Author's Preface
Luna woke up in the morning like she usually did.
She waited until she heard the front door close. Only after her father had left for work did she quietly get out of bed.
A faint, sleepy smile appeared on her face.
But today, the morning felt a little different.
Her eyes drifted toward the calendar hanging nearby.
One specific date had a small flower drawn around it.
Luna smiled.
Then she looked toward her mother, who was still sleeping beside her. She didn't wake her. Instead, she gently brushed away a stray lock of hair from her mother's forehead with a feather-light touch.
Then Luna walked toward her closet.
Hidden underneath her neatly folded clothes was a small pouch. She carefully took it out and walked toward the balcony.
The morning sunlight was gentle, warmer than usual, as if the day itself was welcoming her.
She opened the pouch and counted the money she had been saving for quite some time.
Each note was counted carefully.
Once.
Then again.
When she finished, a small smile appeared on her face.
She placed the money back inside the pouch and started getting ready to go out for a little grocery shopping.
Luna was never the kind of person who dressed up much. She simply wore her oversized hoodie, wool trousers, and a pair of elevated canvas shoes.
Before leaving, she called out softly.
"Mom, I'm going just around the block to get some grocery items."
The apartment door closed behind her with a soft click.
Luna walked along the road slowly, enjoying the warmth of the winter sun. Her hands stayed tucked inside her hoodie pockets as she looked up at the sky and smiled gently.
Soon, she reached the small bakery nearby.
The moment she stepped inside, she was greeted by the sweet scent of cream and chocolate.
She asked for the smallest strawberry cake they had.
The kind her mother loved.
After paying with the money from her pouch, Luna stepped outside with the small carry bag in her hands.
She held it closer to her face for a brief moment.
Then a big smile formed across her lips.
She imagined the look on her mother's face when she saw the surprise.
Luna continued walking, holding the cake carefully, as though she were carrying a treasure chest.
Then her eyes caught a familiar sight.
The same bush of white camellias she had photographed some time ago.
She walked closer, admiring their beauty.
But then her eyes noticed something else.
A small white camellia lying beside the roadside.
It hadn't wilted yet.
It looked as though the wind had only just carried it there moments ago.
Luna knelt down carefully, making sure the cake remained safe in her hands.
Then she picked up the flower.
She held it gently between her fingers.
A quiet thought crossed her mind as she looked at it.
She imagined how beautiful it would look tucked into her mother's hair.
So Luna carried the little white camellia with her, along with the cake.
When she reached her apartment building, Luna quickened her pace.
Not because she was late.
Because she couldn't wait to see her mother's smile.