Short Story
Myths told by ancestors can carry hidden truths within the inconceivable. Everyone decides what to believe. Some myths are turned historical, others are forgotten, and the rest are transformed in half-jokes. What will you believe? That is the real question in all of this. Is it even worth an ear to know even the simplest of stories? Some just believe, the majority ignores it and others live it in silence without the suspicious and malevolent. Those that do know just prefer the simplicity of keeping the secret.
Even a simple flower can have a story to admire. Just like the eternal sunflower that once used to be another living creature; a guardian of a lake. Roles can change in an instant, even for the unnatural. With that change came along a new identity for the former guardian. Beyond her new appearance, centuries were accompanied by the new and the old was left behind to be forgotten.
A house replaced the lake that she once protected and with it came her constant evolution. The creature that once protected a lake was now a sunflower, which with its strong spirit helped it gain the ability to physically materialize. Using her appearance, she gave herself a role to guide future generations of the family, but not all of those were fortunate. She only showed herself to those who deserved her goodwill, and with that trust, the truth of her existence continued.
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“Sari, why do you believe people do bad things?”
She turns to look at him with a puzzled expression on her translucent elongated face “Is there any reason for your question?”
“Not really. I was just wondering, is all.”
Sari sits beside Besnik on the bed where he rests and recovers from the alcohol withdrawal. “Decisions are made based on emotions. Whether those emotions are rational and stay that way will depend on the individual's experience. People tend to do things out of fear, ambition, spite, and love. Especially the later… Love can be a positive emotion on someone but, it can also be the self-destruction button in someone’s life.”
Besnik looked out the window and contemplated the sunflower field outside. “Self-destruction, huh?” His hooded onyx eyes stared at her protruding golden eyes; seeking answers that were far to reach. “Is that why you are always here? Always cleaning up the mess I had made of myself.”
She chuckled at his sudden question. “No. Indeed, that is a very clever observation.”
“Always so mysterious. You never say anything clearly and never show up when I call, only when I have given up.”
Sari stares at the handblown translucent cobalt vase that was resting on the bedside table; a lone sunflower was in it. “Why do you think sunflowers follow the sun?”
Reluctantly he answered her question. “Because it needs the sun to survive; all plants do.”
“You have a point. Flowers do need the sun like humans need air; though that isn't the right answer.” She stood in front of the sunflower that seemed to never wither away within the vase. “In many cultures, it has different meanings like loyalty, longevity, or long life. However, it says in Greek mythology that a water nymph would always gaze towards the sun, towards Apollo. The god of the sun never noticed the nymph that desperately wanted to be loved back. Out of compassion, the other gods turned her into a sunflower so she would forever seek the sun.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Ignoring Besnik’s question she continued reminiscing. “This vase was enchanted by the gods so that it would serve as a vessel for this sunflower. It will live on eternally if the vase is kept intact. Those gods were the same who transformed the water nymph into a sunflower.” She pointed her elegant slim finger at the sunflower and took a shallow breath to continue speaking.
Before she could continue, Besnik interrupted Sari, looking at the flower incredulously. “You can’t possibly be implying that that myth is actually real, and that sunflower has been kept intact ever since those times. It’s impossible.”
She gave a sad and nostalgic sounding chuckle. “Nothing old is ever believable, is it?” Sari turned to face him now but looked at the ruby sky through the window. “My love for the sun has never changed, instead, the sun is what I had replaced.” She looked back at the young Count and gave a soulful smile. “I was saved once by those that were close to the sun, and so... I find the sun within those in this manor who are worth saving.” She sat once again by his side and placed her hand tenderly on his cheek. “Becoming the next head of the Nova family isn’t an easy task but, it is no reason to throw away your life with unnecessary toxin intake. You have much to give to the world with your kind heart.” Her body began to fade as night began to settle. “I will always be there when you are vulnerable.”
As night covered the room completely and with the last of her words; the sunflower was once again sleeping, leaving a stunned Besnik wondering if it was all a pleasant dream. With the still night and a shining crescent moon, silently promised himself to try to do better as the new head of the Nova Household.
