Roses for Nobody

      Waking up in the morning, Riven had a strong cough. He cursed himself for walking light last night in windy weather. But the idea that he was blown away was dispelled after he saw a dark cherry-colored petal on his palm. Riven began to peer into this petal. He pointed it at the sunbeam. The sun's rays touched the surface of the petal and it turned bright red. Riven did not attach any importance to this, just put a petal on the windowsill and went to breakfast. Riven himself thought that he had started to eat Flora's flowers from a flower bed from hunger, and apparently they had not digested. Although he definitely wouldn't do such bullshit, except for a bet.       But Riven's cough didn't leave him, it was getting stronger and stronger every hour. And there were more and more petals. And in order to avoid ridicule from peers in college, they say he ate Flora flowers on a bet, Riven began to often ask to go to the toilet. As for the severe cough, he decided to refer to the fever. Musa didn't give a damn about Riven's problem, although yesterday they had a good time in the company of two more people (Flora and Stella) joked and made fun of each other. True, Musa was a little drunk then and maybe she didn't give a fuck about Riven. Flora, who was sitting next to the Musa, was writing something down in her notebook until her gaze fell on Riven's place. Or rather, on a small petal that was lying under his desk. Flora purposely dropped the pen and started to get it out. The girl climbed under the desk and reached the crimson petal. The girl immediately identified the plant by it. It was a dark cherry rose, aka "Black Baccarat". These were Flora's favorite flowers. The petal she was holding in her hand was crumpled and wet with drool. The girl immediately remembered how Riven, before leaving, coughed loudly and violently into the palm of his hand. Flora hid the petal, took out a pen and sat down. She was tormented by bad thoughts and guesses about where Riven's petal could have come from. But so far her guesses required confirmation.       Lessons are over. Riven felt tired because of the cough, although he had slept well. The guys, noticing Riven, called him to play basketball, but he had to refuse, citing a fever. The friends nodded sadly but with understanding and patted Riven on the back. On the way home, Riven coughed harder and dropped rose cakes, causing discontent among passers-by. However, one stranger, he caused fear. Riven caught his eye and grabbed his hands.       - What the fuck is this? - Riven croaked at a passerby. He swallowed nervously.       - Hanahaki! A disease that occurs in unrequited lovers. Such people have flowers growing inside. If the one you are in love with does not accept your feelings, then you will die of suffocation, and her favorite flower will grow out of your throat. Unfortunately, a rose is growing inside you, and the chance of dying from internal bleeding is higher than from suffocation. - a passerby stammered. Riven released the passerby and raced away. A passerby wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and grabbed his heart. A girl who covered her face with a newspaper, sitting alone at a bus stop, became very nervous. Still, her fears were confirmed.       Riven started coughing harder. There were more and more petals. And there was less and less air in them. The guy used an inhaler to muffle the pain in his throat. But it didn't give any result. Ignoring the words of a passerby, Riven decided to go about his business, simultaneously coughing loudly and spitting out these petals. The guy hoped that this cough would pass by tomorrow.       Four days passed, and the cough did not stop. Riven was vomiting petals now. And he could only speak with half his strength. The boys persuaded him many times to go home and get well treated, or to call an ambulance at the very least, to which he each refused. Riven's appearance left much to be desired. Pale and thin face, red and swollen eyes. He himself had lost weight and looked as thin as death. Musa didn't pay any attention to him, and communicated more with Stella. Flora was concerned about his well-being. All Riven's attempts to talk to the Musa were crowned with failure. These failures nourished the flowers in the chest and they grew faster. Having locked himself in his room, the guy began to think why the Musa became hostile to him.       For the last month or even two, the Musa has stopped paying attention to Riven. And if he managed to get her out for a walk, she didn't talk to him. Every time Riven took the Musa's hand, she either pulled it away or did not squeeze his hand. Having made hasty conclusions, Riven began to plan how to spend the evening with the Musa, where to take her and give her these ill-fated flowers. Riven's thoughts were interrupted by a violent cough. This time, he coughed up blood. The palm was covered in saliva mixed with blood and there were these damn petals on it. Riven laughed hysterically. It looks like the roses have started to pierce his lungs with their thorns. He understood that if this date failed, he would inevitably die.       There was a knock on the door. Riven tried to growl, but he didn't have enough air for that. He grudgingly wandered to the door and opened it. Flora was standing on the threshold and she was holding a lunch in her hands. Riven was surprised by her appearance, and the rose inside slowly began to hide its thorns, which allowed Riven to catch his breath a little.       - Why did you come here? - Riven croaked, bracing himself against the door frame. There was sympathy in Flora's eyes.       - You missed lunch today and I brought you something to eat. - Flora said, holding out the container. Riven did not feel hungry before the arrival of the girl and could not eat. He accepted the container and nodded to the girl. Flora smiled. The guy got a little better. The flower inside began to slowly recede.       The guy began to remember the day when he walked with Musa, Stella and Flora. He remembered how Flora greeted him warmly, unlike Stella and Musa. How he threw his jacket over Flora's shoulders when the wind blew and how Flora looked at the guy sadly, but when he paid attention to her, she sincerely smiled at him. After dinner, Riven felt better and he was physically and mentally ready to invite the Musa on a date, which was a huge mistake in his already shitty life.       Day X. The Musa walked around with a dissatisfied face all the time, always shunned Riven and kept her hands in her pockets. Flowers grew treacherously inside Riven. The guy was getting worse. The thorny vines want to pierce his lungs like a balloon with a needle. Riven felt a heart-rending pain inside himself, it felt as if a poisoned sting had been thrust into his heart. In short, the first part of the date was ruined.       They reached the end of the park, where it was quiet and sparsely populated. Riven decided for himself that it was time to give her flowers. He took out roses from behind his back and presented them to the Musa. Musa took the bouquet with disgust and did not hesitate to show her emotions.       - What the fuck is this? What kind of junkyard did you get these flowers from? Did you ruin the Flora's flower bed again? - said the Musa with notes of disgust and hatred.       - I didn't touch the flower bed! I give them to you from the my heart... - Riven wheezed, but the Musa brazenly interrupted him.       - And since when did you start giving me flowers?" Why didn't you give them to me on the first date? Maybe you suddenly remembered and decided to give? Riven, are you a moron? Tell me for mercy's sake? And why did you invite me? To aimlessly walk ten kilometers from one end of the city to the other and at the end of this walk give this smelly broom? What's wrong with the mind? - the Musa expressed her displeasure and she didn't care that Riven was getting worse with every word she said. As a result, the guy couldn't stand it.       - Please stop mocking me! These prickly, like a sting, vines pierce my heart! Why don't you want to spend time with me? Why don't you like it when people give you flowers? Because they smell like blood? Or because I'm giving them to you? These flowers have grown inside me and I can't get them out of there in any way! But I want to know the truth! Why are you rejecting me? - Riven croaked and fell to the ground. The Musa snorted and kicked at the path, raising a small cloud of dust in his direction.       - Holy crap! What a bastard you are, Riven! Fuck it, I don't want to know you anymore. We're not a couple anymore. And we don't know each other anymore! - the Musa replied indifferently, kicked a bouquet of roses at him and went home. Riven couldn't breathe. The rose that grew inside wrapped vines around the guy's lungs and heart, hinting that the finger was already on the trigger and ready to shoot him in the head. The guy wanted to cry, but there was no air in his lungs, so a wheeze came out of his mouth. Having gathered himself, Riven got up and went home, coughing feverishly and dropping petals soaked in blood. Flora, who was standing in the shade hiding behind a tree, went to the place where Riven was lying, picked up a bouquet that the Musa hatefully threw at Riven, sniffed it and began to cry. Not because of the flowers.       A week has passed since the ruined date. Riven did not show up at the college, did not answer calls and texts. Elementary did not let anyone into the house. He spent more time at home. The guy hated everything. I hated these flowers. Hated his life. Hated the Musa. But he won't be able to hate someone who truly loves him. Riven wandered limping on both legs, coughing loudly, expectorating large bloody lumps with petals. The guy understood that the end was inevitable and gave up all hopes of salvation.       Evening. Riven began to go to bed early. He tried to sleep, but because of the pain inside and lack of oxygen, it was impossible. It was dark in his eyes and he couldn't see anything around. Suddenly a hand touched his forehead. He wanted to find out who had disturbed his peace, but he simply could not see who had come to him. However, he was able to fall asleep. But he was tormented by fear. The fear that this dream may be his last.       Flora came to see him. Riven forgot to close the door. The girl came to visit Riven and at the same time brought him food. But there was no one in the house. Flora was scared. She thought the guy was missing, but calmed down when she went to his bedroom. Riven was lying in bed, trying to fall asleep. Flora touched his forehead, checking how bad it was. And from her touch, the guy was able to fall asleep. Flora looked sadly at the guy and kissed him on the forehead. Riven smiled weakly and began to sniff softly. The rose that had grown inside him began to slowly remove its clawed vines from his heart and lungs, giving him a small chance to survive the night. Flora was about to leave, but Riven's voice stopped her.       - Hi Flora, I'm glad to see you too. - Riven croaked. Flora looked at him blankly.       - Hi Riven. - she said. - Poor, I think he's delusional - Flora thought and was about to leave the bedroom, but she was stopped again by the guy's voice.       - Flora, why are you sad? Are you all right? - Riven croaked, and the girl began to remember when he told her that. Guesses were confirmed again.       - I don't want you to get a fever! Put on your jacket. - Riven croaked in his sleep. Flora smiled and touched Riven's arm.       - I remember that day. Thank you for your concern, Riven. You know, since then, I've started to notice how much I've become attached to you. And how sad you are alone. I couldn't get the thought out of my head.- Flora whispered, lowering her head.       - Flora is so sweet and loving. I should have spent more time with her than with the Musa. But where was I three years ago? Hanging out with people like me. Oh, I still regret that I didn't spend enough time with her. - Riven said in his sleep and Flora couldn't believe what he said. Maybe this is a deathbed delirium? Or remorse?       "Sweet dreams, Riven." I believe that you will recover. Love you, Darling. - Flora whispered, kissed Riven on the cheek and quietly left the bedroom, and then from Riven's house. Riven woke up a few minutes later. He felt a kind of relief. Flower no longer stuck her needles into her heart and lungs. He could breathe. It was ragged and painful, but he was breathing. The guy coughed sharply, spitting out petals soaked in blood and trying to calm down. Calming down, Riven jumped out of bed and ran out of his house in his pajamas and without shoes. The guy ran to the call of his heart. Or rather, to the house opposite. Reaching the right apartment, Riven began knocking on the door, catching his breath convulsively and coughing loudly. The door opened. A blonde, green-eyed girl stood on the threshold, with a surprised expression on her face.       - Riven? - The girl exclaimed, looking at Riven's ragged breathing and spitting out petals.       - Look! This flower grows from my heart. These are his petals. Rose petals and they are soaked in my blood. The blood of a madman who tried to heal himself on his own, but only done opposite. But still, this rose is beautiful, just like you! Her vines have wrapped around my heart and threaten to pierce it with their needles at any moment. If I spent more time with you in past, maybe I wouldn't suffer as much as I do now. - Riven spoke hoarsely and quickly, showing the petals to the girl. The girl shed tears and hugged Riven. The flower was rapidly removing its vines and shrinking in size. The guy felt better.       - Better? - Flora whispered in his ear. Riven nodded. Now he could calmly catch his breath. He gave free rein to his emotions and burst into tears. "Why didn't you tell me?" Flora asked sadly, patting Riven on the back.       - I thought you were going to kill me for eating your flowers. Or you'll think I'm an idiot. - Riven defended himself, but Flora only snorted with displeasure.       - Oh, nonsense. I know you wouldn't do that. You're not stupid. Although not. You're a fool. You're a natural fool, Riven! - from a calm tone, Flora switched to hysteria.       - Why didn't you say anything? I was really worried about you. Well done that you forgot to close the door today. If I had, I probably wouldn't have woken up in the morning. Flora began to cry. Riven hugged the girl. - I'm worried about you... You don't do that to friends, Riven! - Flora said through tears, pressing closer to the guy. Riven stroked her head.       - When you were walking with the Musa, I was watching you. Yes, it's called stalking, but the Muse has not been herself lately. So I was worried about you two, but then I couldn't stand it and sobbed when I heard your "cry of the soul" and saw you lying on the ground, beating in agony. - Flora said, burying her face in Riven's shoulder.       - After that windy evening, I realized one thing for myself. I fell in love with you! - Flora said softly, looking into Riven's eyes. The guy touched her cheek and kissed her on the lips. Flora accepted his kiss, giving him all the accumulated feelings. The oxygen ran out. The rose in Riven's chest withered and turned into ashes, which came out of Riven's body with last cough.       "Are you feeling better now?" - Flora asked, sitting on the guy's lap. Riven smiled.       - Now yes. - Riven said softly, sitting on the floor in the hallway. They sat there for so long. And they were silent. But in their understanding, silence was something more pleasant than the lack of desire or interest in conversation. Flora broke the silence.       - Am I really as beautiful as this rose, Riven? - Flora asked, looking into his eyes.       - Yes, honey. You're as beautiful as this rose. - Riven whispered, kissing Flora on the top of her head.       - These are my favorite flowers. Black Baccarat roses. I've been growing them for a long time. Don't you want to see it? - Flora asked and Riven agreed and they got up from the floor. The girl brought him into the room, pointed to the windowsill, where there were pots in which these roses grew. Riven gently touched the flower and sniffed it. Hatred for this flower disappeared, as this flower became associated with Flora. He looked at Flora and smiled, which made his face lighter.       - These roses are perfect, just like you, Honey. - Riven repeated softly, watching Flora's face turn a soft blush.       - I love you, Darling. - Flora whispered softly.       - I love you too, Flora. - Riven said, gently kissing Flora - My little rose -