SWNOVELXO Chapter 21: Chapter 22: The Camellia's Glow
Chapter 22: The Camellia's Glow
The afternoon sun spilled through the shop's windows, painting the floor with golden hues. Lila glanced at the clock. It was well past lunchtime, and the faint pang of hunger in her stomach reminded her she hadn't eaten all day. She sighed, wiping her hands on her apron and heading toward the back room to grab her coat.
As she reached for it, her gaze fell on a single camellia bloom resting in a small vase on the counter. Its petals were a vibrant pink, perfectly symmetrical, and it seemed to glow under the sunlight. She paused, her breath catching as a familiar warmth stirred in her chest.
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It had been an early spring morning, the first truly warm day after weeks of rain. She and James had gone for a walk in the park, the world around them bursting with fresh life. Lila had stopped to admire a bush of camellias, their vivid colors standing out against the greenery.
"Stay still," James had said, plucking a single bloom. Before she could protest, he tucked it behind her ear, stepping back to admire his work.
"There," he said with a grin. "Perfect. My flower, adorned with flowers."
Lila had laughed, swatting at him playfully. "You're ridiculous."
"Ridiculously in love," he'd countered, pulling her into a kiss that left her cheeks as pink as the camellia.
---
The memory was so vivid it felt as though James were standing beside her again, his laughter echoing in her ears. Lila reached out, brushing her fingers against the soft petals of the camellia in the vase. A small, bittersweet smile tugged at her lips—her first real smile in days.
She closed her eyes, letting the memory wash over her. For a brief moment, the ache in her chest felt lighter, replaced by a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. But the sadness wasn't far behind, creeping in like a shadow. The reminder that James was gone, that moments like those were now confined to her memories, brought tears to her eyes.
---
Shaking herself from the memory, Lila grabbed her coat and headed out of the shop. She needed fresh air, a break from the weight of the day. The streets were bustling with the usual afternoon crowd, and she found herself weaving through people with little thought about where she was headed.
She ended up at a small café down the street, the same one she and James used to frequent for quick lunches. Stepping inside, she was greeted by the familiar hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly baked bread.
"Lila!" The barista behind the counter smiled warmly. "Haven't seen you in a while."
"Hi, Sophie," Lila said, managing another faint smile. "Just grabbing something to go."
"Sure thing. Your usual?"
Lila nodded, appreciating the ease of the exchange. As she waited for her sandwich, her gaze drifted to a couple sitting by the window. They were leaning close, sharing a quiet laugh, their hands entwined on the table between them.
The sight sent a pang through Lila's chest. It wasn't jealousy, not exactly. It was more like longing—a deep ache for something she'd once had but could never have again.
Her order came up quickly, and she thanked Sophie before heading back out onto the street. She didn't return to the shop right away, instead choosing to sit on a bench in the nearby park. The camellias she'd seen with James years ago were blooming again, their vibrant hues a stark contrast to the dull ache in her heart.
As she unwrapped her sandwich, Lila found herself staring at the flowers, memories of James swirling in her mind. She thought about how effortlessly he'd brought joy into her life, how even the simplest gestures—like tucking a flower into her hair—had carried so much love.
For the first time in a long while, Lila allowed herself to dwell on the happy moments without pushing them away. The sadness was still there, but it didn't feel as overwhelming. Instead, it mingled with the warmth of the memories, creating a bittersweet mix that felt oddly comforting.
She smiled again, this time more genuinely, as she imagined James sitting beside her, teasing her about how serious she looked.
---
When Lila returned to the shop, the camellia in the vase caught her eye once more. She walked over to it, carefully lifting the bloom from its resting place. Holding it in her hands, she felt a sense of peace she hadn't expected.
"Thank you," she whispered, as if the flower itself had given her a gift.
She tucked the camellia behind her ear, just as James had done all those years ago. The weight of loss was still there, but so was the reminder of the love they'd shared—a love that could never truly be taken away.
And for the rest of the afternoon, as customers came and went, the glow of the camellia was a quiet beacon of hope, a small but powerful reminder that even in the midst of sorrow, beauty could still be found.