A red rose.

The blast of stench that heralded the arrival of the garbage truck made me reach swiftly for my hanky to cover my nose , when I was walking on the pavement.

Two young men [garbage collectors] were hanging from the two sides at the rear of that compactor lorry ,totally oblivious or rather immune to that horrible stink. No scarf around their noses or mask.Nothing!

One of them was cheerfully waving a red flower ,he had picked up from the dump ,to some one across the street.I turned and saw that the recipient of this extraordinary attention was a young woman with long flowing hair , who was solemnly wheeling her small garbage collecting trolley ,with its spades and brooms! I couldn't but help laugh at this.

I have seen glossy Romeos climb ornate balconies to offer a red rose to their object of attraction and desire on films . Or offer bunch of flowers to beautifully turned out heroines in glittering , rich and romantic backgrounds.

This unique scene from real life how ever far surpasses those usual ones from reel life in its novelty and poignancy.

This burst of youthful exuberance was at once ironical and comical.