Discover with Saee

Tap… tap tap tap… tap.

The sound felt like it came from somewhere far into the darkness. She groaned softly, slowly opening her eyes as the morning light crept into her consciousness. A smile touched her lips.

Stretching her arms over her head, she blinked and focused on the source of the tapping—her window. A tiny blue bird hopped from left to right, right to left, tapping on the glass, tilting its head to peer inside.

“Right on time…” she mumbled, stretching her whole body on the couch before sitting up, still smiling at the impatient visitor.

As she stood, her long thick hair slipped loose from its bun, tumbling down over her bare shoulders. The sun was just beginning to rise behind her house, casting a warm glow across the fields. The world around her was slowly waking.

She walked to the shelf lined with plants and picked up a glass jar filled with seeds. Moving languidly toward the window, she took in the beauty of the morning. The fields glistened under the sun, a light fog mingling with the woody smoke curling up from village chimneys.

“Yes, yes, I’m coming…” she said with a giggle as the bird gave one final, insistent tap. Sliding the door open, she knelt and scattered the seeds.

“The whole field in front of you, and you still have to come here for breakfast…” she teased, watching as the little bird pecked eagerly at the grains.

Rising, she made her way to the coffee machine, starting a mellow love song on her speakers as she passed. Hikaru Utada’s voice filled the room, singing of first love.

As the coffee machine hissed and gurgled, she slipped out of her dress and stepped into her sunlit bathroom, tying her hair back into a loose bun. This was her sanctuary—filled with golden morning light and birdsong.

She started the shower, tested the temperature with her foot, and stepped in. Cold droplets met her skin, awakening her fully. This was her favorite time of day—just the water, the light, the music, and the scent of fresh coffee drifting through the house.

Breathing deeply, she turned off the shower, wrapped herself in a long yellow silk robe patterned with magnolia blooms, and made her way to the vanity.

Sitting at the wooden stool, she let down her hair and began to brush it slowly, humming along to Billie Holiday’s soft, bittersweet voice: “…me, myself, and I, all in love with you…”

The morning light filtering through the lace curtains made her brown eyes glow. After finishing her hair and skin care, she drifted to the kitchen, swaying gently as Sarah Menescal’s bossa nova cover of “Stand by Me” filled the space.

Coffee in hand, she stepped into her garden, savoring the peace.

The sound of a car pulling up outside made her pause. Curious, she moved toward the gate, expecting perhaps a lost traveler needing directions.

Something shifted in the air as he stepped out of the car. Distracted by his own thoughts, he turned and met her gaze.

“Uh, hello—do you, by any chance, run this place?” he asked as he walked up.

Tall, broad-shouldered, fit but not overly muscular, he moved with quiet confidence.

“Yes, I do,” she said, opening the gate for him.

As he came closer, she noticed his eyes—dark brown, intense yet kind. Rare. Beautiful.

“I’m really sorry to show up without a booking. I need a room for a couple of weeks, and your place came highly recommended…”

His voice was deep—not quite a baritone, but warm, the kind that could wrap around you like a comforting blanket.

“Well, you’re in luck. I have just the room,” she said with a smile.

“That’s great. I’ll grab my things from the car.” His smile was one of relief, but it lit his face in a way that lingered in her mind.

“Come up the steps on the left side of the building. I’ll meet you upstairs,” she called as he busied himself with his luggage.

Get yourself together, girl, she thought, straightening her robe as she headed to prepare the guest room.

Get yourself together, man, he muttered, glancing at the gate, adjusting his backpack and lifting his bag.

A shimmer seemed to ripple through the air around the village…