🌙 Poem: "The Morning of Fate" 🌙
The sun rose golden, yet shadows stayed,
Dreams still clung though night decayed.
A whisper of change on the breath of dawn,
One choice—and life's new path was drawn.
She ran, with time against her will,
Heart aflame, the world stood still.
For fate had stirred within her day—
And destiny watched her run away.
---
Chapter One — The Rush of Dawn
The blaring alarm shattered the morning calm, slicing through Ariel's dreams like a blade.
With a groan, she buried her face beneath her pillow, clutching it over her ears as if she could muffle time itself.
> "The sun is already up! It's time to get out of bed!"
Her mother's voice rang from the doorway, stern yet laced with love. "Wake up! Aren't you going to eat breakfast?"
A muffled whimper came from the cocoon of blankets.
> "I'm not hungry," Ariel mumbled sleepily, her soft, melodic voice carrying that drowsy sweetness that always tugged at her mother's heart.
"I just… want to sleep a little more…"
> "I set the table a long time ago! You're still sleeping? Hey!" Lily's hand banged against the wooden door.
"The rice and soup are getting cold!"
Ariel's sleepy complaint floated back:
> "I couldn't sleep last night… just managed to doze off…"
Lily crossed her arms, muttering, "That girl…" before shouting again,
> "With that attitude, you'll end up missing your exam! Fine—sleep if you want!"
But before she could finish locking up, a loud thud echoed—Ariel had leapt from bed, her tangled brown hair flying everywhere.
> "Exam! Oh my god!" she cried, heart pounding.
She scrambled for her phone—8:10 a.m.
Her exam started at 10.
"Mom! You didn't wake me earlier!" she accused, voice rising with panic.
> "I did, young lady! You just didn't listen!" Lily shot back, half amused, half exasperated.
Ariel dashed into the bathroom like lightning. The sound of rushing water and clattering bottles filled the air. Within minutes, she emerged wearing fitted blue jeans and a light sapphire sweater that hugged her curves just right. She dabbed on a touch of lip gloss, brushed her hair twice—once with her comb, once with her fingers—and gave herself a final look in the mirror.
> "You've got this," she whispered to her reflection, her eyes bright with determination.
She snatched her bag from the bed, only to stop halfway out the door.
"Textbook! Oh no—"
She turned back, grabbed it, and bolted down the hallway.
> "I'm off, Mom! Love you!"
> "No way! You're not leaving on an empty stomach!" Lily insisted from the kitchen.
Ariel sighed, half laughing. "Mom, please!"
She grabbed two slices of bread, poured herself tea in record time, and darted out the door. Lily stood in the doorway, shaking her head with a small smile.
> "That girl's going to conquer the world one day… but she'll still forget breakfast."
---
The morning sun kissed Ariel's cheeks as she ran through the quiet neighborhood streets, bag bouncing on her shoulder. Her mind raced with thoughts of the exam, her dreams, and her mother's sacrifices.
Ariel—just three months shy of nineteen—was known for her gentle smile, her intelligence, and that quiet spark in her eyes that made people feel warm just by being near her. Her father was gone, but her mother's love had built her world—simple, small, yet full of hope.
Today was the day she'd take the entrance exam at the University of Science and Technology, the best in Opa City. Years of study and late-night prayers had led to this moment.
And yet—she was late.
> "How did I even wake up this late?" she muttered breathlessly as she hurried along. "Please, God, not today…"
Just then, a sleek black Toyota glided to a stop beside her. The tinted window rolled down, revealing a radiant girl in dazzling Indian attire—her friend, Mira.
> "Ariel! What are you doing running like a wild cat?" Mira laughed, her dark eyes glinting. "Hop in!"
> "Mira!" Ariel gasped, relief washing over her. "You're a lifesaver!"
> "I could see the panic from a mile away," Mira teased as Ariel jumped in. "So… big exam day?"
> "Don't remind me!" Ariel groaned.
The car surged forward, the city flashing past. The girls chatted between laughs and nerves until the university's grand gates came into view.
> "Here we are," Mira said, slowing the car. "Now go show them what brilliance looks like."
> "Thanks, bestie. Seriously—you're my miracle today."
> "What are friends for? Just promise me one thing: ace that exam!"
> "I'll try my best!" Ariel called, waving as she dashed through the gates.
> "I'll celebrate you when I get back!" Mira shouted after her, smiling proudly.
---
Ariel ran across the campus, heart racing faster than her steps. The architecture loomed—towers of glass and marble—but she barely noticed, too focused on the map in her trembling hands.
> "Hall 2, Hall 2…" she muttered, scanning the signs.
It was already 9:30.
She sprinted up the stairs, nearly colliding with a student who pointed her in the right direction. She thanked him breathlessly and finally found the large wooden doors of Hall 2.
A security guard nodded and opened them. Inside, her jaw dropped—rows upon rows of students filled the vast space. Her anxiety doubled.
> "You're late?" came a deep male voice.
Ariel turned to see a broad-shouldered man in a staff vest. His kind eyes softened his stern expression.
> "Yes, sir. I—I'm really sorry," she stammered.
> "You're lucky. You made it just in time," he said with a smile. "I'm Chris, one of the supervisors."
> "I'm Ariel," she said, bowing slightly in apology.
> "Seat number?"
> "One hundred and eight."
He guided her to her spot at the back. Ariel sank into her chair just as papers were passed around. She exhaled, whispering,
> "Thank you, universe."
Her nerves began to settle—until she glanced right.
A boy sat there, effortlessly striking. White hair framed his sharp jawline, his skin pale against the dark fabric of his shirt. He caught her stare—and winked.
Ariel's cheeks flushed crimson. She snapped her eyes forward, pretending to reread the instructions.
> "Oh no," she thought. "Focus, Ariel. Focus!"
---
Three hours later, pens clattered down and exhaustion filled the room. Ariel stretched, relief washing through her body.
> "Finally. Done!" she whispered, smiling.
As she packed up, a familiar voice spoke behind her.
> "Hey. How was it?"
She turned—it was him. The white-haired boy.
> "Tough," she admitted, "but manageable."
> "I noticed you scratching your head halfway through," he teased. "Lost?"
> "Lost? No! I was just—uh—thinking," she blurted, flustered.
He laughed, his voice low and rich.
> "I'm Bernard." He extended a hand, the sunlight glinting off the silver ring on his finger.
She hesitated, then smiled shyly.
> "Ariel."
> "Beautiful name," he said softly, still holding her hand.
A spark lingered between them—brief, curious, electric. She withdrew first, pretending not to notice her own blush.
They walked out together, chatting easily. When a sleek white Lamborghini rolled to a stop nearby, Ariel stared, wide-eyed.
> "That car is gorgeous," she breathed.
> "It's mine," Bernard said casually.
> "W–what?" she sputtered. "You're kidding!"
> "Nope. Want a ride?"
> "Oh no, no!" she said quickly. "My house isn't far."
> "Then… your number?" he asked, his gaze warm and teasing.
Ariel froze. No phone. Panic flashed, but she smiled smoothly.
> "Why don't you give me yours? I'll call you later."
He handed her a sleek card with embossed silver letters.
> "I'll be waiting," he said with a smile before turning to leave.
The car door opened for him—by a tall man in black—and with a low purr, the Lamborghini vanished down the street.
Ariel stood there, heart fluttering in confusion and wonder.
> "Who is he?" she whispered.
The morning that began in chaos… had ended with something she couldn't name—an encounter that felt strangely like the start of everything.
---
Author's Note:
💫 Welcome, dear readers, to my world of fantasy—where fate, love, and destiny intertwine in ways beyond imagination. Stay tuned, and let your heart be swept away. 💕