound: gentle taps of wood on wood.

"Grandma!" We yelped and ran like bunnies to carrots; moths to a flame. It was towards the end, I knew, our little game. 

"Let me take a look at thee. Tell me children, on the prowl, did you come across a honey bee?"

We shook our heads. "No, grandma. There was none to see."

"Is that so?" The woman holding a cane clutched her chest, "Oh dear me!"

Smiles faded from our lips. Water brimmed at the cusp of our lids. 

A mirthful laughter just then filled the air. "Let me look at the red flower, my poo bears."

The red beauty now met the light. Bathed in sunlight, it shone with all its might. 

"Victory is yours, oh children mine." The cane hit the floor, "Are you ready for the prize? If yes, clap your hands twice!"

Out came a creature divine. 

"A puppy!" Sara chortled; she ran towards it full throttle. I followed not a moment later; I picked up the excited chap, soon after. 

"Mona!" I hear my sister call; the link connecting the past and the present, I let it fall. 

I turn to Sara, "You grew up well."

"Really?"

"No, just kidding." I smile and shake my head; I lay the tattered notebook on my bed.

"But," I continue, feeling light; I wipe a wayward tear from my eyes. "I reckon that's what grandma dearest would have said." I wink at my sister, plopping down on our bed.

*****
[Word count: 721 words]

A/N : This is my attempt at prose poetry. Written for Poetic fragments contest hosted by @CoffeeCommunity