Chapter 28: Making Travel Plans
Ludwina didn't hear any news from Kevin for several months after discussing the "termination of the agreement" between them.
She felt a little guilty for making Kevin feel heartbroken, but she knew that it would be unfair to keep giving hope to the young man until some time.
From Hong Kong, Ludwina flew to New York. She always felt at home in the busiest city on the American continent. The Big Apple was her second home, as Ludwina spent four years studying there.
When her mind was restless, she would return to the city. She thought a lot about Kevin's question in Hong Kong.
What if Andrea wanted to get married and have children?
Ludwina wasn't the type of motherly woman who could take care of small children.
Never mind raising a child, just imagining the pain of childbirth, made Ludwina scared to death.
She was not a brave woman.
[Where are you? I didn't see your update on Instagram.]
While reading a book in Central Park, Ludwina received an email from Andrea.
Ah, that's right. Last week, Ludwina told Andrea she was going to Singapore, but instead, she went to Hong Kong to break off her engagement with Kevin, and because her mind was restless, she immediately went on to New York.
She tried to refrain from contacting Andrea as she realized their relationship had moved very quickly since the second meeting at the airport, and Ludwina spent two weeks in Singapore.
They met almost every day, and each could feel that they had feelings for each other. What if Andrea immediately confessed? Ludwina wasn't ready to answer it.
[Oh ... I have something important to do in Hong Kong. Now it's done. I'm in New York.]
[It's unusual for you not to post pictures.] Andrea commented.
[I no longer want to show off my travel photos on social media. I'll show them to you later.] she replied with a smile.
Ludwina remembered dinner with Andrea at that time, and she showed her album of travels to Italy, Scotland, and various places in the world.
It felt like the opinions and likes of her followers on Instagram were meaningless compared to the comments of the young man and his amazed look when he saw the photos she took.
She selected the photos she took in Hong Kong and New York. She sorted them into a single album which she would show to Andrea and her family.
Maybe later, if she's bored, she'll post one or two to Instagram, but it won't be like before.
Moreover, Andrea's explanation of the privacy violations committed by the giant social media technology companies was quite worrying. She didn't want to be followed by a stalker who might mean harm to her or her family. After all, Ludwina's family was wealthy, and kidnapping her for ransom was not impossible.
[Shall we make plans for Italy? My project will finish in two weeks. After that, I can take leave.]
[You haven't been to Europe, right? Do you want to stop by Paris and Amsterdam? I don't think we can say we visit Europe if we don't visit those two cities. Besides, Schengen visas via the Netherlands are easier to obtain than other countries.]
[Yes. I only have ten days. You just arrange the itinerary and send it to me. I'll book the hotel or Airbnb later.]
Ludwina's heart beat faster when she realized she would soon be traveling with Andrea. She was sure that the man would make a pleasant traveling partner, but she was afraid that their feelings would develop too quickly.
On the other hand, if it turned out that they didn't get along and fought a lot during the trip, it would be better for them to immediately find out the incompatibility between them and end the relationship.
Usually, Ludwina preferred to travel alone because she rarely found suitable traveling mates. Her former college friends, or her friends from Jakarta, were not really fun to go traveling with. Some were too slow, too talkative, too stingy, too extravagant, calculating, and sometimes just because of a small problem on the road, the friendship could be ruined.
She sometimes traveled with Kevin, and because of their similar and relaxed nature, the two of them always enjoyed adventuring together. Coupled with a similar financial situation, no one felt burdened if they spent such an amount traveling.
Traveling couples who had different social classes usually had to be very careful in dealing with money and joint expenses. Nobody should feel forced to pay too much or felt used.
This was one of the pitfalls in relationships that Ludwina dreaded. She really hoped Andrea was not too sensitive about money issues.
She also hoped that on their trip to Europe, Andrea would see many happy unmarried and childless couples children. Ludwina was determined to introduce him to her friends who lived happily in Europe without children...
She immediately made a list.
***
Andrea obtained a Schengen visa from the Dutch embassy, which was valid for a year, and then they immediately took care of their travel details.
Ludwina redeemed two SQ business-class tickets from Singapore to Amsterdam and Thalys train tickets from Amsterdam to Paris. From Paris, she bought plane tickets to Rome that returned to Amsterdam and Singapore. She gave Andrea a list of must-visit places, and the young man immediately booked accommodation.
Ludwina commuted to Singapore for a month. She met Andrea on the sidelines of his busy schedule to discuss their travel plans.
Ludwina avoided eating at the Moccasin Restaurant as much as possible because she didn't want to see Kevin. Andrea seemed to understand that. He never suggested they eat there again.
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