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“Come on Roshni, we can look over all that stuff later! I really want to get to the berry picking before everyone else gets all the good berries” Marina exclaimed bursting into the living area of the apartment they shared.
“Maz, I really feel like one of us should read all the terms and conditions before we get on a tour bus we know virtually nothing about,” Roshni protested.
“Don’t be daffed! This company conducts hundreds of tours a year, we can handle ourselves. I just want to get out and enjoy the day together, just you and me.” Marina walked up to Roshni, massaging the tension out of her shoulders as she continued to pour over the fine print in the pamphlet.
Roshni looked up at her lover, raising an eyebrow in surprise. “You look like a strawberry, that's been through a hydraulic press” she said deadpan. Silence filled the room for a few seconds before the pair burst into fits of giggles.
“I actually got you a matching outfit,” Marina said through giggles. “I’m a strawberry and guess what you are?”
“A mango, that's my favourite fruit!”
“A mango isn’t a berry” Marina said more seriously, “guess again”
“This is silly just tell me," Roshni complained, burying her nose in the pamphlet once again.
“Wait here, I'll show you” Marina said, squeezing her shoulders before dashing to the bedroom.
“I’m not going anywhere till I finish reading this fine print” Roshni muttered to herself.
“CLOSE YOUR EYES” Marina called out from the bedroom.
Roshni glanced up briefly, singing out “sure babe”, returning to her reading.
Marina scurried into the room with the outfit in her arms. “You said you’d close your eyes” She scolded playfully.
“I’m reading so, same thing,” Roshni brushed off. “Tell me when and I'll look”
“One more second,” Marina mused. “And done… TA DAAA!”
“Uhhhh- wow” Roshni drawled as she looked over at a very bold combination of colours. A deep blue purple top, blue berry print for a shirt, with forest green pants and bright purple boots with an ultramarine blue fedora to top it off. “There is absolutely no way I am ever wearing that hat” Roshni stated, continuing to read
“Come on the hat is lovely”
“No, it is not,” Roshni disagreed. “Fedoras are not cute, and I’d rather perish than be seen in ultramarine, blue, of all colours”
“It ties together the-”
“2010 called, they want their fashion crimes back.” Roshni interrupted, exaggerating her disapproval.
“It is not a fashion crime!” Marina protested, grabbing the hat. “In fact I may wear it myself!”
“Go for it, it actually looks okay on you, I feel like you have a face for hats”
“A face for hats?” Marina quoted pausing to settle the hat on her head. “That's not a thing”
“It is a thing, Look at-”
“No, no it’s not” Marina interrupted, fixing a few stray black hairs to better frame her face.
“I said it, so it is.” Roshni joked before sighing. “Anyway I should get changed, I’d hate to be late to my hot date.” Roshni stood up, collecting the acceptable parts of her outfit and departing towards the bedroom.
“Who's the hot date and why haven't I heard of them?” Marina asked coyly.
“Oh you wouldn’t know her”
“Hmm?” Marina raised an eyebrow in Roshni’s general direction, leaning casually on the bench.
“Some gorgeous babe in a tacky blue fedora” Roshni cooed, winking at Marina before closing the door.
“Tacky!” Marina said to herself, shaking her head. She walked into the entry way in search of a mirror. “OH!” Marina quietly exclaimed, jump scared by her own appearance. “Okay I see it,” a resonated sigh left her lips as she took off the hat and walked back into the loungeroom. ‘Berry picking, I really hope this is a fun date’ Marina thought to herself as she carefully folded the Pamphlet and placed it in Roshni's back pack. ‘Okay what will she need?’ Marina thought to herself checking over her mental list again, just in case.
Roshni exited the bedroom, preoccupied with fixing the top buttons of her shirt. “Well don’t you look adorable” Marina mused, glancing her up and down, “Just as stunning as the day we met".
Roshni swiftly closed the distance, smiling as she gave Marina a quick kiss. murmuring “says you” as their lips collided. Marina's hands settled on Roshni’s waist. Roshni brought her right hand up, cupping marina’s face as the kiss deepened.
“Roshni broke off the kiss, mumbling “you know we could just stay-”
“Have we got everything?” Marina asked, interrupting Roshni's suggestion. 'I'm sure there is something I'm forgetting to remind her to do' Marina thought to herself.
“I’m just saying there is plenty of fun to be had here” Roshni fingers interlaced Mari’s curls, her left hand sliding around the taller woman's waist.
“I love you very much but I’m sure that, can wait till after we get back, have you packed everything?” Marina asked, winking at her love interest, beginning to disentangle their limbs.
“Yes, I believe so,” Roshni answered, turning to pick up her bag.
“Sunscreen, wallet, hat, sunglasses, water bottle” Marina began listing Items.
“You’re not at work Marina” Roshni joked playfully elbowing the taller woman as she picked up her bag and made her way to the door. “I am all ready for berry picking, you coming love?”
“Yes!” Marina said cheerfully, picking up her tote bag, grasping Roshni’s hand, allowing herself to be led out the door.
……………………………………………………
Roshni and Marina walked to the meeting point of the tour bus. “This feels silly” Roshni whispered in Marina's ear as she waited in line to board the bus.
“Why?” Marina asked, turning to face her lover.“ You and I both spend way too much time indoors, a bit of sunshine and time in nature is surely going to do us both a world of good. Plus, when was the last time you went somewhere new that wasn’t work related?”
That question stopped Roshni in her tracks. “It’s been… well” she thought deeply, “a year or two at least”
“Exactly! There is so much of the city and the countryside you’re yet to appreciate!”
“Well, I can appreciate the places I go, that are work related. Like”
“Rosh, trust me. This is going to be fun”
“I just can’t see how paying to pick berries. On a farm, is a great date idea when we could be curled up, on the sofa with a good-”
“Tickets please” the raccoonwun asked, interrupting Roshni’s train of thought.
“Ah yup, they are right here” Marina said confidently handing him their tickets.
“Thank you” the racoonwun said, tearing off part of the ticket, handing the other half back to Roshni and Marina. “Aren't you two the most appropriately dressed?” he chatted, smiling at them as he fished out two brightly coloured bracelets from his pocket.
“Why thank you, I put both of these outfits together myself,” Marina said proudly.
“Please wear these on your left wrist and present them when we get to the farm, they’ll get you in for the day.”
“Will do” Marina said with a smile, taking the bracelets, turning to Roshni. Securing the bracelets on their correct wrists.
The line began steadily moving as patrons entered the bus. Marina and Roshni found two seats near the front. Roshni entered first, taking a window seat, passing Marina her bag. the taller woman dutifully stowed their bags in the locker before taking her seat.
“What shall we do on the ride?” Roshni asked, already a little bored. “This is why I wanted to bring just one book”
“You don’t need a book Rosh, you have me! We’ll entertain each other"
“Okay, any suggestions?”
“We both like reading, maybe we could make up a story?”
Roshni chuckled. “Sure, I’ve never written a story before, I just feel like I’d make a rubbish writer”
“Nonsense” Marina said, locking their elbows together.
Marina’s idea to make up a story was a hit, the pair giggled the whole ride to the farm.
“We’re here already?” Roshni said as the bus came to a halt.
“See, who needs a book”
“Well, I don't when you're around, you're just a collection of endless entertainment”
“Likewise” Marina said feeling a little vindicated. They sat and chatted as the other patrons departed the bus. Once the path was clear Marina stood, collecting their belongings from the overhead locker before leading Roshni off the bus. “So, what will it be, Rosh? Blueberry picking or strawberry picking?”
“Strawberry” Roshni said confidently, taking her bag off Marina, swinging it onto her back.
Marina smiled at Roshni, holding hands as they began walking down the gate, on the path to the strawberry fields. “Shall we put out bags in a locker?” Marina asked as they passed the locker and toilet block.
“Sure” Roshni said before thinking out loud. “I mean, is it expensive?”
“To hire a locker?” Marina asked bemused, fishing out her wallet. “Not at all, a few quid at most”.
“A few quid!? For a locker!? That's just ridiculous” Roshni complained, drawing the unwanted attention of other guests around them.
“Well if you think about it, it’s really not that bad” Marina reasoned softly, looking around.
“Not that- Maz! That's daylight robbery, a joke surely” Roshni said indignantly, a touch too loud for Marina’s comfort.
“Scrooges, just what we’d expect from your type” a nearby father said, slamming a locker door, leading his score of children away from Marina and Roshni.
“N-no they have to pay for the upkeep and the space, it's really no big deal, I’ll cover it” Marina reassured, feeling a little nervous at the unwanted attention they are garnering from other guests.
Roshni sighed, glaring at the father walking away. “It’s the principal-”
“Rosh,” Marina said warmly, turning to face her lover, cupping her face. “It’s not that deep…” as she looked around out of the corner of her eyes. There were several other patrons, not so clandestinely staring and murmuring to their friends, probably about the scene Roshni was making.
“To you-” Roshni sulked, “I’m putting this in my google review”. As she took out her phone, typing a few notes before snapping a picture of the price guide. The smaller brown woman turned towards a group of women who looked to be in their early to mid-thirties, lecturing. “Expenses like this, makes these activities less accessible for folks who aren’t as well off as us”. Roshni turned to face another group of disgruntled parents and small children waiting impatiently behind them. “What a privilege it must be to not care about the greater good of our community” Roshni huffed, crossing her arms, facing Marina again.
Roshni’s little speech was met with eyerolls and disgusted silence, of the patrons around her.
Marina smacked her lips nervously as she fed some coins into the machine, giving her a card to access a locker. “Come on love, let's go find a locker” Marina said gently, Placing her hand on the small of Roshni’s back, guiding her towards a free locker away from the people around them.
“I don't understand how so many people can be so selfish,” Roshni remarked as the pair reapplied sunscreen, put on broad brimmed colourful hats that matched their outfits before closing the locker.
Marina gently rubbed Roshni’s arm. “You have a big heart my love,” she admitted, as they walked down the path hand in hand. “You’re never afraid to say what's on your mind. These are some of the many qualities I love about you”
“Thanks, Maz” Roshni said, giving Marina’s hand a light squeeze before changing the topic of conversation to a more light-hearted note. They nattered about the trees and birds that surrounded them as they walked.
“I think we're supposed to pick up one of these small containers each,” Marina said as they walked into the strawberry area.
“These are cute,” Rosnhi remarked while inspecting the containers. Sturdy plastic adorned with abstract images of strawberries all over. The imprint at the bottom read ‘made from 80% recycled plastic’ “sustainable, I like it”.
The sign by the container read ‘take and fill one container each’.
“You’re right Maz.” Roshni said pointing to the sign. “I shouldn't be surprised, when are you ever wrong?” The shorter brunette prattled rhetorically.
“Yes, I took unit 919 here for a field trip, it was a lovely time. Though, I must admit. I expect to have more fun today, with you” Marina flattered.
Roshni blushed, pushing some of her brown hair out of her face, behind her ear. Asking, “where should we start?”
“Let’s go to the far corner, I bet there are better pickings further away from the gate” Marina said joyfully leading Roshni through seemingly endless rows of strawberry vines.
Marina was right, in the far corner not only where they were blissfully isolated, able to giggle and chat, free from the earshot of other strawberry pickers. But there was also an abundance of large ripe fruit to choose from.
“What are we going to do with all these strawberries Maz?” Roshni asked as they carried their two overfull boxes of strawberries back through the rows and rows of vines.
“We could make jam. Have it on pancakes?”
Roshni’s stomach rumbled loudly “that sounds like an awesome idea” the smaller woman replied, “you know my grandma used to make these jam drop cookies every year for Winterfest.”
“Have you got a recipe?” Marina chirped.
“I do! I haven't made them in a few years”
“Well, jam pancakes and jam drop cookies, it is!” Marina exulted, far too enthused with the prospect of a day in the kitchen baking. “Im sure unit 919 won't say no to another batch of homemade cookies”.
“They’ll have to fight me for it; jam drop cookies are my favourite”
“I’ll make it a double batch then, how about that?” Marina smiled at Roshni as she walked, so enamoured at her gorgeous brown hair, the way her skin glowed in the sunlight. She tripped over her own foot, catching herself just before she fell.
“Maz, you really need to watch where you’re going,” Roshni giggled.
“It’s hard when you're around you know,” Marina retorted playfully. “If you weren't so stunning and constantly distracting me I would fare much better”.
“Stop it” Roshni said, lightly punching Maina’s arm, blushing deeply. “Blueberries next?” Roshni asked to change the conversation, fighting the impulse to engage in more public displays of affection. ‘When we get home’ she said to herself, swallowing her less PG related thoughts.
“Yes! Shall we utilize the same strategy?” Marina smiled.
“I think it’s worked well so far, what will we do with these while we gather the blueberries?” Roshni quizzed.
“That's why we hired the locker; I don’t know about you but I'm in need of a drink of water before moving onto blueberry picking anyway.” Marina prattled as she neared the gate.
“Sounds like a plan”
The pair stowed their strawberry haul in a spare lunchbox Roshni bought in her bag, having a quick snack and drink of water before walking down to the gate containing the rows and rows of blueberry bushes.
Blueberry themed recycled plastic boxes sat at the entry way. Marina picked up one for herself and handed one to Roshni. They skipped through the rows of bushes before they started the process of collecting the ripe berries. Taking breaks periodically to canoodle as they flirted and enjoyed each other's company in relative privacy.
“We should start an herb and veggie garden”
“We should, I unfortunately do not have a green thumb”
“Like properly start one” the smaller brunette continued thoughtfully.
“We have the herbs on the windowsill, that's got to count for something” Marina mused as she continued to pull the berries off the branch, ridding each berry of their stem before placing it in the box. Roshni was holding.
“We can build some raised garden beds out of scrap wood, they're bound to have some at Reverse Garbage for cheap” Roshni mused.
“I seem to recall you greatly protesting having to spend so much time outside today”
“I know, look at me. Soon I’ll be unrecognisable” Roashin mocked herself, musing. “You’ve got me out of my comfort zone and I'm really enjoying myself”.
“Ditto” Marina said, placing a kiss on the smaller woman's cheek “what were you thinking of starting with?”
“Well I'd have to do some research, see what's beginner friendly and good to plant in late autumn, If I can find anything that will fare well. I think it’ll take me a few weeks to get the beds built”
“You can buy pre established plants at the nursery, it’s more expensive but it will probably be easier to start with”
“Maybe we can go buy the library on the way home?” Roshni queried
“Any excuse!” Marina jested
A small smile tugged at the corner of Roshni’s mouth “books are my happy place”
“I thought I was your happy place” Marina feigned offence
“You are…” Roschni scoffed playfully “you and books”
“So if I wrote a book about myself that would be like, your ultimate happy place”
“It really would, are you thinking of adding author to your list of occupations?”
“Maybe, tightrope walking isn’t something I can do forever, I love it, I always will but you know”
“So an auto biography?”
“I wasn’t actually going to start with that, I think you're probably the only person who is interested in my life like that”
“Perhaps, maybe people will surprise you” Roshni pondered, “unit 919 sure do get up to some interesting stuff, you could write about that?”
“Oh no the elders would have my head” Marina objected.
“You’re very creative, Maz. Do you have any ideas?”
“Sappic vampires have always intrigued me”
“Oh, like Carmilla?”
“I’m not really one for horror though, so maybe sapphic vampires that are like looking for a roommate or something? It can be hard to find a roommate at the best of times without the temptation of drinking their blood. I can’t imagine that would make keeping a roommate easier. And then there's all the assumptions people make about vampires”
“This sounds like the bones of an incredible book, Id read that for sure”
“Thanks Rosh,” Marina smiled, holding her gaze for a few seconds.
“Maybe you can look at some books on writing your first book, while I’m looking at gardening books?” Roshni coaxed, adding “seems im not the only person who needs to hit up the library”
Marina giggled, “perhaps” looking up at the clouds as she stretched. “Shall we switch roles for a bit?” Marina suggested, extending her arms towards Rosni. “You can pick the berries and I’ll hold the box for a bit?”
“Sure” Roshni chirped, handing the boxes over.
By mid day, they finished filling the boxes with blueberries. “I think its about time we went and got some lunch, don’t you?” Marina asked as Roshni placed a hand on her loudly grumbling stomach.
“Yes please, I've been hungry for hours”
“You didn’t have breakfast” Marina commented
“I didn't have time, I was reading the fine print of the pamphlet”
“I knew there was something I was forgetting to remind you to do” Marina pointed out.
“I’m an adult if I forget to eat breakfast, being hungry for a bit is my own fault.” Roshni countered.
“Well we best find somewhere to have a good lunch then?” Marina asserted “How about pasta? I know a good place you haven’t tried”
“Or we could go home? Eat the food we have there?” Roshni debated.
“No! No, that’s less fun, today’s special. It’s our date day!”
“Seems to me like, Our date day is just turning into an excuse to spend all our money at once” Roshni bantered.
“I want pasta, we don’t have pasta at home” Marina rebutted “Plus, if im the one paying it’s only my money were wasting”
“We share finances”
“We have separate bank accounts”
“We live together, we pay all our bills together”
“The money that's in my account is mine to do what I please with” Marina protested as Roshni smiled at her. “If it were up to you we’d never go out and do anything so, meet me in the middle”
Marina knew Roshni would agree, they have this feigned argument every month on their date day. They had in fact budgeted enough to go out for lunch after berry picking.
“Italian food it is” Roshni conceded, admitting defeat. “I’ll pay though, you paid for all this” Rosnhi said, gesturing to the fields around them. “So it’s only fair” she concluded, drawing her love interest in for a kiss on the cheek before they headed back to collect their belongings from the locker.