Short Fiction Break

Break From Reality. Daily.

  • Stories
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contests
    • Current Contest
    • Past Contests
      • Spring 2022 Contest
      • 10th Anniversary Contest
      • Spring 2021 Contest
      • Fall 2020 Contest
      • Summer 2020 Contest
      • Summer 2019 Contest
      • Fall 2018 Contest
      • Summer 2018 Contest
      • Spring 2018 Contest
      • Winter 2017 Contest
      • Fall 2017 Contest
      • Summer 2017 Contest
      • Spring 2017 Contest
      • Winter 2016 Contest
      • 5th Anniversary Contest
  • Submit

Token of Love

June 11, 2020 by Summer Writing Contest 2020 49 Comments

This story is by Alicya Xanders and was part of our 2020 Summer Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

TOKEN OF LOVE

Why can’t I open my eyes? I asked myself. My eyelids felt heavy, as if something pressed down on them. It could be a ton of weight. On top of that, I suffered extreme pain downward in the stem. The ache in my body left me paralyzed. I struggled to move myself, and with so much effort I could open my eyes. The morning light coming straight through a window blinded me. I squeezed them. Then bit by bit I re-open them again, partly from the sharp light, I had kept my eyes open. I told myself that I could do it until the words sank in. The window above presented a stunning view of the outside world.   

Where exactly am I? I glanced around and tried to investigate the place; I noticed that I sprawled on something hard.

 I’m lying on a table, I informed myself. And that was when I understood that I wasn’t in the garden anymore, but plucked out of my branches. I found myself in an unfamiliar place. From what I could see, it was a beautiful and organized room. An exquisite room, just like me.

“Wow, what a lovely rose! Who dropped it here” I heard someone scream with joy near me which interrupted my investigation of the place.

I turned toward the sound and met a youthful woman standing above me. She sounded delightful to see a flower and looked deep in thought. 

“Oh, my God.” She seemed surprised and held me up. She pulled out a piece of paper from under me.  

Oh, I laid on a paper.

Her fingers trembled while she unfolded the note. She started reading it and cried with silent tears. A young man entered the room and walked toward her.  He stopped just a foot beside her. He fixed his eyes on her trembling hands. 

She turned to face him. Her eyes glistened with fresh tears, as bright as sunshine. The guy seemed proud to be the reason for her happiness. 

He held her hands with both of his and announced. 

“I love you, Mary. I had wished to tell you many times, but couldn’t dare to push these words out of my mouth.” He looked deep into her eyes.

“Harry, you don’t know how impatiently I have longed to hear these words from you. I have loved you long before you could have imagined” Mary said. 

Harry  hugged her. They kissed; a fervent kiss that punctuated their love and the rapturous moment between them. 

Wow, I saw all of it and somehow found it fascinating. 

They were in love; They were in love with each other. I thought sadly, and peeked inside myself, feeling the emptiness as I missed my plant which Harry took me from. The memory made me sad, and I realized I couldn’t save myself when he plucked me. It all happened because I was just a poor little rose. Harry grabbed me out of my field just to make his girl happy.

“I like the flower, thank you,” she looked shy.

He nodded, his eyes twinkled with satisfaction. Then he took her out of the room and entangled her in his arms. Leaving me alone in an unfamiliar place.

Despite the room’s beauty, I couldn’t help but felt isolated, cut off with no one to communicate with. Anxiety enveloped me. I cried silently in a quiet room, where I felt unable to share an unstoppable grief with anybody. I longed for my garden; my home.

The feel of fresh air on my face seemed like a dream now. I missed the joy of mornings and the glory of sunsets in the garden. I was powerless and alone; a hopeless flower who wouldn’t be able to reach back to home again.

Looking through the window, I watched the sun setting down in the west. The Sun, who was a symbol of power, had lost its battle with the moon. Though it took its time sinking low in the sky, begrudgingly accepting its fate. It portrayed the sky in pinks, oranges, greens and indigo. Translating the stunning view into something heavenly. Its defeat made people happy.

I compared myself with the sun and found no difference. The sun shined all day long and died peacefully in the end, but left joy in other’s hearts. 

Just like the sun, I also made people happy through my elegance. But it led me to lose my life. Everything worth having required a price. I knew that better than anyone, but that didn’t keep me from wanting to scream my cries and frustration to heavens. Still, I couldn’t mold the world to my own wishes. It was human nature to celebrate their happiness by plucking flowers out of their plants to decorate their homes.

In my garden, I observed that people took many of my friends out of their plants. All those had sharp thorns around their stems, but selfish people didn’t hesitate to pluck them out. 

Why do people like to make themselves happy by plucking flowers from their plants? Amazed by the selfish nature of the world, I wished that no one would take a life to make them happy. That was a bittersweet truth of the world. 

I laid there, no idea for how long. I spent an entire day alone. While lying on the table and facing out through the window, I felt so much pain inside me. For a moment everything darkened, and I thought that maybe I passed out. But then the pain hit me repeatedly in shocking, terrifying waves. I actually didn’t know what hurt more, my dying body or my broken soul. Therefore, this was how it felt after a long hard struggle – to lose the battle and finally fall out of place. 

What could I possibly do to save myself now? The day turned into evening; I could feel my strength draining minute by minute. 

I heard the doorknob turn, and Mary came in view, all smiling. She shuffled toward the table,  pulled me up and brushed her lips to my dying petals. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed my fragrance. Her fingers warmed my weak stem, she moved up to stroke my petals. The touch of Mary’s hand somehow comforted me.

I felt so good when she carefully touched my fragile and dying body.

She picked a nearby notebook and opened it. She kissed me once again and then placed me inside the notebook. But before closing it, she said something I didn’t expect.

“Hey, little flower, I’ll always remember you as a token of love between me and my lover,” she paused and smiled.

” I’ll take care of you.” She closed the notebook.

I felt my breathing slow as Mary closed the notebook. I already knew that was the last minute of my life, be that as it may. I was glad to die as I found that I made two people happy before I closed my eyes. I only hoped that I could survive furthermore and make more people happy every day. But alas, I couldn’t. As a flower, I did what I was supposed to do.

I had been a symbol of beauty that made everyone happy when they looked at me until that day. But now, the sun would no longer help me blossom, nor its warmth would soothe the soul of my dying body. My petals would no longer glow in the sunshine, the color would no longer be rich.

Mary was happy as she cautiously placed me in the notebook. She held me for herself; Though she seemed very kind. Time will pass, and maybe I will become less beautiful and less attractive to her. Someday she’ll give up on me and throw me out. And even though I’ll try my best to show her the inner beauty that still exists.  

As I laid there on the table losing my strength with every passing moment, I could barely draw a breath. That was my last day, but my heart had already left me long before Mary could close the notebook.

—End—

Filed Under: 2020 Summer Writing Contest

« If These Walls Could Speak
Golden Chimes »

Comments

  1. Zohaib Siraj says

    June 11, 2020 at 4:37 pm

    Wow! It’s a heart touching story I have ever read, I really amazed by the point of view of the beautiful rose! Must read it.

    Reply
  2. Adnan Irfan says

    June 11, 2020 at 4:37 pm

    It’s a wonderful story

    Reply
  3. Melissa michaelina says

    June 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    Wow, simply wow! True masterpiece. I can’t help but praise your work. The point of view is different and so captivating. We pick flowers and forget they have feelings too. Amzazing penmanship.

    Reply
    • Mushtaq.gill says

      June 16, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      I never imagine that flower can have feelings, like humans. Wonderful job Alicya.

      Reply
    • Shahid javed says

      June 17, 2020 at 9:42 am

      Wow, simply wow! True masterpiece. I can’t help but praise your work. The point of view is different and so captivating. We pick flowers and forget they have feelings too. Amzazing penmanship

      Reply
    • Sadaf says

      June 18, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      Very very wonderful story

      Reply
  4. Edna pristopher says

    June 11, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Wow its a best story ever…. You explain soo sweetly about a flowers life and its thinking, its a heart touching story… I think that everyone should read this to understand about a flowers thinking and speacially what we do with beautifull flowers…. Very nice story….. I’m love this story…

    Reply
  5. Margaret Christensen says

    June 11, 2020 at 5:17 pm

    Very detailed and beautifully written. A heart wrenching story of a flower that gets picked and dies.

    Reply
  6. Zaibunnisa says

    June 11, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    I found it fascinating. Really enjoyed it. I learned that sometimes we forget the feelings of other living things. And just think about ourselves. I will never pick a flower without thinking about this story.

    Reply
  7. Ravisha Atif says

    June 11, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    Wow…
    It’s an amazing piece of work.
    Well, I love it, it was sad but beautiful and heart touching.

    Reply
    • Waseem says

      June 17, 2020 at 12:49 am

      ExVery detailed and beautifully written. A heart wrenching story of a flower that gets picked and dies.

      REPLY

      Reply
      • Noman says

        June 17, 2020 at 3:56 am

        I found it fascinating. Really enjoyed it. I learned that sometimes we forget the feelings of other living things. And just think about ourselves. I will never pick a flower without thinking about this story.

        Reply
  8. Ashly Paul says

    June 11, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    A beautiful story with a beautiful end.

    Reply
  9. Nathan says

    June 12, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    A beautiful story with beautiful explanation!❤️

    Reply
  10. Noman says

    June 12, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    This is an incredible story with logical end!

    Reply
  11. Neil Mathew says

    June 12, 2020 at 3:37 pm

    It was a wonderful story, it had a very good impact on the reader and It this story took me into it.
    How beautiful the nature is when I read this story! Keep writing and describing the nature so beautifully!

    Reply
  12. Alishba says

    June 13, 2020 at 5:14 am

    Hi Alicya,

    I randomly scrolled down and came to your piece . It is impressive, I like the way you described feelings of a plant.

    Reply
  13. Fiona says

    June 13, 2020 at 5:30 am

    Beautiful story. I enjoyed your description of the sun with a rose.

    Reply
  14. Nimra says

    June 13, 2020 at 5:46 am

    It’s a heart touching story, simply loved it
    Amazing piece of work

    Reply
  15. Zohaib Naveed says

    June 13, 2020 at 6:01 am

    Great Story, I enjoyed a lot and its good to know that plants have feeling!

    Reply
  16. Santafis David says

    June 13, 2020 at 6:36 am

    Wonderful story I have ever read with deep feelings.
    Keep it up!

    Reply
  17. Gulfam says

    June 16, 2020 at 6:23 am

    This story is very very nice and lovely. When i read this story tear come into eyes. wounderfull

    Reply
  18. Irfan says

    June 16, 2020 at 6:28 am

    Amazing story heart touching story.

    Reply
  19. Abid hussain says

    June 16, 2020 at 6:36 am

    Best story ever i have Read.

    Reply
  20. Tufail says

    June 16, 2020 at 6:41 am

    This is overwhelming story.

    Reply
  21. Sorek says

    June 16, 2020 at 2:50 pm

    I never imagine that flower can have feelings, like humans. Wonderful job Alicya.. Nice

    Reply
  22. Sumer says

    June 16, 2020 at 11:38 pm

    Great Story, I enjoyed a lot and its good to know that plants have feeling!

    Reply
  23. Shaid says

    June 17, 2020 at 3:03 am

    This story is very very nice and lovely. When i read this story tear come into eyes. wounderfull

    REPLY

    Reply
  24. Umarkhan says

    June 17, 2020 at 4:02 am

    Very detailed and beautifully written. A heart wrenching story of a flower that gets picked and dies.

    REPLY

    Reply
  25. Ramish says

    June 17, 2020 at 11:50 am

    1:58 pm

    I never imagine that flower can have feelings, like humans. Wonderful job Alicya.

    Reply
  26. Zahid Javed says

    June 18, 2020 at 11:58 am

    Best story…

    Reply
  27. Javed Inyat says

    June 18, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    Very good storey about rose and there feelings. Good work.

    Reply
  28. Anil David says

    June 19, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    What a great story…

    Reply
  29. Sonia says

    June 19, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    What a wonderful story.

    Reply
  30. Shakeel says

    June 19, 2020 at 2:10 pm

    Hearttouching story

    Reply
  31. Shahzaib says

    June 20, 2020 at 2:21 am

    Wow! It’s a heart touching story I have ever read, I really amazed by the point of view of the beautiful rose! Must read it.

    Reply
  32. Aleem Ohri says

    June 20, 2020 at 11:29 am

    Wow! The best story I ever had. It teaches me an astonished lesson. Never give up

    Reply
  33. Azeem Ohri says

    June 20, 2020 at 11:33 am

    Can’t hold my tears. Amazing

    Reply
  34. Shireen James says

    June 20, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Awesome! 10/10 please make more stories, u r an awesome writer. God bless you

    Reply
  35. Amir Arthar says

    June 20, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    It’sreally seems realistic one.

    Reply
  36. Jonathan S. Wilson says

    June 20, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    Nice one, i like it.

    Reply
  37. Waqas ilyas says

    June 20, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    Very heart touching story, I realy felt spirit.

    Reply
  38. Ifrahim says

    June 20, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    Excellent story I like that story and it like a feel of love

    Reply
  39. Dil khurram says

    June 20, 2020 at 1:40 pm

    Super story nice work feel relax to read love story

    Reply
  40. Falak shair says

    June 20, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    Great work God bless you make more love story

    Reply
  41. Suleman Gill says

    June 20, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    Fantastic work I love that story and that story is like my love story …. awesome

    Reply
  42. Nabbed Iqbal says

    June 20, 2020 at 1:48 pm

    Amazing work God Blessed You and Ur family God give you a lot of success

    Reply
  43. Mathew says

    June 20, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    I was a wonderful story.

    Reply
  44. Harshi Rattilal says

    June 20, 2020 at 2:10 pm

    Wow wow wow!!! Superb! This is so beautiful!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Stories

Two Friends in a Fountain

...

Read More »

Onscreen Kiss

...

Read More »

Her Home

...

Read More »

Missing Pieces

...

Read More »

The Parent-Child Relationship Index

...

Read More »

Resources for Writers

The Write Practice | The Write Shop
Let’s Write a Short Story | Character Test Podcast | Point of View Guide | Best Software for Writers | How to Publish a Short Story

Best of Short Fiction Break

Suspense Short Stories | Magical Realism Short Stories | More Coming Soon

Story Ideas

Short Story Ideas | Mystery Story Ideas | Romance Story Ideas | Thriller Story Ideas | Fantasy Story Ideas | Sci-fi Story Ideas

CONTACT || PUBLICATION RIGHTS || Copyright © 2023