The One Thousand Days

Chapters 12. Helianthus annuus L.

My eyes were staring at the crowded street in front of the house. I'm speeding up the pace. The coffee in the cup was still lukewarm\-toy, Geral must not have been far away. I stopped when I saw the door of the flower shop open. The flower shop is mine and right next to the house. My feet stepped without a sound. The sound of bells ringing out loud as the door creaked open. His face appeared behind a collection of swaying white chrysanthemums. His long hand was lifting the pot containing dozens of flower stalks. Geral put the pot near the entrance before now looking at me.

“Enza!” geral's voice sounded cheerful.

“Iya–eh–Iya, what is it?”

Ugghs! I really\-completely failed to compose the correct\-word. He raised his clenched fingers in front of his mouth. Really\-looks amused by my behavior now. My cheeks warmed up while she was still laughing. I glanced at the chrysanthemum flower pot Geral had placed. I always put it there and Geral's life knew it was–it turns out she still remembers it.

 I was still standing as Geral approached. I immediately tiptoed and my heart seemed to jump out when the young man grabbed me from behind. Her delicate wrist rubbed my neck. The fresh fragrance of Geral's body burst through my nose, and I wanted to turn around and hug her.

“I haven't had a shower,” I tried to kink.

“No problem,” his heavy voice sounds soft.

I shuddered to remember the growl last night. I looked up and a smile spread across his face. The rest of his cruelty last night was like being lost without a trace. Now I look more like a person who can't tell dreams and reality apart. It's just, I could have sworn that last night was real. But now it looks real too. I really\-don't know what to behave like now. However, I did not want Geral to realize the uneasiness I was feeling. He's my hard-called Geral, I just have to believe he's back and last night was just a dream. At least in this way I can also be calmer–hopefully.

“I show you something,” he said again while rolling me inside.

“Ah–eh–I mean yes.”

“You're still half asleep huh?”

I scratched my neck that wasn't itchy. “Buu–not, I'm just curious,” my lie.

“You will know in a moment,” he said sounding mysterious.

My heart beats when my feet are heavy. Geral kept pushing me. We arrived at a medium-sized wooden table. The table I often use for customer order flower arranging. Eight sprigs of sunflowers looked fresh in the pot. Geral sat me on the chair while she crouched down below. His face looked up at me.

“That flower is for you,” the sound is soft.

“Forku?” i'm parroting. “Can I be a florist?”

“I know.” Dimples appeared on her cheeks as she smiled. “ But, that doesn't mean you don't receive flowers, does it?”

“But this is my flower–”

“I know. But what I will give is not this,” he said again. Red hue whipped her cheeks–it looks like she really\s embarrassed.

“Then what?”

“Perhaps just a word\-word,” the young man cleared his throat slowly.

“Kata\-word? Tickle once!”

“You don't want to hear?”

You're so nice!” his praise. “I started ya.”

“Please!” I said chuckling softly when Geral cleared his throat and looked shy\-shame.

“You know why I chose that flower among dozens of other flowers?”

I know the philosophy of this one flower but appreciating the explanation it feels much more polite. I'm shaking. After all, if he said it, it would be fun.

“You must know,” his lips.

“Wouldn't it be better if you said it,” I smiled faintly.

“This flower symbolizes you and me in a strange way,” he said.

I raised an eyebrow. I don't understand the direction of the conversation.

Geral touched my hand. I blinked as her cold hand touched mine. But I resigned in his grasp.

“Sunflowers always move following the movement of the sun. That's why he became a symbol of loyalty. This flower became a symbol of strength. It symbolizes you, Enza,” Geral took a slow breath. “Flower also symbolizes happiness and this is right for me. I'm happy, Enza,” her voice choked and her eyes glazed\-glass.

I nodded in understanding. “Then why eight?”

“Eight figures are like symbols of something unlimited. I want you without knowing the limits. When I know you want me the same way, I'm happy. I hope the eight sunflower stalks become a symbol of our boundless happiness,” her jet eyes don't blink looking at me.

“Oh, Geral,” I bent down and hugged him.

“You know that you've always been the sun for me?”  whispers lirih.

“I know.’

I nodded, all my fear gone. How could Geralku be a murderer. There must have been a mistake with everything last night. Mistakes in this agreement.

“I love you,” I whisper more to calm my heart than to try to make it know my feelings.

“More than anything, Enza,” murmur is soft.

“I know, more than anything. I'm the same.”

“Thank you for calling me back, Za.”

“Thanks for coming back, Geral.”

Geral loosens the embrace. The young man tilted his head. I close my eyes when our lips meet each other. His heart was pounding so fast that it felt like it was about to erupt. Right, he's Geral. This young man is the happiness giver I want and I just have to believe.