The sound of small, quick footsteps stepping on twigs and dry leaves that had fallen on the ground. The rapid rush of breath in the darkness, followed by howls and small barks sounded closer and closer. A pair of small dots that glowed in the dark also approached quickly.
It was Bong!
"Bong!"
I hugged him tightly, he whined a little while wagging his tail as if he was worried about me. After a while, the sound of bigger footsteps began to approach us. I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to see him again, there were so many things I wanted to tell him, and he started howling softly, as if he was worried about being left forever.
"Found you!"
The flashlight shone on me as I sat hugging Bong among the bushes. It was a familiar voice, the voice of a trouble-making woman who had been the cause of my misfortune all these years.
"Susan?"
Susan with empathetic eyes immediately threw her torch on the ground. She hugged me and sobbed.
"Damn it! Where have you been!"
I, who was confused and uncomfortable with her behavior, was silent. I never thought that the kid who had been rude to me would cry and hug me.
"Oh my! I finally met you!" Said Vanessa
'Oh, that's why...'
Everyone immediately gathered around the two of us. Susan, although she was sobbing so loudly. But I didn't feel any water on my shoulders. Her crying was dry. More like fake.
'What a sly girl!'
"Stop your theatrics, Susan! You're being too childish."
"You know how much I'm worried about you? Is that something you should say to someone who's worried about you?"
Out loud, Susan said that while hugging me to hide her expression. Her friends started to criticize me for being so cold to her.
"When did you grow up? You're always barking up the wrong tree!"
"Hey! Stay out of it, you Ms Know-it-all!"
"Guys, that's enough! We don't need to prolong this anymore. The important thing is that Clara has been found" Susan interrupted.
Once again, Susan managed to win the empathy of her friends. And of course, it had a positive impact on me too. Although it was clear on their faces that they were not sincere in helping me up.
The next day, we packed up and left the campsite. People became cold towards me, the atmosphere was very chaotic in the car. I was still considered guilty by them. I was still driving in the front while thinking of ways to find my fake mate.
From behind, one of Susan's friends ignorantly threw a small rolled paper to resemble a ball with a rubber catapult.
I, who felt annoyed, immediately stepped on the gas and braked the car suddenly. Everyone protested at the way I was driving.
"You think I didn't see you throw a paper ball from behind? Don't mess with me if you want to be safe!"
Everyone was downcast, silent. And so was Susan. As soon as I dropped them all off at Susan's house, I got into my father's old Jeep with my bong and luggage and rushed home.
When I got home, I saw my father on the sofa watching the basketball final where my favorite club was playing against its rival, which was my father's club.
"This year my club will definitely win!" I chirped
"Heh, you're a too optimistic girl. They're playing better this year, but they're not a worthy opponent."
"Oh yeah?" I said a little defiantly
"Yeah, unless some bloke comes round the house and proposes to you before Susan's wedding. The Celtics would lose."
I was sick of hearing that sentence come out of his mouth. In every element, even at basketball games, Dad still slipped into that annoying topic.
"Yeah, you'll see Dad, he'll come when the day comes!" I said without thinking
My Dad rolled his eyes as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wondered what made his daughter suddenly so confident that a man who didn't know who he was would come to propose.
I rushed to my room and put my backpack on the floor near my old study table. Not having time to change my clothes, I immediately lay down on my comfortable and soft bed. I hugged my blanket tightly as a sign of deep longing for him.
"Stupid girl!" I muttered, regretting what I said earlier.
"What should I do now?"
I rolled over, from the right side to the left. Frowning while thinking of ways to find a mate. The almost desperate me then started to open my smartphone and browse online. An advert that showed two people meeting each other with a loving gaze. Shades of pink with beautiful words for every lonely soul.
"Dating apps? I guess it's not such a bad thing nowadays"
I started downloading apps that requested access to my entire phone system. One of the reasons why I never play dating apps is not only because I don't feel the need, but also because I don't like how software companies snoop on our data and privacy under the guise of ''allowing apps to access the system on your phone''.
"Okay, fine! Let's do it just this once. You need it, Clara!"
I finally created a new account and used my best selfie from a few months ago.
When I entered the interface, I was immediately greeted by a picture of a strange man with some bio details on it. It's like a combination of marketplace and social media Facenote. What a unique combination.
Then I tried to look at the menu, and the features inside and I also tried to upload random things on the social homepage. Before long, some people contacted me through the app's chat feature.
Men: "Hi gorgeous!"
You: "Hi"
Men: "I can make you wet with pleasure, want to try?" (sending dirty pics)
You: (block!)
"Geez!" I grumbled while squinting at my smartphone screen and blocking several people who asked me to hook up or just dirty talk.
My first experience of downloading dating apps was not very pleasant for me. Isn't it too soon for someone new to get in touch?
'Who the hell makes the rules on this app? There shouldn't be anything like this!'
Without thinking, I immediately deleted my account and deleted the app. I searched the internet again and found a few websites for blind dating. But after seeing the flow and the rules that took a while, I decided against blind dating.
'I needed a man fast, RIGHT NOW!'
"Ah, shit! Let's think Clara!"
Again, I tried to get back on track by asking an anonymous web chat platform, someone suggested hiring an escort. But if my Dad finds out or someone recognizes the escort for who he is, it would be very risky!
Annoyed, I switched off my mobile phone. I looked at the wall of the room that was filled with picture frames. I focused on one of the pictures that showed me and the other classmates taking a picture for the class farewell before entering university.
"Belmond!"
The handsome man who was the dream of girls back in the day, Vincent Belmond! I don't remember if he was dating or not back then. I don't even know how he is now since I went to New York. I used to be close to his tomboyish cousin, Greece. Luckily, I still have her email address.
'This could be a way for me, I'll try to contact Greece!'
I finally composed the word miss as a pep talk and eventually slipped in the sentence of wanting to meet Greece, Vincent's cousin. It took two days until I finally received a reply from Greece. We decided to meet since we hadn't seen each other in a while, at Feline Cafe the next day.
I dressed in a white oversized shirt and black ripped jeans, sneakers, and a sling bag for casual wear, not forgetting my notebooks, credit card, and a few euros in my wallet. I rushed over, borrowing my dad's jeep.
"Oh my God, Clara! Is that you?"
"Hey, that was supposed to be my line. Look at you now, you look so elegant in that maroon midi dress! And look at your short, flowing brown hair!"
"Well, I don't want to be a bad example for my two little girls who are just starting their primary school"
"But I still like to secretly watch heavy metal concerts in the suburbs at the end of the year!" she whispered.
We both chuckled, the atmosphere becoming warm with nostalgia. We exchanged news and life experiences after graduating from high school. Then I gradually turned the conversation towards his cousin, Vincent.
"What, you want to date Vincent?!"
I nodded while sipping the green smoothies I ordered a few minutes ago. I recounted in detail the troubles I had been going through, starting with Susan's marriage and also my Dad. Greece who was surprised then put on a sad face.
"Hey, I think you should call it quits."
"Why?"
"He already got married three years ago."
"Secretly" she added in a whisper
"Really? Who's his wife?"