Chapter 2

...Chapter 2: Innocence and Dreams...

In the peaceful province of Panalines, life unfolded at a steady, unhurried pace. The mornings were kissed by golden sunlight, and the air was fresh, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers and ripened fruit. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, the land thrived in its simplicity. The fields stretched endlessly, the mountains stood as silent guardians in the distance, and the people lived in harmony with nature, their hearts grounded in tradition.

On this particular Sunday morning, the Lannesè family was enjoying a rare moment of togetherness. The wooden cart that carried them across the countryside creaked under their weight, yet it moved steadily, taking them down well-worn paths lined with lush trees. The sun bathed everything in a warm, gentle glow, and the world outside felt vast and open, full of possibility.

At the front of the cart sat Selene, a little girl of six years, with wide, curious eyes that reflected the sky above her. Her hair, dark as midnight, was tied back in a simple braid, and her small face was framed by her mother’s soft hands. Despite her youth, there was something about Selene that felt timeless—an old soul wrapped in the innocence of childhood.

"Mommy, mommy!" she cried, her voice a cheerful melody as she bounced in her seat. She leaned forward, her hands clutching her mother’s sleeve. "I don’t want to grow up!"

Her mother, smiling softly at the sight of her little girl, turned to meet her gaze. "Why is that, my love?"

Selene, with her round eyes gleaming with playful mischief, pouted and hugged her mother’s arm even tighter. "Because I just want to stay in your arms forever! It’s so comfortable here." She giggled as if the idea was the simplest, most perfect wish she could make.

Her father, sitting at the front of the cart and guiding the horse along the path, chuckled. "Are you sure, Selene? You don’t want to grow up and become something special, like a princess?"

"No!" Selene replied, shaking her head firmly. Her voice was full of the innocent conviction only a child could possess. "I just want to be with you, Mommy, forever."

Her mother laughed softly, the sound rich with love and warmth. "Ah, my sweet girl," she said, brushing a strand of hair away from Selene’s face. "You can’t stay little forever. One day, you’ll grow up and become a beautiful woman."

Selene’s eyes softened, her gaze drifting toward the open fields outside. The mountains, towering and majestic, seemed to whisper secrets to her, secrets that only the wind could understand. She sighed, her small face scrunching up in thought. "Then... I’ll ask God to let me stay small," she murmured seriously. "So I don’t have to grow up."

Her mother smiled, the warmth of her love filling the air between them. "As you wish, my darling," she replied softly. "But remember, you’ll always be my little girl, no matter how big you get."

Despite her mother's reassuring words, Selene’s heart still clung to the idea of remaining in that safe, secure moment, nestled in her mother’s arms forever. She looked out the cart’s window at the world around her, the sweeping landscape filled with rice fields that glimmered under the sun, the smell of earth and greenery thick in the air. Everything seemed so perfect, so constant.

As the cart continued its journey, the mountains in the distance became mere silhouettes against the sky, and Selene could feel her mind drifting toward the future—one that seemed both distant and close at the same time. The thought of growing up, becoming someone different, didn’t quite fit in her heart, but she knew, deep down, it was inevitable. Yet for now, she clung to the innocence of her youth, cherishing the moments of simplicity and love, like the warmth of her mother’s embrace.

It was a fleeting thought, a wish that could never be granted. But for a moment, just a moment, Selene was content to dream.

To be continued...

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