Chapter One: Petals
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Even though I was finally alone, I was still under the spell of that lingering sense of suffocation, a cage, and a hollow emptiness.
After stepping off the minibus and taking my suitcases with the help of the driver, I sighed without thinking. I tried to center myself in the moment. The cliché coolness of the early morning gently brushed against my skin. I took another deep breath, and the sound of birds became clearer.
At last, I took a step forward and swept my gaze over the town I had just moved into. Instead of wandering around to satisfy my curiosity or excitement, I chose to head straight to the house. The old wooden gate creaked open without resistance. I walked through the long, unkempt grass, pulled out the key, and opened the door.
Dust made me cough. I don’t even remember how, but I managed to open all the windows. Strangely, the house brought me a sense of peace, despite the dirt and disrepair. I smiled to myself, almost nihilistically.
One by one, I dragged my suitcases up the short stairs and began exploring the house. It needed a lot—a lot—of work. Yet somehow, the comfort, sense of belonging, and safety it offered bloomed yellow flowers in the center of my chest.
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