Kāi Mén Jiàn Shān - 开门见山
katocchi
The first time I saw flowers on Erxi's desk, I wondered if she bought some to liven the space. Rainy season was around the corner, and clouds hung low in the skies, always threatening to spill over. Maybe the spirits were waiting for the day everyone's patience ran thin and no one brought an umbrella to work, just to make our days drearier. As my bag caught on yet another curved handle, I knew today would be a dry day.
They were white lilies. Vibrant, lush, fresh. The note nestled in the forest of stems announced her name in elegant script.
I should ask Erxi where she got them. My mom was still in the hospital, and a bouquet of her favorite sunflowers would brighten the greyness of beeping machines and looping wires. I could get a bouquet for my apartment, too―put it in the center of my kitchen table to remind me of beauty in the world. If I bought enough flowers, they could drown out the growing ocean of bills.
A shrill Good morning! sounded from behind me, and I mentally patted myself on the back for not jumping out of my seat, as I'd embarrassingly done a few times when we first started working together. A nod in her direction was all I managed before her eyes landed on the bouquet sitting prim and proper in a lovely glass vase. Rectangular, asymmetrical edges caught the fluorescent light and twinkled in a way that didn't suit the dreary office.
Instead of reaching out to touch the flowers, she nudged them over to my side. "These are so pretty!" She started unpacking her things, cooing about how she loved lilies. "Did you pick them up this morning?"
"No?" My tone was confused enough to make her meet my gaze. "These are yours, not mine."
"Are you sure?"
I pointed to the card in the center, immediately leaning away as she shot to her feet. With every word she read, energy built up under her skin; I could practically see her rippling with something, but the outburst I expected didn't come. She just fell back into her chair with a heavy huff and a soft smile.
A pause. A raising of my eyebrows, which made her giggle.
"They're mine, sorry. I just thought they were yours because...well, it wouldn't be the first time I was mistaken for my pretty friend," she said, thumbing the soft petals.
My brain skidded to a stop. There was a lot to unpack there. We...were friends, weren't we? That's the word used for people who met up for drinks every once in a while. The me months ago would've gagged at the thought of being Erxi's acquaintance. And what did she mean by not the first time? I continued with my work as she twirled the card between her fingers.
A few minutes later, Erxi dropped her face into her hands and squealed loudly, startling the rest of the office out of their conversations. I knew it was coming sooner or later, but the anticipation didn't prevent me from jolting.
"Sorry, sorry." She spun in a circle, bowing to everyone before turning to me. "It's a nice surprise, that's all."
"Who're they from?"
"Cao Guang." She flicked a low-hanging flower.
a/n.
making these short is actually so hard ;A; i don't know how to convey a lot in so little, but that's why i challenged myself with this, right? anyway, we're just sticking with the main ship.
katocchi