The morning sunlight filtered softly between the curtains, painting pale gold stripes across the apartment floor.

The room was quiet except for the faint rustle of leaves and the slow drip of the watering can.

Lauma stood by the windowsill, her long hair falling over her shoulder as she gently misted the cluster of houseplants crowding the glass. The oversized sweater she wore hung loosely around her frame, sleeves sliding past her hands every time she lifted the sprayer