The birds did not chirp in the morning. Well, they did but I wasn't listening to them. What happened instead was that I was awoken in the night. By no other than a voice coming from a metallic device-
"My parents aren't."
Again, it was short. And the words didn't exactly give some groundbreaking information. It wasn't like the secret of life was announced through a walkie-talkie, instead of choosing a World Conference.
But it was enough. It was enough to wake me up in the middle of the night and make me think, once again. Think again about her tone and realizing that it was a serious one. A very serious one for someone so young.
"Sian? What time is it?" – Well, she did wake me up in the middle of the night.
She didn't answer though, and I started playing with the contact button again. See if it was broken or something. For not being used before, this thing was a waste if it was already broken.
"Sorry." – So, no, it wasn't broken.
"It's fine, I was just wondering."
Again, no answer.
"Your parents aren't what?"
"Glad."
"Why not?"
"I don't know."
"Well, the discussion wasn't about your parents but couples in general."
"You mentioned your parents."
"Yes, I did. Didn't I? Forgot about that."
I swear I heard some chuckling somewhere around there. And then, silence. Again. It was our first talk after all. If it wasn't awkward, then probably it wasn't real. But then, I ventured and went for some more, which I wasn't sure I could really do.
"So, if we didn't consider our parents. Would you like people getting married?"
"I don't know. I liked it when Shrek got married."
Then, it was my turn to laugh.
"Seems like someone did it right. They farted a lot after that."
"They did. Maybe that's what getting married is for. Farting together."
"Maybe."
"It's 2 a.m., by the way. Sorry for bothering you, Sophie."
Wow, it's late. Wait, did she just call me-
"You know my name?"
"Of course I do. Goodnight, Sophie."
And that was the first time I actually saw the good use of that walkie-talkie.