Sunday, June 20, 2010

My name is Olive

My name is Olive and I am a florist. People love roses. It is Valentine's Day today, the busiest day of the year for us.
It is eight o'clock in the morning and we are already very busy. The first customer is picking up his order of one orchid. I know him very well, he gives his wife plants every year on Valentine's Day. She loves gardening, and if she's any good, the plants will thrive in her garden for many years to come. This is a love that will never die. The second customer is a young man. I am not sure what he wants to do, but he doesn't know what kind of flower he's going to get for his girlfriend, so I asked him what's she is like.
"What is your girlfriend like? Maybe I can find something for her here."
"She works for a law firm, very busy. I think she likes puppies, but then who doesn't like puppies? This is our first Valentine's so I am at a lost here."
"You can go with a safe option. I think twelve roses bouquet will do very well. What do you think?"
"You are an angel. Saved my life. I will pay for it now, thanks."
He looks totally relieved. I can't believe that this guy has gone out with his girlfriend for a year. He doesn't know his girlfriend at all. He doesn't know what his girlfriend's favourite flower is? Do they ever talk to each other? I hope he will be with this girlfriend after today.
Five minutes later, the guy comes back to the counter. He's forgotten the card.
"I need a card, too. I'd like to buy this one."
He picked a hideous red card, with a huge bunch of red roses on top and very bold golden letter: Happy Valentine's Day! on top. I gave him a dubious look and smiled nervously. He gets the cue.
"Do you think this is too much?"
"Yes."
"Which one should I get?"
"I think you should go for the dog card. You said she likes puppies?"
"Yes. That's a great idea."
"Good luck, and have fun with her."
"I will. I am taking her out to dinner tonight. It's a surprise."
Surprise is never good. I hope he is taking her to a nice restaurant. I hope he knows what he's doing. I also hope that the girl is not expecting him to propose because I know he's not in a jewelery shop. He's not exactly original with his choice of flower, and I don't think he has any original idea in his head.

Heaven headquarters

Once upon a time there was an angel who sings in the heaven. She has golden hair that smells like jasmine, her eyes are blue, and her voice is truly divine. Apollo is in love with her and pursue her with his harp. They sing together in heaven, enjoying the live on immortal.
One day, the angel wakes up to find Apollo gone. He is chasing a girl through the forest because he fell in love with her. With tremendous speed, Apollo caught up with her and the only thing she could do was turn into an olive tree. She is rooted to the ground forever. Her silver hair turned into the leaves, and her slender limbs turned into the tree trunks. Her heart is forever bound to Earth.
The angel's heart is broken. She went out of their sanctuary and jumped from the sky. Apollo cannot find her among the immortal. She has abandoned her immortal life and become a mortal.
Apollo is still trying to find his angel, the one who sing with a divine voice from Heaven. This is why Apollo left Heaven and come to Earth. He is trying to find angel and apologies to her about his infidelity, and beg her to return to Heaven with him. He still loves her, and he doesn't want to lose her.
This is the story of Olive, the girl who became the Olive tree, and the story of Apollo, the man who loved two girls. The angel is still missing, but you can hear her voice on the radio. You can hear her when you are singing. You can hear her, but you can't find her. This is the story about the girl who is running away from Heaven, a renegade angel whose voice is like the lark. She doesn't dare to open her mouth when she's on Earth, otherwise Apollo will surely find her.
Up until now, he is still trying to find her. Or maybe, he's trying to find Olive.