Sadly, my thumbs aren't green. :(

Because my hosts prefer to stay at their unit near Derak Ferenc ter for the winter (aside from maybe being too generous and gracious enough to give me privacy), they left their house under my care.

As they entrusted it to me, a person - a foreigner - they've only known for a few weeks, I couldn't help but feel completely responsible. Cleaning and security are no issues to me, but they also left me their plants and a tank of fish to take care of.

OH SHOOT.

I have no problems with watering and feeding them. None at all.

The thought of them dying under my care.. THAT SCARES ME.

I haven't taken care of a plant ever since my family moved out of our grandmother's house, which was...well, maybe more than 10 years ago? A looooong time ago! and I was a little kid. I think kids show more dedication to things like this. And I don't remember feeling responsible when they died. I even picked their flowers a lot (sorry, nanay).

Fishes are not really for me. We had a bowl before with maybe less than 5 fishes, but that was it. Only lasted for about a year or less, I can't even remember. And yes, they died. All of them.

(I prefer dogs. They're more affectionate and interactive. And they can pretty much take care of themselves, too. )

But then again I had no choice.

And so I fed the fish and watered the plants regularly - I even made a chart to follow just so I wouldn't miss a day! Although I was being religious at that, I guess I failed to pay a closer attention:

A while ago, while I was busy doing stuff in my computer, I saw something fell at my peripheral view. A bit creeped out as I was alone, I slowly glanced at the direction where I saw it... And to my surprise, it was a flower. 

SCARIER THAN A GHOST.

My heart started to beat faster. I came over to pick it up and get a closer look. 

Tada~~!

WHAT HAPPENED.

When my hosts left me this plant, it was green, healthy, and still had at least 5 flowers in bloom. This flower on the right is the last one. There were 2 flowers lying on its broad, flat leaves. I don't know where the others went. :/ Maybe my hosts cleaned it when they came over during the weekend or what.

I checked the other plants hoping that this was only a special case. Guess what, all the others are slowly drying up.

I'M IN DEEP TROUBLE.

Lesson learned:

First, my thumbs aren't green. Unfortunately.

And second, maybe I haven't been paying attention. 
Things done out of routine don't equate to devotion, and consistency doesn't guarantee sincerity.

And I guess this whole thing alludes to something deeper than that.

Whether of dreams, faith or simple human relations.

On a lighter note: I checked the fish, and OH YES - at least they are still alive. *SIGH*

Now, I guess I have to start practicing how to explain this whole situation to my hosts in sign/body language. :/

Wish me luck.

***
October 13, 2011
Budapest, HUNGARY