The journey begins
On a brisk Monday morning, Colin Ocean, an 18-year-old young man, arose from his slumber to prepare for the day ahead. As he stretched, he mused aloud, "The night seemed unending, its darkness impenetrable. I feared morning would never arrive."
Ocean was a spirited youth with an unwavering fascination for university life. Despite the modest circumstances of his upbringing and the simplicity of his principles, he had a propensity for seizing opportunities, even if they materialized belatedly.
Recently, he had received the joyous news of his acceptance into Dwarka University, marking the realization of one of his many dreams. Buoyed by this achievement, he proceeded to ready himself for the day.
Upon finishing his morning routine, Ocean made his way to the living room in search of his mother. "Mother?" he called out, only to be met with silence. He checked her bedroom, but it was empty.
Melisande, Ocean's mother, was in the kitchen, diligently preparing a hearty meal for her son. Hearing his voice from a distance, she responded, "I am in the kitchen, dear." Under her breath, she added, "He could have called me Auntie Melisande instead."
Upon entering the kitchen, Ocean exclaimed, "You're up early today! What are you cooking?"
With a smile, Melisande replied, "Should you question me when you know how much I enjoy cooking?"
"I'm just worried about you waking up so early in this cold," Ocean explained. "I must be going now."
Melisande protested, "Are you leaving already? At least stay until I finish cooking."
Ocean, however, was insistent. "I can't afford to linger, Mother. I have a bus to catch, and if I miss it, my ticket will be wasted." Despite his earnest plea, Ocean was unable to persuade Melisande to let him depart immediately, causing him no small amount of frustration.
Eventually, Melisande relented, and Ocean remained by her side until the meal was prepared. She couldn't finish sooner, so Ocean excused himself to retrieve his luggage from the guest room.
Ten minutes later, Melisande emerged from the kitchen, balancing a blue tray laden with fried eggs, sliced bread, and a steaming cup of tea. Ocean eyed the spread with a mixture of surprise and skepticism. "What is all this? I can't possibly eat or drink it all. You've gone through so much trouble for nothing," he said, folding his arms in a gesture of refusal.
Melisande's disappointment was evident as she regarded her son in silence, taking a seat across from him. A hint of frustration etched itself into her face.
Ocean, sensing her hurt, relented. "However," he began to eat, a smile playing at his lips, "it does look delicious. Did you add sugar to the tea?"
Melisande's gaze lifted to meet his, a flicker of hope returning to her eyes. "I believe so," she replied softly.
Ocean had eagerly awaited this day since receiving confirmation of his university acceptance. As he savored his mother's cooking, also very anticipating, for he knew he was about to embark on a new and exciting chapter of his life as a freshman.
Are you satisfied now that I've acquiesced to your wishes?" Ocean asked, a hint of frustration on his face.
"I'm glad you enjoyed the meal," Melisande replied, her expression softening.
"I must be off now, Mother," Ocean declared, eager to embark on the journey.
Melisande, possessing a keen understanding of her son's ambitions, recognized the exhilaration that accompanied a student's first foray into the world of higher education. She offered a compromise deal, saying, "Allow me a moment to change my attire, and I shall drive you to the bus stop."
"There's no time for that!" Ocean countered, impatience creeping into his voice. "A taxi will suffice."
Undeterred by her son's objections, Melisande issued a brief command to wait before rushing to prepare herself. Left alone in the living room, Ocean began to grow restless, pacing the floor as he awaited his mother's return. Unable to locate her, he made his way outside to stand beside her truck.
Meanwhile, Melisande had finished dressing but found the living room empty upon her return. Alarmed by Ocean's absence, she considered the possibility that he had grown weary of waiting and set off on foot. With a mixture of frustration and concern, she ventured outside in search of her son.
Spotting Ocean by the truck, Melisande's worry gave way to relief. "I feared you had departed without me," she admitted. "I thought perhaps you had become impatient and decided to walk."
"We had an agreement, Mother," Ocean reminded her, his tone was firm yet affectionate. "Are you ready to leave?"
"Indeed, I am," Melisande replied. "Place your luggage in the trunk, and we shall be on our way."
As Ocean loaded his belongings into the truck, they set off on their journey. The drive to the bus stop took a mere ten minutes, but as Melisande pulled to a stop and Ocean hastily boarded the waiting vehicle, a sense of finality settled over them. With a promise to call upon his arrival, Ocean bade farewell to his mother, and the bus departed.
The journey, a tedious four-hour affair, was punctuated by the soft sounds of slumbering passengers. Beside Ocean sat Shelly Malchon, a SAIGON woman with a beautiful countenance. Lulled by the monotony of the ride, Shelly drifted off to sleep, only to be stirred by the sound of a bottle tumbling to the floor.
Retrieving the fallen object, Ocean returned it to its owner. "Thank you," Shelly murmured, her refined demeanor evident even in her half-awake state. "I apologize for any inconvenience."
"It's quite alright," Ocean replied, taking a moment to study the striking woman before him.
"Would you care for some drink?" Shelly asked, her friendly smile easing the tension that had settled.
"I appreciate the offer," Ocean replied, "but the temperature is far too frigid for such a beverage. My apologies if my honesty offends you."
"Not at all," Shelly assured him. "In fact, I find your candor refreshing. My name is Shelly, by the way."
"A lovely name, unlike any I've encountered before," Ocean acknowledged, introducing himself in turn. "I am Ocean."
"A fitting name for one with such depth and mystery," Shelly observed.
Their brief exchange of words breathed life into the otherwise tedious journey, yet as the trip continues, the pair found themselves once again succumbing to the stifling boredom that pervaded the bus.
As the bus arrived at the Dwarka stop, passengers disembarked with an obvious sense of excitement. Ocean collected his luggage and made his way to a nearby park to wait for a taxi.
In contrast to the bustling metropolis of Nevada, where Ocean had spent his formative years, Dwarka was a subdued, almost quaint town. Despite its subdued nature, Ocean found himself looking forward to exploring his new environment. The streets, devoid of the usual urban hustle and bustle, had an air of tranquility about them.
While awaiting a taxi, Ocean encountered Shelly, who appeared to be struggling with a considerable amount of luggage. With concern in his voice, Ocean called out to her. "Shelly, is that you?"
Startled, Shelly looked up from her cumbersome belongings. "Oh, hello again! Quite the surprise to run into you here," she exclaimed.
"Indeed," Ocean replied, his gaze drifting to her excessive baggage. "It appears you've got your hands full. Where are you headed?"
"I'm moving into the student dormitories," Shelly explained. "My mother, whom I affectionately call Mandy, was generous enough to supply me with all these things. I couldn't possibly refuse her kind gesture."
Ocean smiled reassuringly. "There's no shame in accepting help from loved ones, miss."
As a taxi pulled up to the curb, Ocean graciously offered the available slot to Shelly. Initially, she politely declined, not wishing to impose. However, upon realizing the difficulty she would face in transporting her numerous belongings alone, she relented. "Thank you, Ocean," she said with a grateful smile.
As the driver began loading the luggage into the taxi, it quickly became eyely that there was simply too much to fit. A look of concern crossed Shelly's face as she contemplated her predicament. Noticing her distress, Ocean stepped in.
"Which dormitory are you headed to?" he inquired.
"Number 12," Shelly replied.
"Well, as luck would have it, my dormitory is just down the way at number 30," Ocean said with a reassuring grin. "I'll be able to assist you with the remainder of your luggage."
The driver, impressed by Ocean's humility, nodded his approval. "Bravo, young man," he said, loading as much of Shelly's luggage as the taxi could accommodate.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Shelly expressed her appreciation. "I'm at a loss for words, Ocean. All I can say is that I'll be sure to repay your kindness in the future."
True to his word, Ocean delivered the remaining luggage to Shelly's dormitory before making his way to his own quarters.
