--
Right after Solanne finished cooking, she noticed that Yael was already gone. Not that she minds, though. At least Solanne will be comfortable eating. Putting all her dishes in the sink, she washed them with Yael's.
This was a special treatment as she was in a good mood, and the smell of the food she cooked was superb!
She was excited to eat.
She put the washed dishes aside and grabbed her plate. She was so excited to eat that she played whatever channel she landed on. The cats were still busy sleeping. This time, they were snuggled on the blanket that Yael left.
With the smell coming from the food, she was elated!
Without wasting any time, Solanne sat on the carpet floor, pushed the on button on the remote, and let drama play.
Different from what she expected, the channel started playing a horror movie. Currently, all the characters in the scene are running, and they're in an abandoned church.
Solanne blinked for a second. She's not good with horror stories.
Still, she's too lazy and hungry to change the channel. Besides, the TV was more like a background noise or whatever.
She needs to focus on eating.
One bite, and she almost danced. She even felt like crying. With all the exploring she did, she was hungry alright. She didn't notice it earlier, but now, 'ah… how good it is to be alive.'
Solanne ate as if someone were to take her food from her. She didn't mind the movie; she was focused on the taste of meat and how it blends well with the rice.
Moreover, the way she cooked this dish was perfect. The taste of soy sauce with vinegar and sugar was terrific. She felt like crying again.
The potatoes felt so soft, fresh, and mushy to her mouth.
Ah.. what a bliss.
How can she be this happy and contented right now? She feels like a child. A child exploring places again and learning the world was not as bad as it was because of these little things.
Yes, how could she even forget the little things?
Well, it was because she was focused on the main quest.
Ah… Solanne danced a little with a grin on her face. Contrary to her background noise, where the characters started yelling.
Caught up with the noise, she looked up and paused, eyes on the Television.
She needs to change the channel right away. Picking up the remote, she was about to change the channel when suddenly the scene in the movie changed.
The suspense was rising. Solanne's eyes were drawn to the movie, her mind wondering what would happen next.
"AHHH!"
"AHHHH!" She shouted, her food almost flying.
At the same time, she saw an orange cat flying out of the sofa. The two cats jump, their eyes wide open, ready to attack as they look left and right, wondering where the scream came from. The orange cat's reaction was priceless.
How can it even jump a few meters from the sofa?
"The fuck!" she mumbled out of anger, panic, and nervousness. Yet she immediately forgot about it as she focused on the cats.
Solanne laughed so hard when she saw the two cats' reaction.
She was feeling everything at once. How could someone ever feel this? How does she even describe this?
There was a painted smile on her face, yet at the same time, her heart was beating so fast. She's still scared. She can feel the adrenaline in her body.
A nun, who looks horribly murdered, is shown in front of the screen, plus the scream of the protagonist, who wouldn't be scared of that. She should also blame the buildup and the suspense music.
As Solanne was wondering, she heard a loud thud coming upstairs. Did something fall? She thought, but she pushed the matters aside as she tried to calm her heart and change the channel.
Swallowing, Solanne leaned on the sofa. She tilted her head up, looking at the high ceiling. That movie scared the shit out of her. She needed to pause and calm down.
She can still feel her heart jumping; if she doesn't calm down, her heart might not take it. The food was sitting cold on the table.
"Ha…." Solanne sighed. Yet, she was still laughing.
What to feel. How to describe this? How odd. It's not unpleasant, though, Solanne thought.
For a moment, she really feels and looks like a child.
"Hahaha!" Realizing these facts, Solanne laughed even harder; she almost rolled on the floor. No one was even looking at her.
She was all alone.
She can be herself.
Inside, she still feels like a child, though.
After laughing so hard, she can feel a gaze from a distance. And she was right; the two cats looked at her as if she had grown two heads, and they found her ridiculous.
Those judging stares.
Oh! How cute!
She grinned and winked at them before composing herself.
She drank a cup full of water before eating again.
This time, she learned her lesson and changed the channel to something other than horror.
--
After finishing eating, Solanne washed the dishes and turned the TV off.
Still tired, she lay on the sofa, holding her phone and scrolling through the photos she had taken earlier as she explored.
A smile was painted on her face the whole time as she scrolled through her phone. She really had a good time exploring the place. She knew she still needed to explore places, but she'd put that aside for now.
It was past twelve when she decided to get up and head towards her room. She saw no signs of Yael, so she'd just leave him be. He has his own world, and she has hers.
Distance. Privacy! Good!
She's tired and happy today.
As Solanne lay on the soft mattress, massaging her body, she giggled and sighed with satisfaction. She snuggled the blanket that smelled like a fabric conditioner.
'It's really a good thing to be alive right now.'
--
The taste of coffee feels cold and lifeless as usual, Solanne thought. The city was bustling, and the café was full of busy people. She was here to do some work, yet she could not find herself doing anything.
She's tired. Everything felt overwhelming for her. She felt like she was going to suffocate any minute now. She hated the time for ticking. She hated the pressure that was crushing her down. She hated how everyone seemed far well off and better than her.
Money… right, everything would be better if she had money.
She looked around the coffee shop, from the barista making a coffee to the people lined up looking at the menu, and to the people sitting down.
She wanted to be one of them. They look far better than her. They're doing far better than her.
Perhaps there are those miracles where she died right there and then, and she woke up in a different body?
If she can only die. Would suicide be good? She half-jokingly thought.
Ha. As if!
Still..
Why does it look like she's the only one struggling? Why can't she be lucky like others?
Hate… she hated it.
She wanted to rest. She wanted to live for once.
"Have you heard the legend?' Solanne was drawn back to her friend. How odd, her face was blurry, but she knew her. The familiarity of her voice and even every action she made. It feels nostalgic. It was something warm brushing her heart, making her want to cry.
Friend…
'About what?' The people in the background seemed to disappear as she was left with her, her friend, the table, and their cold coffee.
"They say that dreams come true when they visit Ustrela province."
"The what?" Solanne frowned. She never heard of that province before. Is she sure about the name?
Her friend grinned. "It's 5 hours ride through the train. You look so exhausted. Perhaps you needed a break." Her friend was looking at her as if she was about to die.
"Funny for you to say." She rolled her eyes. "I do not have any money.'
"You need it, though."
"No. money!"
"Still!"
"Just the fare alone would cost me so much!" Solanne exaggerated.
"Then, I'll shoulder that for you!"
"Huh? What gives?"
"A gift?"
Solanne stared at her friend. There was a mischievous smile on her face. She frowned. "You're planning something, are you?"
"How come? What do you even think of me?"
"Hmm…"Solanne eyed her friend suspiciously. She tilted her head a little to the left. "You're suspiciously kind today."
"Really?" Her friend smiled mysteriously. She giggled. "Experience it."
"Huh?"
"Just experience it and tell me everything after…"
"Just what---"
--
Solanne opened her eyes. She can feel her eyes moist. Did she cry in her sleep? She wondered as she stared at the ceiling for a moment.
"A dream?" She mumbled before hugging the pillow beside her. She looked at the time. It's three in the morning.
"Right, it was a dream…there's no way.." A small smile painted her lips. "How disgusting. Fuck my brain."
Still, she was here, in this province, Ustrela province. How funny.
Solanne heaved her breath; she got up and leaned on the headboard, eyes on the window outside.
The moon was there, illuminating the green grass and the forest. From a distance, she heard the crickets and other insects.
She only slept for two hours, yet she can seem to find the sleepiness inside her body. She was afraid to dream again.
She grabbed her phone, and out of instinct, she opened a message dated three months ago.
"Do me a favor? Sol, visit the province, please."
That was the last message from her friend.
How bitter. Solanne smiled sarcastically before deciding to stand up. She felt suffocated, and she needed air.
--