About the writer: This is Sana Hidayat. I am doing BS English (literature & linguistics). I am a professional writer and have been writing for 03 years.


Story text: 

Does everyone in this world suffer? Yes, definitely. Does everyone face the same struggles in life? Not really, surely not. Even though humans are tested differently in this world, they can heal each other, being each other's strength through thick and thin. This is how many recuperate. This is what Daisy believed strongly. Her name, a symbolical flower of healing also known as "Chamomile" is what might have created a huge impact on Daisy perhaps. She dressed in white frocks with puffy selves, her favorite without a doubt. Her existence was no different than any other being except for an extra amount of optimism for sure. Daisy was unique in other aspects for unlike others she was born in the world of eternal Autumn. Where ashes fell from the sky like confetti every now and then.

 

And everywhere only music of gunshots can be heard. People were imprisoned in their own homes. Businesses were stopped and the city slept in fragile slumber.

 

Daisy Patrick was an aspiring girl who was willing to fight all odds to survive and flee. She had to face it all and live. For she was indebted to her parents, her older brother as they lay their lives protecting her. She couldn't be self-centered enough to just die without evening trying to live. She was determined to repay them for their efforts. So, when all her blood-bonds were lost; Daisy took refuge in Daniel's household. Daniel was at the same age as her but he had his house still standing with his mother as his support. Daniel was not a positive thinker but his will to escape matched with Daisy's perfectly. While Daisy lived to pay the debt, Daniel stayed for his mother's sake. Living with Stewards, Daisy easily adjusted for their families had known each other quite well as neighbors. The fond memories of these families became dim now as this madness broke into the city.

 

Days passed on and the demon of hunger was closing in on them. Mrs. Steward too scared to lose another loved one finally decided to go out for food. Daniel had to stay up the whole night as a guard so he was fast asleep. Daisy was now put in charge of guarding the door as Mrs. Steward left. As it was common for anyone going out to take quite a while before returning so was Mrs. Steward’s case.  Daisy was trying to keep calm but it was almost four hours and Daniel had woken up too. Worried sick, they both stepped outside taking careful steps while holding a stone each. After covering street after street, they reached an old abandon cake shop. They stood silently still looking both ways to calm their beating hearts, it's been a while for them outside they had come to realize. The only thing they didn't think of was the horror they had yet to witness at the other side of that shop. As they started again, they saw a little boy searching a body for food or pulse; no one could tell. It was dark so they took a closer look at the body, the other one ran away at the sound of their steps. Daniel was first to recognize his mother from her ring which he took with him and he took Daisy home.

 

On the way, they managed to get little food but their hunger was gone. They passed the night in supplications and with droplets of water alone. Unable to see Daniel in chaos, Daisy made the move taking him in a friendly embrace. It was hours before his monotonous expression changed and he finally cried keeping his head on her shoulder, gripping her arms tightly. The next morning made it clear that nothing held Daniel back from fleeing the city. Mrs. Steward loved her son dearly but could not bring herself to leave the house which was her bank of memories, Daniel had been waiting for her to change her mind but fate had other plans.

 

Daniel and Daisy both started working on a plan. Although nothing could be kept as a constant in this situation; still determination kept them going. After thinking for some time, both were certain that the best time to leave was definitely an early morning for half soldiers were tired and another half still a bit sleepy. No one would pay much attention to two, thin figures and where they plan to be. Another thing was to make sure that they kept the money and their treasured valuables completely invisible. The city surely suffered in many ways yet some people were lucky to have their little savings at home than in banks. Among these few were families like Stewards and Patrick, where females had set this trend. So, the dangers like snatchers and like, lurked at every corner.

 

The day of action was just one night away. They had prepared everything and concluded to sleep early leaving their lives in hands of fate for a night. Though they always slept near the main gate still unless someone stayed up to keep a watch, no one felt at ease but this night they both slept soundly. Daisy was gone so deep that her dream had transformed into a portal to the past. Her mind reminded her life to the day she celebrated her seventh birthday in her pretty white dress having light green, blue stripes on the top. She looked radiant with her well-made hair and clean clothes. The green lawn surrounding the house where everyone had gathered was decorated especially by her parents. While her brother came at last with the Black-forest cake. He winked and whispered that after the cake she opens his gift first. To which, she was over-joyed for he had brought her a cake and a present, it was so unusual for him to do so. He was normally someone who was used to saving more than spending on gifts even. The celebration had started and the confetti was launched into the air. Everyone was smiling or talking merrily but suddenly a gunshot was heard, her dream turned into a nightmare.


The civil war had started few months before she turned eight. And since then, she couldn't remember when her family slept peacefully even for a night, or could be happy. First, it was Mr. Steward who fell prey to this brutal war, and others followed next leaving Daisy, Daniel all alone. She woke up seeing her family lying dead as Daniel silently carried her away to safety.

 

It was still an hour before the set time but Daniel had woken too. They both were completely aware that until they leave, they cannot be at ease even for a minute. The fear constantly ate away some part of them or other. When the sky was still a little dark, they cloaked themselves in black and sneaked out. They started to walk without looking back at the house. Upon reaching the end of the street, Daisy gave a glance but Daniel pulled her to his side for even a small mistake could end everything for them. The guard on duty, still a little sleepy, passes by them. This made Daisy forget about the house and she gladly looks at Daniel who passes with a little smile and they move a little more quickly. On their way, they pass by the cake shop, the famous city library, and the fun-filled park that had made them forget about the time before. In its current condition, it only made them more conscious of the time. They finally made it near the border where they took refuge in a broken-down army base waiting for its doom. It was to be demolished but everyone had forgotten it by now.

 

With little food and water, they spent a day and a night and finally got their chance to cross the border the next morning. Though there were many soldiers, Daisy managed to lure two workers making deliveries across the border. While Daniel hit the target with a stone on his head and stole one of the silencers. Next, the man was easily put away. Then Daniel and Daisy dressed as the workers, showing their identity cards made across into a new city, a new country. Their inner happiness was something beyond that cannot be put in words even. Although they had little schooling, yet their parents taught them everything they could pass on. And so, daisy took up the job of a cook while Daniel joined a cobbler for the owner appreciated young to put their immense energy at work. They both worked very hard and tried to save as much as possible.

 

Daisy's workplace had a free room where Daniel and she slept. They had signed a contract to pay the rent later on too. These days demanded too much of their strength but at least gave them hope for a life without being in hiding or in fear. Nothing in this world is earned without a price so they worked till they were dog-tired every single day. At first, not much was saved but as months passed Daniel took another part-time job and so did Daisy. Together, their efforts finally bore fruits and they manage to get a room for rent. They still continued to work and save. After some more time, they paid off rent from before and their lives finally were on the straight track.

 

Almost two years have passed but the Civil war was still going on with no telling when it might end. Daisy, listened to the radio about the condition as she sipped away her tea with a saddened heart. Daisy and Daniel had tied the knot just a few months ago and knew no one else would understand them better than themselves. Little furniture like a bed, a table, and two chairs were brought in the meantime. Daisy had been a ray of hope and flower of healing for Daniel and herself. They held each other high in times of despair, their trust unshakable in each other. The determining steps they took paved the way for them to finally be able to live with ease. And this tale is what Daisy wishes to pen down someday for her generations to read.


THE END.