𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀 | 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐀

two

R O S E A N N E

My long black silky boots walked across the polluted pavement. With bold fierce steps every time my hips swayed. Nine years since I've walked freely, nine years since I've smelled nature's fresh air. Nine years since I've had freedom.

My steps stopped in front of a shop - a hair shop to be exact.

New beginnings needed to come with a new look. They were a tradition in my family. My old one at least, it was only for respect and for being the failed child that I continued to do them. As a way of saying thank you.

Thank you for enduring me long enough.

Careful with my steps I entered the shop, refusing to look anyone in the eye.

I am tired of being at home. It has been two months straight. I'm tired of doing nothing, in fear that someone will recognise me because they won't. It's been nine years, I'm sure everyone has dispersed across the world.

Rephrase, I hope everyone has dispersed across the world.

I wasn't proud of what I did. Will never be. As soon as I stepped foot into the institution, I realised how messed up I had been. As soon as I realised my family wouldn't visit, I truly remembered that I was officially a serial killer. A stalker, I could live with that. A threat to society? Never.

So here I am, doing everything to right my wrongs. I promised myself to donate more to charity, help the homeless, participate in community work and most important, stay away from Lalisa Manoban.

"Hi!" Hwasa runs towards me, smiling from ear to ear. I smile shyly in return trying not to make a scene. Thankfully, she knew that because I didn't want anyone coming near us.

She drags me excitedly to a nearby chair, far away from the door, of course, "It's been so long" she gasps, in the baby voice she makes whenever talking to me. I hated it at first, made me feel small now, I tolerate it.

"Yeah, you didn't visit me in the last year, I felt alone again" I sigh, purposely making her feel guilty. I remove my hair from the ponytail, and it cascades past my ass.

"You haven't cut your hair since?" she asks I cock up my eyebrows knowing well and though she was trying to deflect from my previous question, she sighs "I was busy my love, I apologize." she kisses my cheek in a tender, motherly way which makes me blush.

"It's okay, you don't owe me shit" I shrug, causing her to burst out from laughter due to my sudden mood change. To me, I knew she was relieved I wasn't being serious.

"How does it feel," she asks.

"How does what feel?" I answer with a question.

"Having freedom"

I shrug, taking a long breath "Feels good, but it's normal, I'm not used to so much colour, everything is so bright"

"It wouldn't seem bright if you had just gone outside for breaks when you could" I shrug once more because she was right, I just didn't know how to respond.

"The way you've changed Rosie, I can tell you'll enjoy your freedom." she was the only person who called me Rosie. That is because she was the only person I spoke to comfortably accept my therapist for the last decade. "You can explore like you wanted to, Start fresh, build a new life and most importantly find love."

I cringe "No thanks, my dreams have changed since then." she clicks her tongue in frustration.

"What, can I do for you? Or did you come here only to scold me?" she says, back in her neutral tone, away from the baby voice.