Part 4

The Present –

Even though the wedding was a month or so away, I decided to go shop for a dress. It was Saturday, so basically the weekend.

I changed from my pjs into a pair of highwaisted black pants, tucked in a grey top, layered a sheer black bomber jacket and my red converse. I grabbed my purse and left the house.

On my way to the mall I turned on the radio to listen to some tunes and kill the time I spent driving. You know those cliché moments in movies where you are going back and forth between radio stations and one of them decides to play a song that reminds you of that one person you want to forget? Yeah, well, that cliché moment just happened.

“and I know that only time will tell us how to carry on without each other, so keep me awake to memorize you, give me more time to feel this way.”

Yeah, well, that didn’t happen.

Anyway, after that lovely moment I reached the mall, parked and then headed inside.

I jumped from store to store, looking for a dress. You see, I am not a big fan of shopping so I really just wanted to get this over with.

2 hours later, I finally found a dress, already had a pair of heels that went with it, so finally, my shopping trip came to an end.

I went back home, ordered in pizza and watched some TV, went over a few things for work, read the news, and fixed my room.

Back to the past –

Orientation day finally came, but I missed it. I got sick, and basically couldn’t move, but Norah filled me in, sent me pictures and told me about the people she met.  They seemed okay I guess.

The weekend passed, and then another day and I was still bedrid. It was getting boring and I already missed a few days, not a great start. But I reached my limit and decided that even if I don’t feel better tomorrow I’ll still head to university. 

I spent the rest of the day trying to force myself to feel better and to rest.

The next day came, and I woke up feeling slightly better. I put on a pair of jeans, and random top and a pair of sneakers, tied my hair into a ponytail, and headed out with nothing on me other than my phone and some cash.

I attended my first class, sat in the front, tried to keep up with what the professor was saying but couldn’t because really I missed the introductory lecture and was so lost.

On my out, I ran into Norah, and we made our to the university’s cafeteria.

Norah: hey, how’s your first day going so far?

Me: meh, not so great, kinda lost, I need to catch up.

Norah: you will, just start studying, don’t leave it till the very last minute.

Me: yeah I guess so.

Norah: I have plans with a couple of friends, so, I’ll meet you later?

Me: yeah, sure thing. Have fun.

So, we parted ways, and I was left in the cafeteria by myself, looking at people here and there, trying to recognize friendly faces to introduce myself to, and make a couple of friends.

As I was getting up, I accidently bumped into a guy.

Me: oh, sorry.

-: it’s okay, don’t worry about it.  I’m Ibrahim by the way, and you are?

Me: Gaia.

Ibrahim: first year?

I nodded in response.

Ibrahim: yeah, me too. How come I didn’t see you in orientation?

Me: I was sick, couldn’t make it.

Ibrahim: oh, hope you feel better now, anyway, I’m heading over to the gym, my friends are there, we’re going to shoot some hoops, join us?

Me: yeah, sure, why not.

Ibrahim is tiny for a guy, he’s white, with black hair, black eyes, and small features overall; he looked fairly fit, and seemed nice.

We headed to the gym, by the time we got there we found the rest had already left, so we just played some basketball by ourselves.

Ibrahim: So, what brought you here?

Me: Well, I’ve always wanted to study abroad, so I fought for it I guess, how about you?

Ibrahim: for my dad, really. I just hope I end up liking it here.

Me: you will, hopefully.

He nodded in response, and we continued to play, discussing random topics and getting to know each other better.

Back to the present –

A month had passed and it was Norah’s wedding day, I had flown to where it is, and stayed in the same hotel it’ll be held in.

The morning of –

I woke up with butterflies in my stomach, not the good kind. I had RSVP-ed to Norah’s wedding, but I’m pretty sure it was her fiancé’s number on the card and not hers; I know she would’ve said something.

I got up, put on a t-shirt dress, a pair of flats and went down for breakfast.

Just as I left the elevator, I heard someone call my name. I look around only to see Norah running towards me.

Norah: Gaia!

She hugged me tight, and I couldn’t not hug back, she was my best-friend at one point after all.

Gaia: heyy

Norah: I didn’t think you’d come…

Me: well, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Norah: it’s been what 3 years?

Me: yeah, or so.

Norah: still not over it?

Me: got used to it.

I laughed it off, and congratulated her. Then told her that she needs to go get ready as there was no time to waste.

Norah: join me, we’ll get ready together, just like we did back in uni.

Me: yeah, well, we’re different people now.

Norah: stop it, and come with me already.

-: Norah

We both turned our heads only to see who I assumed to be her fiancé.

Norah: Mohammed, this is Gaia. Gaia, my husband, Mohammed.

Me: nice to meet you.

I extended my hand to shake his.

Mohammed: after all this time, and all the stories I’ve heard, we finally meet.

Me: all good things I hope.

We both laughed.

Mohammed: join us for breakfast?

With all honesty, he seemed like a gentleman, I hope the love they have remains and only grows.

Norah looked at me waiting for a yes.

Me: sure, I was heading there anyway.

We talked about random things here and there.

Me: so, tell me, how did you guys meet?

 Norah: well, I started working as a political analyst in some firm, and a short while later he started working there too. I shut him down every time he tried to talk to me, and then one day, for some reason I didn’t, and really, we hit it off from there. 2 years later, he asked for my hand in marriage, and here we are.

Me: well, you seem perfect together, and I’m so happy for you, Norah, you too, Mohammed.

Mohammed: thank you.

Norah: I better get going, Gaia, let’s go?

Me: let’s.

Anyway, it’s crazy how some things don’t change, even after years of distance, and basically no ties.

Part 3

ATTENTION! Okay, so a small change! Gaia is 24 not 22, and the past is 7 years ago, not 5.

 ---

Back to the past –

An hour later someone finally showed up. I was ready to argue with someone, but the second I stood up I felt lightheaded, there goes all my excitement to pick a fight. 

-: Hello.

Me: Um, hello.

-: Samuel, the landlord.

He extended his hand for me to shake, I politely took it, then explained to him my situation. 

Me: I have been waiting here for over an hour. There’s no receptionist, no sign, no contact number. This is ridiculous.

Samuel: I’m sorry, the guy who normally works here is on leave and I was upstairs in my apartment.

Me: okay then, I contacted you online, or whoever. And I wanted to rent an apartment here, I was told everything was set, and I sent in a deposit a month or so ago. I’d like to withdraw it now; I’ll go find a place somewhere else.

All this wait, and I don’t know what seemed like a bad omen, I didn’t like the building from the outside anyway. Okay, I’m kidding, this was the nicest building out of the ones here. I’ll just go look somewhere else. I hope I find something as nice though.

Samuel: it doesn’t have to go that far, your place is still ready, would you like to check it out?

I didn’t know how to handle this situation. I felt under pressure, and I was really tired. Normally, baba handles such things but he wants me to start taking responsibilities and making my own decisions. 

Me: alright, but I’ll probably still withdraw my deposit and find somewhere else.

Samuel: there’ll be no need for that.

He opened the door behind the reception’s desk and came back with a set of keys. He pressed the elevator’s button and put my bags inside when it arrived then held it open for me.

Samuel: go ahead.

I carried my carryon, and went inside. He followed and pressed 15, the highest floor. Okay, it’s getting better. I hope I didn’t jinx it.

The elevator ride was awkward and the silence was replaced with some random elevator music.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened.

Samuel: to the right, and straight down the hall.

The black door had “45” in silver, bold italics embellished on the top and center.

Me: 45?

Samuel: yeah, here are your keys.

I took the keys from him, unlocked the door and pushed it open.

Okay, I like this. It’s small but I like it, it’s cute. 

It’s a one-bedroom, 2-bathroom, fully furnished apartment. It had wooden floors, and off-white walls with gold accents here and there. A dark grey L-shaped couch facing the TV, under which rested a small, long table where the receiver was, as well as the remotes. In front of the couch was a coffee table made of glass. The kitchen was to your right, well, the kitchen/dining room. The dining table was also made of glass, surrounded with four dark grey seats. All the rooms are open to each other. And then finally to the bedroom, it’s big, thank god, with its own bathroom, and closet.

The apartment had big windows, so plenty of natural light was able to brighten up the place.

Samuel: so?

Me: Umm

Samuel: Will you take it?

Me: I guess so. I sent my stuff to this address earlier, I think I’ll be receiving them anyday now.

Samuel: okay, and I told you so. Now let me get the rest of the papers.

I nodded, thanked him as he put my suitcases in the bedroom.

Back to the present –

Next morning

I woke up groggy and in a bad mood. I have a bad headache, and my face feels wet.

I got up and went to the bathroom only to notice the dry tears covering my face and my red puffy eyes.

Me: great.

I sighed and took a shower.

When I finished, I started walking around in my apartment with only my towel on.

The clock over my bed read “11:10”.

Me: One more minute.

“11:11”

Me: I wish things turned out differently.

I didn’t really believe in all this and when it’s “11:11”, you make a wish, but it’s a habit I picked up ever since I was in my first year of university.

I sat on the stool in front of my dresser, and when I looked down I noticed his picture was now out of my wallet.

I was confused, I thought I put it back in last night.

Me: what the hell?

I put it back in my wallet and made sure it really was inside now. I was lost in thought again; a second later, I was brought back to reality by my phone’s ringtone.

I looked at the screen, it said ‘mama’

I picked up.

Mama: Gaia, how are you?

Me: Hey mama, I’m fine, how are you?

If you thought I was distant before, then you haven’t met me now. They know nothing about me other than where I live, my occupation and the fact that I’m still alive.

Mama: We’re okay. Anyway, I’ll make it quick. Remember your friend Norah from university? The one you were really close with?

I do remember her, it’s been a couple of years, but I still remember her.

Me: Um, yeah, I guess, what about her?

Mama: she sent her wedding’s invitation to our house, it’s for you. She probably still thinks that you live here, and not wherever the hell you are.

I went quiet, but the voices in my head was screaming, louder than ever. I was stuck in a turmoil of flashbacks.

Me: really? Congratulations to her. Mail it to me, I’ll see if I can make it.

Mama: Will you go?

Me: Probably, why not.

Despite what happened back in university, Norah and I were always good friends, really good friends. And she still means a lot to me. However, I’m going to the wedding in hopes of seeing him too, knowing she’ll probably invite him.

Mama: okay, I’ll send you a picture of it for the time being, then I’ll mail it to you when I get the chance.

Me: alright, thank you.

I hung up. Two minutes later my phone dinged twice, notifying me that I have two new messages. I looked at the lock screen, 2 images from mama.

I sighed, laid my head back and started thinking.

Back to the past –

2 days later.

One more week till orientation, and then after that weekend university will start.

Anyway, it’s only 6pm, I am on period and in desperate need for some pads among other things from the grocery store.

So, I put on a pair of jeans, a random top, my toms then took my wallet, keys and headed out.

I decided to walk to the grocery store, it was only a 15-minute walk anyhow.

When I got there, I took a cart and headed straight to the chips isle.

I set my cart aside then grabbed a ton of hot Cheetos of the racks, and started walking back to my cart.

Me: shit, I’m sorry.

I accidently bumped into someone, and all my hot Cheetos fell on the floor.

-: it’s okay, let me help you.

Me: thank you.

-: I’m Norah, btw. And you are?

Me: Gaia.

Norah: Do you go to university here?

Me: Yes, well, I will. Almost a freshman.

Norah: me too!

And that was the start of a friendship that I had hoped would last for years. We did our grocery shopping together, then exchanged numbers, and parted ways only to hang out again the next day.