“Wake up, Sioni, wake up!”

I woke up and found my mother standing angrily over me.

“Wha-What is it, mommy?” I sat up, confused. The sun shone brightly through the open window and the canary was singing at the top of his lungs. I looked back longingly at my pillow and then realized something was missing.

“Looking for something?” My mother asked and then brandished a rose from behind her back.

“Hey, give that back!”

“Who gave this to you, Sioni?”

“It’s nothing, mom, just give it back.”

“Just tell me one thing – did that ‘prince’ give this to you? Has he been visiting again? You know how dangerous that is!”

“He’s not dangerous, mom! He’s wonderful and kind and -“

“And only has one thing on his mind, just like all other men! Just wait until your father hears about this! You’re grounded, young lady!”

She threw the rose on the floor, scattering petals as she marched to the window and climbed back down the ladder.

That day, they installed a new lock on the window. It could only be opened from the outside.