We explore the gardens, stopping to smell the flowers on more occasions.
My eyes notice a muddy swamp across the field, and I go there, noting some familiar flowers, though not so many.
My smile broadened when I realized it had lotus flowers.
"Nicholas, lotus flowers! Like the ones you give me," I point to the swamp excitedly. "Are they your favorite flowers?"
"No, but they remind me of you?" he says. I furrow my eyebrows at him, confounded. How so?"
Nicholas cups my face in his hands and gently kisses my mouth, looking me in the eye, he explains.
"A lotus flower blossoms from muddy water without stains, and it is strong. It represents you, Apphia. You never gave up despite the harsh realities you've been through,"
The intensity in his gaze makes me tremble, "You are blossomin
