Part 3

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

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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.