From Thesis To Wedding Reception

3. Depression

"You're almost an hour late. That shows you're not serious about the guidance," said Andrei with a blank expression.

Zea huffed in frustration. "You were late too. Why am I the only one getting blamed?" she protested.

"I've been here for an hour already. Because you didn't show up, I left for a bit."

"I'm sorry, sir. It was terribly congested earlier. Even the motorcycles couldn't budge, let alone the big cars."

Andrei huffed in frustration. Then he invited Zea to sit back in her previous seat.

Not long after, a waiter came delivering food that Zea didn't know when it was ordered.

"You know, I hate wasting time. But why are you still late and made me wait for an hour?"

Zea sighed. She had already explained earlier, but he still asked.

"Oh God, sir... who can control traffic jams? You should become a traffic police officer, so you know how hard it is to manage a jammed road. People go to work in the morning, sir. And they drive their own vehicles. One car, one person. Do you think we live in Japan where people prefer public transportation over driving their own cars," Zea snapped.

"I know. No need for a lecture," Andrei retorted, making Zea click her tongue in irritation while rolling her eyes lazily.

"It's a shame. An outstanding student but with a bad attitude. Talking badly about her own lecturer in front of others," Andrei sneered while opening his laptop.

Immediately, Zea turned her face away. This time she couldn't argue anymore because she was indeed at fault.

"This is the first time I've been insulted by my own student. And the words were really harsh. Said I never change my shirt, even though she doesn't know anything about my life."

"Oh God... please forgive me, sir. My mouth is hard to control when I'm upset with someone," Zea replied with a pleading expression.

"Even though I willingly make time for you, you still manage to get upset with me. No other lecturer would want to guide their students every day."

"I didn't ask for daily guidance either," Zea thought.

"Alright, I'm sorry. I promise I won't do it again," Zea said with her lips pursed in frustration.

"Because you said earlier that I never change clothes, I want two new shirts from you," said Andrei, which made Zea's eyes widen immediately.

"Damn! First, I'm tortured, now I'm being milked," she thought angrily.

"Sir, for God's sake ... I can barely afford to eat, let alone buy clothes," she complained.

"I don't care. Who told you to insult your own lecturer? That's your punishment."

Andrei briefly sipped his coffee. Then he stood up from his seat.

"I'm not in the mood for mentoring anymore. Please revise chapters 1 through 3 again. There are still many important points you haven't included. Because you're a student known for being smart, I want a perfect thesis from you. Don't let me down," he rambled, making Zea feel weak all of a sudden.

"I'm leaving now. Please finish the food," he said as he walked away, leaving Zea.

Zea didn't respond. Her mind went blank the moment Andrei mentioned "revision." All she could do now was sit in silence with a vacant stare.

A few seconds later, she let out a loud scream, messing up her hair, causing everyone to look at her in confusion.

Gradually, her scream turned into sobbing. She cried while stomping her feet like a child.

"Can I just die like this? I'm so tired, I swear," she lamented.

Meanwhile, people just watched her with sympathy. She seemed like a stressed person at that moment.

***

Andrei's behavior this morning had shaken Zea's mental state once more. That afternoon, all she did was brood in her boarding room. Beside the bed, tissues stained with tears were scattered everywhere, and on the study desk, many torn thesis papers were strewn about.

Even more extreme, she was holding a photo of Andrei, stabbing it with a needle as if performing a voodoo ritual.

"What did I do wrong to you? Why are you so cruel? I just want to graduate quickly. I want to start working again soon so I don't burden my brother. But why are you blocking my path?" she said, staring blankly at the photo.

Soon after, a shout came from outside her room.

"ZEA! TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO PAY THE BOARDING FEE. DON'T BE LATE AGAIN! I HAVE NO MONEY LEFT."

Zea sighed. It was the dreaded monthly shout of the homeowner. Usually, when it got to this point, the woman really had no money. If she still had money, she would often allow the boarders to pay late. That's why Zea stayed in this boarding house, even though it wasn't as nice as the others.

"YES, MA'AM! I'LL TRANSFER THE MONEY LATER!" Zea shouted back.

"I'LL WAIT UNTIL TONIGHT!"

"YES!"

Her homeowner is not actually from L.A. and is originally from Latin America, so she still speaks with another accent. Although she seems fierce, she's actually quite kind. She often gives Zea food when she has some to spare.

"Maybe I should call my brother, Scott. I'm really in a tight spot," she said, while searching for her brother's number on her phone.

Without waiting long, her brother immediately picked up the call.

"Brother..." she said in a sweet tone.

"Yes, little sis? What's up?"

"I need money for the rent."

Her brother paused for a moment. Then he replied, "Okay. I'll transfer it later. I'm still at the factory now."

"Sorry for bothering you again. Pray that I graduate soon so I can start working again. So it will ease your burden too."

"What are you talking about? Alright, I'm hanging up now. Need to get back to work."

"Okay. Keep working hard. Love you..."

After the call ended, Zea looked at her phone and sighed heavily.

"Just wait until your little sister is successful, Brother. I'll repay all your kindness someday," she said to herself.

As she stood up, her eyes accidentally fell on a photo of Andrei lying on the floor.

"What are you staring at?! I can't stand you! I hope you end up with a wife as nagging as me, so you'll have high blood pressure all the time," she muttered angrily while stomping on the photo.