Black And White

Liam wanted to pick up the best flowers for his wife as an Anniversary gift. Though he was a digital native, his wife would always be propelled by flowers. He decided to get the flowers from a nearby florist. The shop had an exquisite untamed beauty, its white facade was swathed with fresh seasonal flowers. The light-filled studio looked like a vintage garden with a weathered teal door and delicate blooms. They had all varieties from the minimalistic browns to the unruly freshly cut market-style flowers curated into bouquets.       

The florist suggested Liam have a look at the rare exotic blue orchids as they would make a perfect gift symbolizing grandeur, luxury, and beauty together. Liam's eyes were stuck on a bunch of white lilies, but he thought it would be too simple for an anniversary gift. Also, his fair chance to revive their otherwise black-and-white relationship would stumble once again.                               

His relationship with his wife, Jenna had come a long way. From passionate red roses to vibrant yellow and orange peonies during their early dating days. But as most couples after marriage things have changed; Jenna was like a sunflower, joyful, glorious, fun, and a morning person. Liam was subtle like the evening primrose. But he was always loyal to his wife to the extent of losing himself. Though their marriage had seen greener pastures there were darker nights. The florist then presented him with a bunch of crochet lilacs loosely tied with some dried leaves. The sweet delicate woodsy smell reminded him of the camping days in college. But the white lilies still distracted him with their alluring scent. It was not overwhelming but still distinct enough to make its presence felt. Often white is not the obvious choice for many, as an Anniversary gift but to him it was like the color of their relationship, the most mature color of the spectrum; the color that has known all the other colors but remains uninterrupted by any.                                           

It struck him that there were no black flowers in the shop, probably because they do not exist; probably because it is uncanny, or for a much valid reason that flowers do not bloom without sunlight; but relationships can go through dark phases, and unlike flowers, they can blossom. The absence of light seems scary but light and darkness black and white can work together holding hands and complementing each other. There is no opposition between black and white but it is the limiting beliefs of the human minds that draw the line.                                                 

Liam asked the florist to wrap the white lilies for his wife.