Emma
1773 Words
“Do you have your phone?” Cara asks.
“Yes I do.” I pat my hands on the back pockets of my pants and oops, I actually in reality do not have my phone but it will definitely be somewhere in my tiny house. “I don’t.” I turn towards the bed – not there- I raise my pillow, not here too ‘can you call it please?” I say to Cara.
We hear the ringtone but it’s not in the room. It’s coming from the kitchen downstairs. The ringing stops. I go down to the kitchen.
“Please dial it again, I can’t find it. Oh it’s in my purse, thank you.”
Cara helped me pack for my trip to London. If you call it packing because everything she suggested that I bring with me, I disagreed with the reason that it’s not an essential. She also called an uber to take us to the airport, and the driver just pulled up.
“Seriously Astrid, why are you really minimalistic? You are moving from the States to London for what seems to be a final relocation and it’s just a big box, your laptop bag and your purse.” Her hands were hugging her nice body.
“One pro is that I don’t have to worry about carrying so much by myself.”
We entered the uber.
“You know in an ideal world, I wish you would come with me to London, help me settle down and then you come back. If better, you relocate too with me, because I’m almost certain I am not coming back to this country to live here again.”
“That’s why it’s a wish in an ideal world.”
“What’s up with Dennis? When last did you speak with your hedge fund boyfriend?”
“He said he would be coming over tonight. After I see you off, I would go home, freshen up, and prepare dinner since I wouldn’t want him eating cereal and milk with me as dinner the first time he is coming over to my house in four months. He also says he wishes you the best, and he don’t know how you will be trading and schooling at the same time.” She takes a deep breathe in. “Are you sure you want to base in London?”
“Yeah, I want to make a three sixty degree turn with my life. I want to start life over and try and make better choices.”
“I do understand. I think I am too attached to this country to make such drastic change.”
“You are a vibrant outgoing person. People love you. You don’t have much social life issues like I do. And If I haven’t told you, I envy that about you.”
“Thank you Miss Astrid. But you have failed to come out of your shell when I try to make you do so. I gave up.”
“I am not your responsibility Miss Cara.”
The uber pulls up to the airport.
“Good luck on your transition to better life and life choices Astrid.”
She hug me goodbye and enters the uber to take her home.
Money isn’t exactly my problem .I know I kind of look broke because of the simple looking clothes I choose to wear. Well they are of great quality and can last me for a long while before I decide to give them away.
In my first class cabin is a very pretty posh looking Asian lady. Do I say hello or just mind my business?
“Hello.” I smile hoping she returns my awkward smile. Ad she did.
“Hi.” She smiles back at me and continues typing on her-what looks like a MacBook. Every American has a MacBook, don’t they? And why did I just assume that she’s American. I give myself an invisible slap on my forehead.
As I settle down, I bring out my headphones and starts listening to my calming song playlist. I am scared of flying. After the plane takes off and we are on air, I can start watching my comfort TV show 2 Broke Girls. The show which keeps me motivated and comforted me on my very very very bad days.
The pretty Asian lady sharing my cabin with me touches my arm. I turn to her removing my headphone. “Yeah?”
“Do you enjoy having conversations while you fly?”
Okay, I’m shook. That’s a first. Someone asking for permission before trying to make small talks with me. Usually they just start and when you show them you aren’t interested in their small talk, they give you this disgusting look. A ‘how dare you not want to keep me company look’.
“Not exactly. I find small talks exhausting. If you wouldn’t give me a disappointing look when I tell you I am exhausted, then I would love to have a conversation while we fly to London.” I reply her.
Now I can see her clearly. She isn’t just pretty. She is stunning. She looks like the mix of Gemma Chan from crazy rich Asians and Maggie Q from Nikita.
Round faced, high chiseled cheekbones, pointed chin, intense piercing dark eyes, sharp jawlines, a very refined nose and nice full lips. Her hair is really pretty and nicely styled.
“When you are done checking me out, we can start our small talk.” She smiles.
She’s friendly and her smile is quite calming for an anxious person – like me.
“What’s your name?”
“Astrid.”
“Astrid, what’s taking you to London?”
“Study, I mean school. I got admitted to study psychology at University of London.”
“That’s quite interesting. I am a biology professor.”
“Seems like you are from England too. You have a nice accent.”
“Thank you. I am born New York but I was brought up in Stratford.”
“What’s your name?”
“Emma.”
“What brought you to New York?”
“I visited my NaNa.”
“Can I just say you are really pretty. I know you hear that a lot.”
“Thank you Astrid. I get that quite a lot. But it means so much when it’s coming from a lady who is pretty as well with a cute name. What does Astrid Mean?”
“It means divine strength.”
“Why did you choose psychology?”
“Initially, I wanted psychiatry because of the good salary they earned. But the thought of going through medical school discouraged me. I am not cut out to study medicine and surgery for six years before doing my residency in psychiatry. When I could just cut straight to the chase and study psychology. They both do the same thing right? Treating mental illnesses and helping people live a fuller life.”
“I am guessing you are going for clinical psychology after you bachelors.”
“How could you tell?” I place my palms on my face.
“Ha! You mentioned wanting to be a psychiatrist. Will you be staying in dormitory or off campus?”
“I paid for a shared apartment with two girls.”
“I wish you the best with your new roommates.”
“I am just being hopeful that the place is really what it looked like on the website where it was posted.”
“Since you are in first class, I would assume your parents are either rich and paying for your university education or you are a rich young lady. Which of the above are you?”
“You know, it seems like I am being interrogated.” I giggled. “Why don’t I ask and you answer?”
“I am okay with that. What do you want to know?”
“Okay, how old are you? I know it’s a personal question but I am curious. You look quite young. Like we are almost age mates.”
“I am 32.” She squints her eyes trying to read my facial expression.
“Oh my god. Really? You are indeed blessed. Can you share your skincare routine? Please don’t tell me you drink water and mind your business.” I laugh.
“Well I’m Asian and genetically most of us look quite younger than our real age. That means I have my genes to acknowledge first, then, I follow a very simple routine. I cleanse, moisturize and apply sunscreen in the morning. For the nighttime, I am very religious about my night routine. I cleanse and moisturize too. I follow Dr. Dray on YouTube and she gives the best tips on skincare.”
“I wish I have a glass skin like yours.” I make a cute kitten face.
There was a moment of silence between us.
Now, I think my social battery has run down. I smiled a lot during our little conversation. And she knows how to really make one, as if I was on a date with her.
“Seems like you are tired from the conversation.” She looks into my eyes.
“I am both overwhelmed and excited at the same time. Do you also have a degree in reading people’s body language too?”
“You mention that you do get exhausted from small talks. I am just a good listener. I am guessing you are introverted.”
“Yes and yes. I am real glad you understood. Many people don’t. They just keep talking and it takes them quite a while before they can get the clue that I am tired of talking.”
“Can I have your email or any way I can easily contact you?”
“Sure you can. But out of curiosity, why do you want to have my contact?”
“You seem like an interesting person from the little conversation I just had with you. I would love to keep in touch with you. Also I would love to show you places in London whenever you are free.”
“Awwwwn. Thank you.” I give her my email and w******p number. I watch her type it in her phone and save it as Astrid.
“Thanks. You can now enjoy the rest of your flight.” She tease.
“Alright ma’am, I will.”
I relax on my chair, stretch out my legs, bring out my silk sleep mask, wore it and closed my eyes.
- Writer
