The Fiery Queen

Chapter 5: New found

"Hello there! Interested in my flowers?" said the lady, exuding the scent of spring with the warmth of a summer breeze.

"Hi, yes. It's like paradise here. Are you new?" Ani exclaimed.

"I've been here for 15 years and 360 days. And I haven't had you here  You're a new customer," the lady replied, setting down the sunflower and removing her gloves.

"Uhm, I guess I wasn't very observant. I always walk with my eyes straight ahead on my way home and to school. And I'm not a customer; I have no money to buy anything."

The lady placed the sunflower in Ani's hand. "Take this as a sign to be more open. Notice the things you've overlooked before. This flower represents hope and vitality."

Ani hesitantly accepted the sunflower but then offered it back. "You can't give this to me; it's too precious. It will die as soon as I leave your shop."

The lady handed her some fertilizer and advised, "Find a spot in your room with sunlight. Water it day and night, and speak kindly to it. You'll feel an immense sense of serenity while nurturing a small life." She insisted.

Ani takes the flower. "You don't understand. If you knew me, you'd hide your flowers. Listen to what I'd tell your sunflower: 'You sunlight-hoarding bud, you think you beautify the world? No, you offer false hope! You monopolize the sun and emit harmful chemicals to other plants. How selfish! May the sun never shine on you again.' See, floral lady? I'm not fit to be a plant owner."

As she moved to leave, the sunflower wilted. "You've hurt more than the flower; you've hurt me. Look at the cactus; they hoard water, they prick, they're unsightly. Yet, they embody hope. Will you turn the cactus around?"

Ani turned the pot and gasped at the beautiful blooms it bore.

"Even if you're the prickliest of beings, you still need others, light, and hope. The advantages of both this sunflower and that cactus outweigh the disadvantages of their existence. They should exist rather than not. Hold on to your hope, little girl.

Don't squander your energy resisting the urge to express the love within you. Release it. Don't let the sacrifice of this sunflower be in vain; soften your heart to yourself. Look at the sun; it shines on both the cactus and you. You are as radiant as this sunflower was in its prime."

The woman crushed the sunflower and fed its remains to the caterpillars in a box. "Even in its remains, it holds value for these future pollinators," she whispered.

Ani yelled, "Keep your opinions to yourself! If you're so full of hope, then release these captive plants; they're tired of your nonsense. Go get married; your plants can't look after you. Once your beauty's gone, you'll be off the list of potential wives."

"You know nothing of my love life, nor should you care. You are quite a mean girl. Marriage isn't based on beauty, dear. A woman's beauty is eternal, residing in her soul and reflected in her eyes. And indeed, these plants do care for me. They offer me hope and oxygen," the woman replied, shedding a single tear.

"Crybaby beauty, I just returned the favor! I'll never visit your shop again! I hope it closes down!"

She dashed out of the store, she might only be apparent until she gasped for air, realizing the distance she had covered in mere seconds. Collapsing to her knees, a wildflower amidst the concrete caught her eye.

She cried out, "How do you survive here? How do you flourish under the scorching heat of the pavement? No one is here to admire your beauty, yet you thrive. What's your purpose? I've let everyone down... let myself down... If only I could reverse time, but I can't. I long to start anew, but I can't even trust myself. I lack purpose, talent, no..."

Her thoughts were shattered by the sound of an explosion. A man in a panic sprinted past.

"What happened?!" Ani yelled after him.

"The flower shops are ablaze. The owner shot herself after setting the place on fire. Poor Kalina, overwhelmed by her husband's loss, couldn't endure the yearning and sorrow any longer. The shop, a present from her deceased partner, now people whisper of a curse by a girl, severing Kalina's final lifeline." With that, the man hurried to draw water from the well.

Memories flooded her mind, the resolve to change, the crushing words of Devin, and the last exchange with Kaya. She remembered the florist's words and Kaya's during dishwashing. Ani sprinted to the scene, finding Kaya gazing emptily at the woman. Seizing Kaya's arms, she saw recognition flicker in her eyes. "Please say you're not the girl they claim cursed her," Kaya implored.

Ani wept. "This is my fault, Kaya. I now realize the importance of being cautious with my words. They manifest. And I can reverse time."

"That's good for you. But time reversal isn't possible." Kaya continued walking, but Ani blocked her path. "I can, Kaya. Remember the sunny day when it was supposed to rain, but time rewound?"

Ani stepped back, taking deep breaths. "I wish to go back to the moment before I entered the greenhouse." With a single blink, she found herself back in the greenhouse. A tear of joy rolled down her cheek.

"Thank you!" she exclaimed. Joyfully, she stepped into the greenhouse. The lady stood up from her gardening.

Once more, Ani beheld a beauty so ethereal she wished it would never fade. "Hello, Kalina!" Ani greeted her warmly and with great enthusiasm.