Romanticism and Allergy

Insert picture of chrysanthemum.

I used to dislike things that play on the idea of being a romantic especially in movie. An example is the movie Hachiko where the dog faithfully waits for his master everyday at the station. Other generic examples are basically any other Korean drama series. Yet it is always the things that we don’t like that we would likely do. The flowers above is the testimony to that, as this is among the flowers that I started to buy for my wife every Friday, which I have started to do since a few months ago. I bought them because 1) it was convenient as I just stop by the supermarket on my way back from the mosque, and 2) I read that small gifts given often create stronger impact compared to expensive anniversary gifts, which makes it more ‘cost-effective’ and 3) because my wife seems to like them. I also liked the idea that when someday I when die, I am remembered for the routine of buying flowers every Friday, kinda like Hachiko. Yeah, I’m a hypocrite like that.

The flowers last very long in moderate climate, not like in Malaysia where it wilts within a few days. Hence why in Malaysia, they plant flowers in the highlands, like Cameron Highlands. Anyways since I buy new flowers every week, slowly they accumulate and my wife puts them in vases all over the house; a bunch of flowers greets visitors at the front door, another one sits by the dining table and one blooms in the bedroom. They do look beautiful and cheer up the sometimes bleak and rainy days. It cheers up the house, makes the missus happy and they all cost just a few quid. A good thing, eh? Or so I thought.

Recently however my daughter and I been developing severe allergic reaction and my theory is it is due to the hay fever and pollen in the air. I also thought this was due to the pollen from OUTSIDE but the situation doesn’t improve even though we have not been going outside too much. The allergic reaction also began to develop on places that are covered when I go outside, such as my neck and arm. As I looked through the window, I saw the chrysanthemum in all its yellow glory and it occurred to me that the allergen, or pollen, is most likely INSIDE the house. Cursory google then showed that chrysanthemum is among the flowers with the highest pollen! I felt very stupid and have removed the flowers away.

Let’s see what the effect would be in a few weeks or days time. In the meanwhile, I have to watch a few more Korean drama to find new ways to be ‘romantic’.

Thank you for reading.