DEFYING MY MATES

A Visit To My Home

I woke up early this morning. I didn't exactly know how?

It might be something related to seeing my parents after 4 or 5 months; or it might be the feeling that I was about to leave a wonderful part of my life here.

Shaking my head to get rid of my swaying thoughts, I tied my hair in a loose bun and removed my comforter, stretching my stiff muscles, feeling tired already, even if the day hadn’t started yet, a proof of the adventurous day I had with Nia.

Yesterday, she dragged me on the streets of Milan shopping for anything I might need for my job. My muscles ached from the exhaustion as she hopped from shop to shop to buy anything that looked pretty on me. We bought dresses, formals, heels and makeup worth $7,000.

Finally, she let me off the hook in the evening. We ended up at Mac D ordering a Big Mac, chicken nuggets, fries and a mocha frappe. Don’t even ask how in the world we ate all of it, we just did.

After our escapade, when we reached our room, I didn’t have it in me to change out of my clothes and slept in it. Now, I regret it as I can smell my cologne mixed with my body odor.

Slowly and deliberately rising from bed, I made a checklist for the day in my head.

I went to the washroom to freshen up and what I saw in the mirror wasn’t a site to behold. Tangled hair, eye bags under my eyes and oily skin. Flipping Frogs! I looked like a zombie who got slapped by a dozen oily people, then somehow got tossed in a mini-whirlwind. Does that make any sense? NO.

But, the point was I looked horrible.

Splashing cold water on my face to get rid of the rest, I brushed my teeth real quickly and did my morning routine. I felt relaxed immediately, as I took a hot shower. This was exactly what one calls heaven.

Squeezing some lavender scented shampoo in my palms, I massaged my scalp gently and took my pretty time to wash my body. I rinsed my hair to get rid of the remaining shampoo and washed my body while singing ‘everything at once’, which sounded more like a dying crow.

Mentally cringing at my voice, I promised myself to never sing in front of anyone, not even an animal, as it would go berserk. Dropping my swaying thoughts, I wrapped myself up in a blue fluffy towel that I adore. Brushing my hair, I let it dry off on its own and moisturized my body with my lavender-scented lotion. I was obsessed with the lavender smell, it gave me a sense of serenity.

As I walked out of the washroom, my room looked like it was hit by an earthquake. Sighing at the mess in my room, I wore a comfortable t-shirt and shorts. I decided to clean the mess before I pack my stuff. Nia was still sleeping like a baby, so I tried to move as quietly as possible.

It took me half an hour to clean our room. I wonder how Nia will live when I move out. She wasn’t really keen on cleaning. She will learn. Right?

Well, she didn’t have a choice, as a matter of fact.

I walked towards my bookshelf, and randomly, picked a book. Flipping through the pages of the book ‘Gone Girl’, I reminisce the memories I had in this room, studying late at night for exams, pranking and annoying my roommate, laughing and stuffing our faces with food, watching movies at dusk, and reading novels till the c***k of dawn. The Golden years of my life.

As I glanced at the clock, it was 11’o'clock. I decided to order Mexican food for lunch as I skipped breakfast. While I ordered the food, Nia woke up. Rubbing her eyes to get rid of the sleep, she was flabbergasted when she saw the boxes and suitcase laid down all over the floor.

One could easily see how sad she was, as she realized I had to leave today. But, no one can help it, right?

It's life. You meet strangers, become friends and make memories and when the time comes, you have to leave all of it behind to start afresh.

“Buongiorno, vedo che qualcuno è eccitato.” Nia said, faking enthusiasm as if I wouldn’t be able to see through her facade.

[Good morning, I see someone's excitement.]

However, I didn’t comment on it and replied cheerfully, “Naturalmente, sono entusiasta di tornare a casa.”

[Of course, I am excited about going home.]

“Well, I ordered Mexican and Chinese. You better wash up, so we can eat while it’s hot. Then, you can help me pack up my stuff.” I said to get rid of the awkward silence.

“Have I ever told you how lucky I am to have you as a roommate?" She asked in glee while hugging the hell out of me.

I tapped at her back, so she would take a clue and loosen her damned hold on me. To my relief, she did. She gets a little too excited when someone offers her food.

She hurriedly took off to the washroom with her clothes whilst I decided to wait for her. As she freshened up, I sprawled on my bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about what would happen next when I reached Athens.

What would that place look like? Will it be as beautiful as Milan is? I have been to my grandpa’s house a few times, but my memories of that place are kind of blurred.

I came out of the day dream when Nia jumped on the bed, as the bed squeaked under her brutal torture.

“What are you thinking?” She was curious.

“I was thinking about food. How long do we have to wait?” I lied through my teeth, avoiding her gaze.

As if God heard my prayers, my cell rang up indicating that the food was here. We received our food and started stuffing our hungry stomachs with delicious Chicken Tamales, Pork Tacos and Carne Guisada.

Taking a needed break, we sprawled on our beds positioned across the room, we talked about random things that came to our mind and reminisced about our funny memories.

A few hours later, she helped me gather my moving supplies like boxes, bubble wrap whilst I packed my toiletries, clothes, jewelries and footwear neatly. Label each box by its contents to prevent any confusion. And, I kept the best part for the last, my books.

I packed my books along with the memories I had of those four years in a suitcase.

After three hours of relentless packing, we finally did it. I changed into dark blue jeans and a simple black sweatshirt with the quote ‘Beautiful chaos’ while Nia called Jake to see me off at the entrance of our college. I booked a cab as Jake and Nia helped me with my boxes and bags downstairs to the cab. Stuffing all my luggage in the trunk of the cab, I hugged Nia and Jake as a goodbye with a promise to be in contact.

Sitting on the comfortable leather seat at the back of the cab, we moved towards our home. I welcomed the silence in the cab ride except for the low humming of some country song I didn’t know. I rolled down the window and closed my eyes, embracing the humid air, playing with my hair as they swarmed inside the ride.

Goosebumps arose on my prickling skin as I saw the beautiful shops passing by, people walking their pets, couples walking hand in hand with their partner, children laughing, zooming cars fading away as more greenery came into my view. An indication that I was close to home.

As I passed the same roads, colorful houses and trees, I felt a sense of homely atmosphere.

10 minutes later, I reached my home. The cab driver carried my luggage to the porch and went on his way. Before I could even ring the bell, my mum opened the door and embraced me tightly.

“Mum, your hold. I can’t breathe.” I tapped her shoulder lightly.

“Oh god, you’re here. I can’t believe my daughter has grown up so much from a little girl to a lovely woman.” My mum’s eyes filled up a little with unshed tears at the sight of her daughter.

“Let her come in first. She must be tired.” My father thankfully held her back a little to make room for me to come in.

“Yes, darling. Come in. Dinner’s almost ready, you go freshen up and we will settle your luggage. Okay??” Mum said in a cheerful tone and the gloomy aura she had gone ooofff!!

“Yes, Mum. Hi!! Dad.” Kissing their cheeks, I dragged a few bags inside.

Walking upstairs, I trudged towards my room with the sign ‘DND’ on it and my name painted in bold black letters. As I entered the room, it looked exactly like the last time I had seen it, minus the clean bedsheets and curtains.

The walls of my room were painted light lilac. A large clock and family photos were hung above the bed and my table was positioned opposite to the bed with colorful pens on the penguin pen stand, an orange table lamp, different notebooks and a jar filled with candy. On the right side of my bed was a large window with mauve curtains and on the left of it was my closet. And, the best part of my room was my bookshelf placed in the corner with hundreds of books I had read over the years.

I walked in my closet and picked up an oversized sweatshirt and leggings. Entering my washroom, I took a long hot shower, washing off my worries and tiredness. I shaved my legs clean and washed my body gently with loofah and some scented lavender body wash.

Smelling the lavender scent, I signed in satisfaction.

I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel and moisturized my body with lotion. Brushing my wet hair, my stomach rumbles loudly. I quickly wore my clothes and sauntered downstairs to the smell of the delicious food.

“I made your favorite dishes; ricotta, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parm. Come on, let’s eat up.” She said as I helped her place the dishes on the dinner table.

“Where’s dad?” I asked in confusion, as my dad was nowhere in sight.

“Probably in his office, but he will be here in a few minutes.” My mother replied lovingly, filling my plate with chicken and spaghetti.

A few minutes later, dad arrived. We ate peacefully without any conversation and I was glad they didn’t ask anything. I was dead tired and had a feeling my limbs were going to fall off by the end of the day.

After dinner, I helped my mom with the dishes and retired for the night.

Turning off the lights, I slipped under the covers and the magic began. My eyes were heavy with sleep as I slept under the glowing stars stuck on the ceiling, resembling the starry night. It was beautiful and I felt 1000 times better in the comforts of my room. That was the last thing on my mind before I drifted off to the realm of magical dreams.