The Strangers' Matrimony

"Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and Solitude expresses the glory of being alone" - Paul Tillich +++++ Sophia, dear, I like you to fix yourself and prepare for tonight’s dinner. I’ll be meeting my former student together with his family. Dress nicely, put some make-up on and please don’t bring books.  See you later in Lancelot Hotel at 7pm. Don’t be late. I love you! Grandma A text message was the first thing that greeted Sophia as soon as she opened her eyes from a peaceful sleep. Blinking, then reading the message all over again, she tried to comprehend what it meant. She lazily dropped her phone back on the wooden table on the left side of her bed and started stretching her body while lying down. “Oh Grandma! I’m not in the mood to go anywhere today! I hate meet-ups!”, she complained while starting to roll on her bed in frustration.  She stopped rolling and got up from lying while zoning out. Sophia really hates sudden appointments. She already has plans such as cleaning her 38 square meter micro-apartment, doing the laundry and then reading her favorite Nicholas Sparks’ book by the weekend, but who would have thought a surprise text from her Grandmother will ruin her schedule.  She reached her smartphone on the table and started dialing on it. She clicked the call and loud speaker button then placed her phone near her mouth while listening to the ringing.  “Sophia”, called her Grandmother as soon as she picked up the call. “Good morning Grandma, but, am I needed there?”, she asked without holding back her frustration.  She heard her grandmother sighed on the other line. “Yes, you need to be there”, she answered. “But, why? I also have plans today.” “Sophia, if your plans are all indoors, then at least do something outside your apartment. Don’t confine yourself too much there.” “But, Grandma!” “No buts! See you later! I love you!”, she said before ending the call.  Sophia unbelievably stares on her phone. She even attempted calling back her grandmother but decided not to do so. She knows that when her Grandmother decides on one thing it will never change. The only thing she can do is heave a sigh of defeat.  Sophia Roberts is a 30 year old lady who’s a real homebody. She loves staying in her small apartment. She also enjoys cleaning, organizing, and reading books. Her career is a freelance novel writer in which she can also work in the comfort of her home, too. She often goes outside as she really feels more at peace inside.  Although all her hobbies are the usual things that an introverted person does, she can’t be called anti-social. She also had friends, but only a few can be considered true ones. She also does outdoor activities such as groceries, going to the bank, throwing garbage, and whenever she visits her Grandmother’s house.  She rose from her bed and did another stretching then started fixing her bed. Then, she walked inside the bathroom to wash her face, doing her morning skin care routine.  After taking care of herself, she grabbed her phone and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She opened the 4 cubit white mini refrigerator placed underneath the kitchen counter and checked the food stocks.  “Great! I don’t have enough stocks for two weeks, I need to do groceries. But, I don’t want to go outside today”, she whispered.  She closed the refrigerator and checked the upper kitchen cabinet. As she opened the brown wooden door, a box of chocolate cereals caught her attention. Reaching on the box and checking the expiration date, she nods. “Okay! Two months before expiration!”, she said. “When did I buy this again? Is it last year or two years ago?”, she added while closing the cabinet and opening the refrigerator again, grabbing a bottle of fresh milk. She walked towards her dish cabinet to get a bowl and spoon when her phone suddenly rang. She stopped for a moment and looked for her phone which she found on the top of the counter. She carried the bowl, spoon and milk on both hands and hugged the box of cereals as she walked near it to check the caller and without a thought turning her back. She then proceeded on her small dining table, putting down everything.  “Oh! I forgot my chocolate drink”. She went back to the kitchen to prepare her next favorite morning drink. Before returning to the table, she grabbed her phone and brought it with her. Calmly opening the box of cereals, her phone rings once again. She bit and tore the aluminum pack and poured the cereals on the bowl then filled it with milk. She started eating the cereal with a smile of satisfaction.  “Hmmm~ It’s been a while since I ate cereal”, she murmured, enjoying her morning in solitude. But, her phone rings again. Sighing in frustration, she looked on her phone and saw the caller. The ringing stops and a text message notification pops in.  Hey! Phia! Are you still alive? I know you really hate me calling you but can’t you just pick up the damn phone call even at least once! Sophia stiffly smiles in conscience. Yes, she really hates phone calls. She preferred other people contacting her through emails or text messages.  She started calling back and set it on a loudspeaker. It was answered after the first ring. “Tiffany?“ “Stop living like a lonely princess there in your apartment! Come on! Get out! Let yourself feel the warm sunlight and fresh air”, scolded Tiffany from the other line.  “Hey! Isn’t it too early for a phone call?”, complained Sophia as she looked at her Green wall clock which reads 5:55 o’clock in the morning.  “Not for you, Sweetie. The time before you start your day is the right time to call because if I don't, you will be occupied in that little world of yours again for the whole day and I will never have a chance to reach you!”, she reacted sarcastically. Tiffany Kreger is a friend of the same age as Sophia. She met her during their teenage days. Both of them are known in their high school as Best Friends with opposite personalities. If Sophia is known as Reserve and Gloomy, Tiffany is the opposite; Loud-mouthed and Energetic. “Why do you guys want me to go outside even though I don’t want to? What’s wrong? I enjoy being in home”, stated Sophia as she continued eating her cereal. “Well, it isn’t bad being at home. But, for Pete’s sake Phia! You’ve been always staying there for whole damn weekdays! I even wonder if you ever throw your garbage!”, Tiffany complained. “Well...” Sophia looked in the direction of the trash can and saw two big black trash bags full of garbage collected for three weeks which she also needed to throw out two days ago. “Uhmm... I did”, she lied to her. “Obviously, you didn’t. I’ve known you for a long time and whenever you’re talking about something then pause, I know it’s the opposite of what you are saying”, corrected Tiffany. “You’re not good at lying, you know”, she added. “Fine! I forgot to throw my garbage. I have been occupied with my work these past few days”, she confessed.  “That’s not new. We know you’re always occupied and have your own world there. Listen, it’s not healthy to always isolate yourself. No man is an island. Get out and socialize. Balance your life”, she reminded in a worried tone. “Don’t worry, I know that. Actually, I am going to meet Grandma tonight.” “Really! You will visit her house?” “No, in a hotel. A dinner appointment with her former acquaintance. I don’t know, maybe just to catch-up. I’m not even sure if I am really needed there”, said Sophia, munching her cereals. “Well then! I will call Grandma Susan later!” Sophia stopped scooping her cereals. “And why are you going to call my Grandma?”, she asked, raising her right eyebrow in confusion. “Of course, to thank her for giving you a reason to step-out on that prisoner.” “It’s apartment, Fany”, she corrected, rolling her eyes. “Oh really! It looks like a prisoner to me.” “Whatever. Anyway, how are you? How’s the kids and Senior Kyle?” “Well, they are still sleeping. You know, they just had chit-chats and slept late last night.” “And you?” “Here, standing in the middle of the kitchen, thinking of what I should prepare for breakfast. Any suggestions?” “Hmmm...” Sophia looked down on her bowl. “Cereals?”, she suggested. There’s a little pause and followed by a short laugh from the other line.  “Don’t tell me you’re eating cereals”, asked Tiffany. “So what? Didn’t you ask for a suggestion?” “Are you on a diet? Anyways, not cereals. We are not used to eating light meals in the morning. I have three boys here, remember”, she said. “Then, just fry bacon, sunny side-ups, hotdogs and fried rice.” “Okay! Good idea. Thankies!” “So, can I eat my breakfast at peace now?”, asked Sophia, jokingly. “Oh! This cold-hearted woman. Fine! Eat your cereals in tranquility. I’ll prepare our meal now”, replied Tiffany. “Send my regards to your three boys for me, okay!” “No need! You will be visiting us here in the house tomorrow anyway so let’s eat some barbecue, okay!” Sophia grunted. “When do I say I’m going to visit you? Why are you the one deciding on my schedule tomorrow, huh?” “So that you will go outside your cage! For the nth time I’m saying this to you, I don’t care if you confine yourself to weekdays, but please do some outdoor activities every weekend! I’m begging you, my dear friend!” “I don’t want-“ “Bye! See you tomorrow! Love you! Muah!”, she said and ended the call. Sophia stared on her phone and sighed in disbelief. Another unplanned schedule again. She looked at her half eaten cereal bowl and groaned once more. “That girl, Tiffany. Now, I crave bacon, sunny side up, hotdog, fried rice and barbecue,” buzzed she. “No choice! I need to do grocery later”, she added. +++  To be continued  +++