Flash Post 255!

Button, I saw the blooming of the Brahmakamal in our terrace garden last night as one of boundless joy as well as heart-wrenching sadness on the other hand?

Why do you see it like that?

I see it from that angle because, from the time the bud opened only a little around 1.30 in the afternoon till it kept blooming bit by bit, it gave us hope and immense joy to see it unfold steadily into a fully grown exquisitely gorgeous flower. Here is the just-opened bud about to bloom to its full glory.

This was clicked when she had opened a bit more which was roughly around 11. Around this time, a very pleasing and fragrant smell began to emanate.

Here she is once again–somewhat more mature than the earlier one and the fragrance now had turned intoxicating.

The tentacles grasping the Brahmakamal slowly began to spread and the fragrance filled the air. Here she is around 12.10 in the morning, fully bloomed.

I cupped it in my hands and bent down to inhale the sweet fragrance to my hearts content. It felt feather-light and its petals felt like gossamer to the touch. I retired for the night revelling in the fact that, not one but two Brahmakamals had bloomed in our garden this year and extremely happy that the family had witnessed the birth of a rare flower from the beginning till the end.

I also knew what I would see of the Brahmakamal the next morning from my previous recollection. The following morning, as I made my way to the plant, I saw a flaccid Brahmakamal hanging with its face down. It saddened me as none of the characteristics of the flower that had bloomed the previous night seemed to match with what lay in front of my eyes. I refused to click her in her rag-like avatar and wanted the memory of the fully-grown Brahmakamal to linger in my mind.

I too saw the flower the next morning and it made me very sad. I mean there are other flowers in the garden that bloom and stay that way for days! Why did the Brahmakamal of all flowers have to wither in a day after putting up such a grand show!

All of us felt saddened, Button. Maybe God willed it that way.

10 Comments

Rudy Mistry October 16, 2017 at 7:22 am

It’s like a very special friend visiting your house, bringing you a lot of joy and happiness and then departing not knowing when he or she will return…by the way author, what is gossamer? It’s such a beautiful word.

Reply
- author October 21, 2017 at 12:35 pm
  
  Rudy,
  
  Have you had such a special friend come and spread joy never to return?
  
  By the way, the word “gossamer” means light, delicate and fragile. Indeed, it is a beautiful word.
  
  Reply
Sheena Paintal October 16, 2017 at 7:25 am

A more apt example would be that of a pet dog. They come into our lies to spread immense joy and happiness and give us so much love everyday of their existence and then when they go away, it’s heartbreaking. I strongly feel that dogs, cats, birds and all kinds of living creatures take birth only to spread joy and minimise the hatred in this world spread by humans. Likewise, flowers.

Reply
- author October 21, 2017 at 12:24 pm
  
  Sheena,
  
  You’ve explained it so aptly. I never thought of it the way you have explained it. God must have put them there– all animals, all birds, all flowers– to spread joy and minimise the hatred spread by humans.
  
  Reply
Harsh October 16, 2017 at 7:28 am

Oh…the smell of a brahmakamal is to die for…it’s the most beautiful fragrance on this planet..it should be bottled and sold as perfume. That’s a good business idea actually! Can’t believe I shared it here.

Reply
- author October 21, 2017 at 12:15 pm
  
  Harsh,
  
  That’s a great business idea. Thanks for sharing it.
  
  I’d call the fragrance heady because it’s so unique and beautiful.
  
  Reply
Shilpi Nihalani October 16, 2017 at 7:33 am

Button, did you witness the blooming of the Brahmakamal? What did you wish for? This I would want to kniw…

Reply
- author October 21, 2017 at 12:11 pm
  
  Shilpi,
  
  Hi, I’m Button.
  
  By the way, I’ve been told to keep the wish to myself till it comes true because if I don’t, my wish will not come true.
  
  So, I’ll wait and watch and only if it proves to be true, will I share it with you.
  
  Reply
Amina Noorani October 16, 2017 at 7:37 am

If a brahma bloomed in my house, I openly declare my wish to all you readers…I want for all animals to be protected and loved…none should be killed for any purpose whether religious or political or commercial. They should be free to live their lives with dignity and respect…just like each one of us have that right! Now all I need is a Brahma to bloom in my house to be able to ask for this…!!! In my case, it’s the reverse. I know the wish, now I need the flower!

Reply
- author October 21, 2017 at 12:00 pm
  
  Amina,
  
  You’re obviously an animal lover if you know what you’re going to wish for even before having a Brahmakamal bloom at your place and that’s so heartening to know.
  
  Do you have a pet at home?
  
  Reply