The Admirer

The night of many stars. More than he could count. The crescent moon, as if hanging by a thread, did it's best to cheer him up. It rallied round the stars to brighten up the sky, as if trying to make up for what it lacked. Yet, he was sad.

His gloomy mood was reflected in his outer appearance. He bent his head, nestled his chin in his palms and closed his eyes. The breeze blew lightly, bringing the sweet fragrance of the Rajanigandha along. He lifted his head slightly, but even that wasn't enough to lift his spirits. His head hung down again as another of his melancholy moods hit him. 

The roses on the hedge went to and from in the breeze, having an animated conversation. As if on cue, they released their petals, which came gliding through and brushed his cheek. The sight of the petals, the red rose petals, made him even more grim. They reminded him of her. And however hard he tried, he could think of nothing else except her. 

He waited. He waited patiently for daybreak. For that's when she would appear, and he would be the happiest one ever. Now all he did was to count the hours, the minutes, the seconds till he could see her again.

He woke up with a start. Unknown to him, he had fallen asleep. Daylight was breaking through. He looked around, rubbing his eyes and stretching himself. The stars and the moon were gone, perhaps catching up on some sleep. Somewhere far on the horizon he spotted her. 

The wind was blowing, making her hair dance. From the distance, he could but just get a glimpse of her. He could hear her though. Her laughter reached his ears and felt like hundreds of birds singing. He craned his neck to see her better. She was now walking, and he was elated to see that she was making her way towards him. Gingerly treading on the dew covered grass, she was smiling as her feet tickled. As she walked, she would bend down and touch the flowers, asking them how they were doing. They, in turn, seemed to smiled back. 

She came closer. And with each step of hers, his heart raced a bit faster. She is coming closer, he thought excitedly, now she will look at me, But she didn't. He waved, but she ignored him. Instead, she turned toward the roses. The roses were again deep in conversation, and she joined them. Please do turn, do look at me, he all but pleaded. 

She kept walking. He followed her. He gazed at her lovingly. How pretty she is, an ethereal beauty, radiant and angelic, gorgeous and elegant, a celestial beauty. He could think of nothing else as he followed her. She held him in a trance, so much so that he could register nothing but her. 

He decided to speak today, come what may. All these days, he had been trying to speak to her, with no success. Her beauty always blinded him, and he found himself tongue tied. All he could manage was a loop sided grin, which made him look rather silly. Summoning every ounce of his courage, gathering all his wits together, he opened his mouth. But before he could even utter a word, she was gone.

She seemed to take the brightness with her, for it became cloudy and gloomy. Don't you test me so, he sighed. He was now in front of her house. He waited. Waited patiently. All the while he tried to peep into the windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. There she was, on the high balcony. She seemed to bring the light back. He was delighted to see her again. His neck was beginning to hurt as she was sitting quiet high. But he didn't mind. All he wanted was to admire her.

Morning turned to evening. As the daylight faded, she disappeared behind the curtains. He could see her no longer. He knew from experience that she wouldn't come out till the next morn. So he waited. Waited patiently. 

Many a admirer she has. Many who worship her. Many more who offer her precious gifts. There are many who love her. But no one loves her more than him, the silent, patient admirer. His name is Sunflower.