WHITE CHRYSANTHEMUM

White chrysanthemum flowers symbolism varies, depending on where you are. In some places like Western Europe and Japan, White chrysanthemum flowers are reserved for mourning and grief. While in other countries, it symbolizes innocence, honesty, purity and loyalty.

"White chrysanthemum flowers? Aren't these the type of flowers you placed on grandfather's casket?" Linda asks looking at the flowers suspiciously.

Jessie immediate drops her cutlery again and runs to confirm if what her daughter was saying is true. "Who sent this?"

"It was delivered by a delivery agency, but the sender is anonymous." Rita replies.

"White chrysanthemum." Jessie whispers staring at the flowers.

"It is a very beautiful flower." Cecilia adds. "It symbolizes purity, loyalty, peace and sometimes can be used to expressed love." She sighs. "Whoever must have sent this, must really adore you."

"Yes." Jessie nods and faces her just daughter. "It can mean all of those things, but at the same time, it can mean me preparing for my death too."

"Death?!" Cecilia asks almost loudly.

Jessie faces her second daughter. "Count those flowers for me."

Without uttering any words, Linda hurriedly collects the flowers and starts counting them. She might have had a very terrible relationship with her mom but, still really cares about her.

"If the number of those flowers is the same as that of my age, then it means whoever sent this is wishing me death. Who could it be?" She asks in her mind. "Peter was the one who told me about the white chrysanthemum flowers, I have never heard or seen of anyone in this country make use of it like him-" she suddenly stops and her eyes open widely. "Was it Ella?"

"Mom!" Linda yells with her hands trembling.

"What is it?" Jessie asks feigning courage. "How many flowers are there?"

"Fifty three." Linda whispers.

"It's a death wishing flower." Jessie concludes. "Who is threatening me?"

"I think we should report to the police." Linda suggests.

"I just mentioned something life threatening, and you sit back there, like a queen?" Jessie fires at her first daughter with her brows up. "What an insolence!"

Cecilia stands immediately. "I am sorry ma'am."

"Mom, what do you think we should do now?"

Jessie faces her and smiles. "After all, you still seem to care about me anyways."

"How can I not care about you when you are my mom?" Linda asks whispering.

"Don't worry, I will take care of it." She assured and walks back to her seat. If any word about what happened here get outside, I will hold you all responsible for that."

"Yes ma'am." The attendants chorus.

"You both should have your seat and let's enjoy our breakfast."

**************

"Sweetheart, someone sent you flowers." Andrew says announcing as he shuts the door and puts on a pair of white slippers.

"Flowers? Who?" Vivian asks with her yes fixed on the television.

"I have no idea too,I saw a delivery man outside, so I eased him off the stress and did him a favor of delivering it in his stead. But the sender is anonymous."

"Why should the sender choose to stay anonymous?" Vivian asks again with her eyes still fixed on the television.

"Maybe the sender is a secret admirer, and choose to adore you in hiding since you are married with two kids." He says and laughs gently.

"How can you laugh when I received flowers form someone, doesn't that seem threatening to you?" She asks once more and finally takes her eyes off the television, looking at her husband who is busy arranging the things he got from the mall. "I can't see any flowers."

"It's over there?" Andrew replies pointing to the dining table.

"Why will you place it there?" She matches to the dining and picks the flowed with smiles written all over her face. But her smile soon turn to a frown when she realizes she was holding white chrysanthemum flowers. "What is this?" She ask no one in particular and throws the flowers on the floor trembling in fear.

"Are you okay?" He asks and approached his wife. "Why did you throw them on the floor?"

"How can you collect this from the delivery man in the first place? Don't you know what these means?" Vivian nags loudly.

"What they mean? Aren't they just a bunch of flowers? Are they supposed to have personal meanings they possess?"