When Gratitude Arrived at Her Doorstep

Ying Xuan had just returned to her apartment, exhausted after a day that felt far too long. The office had been relentless, the MRT packed, and the heat unforgiving. She sighed as she unlocked her door, ready to collapse but paused when she spotted a bouquet placed neatly on the floor in front of her. Wrapped in elegant beige and white papers, the arrangement glowed softly under the corridor light. Red roses, cream carnations, white spray roses and fresh eucalyptus peeked through balanced, lush, undeniably premium. Even before she checked the tag, she recognised the style. It looked like something from White On White, one of the best florists in Singapore known for luxury bouquets and reliable same-day delivery. Curious, she lifted the bouquet and brought it inside. A small card slipped out. “Thank you for always being there for me.” – Hui Min Ying Xuan stared at the name in surprise. Hui Min was her colleague, the quiet, soft-spoken one she had been helping the past year during a tough transition. She never expected anything in return. She simply helped because she understood what it felt like to be overwhelmed in a big city that moved faster than anyone could catch up with. The red roses represented bold gratitude, the kind that speaks even when words feel too small. The white flowers felt like gentleness. A soft acknowledgment of the emotional support Ying Xuan offered without hesitation. The eucalyptus added a fresh calm, reminding her of the many times she listened to Hui Min vent during lunch, encouraging her not to give up. She placed the bouquet on her kitchen counter and leaned on her elbows, letting the fragrance fill the room. For the first time all week, Ying Xuan felt her shoulders loosen. She remembered the afternoons when Hui Min cried in the staircase, overwhelmed by workload and change. She remembered covering shifts for her when she needed a break, guiding her through projects, assuring her she wasn’t alone. Ying Xuan never thought of these as grand gestures but clearly, they mattered to someone. This warm, beautiful arrangement was gratitude in its purest form. A thank-you she never expected, but deeply appreciated. As she inhaled the scent of roses, a gentle warmth settled in her chest. She realised that acts of kindness often bloom quietly, unnoticed. But sometimes, they return — wrapped in soft paper, hand-tied, and delivered to your doorstep right when your heart needs it most. Ying Xuan smiled, placing the card back into the bouquet. Tomorrow would be another busy day in Singapore’s bustling rhythm. But tonight, gratitude had slowed everything down and it came in shades of red and cream.