Chapter 2: Seeing each other after years apart
Johanna was nineteen years old. She was going now to college to the Faculty of Foreign languages and Literature in Bucharest. Her parents encouraged her and she felt this was the right choice, even though she was not sure she'd do something professionally with the degree after finishing college. Anything is apart from sure and predictable when you suffer from a genetic mutation that leads to blindness and you can only see one line on the vision board, then everything gets blurry and indistinguishable from the second line. One lesson Johanna learned throughout life was to never take health for granted and enjoy life to its fullest as imperfect, as it was because the future was not guaranteed to anyone.
She took her notebook in her hand and scribbled down the answers for her homework, then gathered data for a project she needed to turn in the following month. She also opened Facebook and was listening to music at the same time. A loud beep, followed by a message popped up next to Josh's picture. After talking for a while on the internet, then losing contact again a few years later they reconnected. They agreed to be friends. Or at least that's what you call it when you want to be together with that other person, find them attractive, but for various reasons, you can't.
"Hey, how are you?" Johanna read and then replied: "Fine, how about you?" Three dots moved fast in the message screen: „Fine, I just had dinner. "
Johanna: "You don't say so! What did you eat?"
Josh: "Chicken Schnitzel with French fries."
Johanna: Yummy, good to know!"
A notification popped up on the upper part of the screen: „Josh commented on your profile photo." Johanna pressed on it and was redirected to the page with the photo, on which Josh commented. In the photo, Johanna was wearing a short black skirt and a low-cut red t-shirt, and some black high heels. She was smiling in the photo. Johanna smiled and commented on Facebook: „Thank you!"
Johanna: "" How's college?"
Josh: "Meh, I hate my classmates. I barely have anything in common with them, and I barely have any friends. Also, everyone seems to learn everything faster. I feel so stupid and slow."
Johanna: "Don't beat yourself up! Everyone has his own learning rhythm. It's important to get there, not to be the first one there!"
Josh: "Yeah. Not sure about that. What about later when I'll get a job?"
Johanna: "Let's live in the present. We'll figure it out when we'll get there! Who knows what might happen until then? We don't know where we'll be in a couple of years!"
Josh: "By the way, I need to tell you something important!"
Johanna: "Sure, what's up?"
Josh: "I am going to visit you in a few months! I'll visit you two weeks during the winter holiday in Romania!"
Johanna: "Oh, my god! I can't believe it! Is this for real?"
Josh: "Yeah, I can't wait to hug you in real life!"
Johanna: "Oh, my god, me neither!"
Josh: "I can't wait to meet you in real life! Even if I am broke, I will still be the happiest man because I'll have you in my life!"
Johanna: "Aww, that's so cute…. But I don't want you to be broke. I am wondering how you'll look like in real life and be like…."
Josh: "Yeah, what if you won't like me?"
Johanna: "What if YOU won't like me? After all, I'm pretty short and you're the tall one… Are you into hobbits…? L"
Josh: "Don't call yourself a hobbit! You're hot!"
Johanna: "Yeah, we'll see about that!"
Josh: "I need to go. I have some homework to get done. Hug!"
Johanna: "Hug"
Days passed by, months flew away and the moment of meeting up came. Johanna woke up the day of the meeting on a cold December day. Her throat was hurting and she was coughing and generally feeling ill. How was it possible that out of all the moments she could have caught a cold fate decided this was the best one to catch the worst? "Just my luck," she angrily thought to herself, while blowing up her nose. She ate something as fast as she could, even though she did not feel hungry at all. Then she brushed her hair, put some makeup on, straightened her hair, and dressed up. She chose a black and white striped shirt and a pair of blue jeans and some black boots. "You should clean your teeth," her dad said after she finished eating and she soon followed his advice.
"Under no circumstance should you have sex with him! I know you haven't seen him in years, but he'll have sex with you, then leave and he'll go to his girls in Toronto and you'll be heartbroken!" "Yes," Johanna nodded, but she had no idea whether she would like him or even have sex with him, as she first wanted to get to know him and make sure they like each other.
"Good luck," her dad wished her, as she was rushing on the stairs. Now that it was real and official and they finally met a whirlwind of thoughts circled in her head: What if she liked him? But, what if she didn't? After all, he would travel an ocean, just to be disappointed by something they expected so long and blew out of proportions in their mind and expectations.
What if she wasn't good enough for him? What if he wasn't the same person she met years ago when they were children? After all, he grew up and probably still underwent some changes, but was that boy she fell in love with still there? Was he still the boy that would protect and be there for her no matter what? What if she would fall hard, hard only for the love inside her being replaced with a big emptiness nothing could ever erase away from her? Sometimes you're damned if you do, damned if you don't and there's no right answer. Because at the end of the day no matter how rational you are and no matter how much you prepare for one scenario or the other there's a stronger pull calling your name. Just like you should not overspend, maybe not eat that cookie or drink that fifth drink… However, all you can sometimes do is follow the rabbit in its rabbit hole as the urge to do something crazy is bigger than your fear of consequences. Sometimes the little, annoying voice in your head and soul is hard to silence.
As the thoughts in Johanna's head were dangerously sliding in multiple directions and no real conclusion was to be drawn as she finally arrived at the H&M in the mall they decided to meet at. Her brain was foggy, her heart was racing, her mouth was dry, her knees reminded her of jelly gum and she could not focus on anything.
She looked around, but could not see him. "Johanna! Johanna! Over here!" She kept looking and kept looking, but she didn't see him. This was so embarrassing. Straight from the first moment, she would embarrass herself. How could he love someone, who was taking so long to see someone in a crowd? Or worse, maybe he would think she was so stupid she was not able to recognize him? Just as she moved her head frantically in several directions, she finally saw him: then time stood still and she was not able to think at all. She just approached him, glanced him shortly in the eye, and recognized the boy, she once met, who turned into a man and transitioned from the short teddy bear he once was into a big bear. He gave her a big bear hug and she sunk into his familiar arms. His smell reminded her of childhood: sweet and familiar, yet somehow reminiscent at the same of the fabric softener grandma used to apply on clothes when she was a child. Their arms opened up at the same time before hugging and it was probably the most anticipated hug.
"Hello, I am Josh's dad." his father, a short, bold man said and Johana shook his hand. It was firm but warm. "Nice to meet you!" Johanna smiled at him. If you want to go later to a concert, I have some tickets. Just let me know!" "Sure," Johanna nodded. After his dad left they went for a walk through the mall, which was large and had at least thirty stores.
The floor was shiny and the walls were grey and white and even though there were many stores Johanna did not see them and did not even realize they circled the same five stores for thirty minutes. As they were talking, she was observing him. His eyes were ocean blue, just the color she loved and wished she had but ended up with green eyes. His nose was concave and the base of the nose was straight. He had the most charming unibrow she ever had seen and his lips were thin.
"How did the exam you told me about go?" Josh asked her. "Well, it went well. However, the teacher asked me how I see the world in the future and I said that I don't see much of a good future for this earth and she replied annoyed that this is a very pessimistic answer." Josh smiled and replied: "Okay, how about she was sincere with you and told you the answer she expects so you could tell her what she wants to hear?" Johanna laughed and replied: "How about you?" "Oh, I got a great grade for an exam I did not expect to ace, but I'll have many exams I'll need to learn for when I'll be back in Canada." "School is nice, but I have moments when I feel it does not prepare you for life. But not going to a school is not ok either. I feel education is important to an extent, but there are also other important factors at play to succeed in life."
"Yeah, probably. Even though school does not make me feel great about myself, whenever my parents hear me complain they say I should wait and see how great my work colleagues and my boss are going to be."
Johanna recognized: "All I want for Christmas" echoing through the mall. "Ugh, I hate Christmas Carols. They overuse them even when Christmas is months away and at some point, it feels like torture." Johanna replied while they sat down on a bench: "I like Christmas carols. However, I agree that if they are played too often and too early before Christmas they become anything but festive." Josh stared for over a minute into her eyes and she held the gaze. Then she smiled and giggled: "What's wrong?" The mall was decorated with Christmas trees. They were adorned with red and blue Christmas bulbs. There were garlands in various places. "You're so beautiful. This feels nice and is the happiest Christmas I've ever had! I'm so happy I can be now with you here!" She looked him in the eye and softly whispered: "I am so happy to finally meet you again in person too. This also is my happiest Christmas!" He caressed her face and took a hair lock and tucked it behind her left ear.
"I'm hungry. How about we go and eat something?" Josh asked her. She agreed and they stood up and slowly walked to the food court. "You love Kentucky fried chicken?" Johanna asked him after he bought a meal. He asked her priory if she wanted to eat something too, but she refused as she just ate before the date. "Yep, I do love KFC. How about you?" "I'm more of a McDonald's girl!" He smiled and continued eating. "You have here in Romania small elevators. The elevators in Canada are way bigger. "he quietly studied her facial expression and quickly added: "Not that it's something bad. Just comparing." "I use elevators only if I have to." He continued eating his chicken, as Johanna glanced at him silently. "Do you want to see a movie after I finish eating?" "Sure, what movie do you have in mind?'' "We'll pick one when we get there." Minutes later they arrived at the cinema in the mall. There were several movie posters of the movies running at that point in cinemas. "Many of these movies already run in Canada. How about "In time"?" Johanna nodded and added:" Sure. Sounds like an interesting plot according to the magazine I read." They went together to the cinema counter. The cinema ticket seller smiled at them: "What can I help you with?" "Two tickets please," Josh replied, while Johanna searched for her wallet. He gently touched her hand and pushed her pink wallet back into the bag, while smiling at her: "Hey, you don't have to pay for the tickets. I'll take care of it!" "Thank you!" she smiled back and blushed, while he paid for both tickets. "Room 6, the popcorn stand and drinks kiosk are in the interior, have fun!" They climbed the stairs and went to the kiosk and he looked at the offers and ads on the shiny displays and asked her: "Do you want some popcorn?" "Yeah, sure, but just popcorn. No drink!" He bought two popcorn bags and she kissed him on the cheek and thanked him. They showed the guy who checked the tickets their tickets and he sent them to Room 6.
The movie was interesting and very well planned out and Johanna found it thought-provoking. Do you know what else is interesting when you go out on a date at the movies? Making the move towards the first kiss. He put his arm around her shoulders and semi-hugged her. As he drew her in closer, he kissed her. The touch of his lips against hers was followed by a salty popcorn taste and for a moment Johanna's mind went blank. She could not think about anything, but as soon as he pulled back she craved more kisses and his warmth. Later she initiated other kisses, while he laughed and replied: "You must be very hungry!" "I am," she replied and leaned into him, as she inhaled his intoxicating smell she could not get enough of.
After the movie was over they headed to the cinema exit. Through the windows, it was visible that it got dark outside. "I hope you had a great time," Josh whispered and caressed her face. She had a wide grin on her face and couldn't stop smiling: „I had more than a good time," she said. He stretched his arms wide and asked innocently and grinningly: "Hug?" "Hug!" she exclaimed happily and hugged him enthusiastically. She jumped into his arms, hugged him, and pressed herself against his warm body. She soaked into his hug and felt safe in his arms. Then they kissed goodbye and went home.
Johanna sat in front of her computer after having dinner and frantically typed. 'Why do you have such a wide grin? You look very happy!" her little sister inquired. "I-uh-I was smiling…?" "How did the date go?" "It went pretty well!" 'Happy to hear that!" she said and Johanna turned her head in the direction of the screen. Her cheeks turned red and she asked herself whether it was that obvious she was happy.
Josh: "How are you, my little angel?"
Johanna: "I'm pretty good, how about you?"
Josh: "I am pretty good too. Can't complain either : P"
Johanna: "Where do you stay during your trip here?"
Josh: "I'm staying with my grandma and uncle. Didn't see any point in staying in an overpriced hotel."
Johanna: "Yeah, that's true. Don't see the point in spending money on a hotel, if you can stay here with your relatives."
Josh: "What do you want to do tomorrow?"
Johanna: "How about we go to Carol Park?"
Josh: "Sure thing. I think I am heading now to the shower. Can't wait to see you tomorrow. HUG!"
Johanna: "Hug back. Sweet dreams."
Josh: "Very, very sweet dreams :P haha!"
Johanna closed her pc and could not stop smiling. For the very first time in a long time, she felt alive and every aspect of it was heightened even though her cold did not give her a break and it was the worst one she ever had. However, this did not kill the beauty of the moment and she was determined to enjoy every single second as much as she could.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone