Life Exchange #1.3
I woke up to the sound of chirping birds at 3 pm, long been on duty. It fascinated me how every animal is dedicated to their one and only job even when it gets repetitive, but I wouldn't tolerate that kind of routine.
I must say I am no bird. Change is unfamiliar and routines are boring. Only then you realise both these lifestyles make you lose sense of your time in different ways. But, that is what birds look forward to anyways.
I decided this should be my sign to choose the thing I want. I realised too late that my attention was spent elsewhere– My family. I was unable to move on. Tomorrow, however, is still filled with past sorrows, but it will already become a memory by then.
Nature holds beautiful wonders. Everyone loves a rainy day with its earthy soil damp smell, the kind that doesn't fade away for hours after it's gone.
Everyone becomes silent admiring the beauty of nature in its different forms: the scent, the sound, and the cool, gentle air. Loud sounds are not to my preference, but even when the rain becomes heavy, it has a beautiful rhythm to it.
No wonder everyone starts reading, working, and doing chores at such cozy times.
I hear mum's footsteps slowly approaching my room.
"Mero, wake up, your appointment is in 30 minutes!" my mum said, snatching the quilt out of my bed, cutely stealing my only moments of peace and quiet.
"Mum, you know how they say words hurt more than actions? Sue them," I said. Making my mum even angrier.
"Isn't the appointment at 8 pm?" I said, already dealing with an awkward staring contest with my o'clock, debating whether I was in the wrong.
"That is right, but it's already 3:30 pm."
"Not just that, but what surprised me is that you went to bed the earliest with almost nothing on you," She said. I can't possibly tell her I kept thinking in bed stuck for hours on "on display" mode. I literally cannot sleep away from my home, but there is no way I would even utter this. I had to find another solution.
"I love your mauve dress." I said, aiming at the quilt in her hand. She found my small talk a bit weird, but as her eyes were about to approach me I snatched the quilt sprinting to my sister's room and closed the door in a sigh. I spent the next 3 hours sleeping on the floor.
My sister was so excited to have me with her, she started giving me massages as I was sleeping and reciting me her favourite bed time stories.
I woke up. The therapist was a 10 minute drive and I had one hour left. The anxiety made the clock's sound appear more ear-piercing. It felt like a slender figure whispering into my ears. I shook it off.
"You woke up finally!" my little sister squealed.
"I made you a little ponytail that fits your square faced shape," she said with an innocent look on her face. I didn't know kids were this blunt, her insult almost slapped me back to my senses.
I look next to the door, unable to unsee a big box with my name on it. Our names are basically the same, but I still couldn't believe what my eyes were witnessing.
My heart tensed, I looked to my right and my sister wasn't there. She was just here a moment ago. I fall from the bed, landing near the box. This can't be a coincidence. I was afraid of opening it, but I thought the sudden weird atmosphere was an already clear sign.
It reads: "I am Mero and I left a small message to you to know more about whose life you are living. I am 21, Graduated from ***** university, and was in the plan of running a business, but it was too messy. I couldn't even start." He continues:
"My mum thinks I am crazy, but I am just suffering from my own thoughts. I was late to find out you are not responsible for them, but who am I to kid? I still don't believe in knowing it.
Honestly, I find it quite interesting to read his thoughts aloud. I had the impression that he was a complete idiot
"Don't be too calm about being here though, I already felt something fishy from my side."
"I didn't tell anyone about the system, but since we already have a partnership going between us, I thought I would let you know," I read the letter. I tried so hard to grasp an abnormality and right then as soon as I put the letter back it disappeared and almost everything returned back to normal.
"What are you zoning out on? Do you really hate the ponytail or do you hate me for giving you a ponytail?"
"So, you realise you are at fault, huh? You are not so innocent after all, come here!" I say, pretending I am at full speed to give her a head start, then I grabbed her and fell to the ground. I had to realise the hard way that 9-year-olds are this strong.
"Get off of me, or I will kick the messaged area," her little cute lisp made my heart melt. As soon as I heard mum, though, it went rock hard. I was sure of my decision. I am not going there.
"It is 7 pm, are you not getting ready?"
"Mum we are not going to the airport, I get ready in 5 minutes and we arrive in 10 minutes. Just give me 5 more." I say, waiting for a sign.
never mind the sign reached me. I heard the pan getting picked up and I knew it was it. I got out of my sister's room and grabbed all that was left from my ego.
I stared at the wall for about 10 minutes, waiting for my mum to finish dressing up. I thought it was really funny seeing how staring at something for too long makes it unrecognizable. That is the same way for everything. I couldn't believe what I just read, but there were also a lot of things missing from his words. I knew this wasn't everything, but the box already disappeared. I would have to look it up for myself.