The Flower Shop

Chapter One

    Nadia opened her eyes as her alarm clock went off. She sighed as she rolled over and hit the top of it. Her feet hit her soft, plush carpet as she walked into her bathroom. Nadia flipped open the light and looked at herself in the mirror.
    Her favorite red scarf was tied on her hair and she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. I swear I'm so exhausted, Nadia thought to herself. She washed her face and brushed her teeth. She looked at her miniature clock in the bathroom and saw that it was a little past nine.
    Her eyes bulged out of her head once she realized that she was late to work. I swear that it was 7 AM, Nadia said to herself as she hurriedly ran her shower water. After a quick shower, she quickly dressed in some jogging pants and one of her Nadia's Flower's t-shirts. Throwing on her sneakers, she hurriedly ran to her car and began her drive to the store.
    When she made it, she parked in her usual spot behind the shop and briskly went inside. As she entered, she saw Jalil busy with some arrangements.
    He looked at her once she entered. "I was wondering where you were." Jalil said.
           Nadia placed her keys on the work table. "I overslept. I must've forgot to set my alarm from yesterday."
           "Your mama sweet potato pie was good. So if you had the itis I can't blame you." Jalil joked and Nadia laughed at him. The dinner at her parents house went well- and she and Jalil didn't leave until 6 that night.
           "Listen, thanks for holding it down for me though." Nadia said. "I still can't believe I overslept. Some days I swear I don't know how tired I am." She shook her head as she sat on her stool and prepared to start her day. She looked at her schedule and knew immediately that the day was going to be long. The day before Christmas was always busy for her. With so many people trying to find last minute arrangements and gifts, her shop had been popping since opening that morning.
           "I can believe that." Jalil said. "You're always running around. Like a hummingbird, just going."
           "I know. And today of all days, I can't stop." Nadia said as she shook her head.
           Her hair began to itch and she reached up to scratch it, only to be met with the silk fabric of her scarf. Grabbing the mirror that sat in her desk drawer, she contemplated on taking her scarf off.
           "I think you should keep it on. It makes you glow." She heard Jalil say.
           Turning to face him, she gave him a soft smile and decided to retie her scarf on her head. She left some of her edges out and smoothed them down with her brush. Once she felt ready, she looked over her agenda and prayed that God would order her steps as she went through the day.

**
           The end of the workday had come, and Nadia lay her head down on the counter. Jalil was with her, and he laughed at her actions. They had successfully sold most of the flowers that were on display today.
           "Jalil, we did it!" She said as she held her hands out. Jalil met her halfway and dapped her up.
           "We did. So- we gonna do like we did last year right?" He asked pointing to the flowers that still remained.
           "Yep! Let's load them and we can walk down to the park." Nadia said as she went to get the cart. She helped Jalil load the flowers and other things she needed in the cart and after they locked up the shop, the pair started walking up to the street.
           Nadia looked around and admired all of the lights and decorations. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she loved being able to give to others.
           "You know I ain't never really looked at these lights." Jalil spoke. Nadia looked up at his tall, muscular frame.
           "Really?" Nadia exclained.
           "Really." Jalil nodded. "I used to see the holidays as a time for me to rob someone to catch my next meal. But now I'm starting to see the beauty in it." Jalil admitted. He was in no way proud of the things he used to do in his past, but glad that he learned the lessons had to learn.
           Nadia nodded and didn't prod him. Although she had known him for a year, this was the first time that he had opened himself up to her.
           "Well, I'm glad it changed for you." Nadia said.
           The pair continued to walk in comfortable silence until they reached the park. Ridge Stone Park was beautiful during the holidays. With the lights that made it glow and the cold air, it truly made it feel like a season to rejoice in.
           The only thing that was upsetting was the homeless population that migrated there. Nadia had noticed this years ago and promised herself that when she was able- she'd help them out.
           Now that she was able to do what she'd promised herself, every year since her shop opened she decided to give to this population throughout the year.
           Many of the homeless people who recognized her immediately began to walk over to her.
           "Miss Nadia, how ya doin'?" One of the men asked her. Nadia immediately recognized her voice and looked up at the lopsided grin of Trevor. His black skin was dusty, and she knew immediately that he hadn't been to the homeless shelter in a few days. His beanie was dingy and spotty, and his graying beard was grown out. Although he may have looked disgusting or even crazy to others, Nadia was happy to see him.
           "I'm alright. Just enjoying all this Christmas spirit. How are you Mr. Trevor?"
           "It's just Trevor- I tol' you about that, girl." He joked. Nadia admired his strong Charleston accent that popped out. Although she was from South Carolina herself, she was always amazed at how different parts of her home state held such different accents.
           Nadia laughed. "Mr. Trevor- I won't ever stop that. You know I was raised well." She looked at him. Silently dipping her hands in the cart, she pulled out a Styrofoam plate and a bottle of water.
           "I have macaroni and cheese, pot roast, and a few rolls in here." Nadia said as she handed him a plate. "I also have a succulent for you." Nadia said as she also handed him the potted flower. "Take it with you when you got to the shelter." She winked at him.
           He patted her hand and thanked her. More and more people walked over to her and Nadia handed out a flower and a plate to each. Jalil watched in admiration as the people thanked and hugged her slender frame. And while he was admiring all the love she got, he was also protective of her just in case someone wanted to try her.
           After she was done giving out the food out, she was pleased to see that she'd prepared enough plates for the people that were sleeping in the park. She then began to set out the rest of the flowers that had been left behind around the park. Jalil helped her, and when they were done, he pushed the empty cart as they headed back to the shop.
           "No matter how many times I see you doing that- it always amazes me." Jalil said.
           Nadia looked up at him. "Aw thanks. You already know this, but I love giving back. Especially to the homeless. I just couldn't imagine being homeless as the holdiays hit full swing. And I know you from New York, but this S.C weather gets cold."
           Jalil laughed. "It definitely doesn't get as cold. But I know I need a jacket when the time comes." He looked down at her.
           "Do you ever miss Christmas in New York?" Nadia asked. They took a left as they turned the block.
           "Sometimes. I miss my grandmother the most. I don't miss the days I spent sleeping on the park bench though." Jalil admitted.
           Nadia stopped in her tracks. "Jalil, you were homeless?"
           Jalil faced her and nodded. "Yeah. I left my grandma's when I was sixteen and started hanging around these thugs. They weren't good for me. And boom- I ended up in juvie and my record of crime started."
           "So what changed?" Nadia asked.
           "What do you mean?" He asked. They had came to a stop at Ricky's Resturant, which was still open.
           "I mean: what ended your record of crime?"
           Jalil looked passed her and inside of the restaurant. He stuffed his hands further inside of his coat. "We can discuss it over some dinner."
           Nadia looked back at the restaurant and a smile came across her face. "Sure." She opened the door and walked inside with Jalil following her.
           After being seated, the pair began to talk once more.
           "So, give me tea?" Nadia said and Jalil smiled as he watched her put her hands in her face.
           "Well, I was born and raised in New York. Born on March 27th. My favorite-"
           "Jalil quit playing!"  Nadia said and Jalil laughed.
           "Aight, aight," He licked his lips. "What changed was Jordan."
           "Whose Jordan?" Nadia asked as she sipped on her sweet tea.
           "My cellmate. When I first got in, he had been there 5 years, with 10 more to do. Ion know how we ended up together, but we did. When I first came in, I ain't really talk much. But he kept talking to me. Day in and day out. Then one day some dudes was tryna ruff me up. Ya know, mess with the newbie type stuff. They started hittin' me and I tried to fight back, but it was too many. All of a sudden, Jordan come bussin' in. He fought them for me. And after that, we was tight.
           "Jordan and me got close after that. My grandma couldn't come to see me because she'd gotten older, but he made sure to share anything his family gave him. He taught me a lot, too. He told me that he was tryna live for God and do better." Jalil finished. He took his straw and stirred his lemonade.
           The waitress came and took their orders. Nadia looked at his brown face underneath his beanie. He wasn't looking at her, but past her. It was as if he'd been transported back somewhere with Jordan. She wouldn't say anything else until Jalil decided to speak further. And when he was ready, he did.
           "Jordan introduced me back to God. One day he read Romans 10:9 to me. And it was there that I got saved. The next day he was killed." Jalil said. Nadia gasped and that caused Jalil to focus on her face.
           "It's cool though. I miss my brother, foreal. But I got his name tatted on me." He said as he tapped his right forearm. "That's my G in heaven."
           Nadia smiled at his words. "I'm glad you met him. Sounds like he had a lot to do with the Jalil I now know."
           "He did. But also you do too, Nadia." Jalil said. His gaze was intense and it made Nadia's cheeks warm up.
           "What do you mean?" Nadia asked.
           Jalil leaned forward with his elbows resting on the table. He wanted Nadia to feel his words.
           "What I mean is that over the last year, you've become an important person in my life. You've shown me God's grace. You've shown me so much patience and mercy. Nadia, you make me want to be a better person."
           Nadia felt his words penetrate her soul. Before she could say anything, the waitress bought their food. After she left, Nadia looked at Jalil.
           "You make me want to be a better person too." She said. "I mean, you're quieter than me, but I like that. So many men try and be the boss. But I'm my own boss and you respect that. Not saying I want to boss you, but Jalil I love that you allow me to express myself without judgement or shame. Thank you." Nadia expressed.
           Jalil smiled at her and reached over the table to grab her hand. Once he did, he looked at her. "You wanna pray or should I?"
           "You can." Nadia said.
           After instructing them to close their eyes, Jalil began to pray. "Lord thank you for this day. Thank you for this Christmas Eve with Nadia and I together again. Lord, bless this food. Allow it to nourish our bodies. In Jesus Name, Amen."
           "Amen." Nadia said. She began to dig into her food, which was Ricky's special- his famous burgers with the homemade sauce. Jalil had gotten the same and she watched his face as he bit into the burger.
           "See, I told you it was good." Nadia laughed as he licked his fingers.
           "Yo, this is too good." Jalil smiled as he chewed. "Sheesh, what in the world." He said as he took another bite of his burger.
           Nadia laughed as she dipped one of her fries in ketchup. They talked and laughed with one another. When they were done, Jalil paid the bill and held the door when Nadia stepped out into the cold weather.
           They began the walk back to her shop. The walk back was silent. Nadia was caught up in her thoughts- and feelings- about Jalil. She wanted him, and she knew that he wanted her too.
           When they made it to her door, Jalil noticed that someone had taped something to her door.
           "Look." He pointed to it, and Nadia laughed.
           "This wasn't there when we left. Who'd put a mistletoe up on my door?" She said as she inspected it.
           "I don't know." Jalil touched it. "But its here now. What do you want to do."
I want to kiss you, Nadia thought to herself as she looked up at the mistletoe and back at Jalil.
           As if he was reading her mind, he softly grabbed her waist with one hand, and lifted her chin with the other. Before she could react, she felt his mouth on hers and she melted immediately into it.
           She grabbed the back of his neck and bought him closer. Both were lost in the kiss. It had them both feeling as if they were on cloud nine.
           The ringing of Nadia's phone broke the kiss that neither one of them wanted to stop. She looked and saw that it was her alarm- alerting her that it was 12 AM.
           "It's Christmas." Nadia said as she cut the alarm off.
           Jalil, who still held her waist, looked at her. "Merry Christmas, Nadia."
           "Merry Christmas to you too." Nadia smiled up at him.

***
I hope y'all have a merry Christmas ❤️

Sheesh, this got a little intense- didn't it?

See you next chapter.

With love,

Malaysia