Remembering Daisy. Chapter 1: Fragrance Flowers

Chapter 1: Fragrance Flowers

"And then he stood there simply rooted for the moment- her name was Daisy. "

The "Fragrance Flowers" shop has been there for as long as he can remember. Right opposite Midday Cafe, sandwiched in between the numerous other shophouses down at Living Street. The good old tree was on the left of Fragrance Flowers and right under its canopy is none other than the couple's wooden bench. And of course, the ever present street lamps lighting up the street.

He was around 5 years old when he first entered Fragrance Flowers; his dad had sent him to collect a bouquet of flowers for his mum. The date then was definitely none other than 12th August,his parent's wedding anniversary. He recalled trudging down in the evening, admiring the sweetness of the night for with its magnificent street lamps lining up at the side and the chimerical feeling in the air, Living Street could not have been more beautiful as the sunset rays pour into the horizon.

A young girl around his age was sitting at the shop counter. She was fiddling around with the various flowers placed at the cashier; watering this one, flicking another a little, shifting another...

He stood there watching her play with the flowers and then she suddenly looked up.

"You are new here aren't you? Never seen you before."

The voice was high and chirpy somehow with a touch of aroma.

"Yea, just moved in sometime back. argh, I am here to collect my dad's order." He replied.

She then flipped through a notebook at the cashier counter, trying to find something when he heard footsteps approaching from the rear of the shop. It was the shopkeeper.

"Daisy, could you go water the plants at the side please, reminded you to do so just now already. (turns to him) and what can I for you young man?"

And then he stood there simply rooted for the moment- her name was Daisy. Daisy. And just at that same moment, the white petals with its yellow pedicels lingers ever so vividly in tinted glass of his imagination.

"argh, em... Madam I am just here to collect an order my Dad dropped off. Should be signed off with a P. I think."

His eyes still observing her, watering the plants so gracefully at the side. The shopkeeper then passed him the bouquet of flowers.

"So your family just moved in here? Things been well I hope? Well tell your parents to let me know if they need any help settling in here."

He nodded. To be honest he has not gotten over things in the past yet- but then again a new start now awaits him. However right now, for reasons he was unsure of, it occurred to him that he may have taken an uncanny liking for the shop.

"Oh just curious, you will be attending school at Hearts I presume?"

He nodded yet again. The fragrance from the shop has now settled into him completely. Simply put, it's a good feeling, light, sweet, bliss, all combined into one.

"Daisy will be going to Hearts as well. So yea, don't worry about not knowing anyone there."

His eyes lit up once more. Like the sort of glow that dragonflies emit so readily, it's partially mild, but yet again trying hard not to completely let out the glow. He was almost absorbed into it when he suddenly realises-

"Oh, Madam do you mind telling me where the postbox is?"

"Postbox... the nearest one is right near Sunset River, I tell you what, Daisy why don't you help show the young boy the way there?"

"Okay mum. I have watered the plants for you already!"

"Good. (pauses, and then turns to him) Now have a good evening then."

The sun has set by now, night has fallen and the street shined even more brightly than before. Daisy walked lightly, her tiny feet pattering on the stone steps of Living Street.

"Should just be right in front. Turn left at the end of the street and you will get there!"

He replied with a feeble "okay".

"Nice flowers you got there. But my favourite ones are daisies. (she pauses almost as if waiting for a reply) Alright then, I will see you in school soon! Goodnight."

And as the pattering footsteps meanders away daintily against the backdrop of the horizon, Living Street has truly never been more beautiful.

For the smell of it all has never been more fragrant and sweet. And at that instance, perhaps the wait for school to start or even life itself, has never been truly sweeter.