Petals Of Love.

Petals of Love….
If you love someone, let them know……

Brian counted the money he had faithfully been saving for the last two months. It amounted to a cool shs.955, courtesy of missed lunches, extra chores within the house. He had never had so much money at one go.
“I am still short of some three hundred or so shillings and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner,” Brian whispered to himself. He continuously shook his head, a clear sign of desperation. He did not want a repeat of last year’s embarrassment where he received gifts from 6 different people while he dished out nothing.
Brian looked at his Valentine’s to do list: flowers, cards and chocolates for 5 people. His parents topped the list, though he knew how skeptical his dad would react with a dismissive, “Love is for the birds!” His mother and his pretty 14 year old sister would be thrilled. It’s the only thing that Brian loved about his sister: appreciation. Gifts had the unique way of bringing the best out of her.
“Which bank did you rob this time?” Brian imagined the teasing from his mom. Or, “Which girl dumped you this time?” his sister would retort. Women!
Two more people and Brian’s list would be complete. There was his class teacher – a petit, humorous and extremely beautiful person. All the boys in the class had a crash on her, though she seemed to favour the notorious Barasa.
“I wonder how old she is,” Brian mused aloud. Whatever her age, the class teacher was one person who Brian felt thoroughly deserved his chocolate and flowers.
Finally, the last name on the list was Cynthia, Brian’s classmate and heart throb. Brian had never told anyone about his love for Cynthia. If he gave her a flower or chocolate then everyone would know. If he did not give her then his heart would not be at peace. Oh, bother! His dad was right about love.
Two days before Valentine and Brian was a bag of nerves. He had resolved all the other issues except Cynthia’s. He tried all manner of disguising the problem without any success.
“Lovey-dovey butterflies!” mum teased him.
“Cupid’s broken arrow,” his sister added to the tension.
“Mr. Lover lover – bombastic!” his dad sang one of those old ragga songs that often belted out of the radio stations.
A day before Valentine’s Day and Brian’s plans were all intact. He collected the red flowers from Kariz the florist. They were all delicately wrapped in a red ribbon. “Thanks mbuyu,” Brian expressed his gratitude.
Brian then proceeded to the supermarket where he bought five 100g chocolate bars and five Valentine’s cards. The cashier winked at him, “So many women! Lucky guy!”
Brian smiled and then muttered, “Trouble my friend!” They both laughed.
The big day dawned and Brian who had not slept a wink was the first one at the dining table. He placed a card, a chocolate and a flower at each person’s eating place. He did not wait for breakfast. A quick wash of face, brushing of teeth and hurried wearing of uniform saw him out of the house in less than ten minutes.
Brian was the first one to reach school. “Have you joined our profession?” the school watchman teased him as Brian strolled into the school compound. He went to class and carefully opened Cynthia’s desk. He placed the flower and gift box inside. He also left one on the teacher’s desk.
Brian hang around waiting for his friends to come. It took another fifteen minutes before the first batch of pupils arrived abode one of the private transporters.
“Happy Valentine!” the boys mocked each other with fake flying kisses. A few brave boys offered girls flowers. This was met with loud hooting and whistles as the girls giggled in appreciation.
Finally Brian saw Cynthia coming towards the group of boys and girls. She looked stunning, the background risen sun radiating on her rotund face. She was carrying a flower and a gift box. All the eyes turned towards her. There was silence as every single boy tensed wondering who the lucky boy was going to be.
Cynthia stopped at Brian’s and with all the confidence of the boys combined, she whispered, “Happy Valentine handsome!” She gave Brian a red flower and beautifully wrapped gift. Brian did not hear the roar of approval / disapproval whatever it was. He muttered something like, “Ata wewe!” Fat goose pimples quickly spread through his body as his legs felt rubbery, his mouth went completely dry while his head spun. “Handsome! Handsome!”
They all watched as Cynthia disappeared into the classroom. Brian was surrounded by a hoard of boys who demanded a share of his loot.
A sudden scream of delight brought Brian and his goons to their senses. It was Cynthia who had discovered her gift. They all rushed in and found Cynthia holding opening her card. Tears flowed freely on her cheeks as she loudly read the poem…
I love
The sunshine in your touch
The moonlight in your smile
The stars in your eyes
The sunrise in your being
The sunset in your laughter
I love
The universe in you.
Be my Valentine…
The card was not signed.
“That was a lovely poem. Who wrote it?” the voice of the class teacher cut across the silence. All heads turned towards the teacher who had just entered the class. There was a stint of silence.
Brian gathered guts and owned up. “I did!” As the words came out of his mouth, he felt a sudden pride in finally declaring his love for Cynthia. He was proud of what he had done. He was at peace with himself. Love was in the air.