A Beautiful flower shop. A bouquet of lavender roses. A meeting between a man looking for the perfect love with a man who loves flowers. Plus four curious brothers with an elaborate plan. If you can't say it with mere words, just say it with flowers...
I wake up to the sunshine streaming down from between the curtain gaps. I want to continue my sleep for just a few more minutes when a wonderful smell of hot coffee invites me to rush outside. A mug is already laid on the small table for two, next to a plate of buttered toast. I put the toast in my mouth and skip to the coffee machine. Pour a full cup then head back to the table.
There is another addition, a small white vase with three stems of lavender purple roses. I smile and touch the pretty flowers. Three stems mean a simple 'I love you', and just like Phi Off and Phi Gun, lavender is our anniversary color. I look out into the garden, and there he is. Tending to a rose bush. I quietly walk to him, hug him from behind, and whispers in his ears, "Happy anniversary, Kit. Thank you for the wonderful three years. I love you!"
I can feel his smile flowing all over him, "Good morning, Phi Sing. I love you, and happy anniversary to you, too." He puts the pruning scissors on the ground, and turns around, "Sorry, but I need to wash my hands first," while taking his gloves off.
"Nope, I can't wait. You can do it after this," and I just pull him tightly and kiss him. A long passionate kiss. Can't believe after all these years together and I'm still highly addicted to kissing him. And letting him go need every bit of my willpower.
"Mmm, I guess you already had your morning coffee, phi," he licks his lips, and his sigh feathers on my face, I can only pull him back for more until we really need to come up for breath.
"Come on, Phi Sing..." Kit's trying to speak in the midst of my raining kisses on his cheek, "...I'll cook you some breakfast. After..." he pushes me back, "...I wash my hands, outside, there," and he points to the faucet and garden hose. "You can take your bath first, Phi Sing. Or you want me to shower you here with that hose?" his smile is threateningly flirty I'm convinced he will do it.
"Yups, okay, dear..." I learn never to argue with Kit about cleanliness. He always firmly says dirty hands make flowers wither and food lose taste. Well, I know that's not completely true but it tells how important it is for him. And I know better to stay away from the kitchen if I want to save myself from his yelling since there is no way I'll be in the kitchen without making a complete mess. And I have no problem with that because Kit can create wonderful tasty dishes like magic.
I walk into the house and see the lavender roses again. We have agreed that the number of stems that we can give each other should be no more than three. The 'I love you' meaning is already complete. But over the years we've been together, almost two years of the 'learn-about-everything' dating, that quote was given by Phi Off, and this is our third wedding anniversary, I have seen various colors of roses that I never thought existed. Kit loves all flowers, but roses have a special place in our hearts because of their beauty, and, it was the flower that brought us together.
Ever since I had the short tutoring from Kit at the flower shop that continues over the years, I have practiced by giving and receiving colorful varieties of roses. Although my daily favorite colors are still black and grey, this addition to my life has brought a rainbow to my heart.
Coral rose was the one I gave to Kit in our earlier meetings. These roses mean desire, perfect for this new person in my life who excited me and I wanted to get to know better.
Then, the choice turned to salmon rose, which suggests excitement and enthusiasm, they say it makes a perfect gift for budding relationships. And I knew my relationship was blooming fast.
And, a bouquet of beautiful orange-tipped yellow roses was my gift when I was convinced that our friendship has grown into romance. And that was the day I can't stop smiling because Kit accepted my heart! And gave me his! Phi Off kept pulling my head from above the clouds!
Dark pink roses, when I wanted to show my gratitude and appreciation when Kit assists our company with its accounting matters. It all started when Khun Praset, our old regular accountant has chosen to retire to go travel around the world with his wife. I am so relieved when he gave me a thumbs up and pointed at Kit's back, signaling a good job. Yup, my Kit can do everything!
Yellow roses that we send to Phi New, Phi Tay, Phi Off, and Phi Gun for their best brotherly love and friendship.
Orange roses when I'm missing Kit and can't wait to see him.
Beautiful pink roses that Kit arranged as the offering for our parents. I never let him cry again when he is doing this, I always stay by his side and only remind him of the happy times with our parents.
And of course, the love-screaming red roses, which I carried in my hands the moment I officially proposed to Kit.
On the day of our wedding, Phi New gave us a bouquet of red and white roses, saying that it was a gift from the four brothers. The combination of colors means unity. Six people have come together, four friends gain two new brothers, and two families have become one. And I remember what Phi Tay said to us, "We hope your bouquet of life will be filled with various colors of flowers. Some may be bad, but many will be good. Just enjoy the scent when it last, and refresh the stems when they get withered. Just don't replace each other, or us!" and the six of us huddled together, laughing our hearts out.
And he was right, many more colors have splashed into our life, and the pages of our history are sketched in rainbows. But well, as Phi Tay said, some of the rainbows are dull and somber, but many are brilliantly sparkling. And this is our life, mine and Kit. The ups and downs, high and low, left or right, marriage is the only ship that has two captains, and we have to work together to decide the course of our ship. And after five years, Kit and I are still cruising on.
I enter the bathroom and turn on the shower. Usually, on our anniversary, we spend the day just having a playdate, hanging out having fun in the city, paying merit tribute at the temple, and then have dinner somewhere. We made a pact in the family that the six of us have to get together on birthdays and religious holidays. But anniversaries and such are entitled to be celebrated on our own. As Phi Off said, we all need to always rekindle our love so the fire will keep on burning. And, as the company owner, he has a special gift for his employees. An extra day off for wedding anniversaries. On the condition that we bring a photo of us spending that day together with our spouses. Smart of him, haha.
The warm water creates a soft mist and fogged the shower-box glass. I feel a hand on my waist, and Kit's whispers in my ear, "Khun Singto, can I join you? Because we don't want to waste water... and time..."
Awww, he is so right, I don't want to waste any time, "Khun Krist, you are my special guest on this special day... in this special shower..." I turn facing him, spin him around and let the pouring water cover his body, and... well... I guess the first schedule of our playdate is already starting...
FIN
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