WARZONE

Cistus

CHAPTER-2

You know pretending to be fine doesn't make you fine. This is eating you up Mica. I wish you would just be you and talk about your feelings.

"Feelings? Disgusting,"Mica thought.

Suddenly the woman in front of her started to laugh. Not the pleasing to ear laugh. The type of laugh so taunting and horrifying that it gives you shivers.

"What's so funny? Why are you laughing?",asked Mica.

Before she could get an answer the woman suddenly held her hands high and rushed towards Mica. Before Mica could realise what's happening the hands were strangling her.

" Death is painfully beautiful. Like you sweetie."

Mica was gasping for air and trying to fight the woman off her. "Get off-f m-me,please"

.........

Mica woke up in a jolt,sweat covering her forehead. She was breathing heavily. " Goddamnit" Mica put her hand on her heart in an attempt to calm down it's fast beating. She felt like all the walls were closing in. Mica looked at the clock beside her. It read-

4:28 a.m

"That's 2 hours of sleep. Better take a bath instead of being a sweaty mess,"Mica thought. Mica barely remembers the last time she got a god night's sleep.

Mica got dressed in a simple crop top and some baggy jeans. Before going off to work she didn't forget to put on this thin pendant she always wore. She couldn't remember how she got it. As far as she could remember she always wore it.

She reached at the flower shop that she worked at exactly 8:45 a.m. Mica wasn't the type to be overly sweet or the type to talk much. She had her fair share of secrets. She only talked when she thought it was necessary. She realised by now useless talking leads to revealing secrets.

Suddenly the bell-ring hung on the door chimes with noise making the visitor's presence known to Mica. The shop was quite empty. It's less crowded during early mornings.

"Good Morning. Welcome to the Herbs. How can I help you--" Mica stops mid-sentence when she sees the familiar face in front of her.Chrys.He greets her a simple morning with boredom laced in his face. Chrys takes a quick tour of the flower shop as soon as he greets Mica.

Mica,however is finding it quite difficult to breathe.She closes her eyes and takesa few deep breaths. After she's done composing herself. She continues saying,"How can I help you?"

"Ummm. I'm looking for some fresh lavender flowers?"he said with a hint of uncertainty in his face.

"Well, can you tell me what's the occasion? I might be of some help,"said Mica while approaching Chrys but she kept a safe distance between them.

"My sister. Umm. She-she graduates today. Thought of congratulating her with a bouquet," he answered. He was quite hesitant yet effectively charming. The way he spoke made Mica lose her senses. Then again Chrys always had a way of making her lose her senses.

She quickly composes herself and picks out some flowers. She makes a bouquet of Plumeria,Morning glory and Daisies. She wraps it delicately with delicately with a ribbon and hands it to Chrys.

"There you go," she said.

Chrys quickly pays for the flowers and takes over the bouquet.

"Chrys," Mica calls out him.

"Yes?" He answers.

"Take this," Mica hands him over a single flower named Cistus.

"What's this for?"he asks her.

"You're our first customer today. We always hand out an extra flower to the first one. Nothing special," answers Mica looking down at the cash monitor.

"Oh! Thanks," He quickly rushed out of the shop. As soo. As soon as he opened his car door he suddenly stops. A sudden realisation hits him.

"Did-Did I tell her my name?"he glances back at the shop and frowns.

His train of thoughts were soon disrupted by his ringing cell phone. He answered it saying, "Yes. Dad.I'm on my way. No. I won't be late."

Chrys soon left. And Mica finally looked up. She released a breath she didn't know she was holding.

Mica looks at the piece of wrapper where the meaning of flowers and the shop's name is written in cursive letters.

She looked at it and sighed. Mica takes the wrapper and scrunches it up in her first. She throws it on the bin next to her and gets back to work as more customers flood inside the shop.

Cistus - I'll die tomorrow.

________________________________________________________