The Mysterious Rose I

Ayo hated Valentine’s Day when the world turned red and pink, became plagued by a parade of cliché love proposals, boring grand gestures and an anthem of cheesy love songs. The most annoying was the exploitative prices of chocolates and basic commodities. 

He always made sure not to have anything to do with all the drama, but for the past three years, a mysterious single red rose had appeared on his doorstep every February 14th.

No name. Just a perfect, fresh rose with a sealed note waiting for him.

The first year, he had thought it was probably a mistake so he ignored it.

The second year, he found it irritating and kicked it off his doorstep.

The third year, it drove him crazy. He dumped it inside the trash can. Whoever was doing that was testing his patience, he had scoffed, angry.

By the fourth year, Ayo was frustrated but curious. Yet, he didn’t let it show as he ignored the items at his doorstep and went about his day, thinking little of it. But when he got home and met it still sitting there he picked up the note and tore it open. 

The handwritten note was short and clear; "May true love find you."

Ayo became restless. Who was doing this? A secret admirer? A prankster? He suddenly felt a desperate need to know who was behind it but Valentine’s Day was over so he waited patiently for another year.

So this year, he decided to stay up all night, determined to catch the person in the act. He was exhausted and sleepy after working all day but he stood his ground. At midnight, he turned off his light and hid by his window. After awhile, he heard soft footsteps outside his door. His heartbeat quickened as he peeped through the window blinds. A hooded figure approached, bent down, and carefully placed a rose at his doorstep.

Without hesitation, Ayo rushed over to his front door and swung it open. "Stop right there!"

Startled, the figure tried to run away, but Ayo grabbed and held the shirt tightly. In the rush, the hood slipped off...

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