Sweet Surprises

They drove past four huge houses and then turn up the hill where the altitude was already causing some pressure in the ears. Boryana was looking behind them and could see that Sofia was nothing but glimmering lights in the night. The sky was bright with all the stars and the moon was closer to earth as it was to man. There was a huge stone gate that was covered with grills and vines. Hristoforos took a stop and went down the vehicle. Boryana asked where they are but Hristoforos calmly said, “Trust me, you’ll love this.”

She wasn’t sure whose property it was but  she’s damn certain it is from the elites of Bulgaria. Hristoforos opened the iron gate and went inside the car. They drove inside the stone-fenced property which was dim and seemed lifeless. The road was paved lined with trees and Boryana could see that the garden was well manicured. She wondered why there wasn’t anybody manning the estate nor was there a lighting facility for security purposes as the property is inviting for thieves and trespassers.

They drove for about 200 meters before Hristoforos paused and drove a little further towards an arch that was covered with vines and flowers. The car made a full stop right in front of a gazebo that was so dark and looked damp.

“Come, take my hand. It’s kind of dark in here.” Hristoforos held her hand as they climbed the three-stepped stairs and into the gazebo Boryana felt cold and scared. Just as she was about to tell Hristoforos for them to go back inside the car, the light dramatically lit and all around them was a bright garden with colours of all hues. There was a group of musician in one area of the gazebo and right in the center of it is a table for two. A waiter with a bottle of wine stood beside it. The gazebo was filled with flower petals scattered on the floor and the fragrance was a sweet smell of nectar and honey.

The three musicians started playing a sonata and a parade of waiters entered the gazebo from nowhere, Hristoforos held Boryana’s right hand and place his right hand on her left hip. They waltz and all Hristoforos could do was proudly look at the girl he was dancing and smile.

“I could be waltzing with you to eternity and never grow tired of doing so. I love you, Yana.”

“Yana? That’s new! I love you so much Hristoforos and no man can ever make me happy as you always do. You never fail to surprise me and every time you do, you make me fall in love with you all over again.”

“I will never want to lose you. When the time is right I will make you mine forever.” And with that the couple danced another song while the garden around them glowed in the well-lighted vast garden of calla lilies, carnations, and camellias, blue hyacinths and magnolias, red poppies and jasmines. Suddenly, she can smell the fragrance of every blooming bud. She looked up to him and said, “Thank you for all the sweet surprises, my love.”