The Story of a Rose

It was 7 am. I had just woken up. I was enjoying the fresh breeze and fluffing my petals when a hand reached out to me. In just a second I was being taken away from my family and friends. I cried out , “I’m just a kid mom ..what am I going to do ?” . She looked at me and said “Don’t worry sweety , you might just change someone’s life”

The florist put me in a green bucket. The sunflower next to me gave me a menacing look…”Hmph..another rose ..humans just don’t appreciate a colour other than red” . I felt a sprinkle of fresh water on my face …damn the florist ..didnt he know that I only bathed on alternate days !!!

  

I was trying to dry myself off when a young boy walked in. He was wearing a school uniform and stood staring at me.

Boy : Bhaiya , iska kitna ?

Florist : 20 Rs

Boy : Arre bhaiya , vaise to 5 rs ka milta hai

Florist : Aj Valentines’s day hai …yehi rate hai. 5 rs ka lena hai to kal ana .

The boy looked at his wallet…..then at me ….then again at his wallet ..then finally said “ Accha de do par ye pink hearts wali wrapping lagana” .

2 minutes later I was wrapped up and being carried by the boy. We reached a yellow bus and the boy hurriedly put me in his bag. I was scared of being in the dark and started praying to be back in the fresh air . After what seemed like eternity , I was taken out again. The boy took out a deodorant and sprayed it on himself .I almost fainted because of the overpowering smell. There was another boy with him who was speaking in a hushed tone “ Dude, just be cool . Trust me , girls love flowers .”  The boy , “But she’s standing with Tanvi . Why is she never alone ?” The other one replied , “I’ll take care of her….Tanvi…Tanvi  !!…Mrs Sharma is looking for you” .He winked at his friend and walked away.

The boy looked at the girl standing a feet away. He took a step forward and then bent down. I couldn’t understand why he was fumbling with his shoelaces as they were already tied. He got up , took a deep breath and started walking again. The girl was gazing outside the window.

Boy : Nice weather na ?

Girl : (Looking at me ) Hmmm…

Boy : History was pretty boring today …

Girl : Is that why you slept off ?

Boy : Well….You know me ..hehe. By the way I liked your new profile pic.

Girl : Yes ..I saw your “like”

The girl again moved her eyes towards me and then back at the boy ...The boy seemed quite fidgety.

Girl : Well , I better get back to class.

Boy : Hmmm…Simran…I just wanted to give this to you. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Simran (so that was her name!! ),started playing with her hair.  I on the other hand,tried to look as cute as I could for the boy’s sake ;). Finally after a lonnnng pause …

Simran: Its very sweet of you but I can’t take this..Its a red rose …and its Valentine’s day..and you know what everyone in the class would say….and how will I take it home ?

Boy : Forget about everyone in the class and you can hide it in your bag….Well , the thing is that .I….I..Like you ..I have since a long time …Please take it ….

Simran stared at the boy for some time….She was clearly blushing…Then she reached out and took me in her arms …..She turned around to leave and said , “ Thanks. I’ll call you in the evening “

She walked down the corridor and straight into the washroom. Tanvi was already inside, looking into the mirror.

Tanvi ( giggles ..giggles) : So, what did he say !!!!

Simran (gigges.. giggles) :Ohhh..he seemed so nervous …He was standing with the rose and I obviously knew it was for me… but can you believe it, he was talking about the weather !!

Tanvi (giggles giggles ) : You know hw guys are…Accha then..what did he say EXACTLY ?

Simran (giggles giggles) : He said he liked me …No…No..He said he liked me since a long time ..and then he gave me the rose.

Tanvi (giggles giggle) : Ohhhhh…This is soooo cool….The first rose of your life …and you are the first one to get it in our group …Yaaaayyyy….So what did you say..?

Simran ( giggles giggles) : I said I would call him in the evening

Tanvi (giggles giggles): So will you tell him you like him too?

Simran (giggles giggles): Hehe..I’ll make him wait for that :P

So…after an eventful day …I went back into Simran’s bag.

She put me in a flower vase …took care of me for a few days …and then put me inside her diary .I stayed there and grew old. I lost my fragrance and my vibrant colour .

15 years passed and Simran forgot all about me.  Then one day, she opened her diary and took me out. She held me close to her and looked at me fondly. She called out to someone and a tall man entered the room.

Simran : Do you recognize this ? This is the rose that you gave me when we were in school .

The man hugged her and said, “ Of course I do …It was the best 20 Rs that I spent in my life”