My Every Hue

Color is life itself. The world is like a rainbow. Its different colors make our life more meaningful and beautiful. But have you ever wondered, 'what if the rainbow was left with only one color?' What would happen if the world only contains black and white?

Adeline couldn't believe she could remember the first time she cried when she was born. Although her mind was undeveloped, she remembered the first time she saw her parents' faces.

They both held her in their arms and stared at the beautiful baby nonstop. It was a Jade Green that Adeline first saw, which has become her favorite color ever since. It was also the color of her mother's eyes, while her father's eyes were Crystal Blue, and known as a rare one.

It has been twenty-two years since Adeline lived a happy and peaceful life with her family, and she can say that there's nothing more she could ask for but to be with them until she becomes successful in life. Because for her, that was one of the best gifts she could ever return to them for raising her.

"I remembered right after your mom gave birth to you, we got so excited to carry you in our arms that it made the nurse a little mad. But we didn't even care," her father happily reminisced, while he was relaxing on his favorite Christopher Knight Home Toddman high-back dark blue fabric club chair. "We were both so happy gently cuddling your soft baby cheeks."

Adeline glanced at her mother, "And then, your father suddenly asked me, 'What shall we name her, my love?'"

"We will name her Quinn Adeline..." Both Adeline and her father said the same words for which he mentioned it by mouth while she mentioned it in her mind.

Ever since Adeline was in kindergarten, other parents have admired her parents, for the reason they always tell them; little Adeline's parents were lucky to have her as their child.

Even her kindergarten teacher had planned to apply her for an early entrance or grade-skipping from kindergarten sped up to grade school because even though Adeline was at the same age as the other children in kindergarten, she excelled in all the activities the teacher has provided.

But her parents disagreed because they wanted for her to live the normal flow of how things should be in life, just like any other child will go through.

Adeline's classmates from grade school and some of their parents continued to admire her presence in her middle school years until she went into senior high school. However, everything changed when she finally reached university.

The number of those who admired her has waned to the number of those who envied and hated her for reasons she doesn't know. Adeline has no friends since then, and her social life has gradually become sluggish in making acquaintances.

She accidentally overheard her classmates at the university secretly talking about her:

"I can't believe many students love her as if they're enchanted by her, especially our student council president. What does she even have that a normal girl like me doesn't?"

"That's easy, it's because Maynez is not just a normal girl. She's intelligent, kind, talented, and even though she's not really a beauty like you, she can kick your ass in our self-defense class."

"Shut up, James! You must have a crush on her too!"

"Oh please, no. She's out of my league, and I don't do nerds."

They started laughing and mocking Adeline while she remained hidden behind the pillar walls near the back door of the lecture room.

"I've heard that she even took part as a ballet and skating representative during her senior high school, and guess what?"

"What?"

"She earned the first prize and a gold medal from the Regionals Women's Solo ballet competition, while a silver medal for the Regionals Ice Dance skating competition. Plus, she can also play most of the string instruments and one wind instrument. Imagine the time she must have invested in learning those. I mean, if I get to be in her shoes, you can't blame me for being antisocial."

The latter laughed again.

"Where did you even get that news?"

Adeline couldn't help herself from tearing up because of extreme sadness and from being pushed down, that's why she went straight to the ladies' restroom and locked herself in one cubicle so that she could cry more.

She gently bit the chubbiest part of her arm so that she won't be able to let out loud crying sounds from her mouth. Her eyes were soaking wet from the tears flowing out until her sight went blurry.

When she tried to close her eyes and opened them again, it seemed like the vividness of the surrounding colors had faded, but she decided to just ignore it because it doesn't even matter.

It was January 16 of the current year when her father fell ill. Because of the frequent occurrence of headaches he has experienced, their family had no choice but to take him to the doctor for a check-up, and stage 4 brain cancer had detected right after his CT scan.

The doctor told the family that it will be too late for them to cure Adeline's father's condition because the cancer was already at an advanced stage. The doctor said that her father's life will last only a month, so it would be good for them to accompany him at home while he is still alive.

Adeline and her mother followed the doctor's advice and neither of them had left the father alone in his bedroom where he would stay for the last moments of his life.

Every time Adeline wakes up from a nap inside her father's bedroom, she would always hear weak crying from her mother while she is sitting next to him, not letting go of his hand.

Adeline thought about how precious moments are, mostly the way her parents love each other, and until death, they would not part. But the reality was extremely cruel and devastating, for which sudden loneliness and death will soon replace the happiness of people who loved each other for how many years.

In the 2nd week of February, it surprised Adeline by how the tone of her father's voice turned out to be. It was lively mostly after he asked her to accompany him going to a certain park, which was his and Adeline's mother's favorite.

Since Adeline was the only one assigned to watch over her father for the entire day because her mother was taking care of their small business across the city, Adeline agreed on accompanying him.

She even informed her mother where they headed just in case she comes home looking for the two later. Adeline and her father took a slow-paced stroll, and she wasn't even sure if he still knows where he's going.

That's when Adeline saw a beautiful tunnel of cherry blossoms, which she had only seen for the first time in her entire life. She couldn't help but fascinate and amaze at its beauty.

Her father suddenly laughed, "Look at you, darling. You don't have to gape your mouth while looking and admiring it."

Adeline glanced at him and immediately closed her mouth before they continued walking, going inside the tunnel.

The tunnel isn't a narrow one, the reason for it not to be suffocating to people who might be claustrophobic or something similar.

Adeline started taking some pictures of the tunnel and sent them right away to her mother if she needed some visual clues. Adeline and her father had a seat on the bench to have some rest.

"Are you thirsty?" she asked him kindly.

"No, don't mind me. Just sit there and enjoy the view."

She did what he told her, and the two both fell into a significant silence. Adeline secretly glanced at her father and saw the joy on his face.

"Did you know that I brought your mom here on the first day of our date?" her father suddenly opened up.

"Really? What was her reaction?" Adeline asked him excitedly.

"You two had the same reaction." he chuckled happily, which was followed by a sigh of relief.

For Adeline, her father's laugh makes her happy, and it also comforts her for which she hopes to never end.

"If you only knew how happy and content I was with my life with you and your mom, I would definitely make a video documentary about it if I still can." Adeline's father was a person who was very optimistic in everything, so even in this situation, he could still tell a joke.

"Of course, you can. There's nothing you cannot do." Adeline cheered him up.

Slowly, her father's head turned to look at her with a matching warm smile. She did the same to him as she held his hands.

"I want to rest, my child." he suddenly told her.

Those words made Adeline a little uncomfortable and gave her goosebumps. She thought of not becoming a pessimist in that situation that's why she remained translucent.

"Do you want me to take you back home so that you can rest well?" Adeline tried to ask him.

"No. I want it to be here."

Adeline granted her father's wants and went to scoot closer to him. She allowed him to lay down on her right shoulders so that she could support him.

The father and daughter stayed in that resting position for quite some time and in total silence. Adeline went back and forth from checking if her father was already sleeping and she can see that he is. She felt her phone suddenly vibrate before seeing her mother's text message saying that 'Adeline needs to take her father back home and her mother will go home soon.'

Adeline replied to her mother about her father still sleeping. And there's no way for them to get home sooner. So, her mother, later on, replied of coming to fetch them from the park instead, just about an hour.

They stayed another hour in the park until Adeline received her mother's new text message saying that she's already getting near to the park, the reason for Adeline to decide to wake her sleeping father.

"Dad, you need to wake up now. Mom's going to be here in a minute." she called him calmly.

There was no response coming from him.

"Dad? Dad?" she continued calling him calmly.

During that time, Adeline got nervous because she doesn't know if what she thought was happening was already happening. She tried to hold his hand, but it was motionless, cold, and it could be lifeless.

"D-Dad?" Her voice cracked since her emotions are getting stirred up. The tears were already forming in her eyes, but she remained calm.

She sniffed, "Please, dad. Don't... do this."

Adeline watched him. Right inside her head was a blank. She doesn't know what to do anymore. It made her feel like the entire world crashed. She couldn't speak loudly enough for her father to hear if ever he could.

She's realizing that he's not moving. He's not breathing anymore. His heart had stopped beating.

"Addie, my darling." Adeline glanced to where she heard her name being called and saw her mother approaching from the parked car.

Adeline couldn't help but let her tears flow down from her eyes, going down to her cheeks as she noticed how her mother's walking speed went slower and while she was looking at her unresponsive husband.

"What happened to dad?" her mother's voice faded.

Adeline felt her throat had dried up and thought there wouldn't be any voices coming out from her lips.

"Dad is..." she gasped after sobbing. "...gone."

Her mother had already approached them, and she held her husband's hand. She remained to stare at the lifeless another half of her heart.

"Dad..." Adeline's mother's voice also cracked.

She started crying silently while Adeline remained in the same emotion as hers.

"Thank you for giving us this life," she continued, "you can rest now."

Her mother's words made Adeline almost break down in so many tears, but she kept it all to herself. There's no use if other people would see them mourn the death of the greatest man in their lives.

Adeline and her mother had held a private funeral for her father after a few days of his death and invited some close friends and relatives only. Right after the funeral, Adeline went straight to my bedroom to have some rest. But, her heart couldn't accept the fact that her father wasn't there with them anymore, that her life wasn't complete anymore.

She opened up the gallery on her phone and searched for the picture of her dad during their stay at the cherry blossom tunnel. The photo of her father having a genuine smile while looking at the trees will always be the best image Adeline will have as his remembrance.

"Huh?" She suddenly became distracted after accidentally noticing her left eye getting blurry. She gently wiped it with her hand, but she got confused with what was suddenly happening to her eyes.

Adeline seemed to have her eye getting irritated after noticing how imbalanced the color she saw was. But since she wasn't sure of what's happening, she thought of something else. She tried to cover up her right eye with her right hand while her left eye remained uncovered.

It confused her to see no colors other than the two: black and white.

Adeline switched on, covering up her left eye and uncovering her right eye. She seemed to be completely normal because she can still see colors. But, she suddenly thought, why is her left eye like that? She's not even sure if that condition would be terrible for her.

Two Months Ago...

Email subject line: Advertising Campaign Staff from World Spectrum Enterprises, Inc.

Dear Quinn Adeline Maynez,

We were all very excited to meet and get to know you over the past few days. We have been impressed with your background and would like to formally offer you the position of Advertising Campaign Staff. We will be offering you an annual gross salary of $56, 400. Your expected starting date is the 14th of April. You will be asked to sign a contract of 6 months, and nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements at the beginning of your employment.

We would like to have your response by the 7th of April. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me or Ms. Shirley Stratton should you have any questions.

We are all looking forward to having you on our team.

Best regards,

Freyja Johnson, HR

Adeline's hands were sweaty and cushioning the job offer letter from one of the best companies in the city. She couldn't help from trembling in excitement.

"I got in..." She told herself.

She calmed herself before trying to contact her mother and tell her the splendid news her daughter had just received.

Adeline carefully placed down the letter above the bed where she was currently sitting and took her phone from the bag. She started living in New York for the last couple of days while her mother was left back in their hometown, Austin, Texas. Her mother was the only one left in the family that could manage their small family business.

Adeline waited for her mother to pick up the call, but nothing was happening. She thought, 'Did my mom lose or forgot her phone again?'.

So, she contacted the office number just in case her mother really doesn't have her phone with her.

"Hello, you've reached Mrs. Adele Maynez's secretary."

"Hello? Lizzy?"

"Hello? Who am I speaking to?"

"It's me, Addie. Is my mom there at the office?" Adeline asked her.

"Oh, Ms. Adeline! It's nice to hear your voice again. But, Mrs. Adele is in the meeting with the other bosses right now, so it might take a while before you can talk to her."

"I see, well... will you please tell her I called?"

"Of course! It's no problem. Is there anything else?"

"I don't think so. Hmm... that would be all."

"Alright, anytime."

Adeline felt bad for not being able to tell her beloved mother about her new job right away. She just sent her mother a text message about it with her selfie while holding the letter before sending it.

It has now been Adeline's third month of employment with the company that recently hired her, and she could tell how clueless she is about how the company should be doing.

She can't talk to anyone. None of the long-time employees or experienced ones can she approach without giving her a stern face or glare. Their faces will always tell her she's a distraction.

If Adeline can still remember, during the first day of her employment, it was very awkward for her. She almost thought that her co-workers would warmly welcome her because she was the only newbie, but she was wrong.

She expected too much.

Most of them were snobbish, while the senior employees were all grumpy and strict. However, there is an exception for one, and she's sitting right next to Adeline. Her name is Sandra Veronin, an Asian-American who has long and straight black hair and has a beautiful complexion.

Adeline remembered when Sandra was the first one to greet her and she even asked her if they could be friends. Adeline didn't hesitate, that's why until now, they're still close friends.

"Hey, Adeline." Sandra called her.

Adeline glanced at her while she was still at her workplace, "Yeah?"

"The seniors are going to have lunch outside with the juniors. Would you like to come?" she asked.

"You're... you're asking me?"

"Yes. Uh, who else do you think I am talking to?" she snorted.

"No, it's just..." Adeline paused from talking for a while, thinking if it's a good idea for her to tag along.

Sandra gave her a pat on the back, "Oh, come on. You belong with us now, that's why come along."

"But, what if-"

"Trust me. They may be our seniors, but I'm sure they don't bite." She winked at Adeline as she helped her get up from her chair.

Adeline took her purse from her bag while Sandra was waiting for her, when one of the senior employees, Angie, called their attention.

"Wait for a second, ladies. Are you going somewhere?" Angie questioned.

Adeline went dumbfounded, but Sandra immediately took over the conversation.

"Yes, ma'am. Adeline and I would be-"

"Nah ah," Angie cut her off. "The seniors and some of OUR CHOSEN juniors will go out for lunch. The not chosen juniors should remain here."

"Well, that is the point, ma'am. Adeline and I will come along." Sandra smiled at her before glancing at the clueless newbie.

Adeline wasn't really sure what's really happening, but she's getting pretty scared.

"No, stay here. Because we do not invite you. What would the boss say if they found out that everyone is not in the office, huh?" Angie insisted on them.

Adeline glanced at Sandra and observed how good she could be in the middle of sorting the conversation out with a senior.

"If you insist, ma'am, I guess Adeline and I would stay here for lunch."

Adeline wowed. She couldn't believe her new friend would say that. Because for Adeline, Sandra doesn't have to stay with her if she would really like to come with the others.

"No. The rookie will be the one staying behind to... guard the office. Sandra, you are coming with us for lunch." Angie said.

'What?' Adeline exclaimed in her thoughts.

"I'm sorry, but why should we leave Adeline behind? I mean, she's one of us now, for 3 months already. Isn't that being unfair to her?" Sandra complained but remained with her kind tone.

"Shut your mouth, young lady. It's not just my decision..." Angie glanced and raised her left eyebrow at Adeline. "It's the majority's decision."

Adeline just wondered, 'what did she ever do wrong to them and they're treating her like that?'

They're making her feel worse. As if they already damned her for accepting the offered and vacant job position, and for coming to their lives.

Adeline turned to look at Sandra, "It's okay. You can go with them. I can stay here if that is what's needed. Enjoy your lunch."

She can see the worried and sorry face of Sandra. The reaction she would also have if her friend was being pushed down badly by the people surrounding her.

Angie started walking out of the office followed by the rest of her minions- uh, friends.

"Come on now, Sandra!" They even hear the bitchy loud voice of Angie from the outside of the office.

Sandra slightly held Adeline's hand as she smiled at her.

"Go now. I'll be fine." Adeline told her.

Sandra sighed, "I'll... bring something for you when I get back."

Adeline nodded at her as she let go of her hand and followed the trails of the rest.

She sighed as put back her purse inside the bag, before sitting down in front of her desk and facing the desktop computer.