the first journey

Aurelia Born in XY country,she grew up learning something early—when someone helped you, they often expected something in return. A favor. Gratitude that never felt optional. A debt that quietly stayed behind every kind action.

And she didn’t like that expectation people held onto her.

It wasn’t that she stopped asking for help because she distrusted everyone.

It was simpler than that.

She stopped because she never knew what she could give back in return.

Not because she was unwilling… but because she didn’t know how to repay people in the way they expected.

So she chose not to owe anyone anything at all.

People called her independent.

She called it balance.

And over time, she became quiet, observant, and self-sufficient—not because she didn’t need anyone, but because she didn’t want to place herself in a position where she couldn’t give back equally.

People called her mysterious.

She didn’t correct them.

At eighteen, she applied for a scholarship in OAAO for university.

She was neither fully expecting it nor fully doubting it. She stayed neutral—simply did what she had to do and left the result to chance.

And then… she got it.

At first, it felt unreal, almost like a mistake. Something meant for someone else. But with time, reality settled in slowly, gently.

She had done it.

She left home without drama.

No loud goodbyes. No emotional collapse. Just a quiet suitcase by her side, a controlled breath, and a family trying to smile even when their eyes refused to agree.

They couldn’t accept it fully.

Their daughter was leaving.

Going to another country.

Far away from home.

Far away from them.

A silence filled the room that words couldn’t fix.

“Call me,” her sister said, voice shaking slightly.

“I will,” Aurelia replied.

But by then, her family was already crying.

She stepped onto the bus alone and eventually reached the airport.

Fourteen hours of travel.

Zero sleep.

Just waiting… and thinking.

When she finally arrived, she took a taxi.

Taxi Driver: “First time in Y/S?”

Aurelia: “Is it that obvious?”

Taxi Driver: “You keep staring out the window like you’re in a movie.”

Aurelia: “Maybe I am.”

Taxi Driver: “Then I hope it’s a good one.”

Aurelia: “Me too.”

Y/S country was colder than she expected.

Not just the weather—but everything.

The language felt fast. The people felt distant. Even the silence felt different here, like it didn’t belong to her anymore.

She felt like an outsider inside her own life.

She rented a small apartment far from the university.

It was cheaper, older, and quieter than most.

Exactly what she wanted.

Landlord: “It’s a bit far from campus.”

Aurelia: “It’s fine. I like this apartment.”

Aurelia: “It’s quiet. And I like quietness and I can take the bus or walk if I need to!!

#she smile while looking at the apartment

The landlord paused for a moment, slightly unsure if she was being practical or stubborn.

But he nodded anyway.

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