Chapter I
BORED
Ding Dong Ding (University bell)
"Alright, class dismiss. Everyone, let's enjoy tomorrow's City's event. Have fun and be safe, okay guys?" the teacher of chemistry 101 is reminding his students about the incoming event.
"Yes sir!" most of the student answer.
I just put my notebook and books to my backpack and walk out the classroom together with the other students then went straight to my locker. So it is City's festival tomorrow… I look around; everyone is so excited for tomorrow's event. I did not even know...
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(School's locker Area)
"Hi Viola…" a tall guy greets and stand behind her.
I look behind me. "Hi" I replied shortly; then continue to put my things inside the locker.
Then the guy walks to the other side; he stands in front and smile to her. "Do you have plans tomorrow?"
I finish putting my things; then close my locker and face him "I don't have plans tomorrow, Justine. Well, I have to go now." I pass by him and walk to my way the parking area our university.
Justine catch up and walk beside Viola. "Let's go out tomorrow then, festival is fun." he sounds enthusiastic.
"Hmmm… Nah sorry, not interested. Anyway, thanks for inviting me." I smile to him and walk ahead.
Justine feeling disappointed walks slower "Think of the fun tomorrow, Viola." he loudens his voice to make sure she can still hear it; even the brunet is already a bit far now.
I keep walking then turn around to face where he is. "No, thank you Mr. Justine…" I sounded teasing after that I wink at him and smile. Then right away; I turn around to walk out of the building.
Justine sigh "Really, Viola…" he just murmur looking at the brunette girl exiting the university.
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(Going home: Inside the car.)
Every day, our family driver Badi; drives the car to my university and picks me up till my classes ends.
"How was school today, Miss Viola?" Badi always ask that same question every day to his Miss, after class.
"It's always the same. Boring." I keep looking outside the car window. Why is it so boring really? I just can't understand why? I always feel bored. Wonder also, why I am even here; when I don't feel like living at all.
"By the way Miss, tomorrow is our City's Festival. It is fun and lots of activities" he changes the topic right away.
"Maybe it is fun." then I close my eyes. When you look at the same scenery every day; you can still picture out the view even you close your eyes. Why this is soooooo boring…
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(Home: Dinner Time)
Eating dinner together with my mother.
"Baby, tomorrow; I have a flight overseas. But don't worry; me and your Dad will be back home on the weekend, okay?" Sabrina, she is reading a paper.
"Okay, Mom." I replied shortly.
"I already told your Nanny; to let you stroll at tomorrow's City's Event" she keeps reading.
I just nod and keeps eating.
Sabrina then put aside the papers and focus her attention to her daughter. Time flies by so fast, her Baby is already a university student. "Do you have anything you like me to bring from overseas besides foods?"
"Nothing in particular. I'm fine with food." I lip smile to her "I'm done with my dinner."
"Okay, clean yourself now and go to bed early. I already told Badi, to take you to the City's Square tomorrow. Come here, be safe okay?" she asks her daughter for a hug.
I get closer to my mother and she hug me "Okay, mom." then I let go of our hug and go upstairs to my bedroom.
Sabrina just watch Viola then continue to eat. We are so lucky to have a humble daughter, understanding to our works and never complains or complicate things.
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(Festival Day)
"Badi, I will be fine now. Just wait for my call." I step out of the car and put on my sling bag.
"Yes, Miss Viola. Take care and enjoy today." he smiles to her.
"Thank you." I smile back to him and close the car's door.
The City's square is jam pack at the moment. There will be a parade around the square, and lots of activities.
I walk straight to the middle of the City Square; in slight slow pace; I'm avoiding to collide to other people walking around the square, just like me. Then the effort is rewarded; when I reach at the center. A balloon show is about to start.
"GUYS! Are you ready? Let's officially start our City's Festival in 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!" then the person in-charge click the switch to release the balloons.
"Woooohhh…." the crowd release some balloons as well.
I look up the sky. Watching the balloons flying high up and away; it gives me the feeling of longing. But I don't know what this longing for.
The crowd chants random cheers and hurray.
I look around; all over the place the happiness and enjoyment is so contagious. I'm happy for them. Then they cheer more chants; now the pressure is all over the city square; it is heavy, loud and deafening. Too much for me…
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(Booths and Stores)
I'm proud of myself. I endured the loudness and pressure there in the middle of the City Square. The thought that I am like saddest to myself, makes me chuckle. I lasted staying there; till all the shows and events ended.
For the time being I am checking the booths display all over the square. Same time I am eating festival's foods; a gyro sandwich and vanilla shake. Yummy! But yumminess tends to end; I ate it up already I want more…
"Miss… Oh my you are a very beautiful girl…" an older woman greets.
I stop my walking and look around. It's not like I am referring myself very beautiful as what she said but I am the only one walking near from that woman.
"Miss, It's you miss. A very beautiful girl. Come with me inside my booth; I have lots of beautiful and fancy things that will suit to you" The older woman holds on to Viola's arm and walks her inside the booth that she owns.
"Uhmm… Okay." I just walk with her. I guess nothing could go wrong right? The sun shines bright in the middle of the day so… It's okay right? And she is an old lady, you know…
(Inside the booth)
"Just look around, you can check whatever you like; don't be shy. I will get some few special things at the back of the booth." the older lady is very happy that Viola is inside her shop now.
"Uhmmm… Okay." I replied and not I'm not showing to the old lady that; I am feeling weird about this.
Then the older woman walks to the back.
Silence after the old lady went to the back.
Hmmm… I turn around looking up the shelves display. "Is this an antique booth?" The lanterns color are so vibrant red, yellow, and others are paper brown color then there are whites also. I find the lanterns appearances like kites. Then I step closer to the ceramics displays. "Nice, are these ceramics crafted by hand?" I keep asking myself. Can't help it; the stuffs in this booth are all exquisitely old-time style. Actually, I only saw this kind of objects in movies. Then a display glass at the corner side caught my eyes; suddenly I got interested to know what is the display in it. So I walk to the corner and check on the display glass; I move a little to bend forward; so I can look closer and to see the object that is displayed inside. Beautiful… It is a pendant? An oriental pendant maybe? What's more interesting it has tassels. "Wonder how did they wear this before?"
"Oh, that one?" the older woman pop out suddenly behind Viola.
"What the." I speak softly. It gives me a scared surprise feeling; I step aside. And the older woman; she smiling at me and she brought some fancy colored old-style dresses.
"I'm sorry child, did I scare you?" The older woman put the dresses on the top of the other display glasses.
"Yes, but it's okay." I smile to her "Anyway, thank you for showing me but I have to leave now." interrupted.
"No, please don't go yet. Here… Here…" the older woman opens the display glass and take out the flower pendant. "This is for you." she smiles.
"No, no. It's okay I'm not buying anything by the way." I refuse right away. Now she is selling it to me? I have no interest.
The old woman insisting. "It's a gift…" she smiles more and her eyes gets smaller. "Here, let me help you tied it to your bag" smooth moves, the old woman ties the pendant.
Really? There's nothing I can do about this; she is insisting to tie it to my bag. "Fine, but I will pay you; how much is this?" I don't like the idea… that; it is like… I am robbing her.
The pendant is already tied to Viola's bag and it swings every time she moves.
"No, this is for you. The pendant wants to gift herself to you." the old woman's expression and voice is very thoughtful now. "You and the pendant are the same… Beautiful." she smiles once more.
"Thank you." I smile to her in return. These praises coming from the old lady makes me feel confident about myself.
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(Going home: Inside the car "It is night time already did not notice the flew of time.")
I untied the pendant from my bag and I hold unto it.
"Miss Viola, did you have fun today?" Badi looking at the mirror to see his Miss sitting at the back of the car.
"Yes." I answer shortly. Looking at this flower pendant; gives me a nice beautiful mood.
Badi is happy for his Miss. It is a seldom event; that his Miss did have a good time in a day. "That's really good to know, Miss. Your parents will be very happy to know that."
Then I rub my left thumb on the surface of the flower pendant. "Really?"
"Of course Miss…" he wants to assure his Miss.
"Hmmm…" my left thumb keeps tracing the flower shape. "Maybe." I simper softly.
(Suddenly, a striking bright light flashes in front of the car.)
I close my eyes; I can't stand the brightness; it is too much for a human eyes. The hell is wrong with that car's headlight!
(More seconds passes by.)
I'm waiting to hear screech of tires cause by excessive braking. That kind of super bright car's headlights can cause car accidents. So I am waiting for Badi to say ("It's okay now, Miss Viola. I applied the brake at the exact time"). But Badi is not talking. I don't hear him? Actually, I can't hear anything! It is total nothing… And also, I can't open my eyes!