Of Sunflowers and Other Surprises

2.

Okay so – Akk lied: he liked flowers. He liked them a lot.

That was why he decided to take Ayan to Aunt Ratcha's house.

She was not really a relative of his, but rather an old lady who had lived in his neighborhood even before his family moved there. She had retired several years ago – but when Akk was a child, she owned the largest flower shop in the area and her mother loved spending a ridiculous number of hours talking with her about flowers that would bloom in that season or the best way to take care of her succulents.

Now the woman had turned her house into a huge greenhouse and the scent of fresh flowers hovered in the air within blocks.

Akk had been preparing everything for days. To say he was nervous would be an understatement.

Ayan squeezed his hand, stumbling over his own steps so as he wouldn’t get left behind. ''Did I mention how much I hate your long legs? slow down, Akk!''

''Stop complaining and follow me!,'' he scolded him using his good old authoritative tone, then his voice softened: ''Here we are, mind the step.''

The lady was already waiting for them at the entrance, white hair streaked with grey softly braided in two pairs of long braids.

''Welcome, boys!''

Ayan was confused, but he immediately joined his palms to bow to the woman and Akk did the same, searching for his boyfriend's fingers to intertwine them with his right after.

''Good morning, Aunt Ratcha. I brought my boyfriend, Ayan.''

‘’Hello, auntie.’’ He said, feeling oddly shy.

''Oh, he’s beautiful.'' She said, looking at the two boys with maternal satisfaction.

''He is, isn’t he?'' Akk turned to Ayan, the love that pulsed in his heart and through his gaze was undeniable and took Ayan’s breath away. Akk could never get tired of looking at him. ''That's why I brought him to you: to make him a flower among flowers.''

Ayan's eyes went wide like a pair of ceramic saucers as his ears turned red.

''Aaaakk!!'' he complained, shaking his head vigorously. ''You're the handsome one, you know.''

''Shut up. You don't get to argue with auntie's words.''

* * *

The interior of the house was truly a jungle of wonders. There were succulents on the windowsills and almost every piece of furniture, climbing plants decorating the walls, unique flower combinations and various terrariums arranged here and there among the family objects, vases hanging from the ceiling in each corner and an unfinished garland on the coffee table which was facing the couch. Even her paintings, curtains and carpets featured floral motifs on them.

Ayan was positively shocked as Akk guided him to what looked like a small tearoom.

In the center of the room, which overlooked the beach, there was a round, laid table. Not with food, though. It was covered with baskets of flowers, so many baskets that some were on the floor – each of them filled with different colors and meanings. In a wooden box, Ayan could spot a heap of branches, spools of twine and iron, ribbons and gardening scissors. As a centerpiece, a watering can that was home to a floral composition of inexplicable beauty. From the window came a strong smell of salt and a few grains of sand danced in the wind in front of them. They looked like magic dust sparkling around them.

Ayan was falling under Akk's spell. He looked at him, his heart was going crazy and couldn't be calmed anymore. ''What does this mean?''

Akk sat on one of the chairs and rolled up his sleeves. ''That I'm going to make you a flower crown.''