Whooshhhh 

The wind howled outside, echoing the tumultuous emotions swirling within me as I grappled with the realization that my life was about to change forever. The phone, thrown with force, soared through the air like a bird taking flight, its trajectory a stark metaphor for the upheaval that awaited me. With each passing moment, the tension in the room seemed to mount, the air crackling with unspoken words and unbridled emotions.

"From now on, every decision, every step you take will be mine to determine." 

Those were the words uttered by the man standing before me - my father. His voice reverberated in the silence, his words a decree that echoed with the weight of authority and control. In that moment, I felt as though I were standing on the precipice of a vast abyss, teetering on the edge of uncertainty with no clear path forward. Despite my outward facade of composure, inwardly, I was consumed by a sense of powerlessness, like a pawn in a game whose rules I did not understand.

The room fell into an eerie silence, a palpable sense of dread lingering in the aftermath of nearly two hours filled with curses and insults, like sparks igniting a powder keg. As the door was slammed shut and the lock clicked into place, fear and apprehension clung to my mother and brother, ensnaring them like trapped witches in a circle of magic. 

 Stepping out from within, the man with the stern visage sowed seeds of unease in the hearts of my mother and sister, as they parted ways, one retreating to the confines of the room, the other descending to the kitchen to prepare dinner. 

And thus, I became a prisoner of my own mind, afraid to venture beyond the threshold of my room, lost in the darkness of my thoughts, deftly evading the presence of others in the house, yet uncertain of my place in this troubled world, where the pandemic cast everything into turmoil and peril.

Until August 15, 2021, when I received conflicting news, unsure whether to rejoice or mourn, that I could continue my studies at the high school level. A prestigious private school, albeit fraught with concerns about the distance, an hour's journey from my home.

"So what?" My father's inquiry, delivered with a calm demeanor but simmering with hidden turmoil.

"If it's far, then you should stay in the school's dormitory. It'll make things easier for me."

"Then I'll go along with your decision," my mother chimed in - "Next Monday marks the start of the summer course, but tomorrow evening, Saturday, there's an online class meeting."

Once, perhaps, I would have summoned the courage to confront, to resist. But now, I felt shackled, ensnared within the confines of my father's control.

"Fine, I'll attend the meeting," I replied, retreating from the room, consumed by an unrelenting tide of worry, closing the door behind me, descending into the depths of my troubled thoughts. 

 Dreams of a vibrant third year of high school, filled with the promise of romance, athletic triumphs, and national tournaments, faded into the gray haze of uncertainty, blending seamlessly with the muted hues of my room's ceiling. 

 Suddenly, a memory stirred within me, prompting me to rise abruptly, my cat - Lem tumbling from my stomach to the floor, unnoticed. 

 "K's high school," I muttered to myself.

The K's high school, which is a private one, renowned for its bustling student population, fostered a dynamic and diverse learning environment. What set this institution apart was its absence of homeroom teachers, replaced instead by mentor teachers who assumed responsibility for guiding students through their academic journey from dawn till dusk. For boarders, supervised evening self-study sessions ensured a disciplined learning environment, fostering independence and effective study habits. Information gleaned from alumni and the school's website filled me with eager anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.

"So, I get to leave home. How exhilarating!" I mused aloud, though a sliver of uncertainty lingered about the unfamiliar path that lay ahead. 

Some might accuse me of ingratitude for disregarding my parents' sentiments, but few understood my lifelong yearning to venture beyond the confines of home, to explore the world and carve out my own path to maturity.

"Well, now I have reason to hope for an end to the pandemic," I declared optimistically, yet beneath the veneer of confidence, doubts and anxieties about the trials ahead persisted.

As I lay upon my bed, contemplating the impending chapter of my life at the unfamiliar school, alongside the unfamiliar faces I was destined to encounter, a realization dawned upon me.

"So, this is the opportunity bestowed upon me by fate, to forge a new identity," I affirmed to myself, though within the recesses of my heart, a maelstrom of apprehension, fear, and anticipation churned, heralding the commencement of a new journey.