Daffodils
M A R I G O L D
Shit!
I ran to the toilet seat and held up my hair as I emptied the remaining content of my stomach.
“Mari?!” Blair called probably as she heard the sound of me throwing up.
I sighed and sat beside the toilet seat; knees up and head buried in my thighs.
“This is the second time you’re throwing up in the past three hours! Are you sure you would be able to attend that event this evening?” Blair helped me flush the toilet and rubbed my back.
“No, I have to.” I replied her.
Blair’s my friend and roommate. We’ve been friends since college and started living together afterwards.
She sighed; “You’re getting weak! Shouldn’t you take something for it?” Blair suggested.
“I can’t afford to be weak! I haven’t even arranged the flowers for the event yet! I need to go to the shop and pick them out.” I resolved.
I got up to my feet and staggered to my room where I tied up my dark brown hair into a ponytail before applying powder under my eyes to cover my dark circles. I put on a floral playsuit and grabbed my purse before dashing out of the house.
My stomach growled all the way to the shop but I tried to bear it.
When I got to the shop it was disorganized as always.
Aunt Faith didn’t clean up again.
With a groan, I got a broom and cleaned up the whole place before I released a sigh of relief.
As my tummy growled, I made my way to the drawer and took out a mint sweet which I immediately threw into my mouth to help it settle down.
Good morning Marigold!” The mailman waved as he dropped off my stores mail.
“Good morning Ryan!” I waved back at him and he went on his way.
I picked up the basket of the daffodils and placed them up to sit on the counter as I carefully picked them up stem after stem.
As I noticed that the flowers were getting up to a bunch, I moved it close to my nose and a sweet smell of burnt orange hit my nose.
The smell of daffodils are something people are always quick to miss but when it’s a person that knows about flowers, they are patient because they know the smell doesn’t immediately hit the nostrils.
“Ah,” I smiled with content on my face.
Whoever’s receiving these flowers is really lucky. I gazed at the combination of white and yellow daffodils I had managed to turn into a presentable bouquet and settled down to make more of them.
It took about five hours to get about ten bouquets done because I had to make sure to cut of the thorns and spray them so it retains its freshness.
The bell at the top of the door chimed and Blair walked in as she typed away on her phone.
“Hey,” I greeted with a smile.
“Hi! How are you feeling now? Does your tummy still hurt?” She asked.
“It feels better now, don’t worry.” I assured her. “Look,” I raised one bouquet to show her. “What do you think?” I raised a brow.
“It’s so beautiful!” Her grey eyes sparkled but her small lips turned into a pout. “Where’s your aunt? Why isn’t she helping you?”
“She didn’t come today.”
“So she left you to do all the work and when they pay you, she’s going to come and get it?” Her voice got louder.
“Why don’t you just start your own shop? You know the reason anyone buys from here is because of you! The effort you put in!”
“You know I can’t do that. I can’t let this shop fall. It’s the only memory of my parents.”
“Well,” She shrugged.
“Did you already eat? Let’s order from Subway.”
Her face brightened, “You read my mind!” She turned her phone to face me and I saw it was already on the subway website.
“Savory Turkey ranch sidekick with Mountain Dew?” I pointed at her with a grin.
“Crispy Chicken sidekick with Mountain Dew?” She pointed me with a grin.
“Yes!” We squealed at the same time.
“But wait, your tummy ache.” She calmed down and turned serious.
“Who cares?!” I shrugged and we went back to squealing.
After some time, our order came and we settled on the mat to have our food.
“Let’s continue that k drama from before.” I suggested.
“Business Proposal?” She asked and I nodded.
“What are the chances of meeting the love of your life in an uncomfortable situation.”
“Zero. It’s just some cheesy cliche drama and that’s why we love it.”
“True.”
I put on Netflix and we watched another episode as we munched down our lunch.
“I want a rich ceo who would rent out a yacht too!” She cried.
“Wouldn’t I love that too? Ha Ri is so lucky.” I sighed.
“I hate k dramas for giving me such unrealistic expectations.” She snarled.
“Don’t blame anyone for your failing love life!” I warned and she gasped.
“Well at least I have a love life, yours has been in shambles since college.”
“I’m going to kill you!” I huffed as I playfully pushed her.
When we were done eating, I continued working and made five more bouquets when I realized that I had to make my way to the Sandler Auditorium to drop off the order.
“I’m leaving, lock up the shop when you’re ready to leave!” I instructed as I left the shop.
I arrived at the venue exactly seven pm on the dot. The venue was packed with all brands of luxurious cars and a bunch of very elite people.
This is such a huge event.
I made my way to the backstage where I successfully delivered the order but I was asked to stay behind for the event so I could watch my flowers being used.
In the middle of the event when the flowers were handed to a particular man, my stomach growled so loud I’m sure the people around me heard it. I felt my tummy rubble and I ran to the restroom.
Due to the urgency of the situation, I pushed the door open and ran into one of the empty stalls where I felt a huge load drop into the toilet bowl and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Just then, I heard footsteps into the bathroom and as if on cue, another load dropped loudly in the toilet and I buried my head on my thigh.
Oh well, it’s not like I can control this.
Just as I stretched to get the tissue, I realized the toilet paper holder was empty.
How could such a fine establishment like this not have tissues?
Oh god! How do I get out of here?
Would the person outside have tissues or maybe the next stall may have tissues.
I’m already embarrassed so what’s the point.
As I swallowed a lump of saliva stuck in my throat, I finally gathered courage to scream.
“The person outside, hi!” I yelled.
**
