There was once a boy. But this boy wasn't in kindergarten anymore. The day was cloudy, the kind of overcast sky that seemed to mirror his heart. He had woken up early...too early. It was his first day of middle school.
Sitting by the window, he gazed outside. The world looked still and beautiful, cloaked in gray. The sun had risen only a few minutes ago, casting a faint golden hue over the cold morning. He admired everything quietly, though sadness lingered in his eyes.
The jasmine flowers on the balcony caught his attention. His mother had planted them long ago, but now they were no longer blooming. They were like him,silent, uncertain, waiting. He missed his old school. It had been his world, a place full of friends, familiar faces, and memories he cherished. But his mother believed this new school was better for him, a place where he could thrive.
He didn't care. Or so he told himself. Deep down, he did, but he wasn't ready to admit it.
Then came a voice, soft and sweet, as if spun from dreams. "Aster," his mother called. Her voice was angelic, a gentle lullaby that soothed him despite his sadness.
He didn't want to admit it, but he loved it when she called him like that. It made him feel seen, cared for.
"Take a warm shower and get ready for school," she said, her tone as tender as ever.
A few minutes later, Aster stood ready, fresh on the outside but hollow within. His eyes held a quiet sorrow, the kind of sadness that comes when someone feels they've lost something precious. His mother, however, didn't seem to notice. To her, his face looked normal.
They began their journey to the new school. On the bus, Aster stared out the fogged up window. The world outside was blurry, concealed by winter's breath. Suddenly, a bittersweet scent wafted through the air ,the smell of clover flowers. He smiled faintly, though something in his heart told him this wasn't the kind of day for smiles.
His mother sat beside him, her face blank, her thoughts distant. Her large, tired eyes looked like his,beautiful but weary. She didn't notice him watching her.
When they reached the school, her gentle hand rested on his shoulder, its touch cold but reassuring. "We're here, sweetie," she said. But instead of leading him inside, she added, "Let's buy you some tiffin first."
Only then did Aster remember,she hadn't packed his lunch. They walked to a small café nearby, its warmth inviting them in. As his mother ordered food, Aster caught a scent he hadn't noticed in a long time,jasmine flowers.
He turned and saw her.
A tall girl with short hair stood nearby. She had a tomboyish air about her, yet there was something ethereal in her presence. Her eyes glowed, drawing him in as if they held the secrets of the universe.
For a moment, Aster couldn't move. She was unlike anyone he had ever seen before. Her beauty wasn't ordinary ,it was raw and captivating, like a sudden burst of sunlight after days of rain.
His mother approached the girl's mother, and that's when he realized who she was. He remembered the stories,she was the girl who had been sick, hospitalized for two long years. She was older than him, yet something about her felt familiar, almost magnetic.
Aster tried to understand what he was feeling, but before he could, he found himself walking beside her up the school stairs.
They ended up in the same class. Though they hadn't exchanged a single word, he felt her presence like a quiet symphony playing in the background.
In class, Aster sat far away, but his thoughts stayed close to her. The scent of jasmine grew stronger, almost intoxicating. He couldn't focus. His eyes kept drifting toward her, tracing the curve of her face, the way her hair framed her glowing eyes.
When the bell rang, he wished for time to slow down. Just a little longer, he thought. Just a few more moments to be near her.
And then, the impossible happened.
She approached him.
"Hey, Aster," she said, her voice soft and musical. "It's me..Rose."
The scent of jasmine exploded, as if the flowers had suddenly burst into bloom around him. His heart raced, trembling like leaves in the wind. He didn't reply,he couldn't.
Outside, butterflies danced among the flowers, and sunlight poured through the windows, turning the classroom into a kaleidoscope of colors. It felt like a dream, too vivid to be real.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Aster was happy. Truly happy. She had spoken to him. She had acknowledged him. This beautiful, radiant creature had noticed him.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Aster didn't remember the lessons or the faces of his classmates. All he could see was her.
When the final bell rang, he left the school alone, taking the bus home. The ride was silent, but his thoughts were loud, swirling with images of her.
At home, he noticed a sticky note on the freezer, but he didn't bother reading it. Instead, he walked to the balcony.
There, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, the jasmine flowers had started to bloom again.