Diary of a Singaporean now living in Rome, Italy
Its been a week since I’ve left Italy.
I miss him desperately. Even more so compared to last year. Every now and then, I tear up during sudden flash back moments. Its really painful. Never imagined that emotions could have such a deep effect like this.
I’m not entirely sure how this story will end. Neither am I sure how the journey goes either.
But lets see how the story unfolds and then pray, and hope that there’s a happily ever after.
In the morning, we realised that there were no bread left, neither were there any breakfast biscuits. What on earth can we do that was quick and easy to make?
I decided to make bananas in coconut milk with the bananas that we bought the other day and with the santan that I brought with me from the flight. Taking the coconut milk out of the fridge, I found it to be rather thick. “The fridge is working well, and is cold 😛 “, Cartcart said. I added a little bit of water and again, the huge bubbles appeared.
A bit of brown sugar, some pandan leaves and cinnamon, the bananas was ready. It wasn’t a typical breakfast, in fact, those were supposed to be dessert but I guess it was good enough for get by.
I decided to also make some Roti Jala. Cartcart wanted to see it being made up close, so we went ahead and added the ingredients together. Eggs, flour, coconut milk and a a bit of tumeric for the colouring.
First few times wasn’t that great as the batter wouldn’t come out of the funnel and I added more and more water till the batter was extremely viscous. The Roti didnt start out that great but at length, We finally managed to come out with something presentable.
Cart : Looks great
Me : Only one problem though
Cart : what’s that?
Me : We usually eat these with curries
Cart : I don’t think theres time to make curry
Me : I guess we have to think of something else
Presenting, the worlds first Roti Jala with Hazelnut cream. Not nice.
In the afternoon, we planned to see the Modigliani display. I asked Narima and her friend to come along but they were too tired from all the travelling the previous days before and had to decline.
Modigliani was an artist who was famous for portraying his women with long necks and oval shaped faces. I stumbled upon him while playing with the face transformer application that I found on the website.
I assumed that the display was held at the Palazzo Venezia where Cart and I saw the Botero display last year. We took the car and saw a number of people on scooters and cars waving the Italian flag.
Italy just won the match against the Czech republic and I heard air-horns, supporters being exhilarated. Since it was hard to get parking at the central area, Cartcart parked the car at the Trastevere Station and we took the metrobus to reach there.
Inside, there were already loads of people. I looked outside and remember some of the places that I passed by previously. Inside, I saw a two men in a verbal argument but I couldn’t catch what they said.
At length, we reached our stop
Me : Oh! I remember this place! This is the cat sanctuary! I see the cats down there
Cart : Yes, but I’m not going down there and then walk back up here again.
Me : At least there’s more shade here 😛
It was a really warm day that day, which was quite sudden, being that the previous days were relatively cool. It was as hot as Singapore, maybe even slightly warmer. The thermometer display next to a nearby pharmacy registered it to be about 34 – 36 degree celcius.
We had a pretty long walk. And my feet were starting to ache. The dr scholl jellies that were supposed to cushion my feet from the heels didn’t seem to work as it was supposed to.
At length, we reached the Palazzo and Cartcart went to get the tickets. He spoke in Italian to the lady at the counter. She shook her head and replied back to him in Italian and pointed to a direction. Cartcart then came up to me.
Cart: The display isn’t held here. It’s in another place.
Me : Which place is it? I could have sworn that it was in Palazzo Venezio
Cart : It’s at the Vittoriano, it’s easy to get these two mixed up 😛
More walking. We walked past the stronghold and then the vittorio emanuele monument and my feet was screaming out in pain. I was regretting that I was wearing heels but at length we were there! Complesso Del Vittoriano!
We entered the museum. One of the first thing we saw was a video display introducing Amedeo Modigliani. It was entirely in Italian! Luckily Cartcart was there to translate.
Modigliani was an Italian who was heavily influenced by his mother, he said. The family was rather eccentric. Modigliani moved to Paris where he was friends with Picasso, which was why some his paintings tended to be lopsided, I realised. He found that it was difficult to keep with a lifestyle in France and stayed in cheaper lodgings and lounged in coffee houses.
That was where he found women for his art subjects. It was there where he started to have his own unique style of drawing women with elongated necks. He met a girl, called Jeanne Hebuterne. They became partners. But in time, Modigliani suffered from tuberculosis and died. Upon hearing the news, Jeanne committed suicide by jumping out of the window with her baby along.
Shocking.
We then proceeded to walk around the gallery and viewed the artwork one by one. I saw how Modigliani started out with sketches and then sculptures to the paintings that he was known for. There were a few canvases that was painted on both sides. Cartcart explained that Modigliani was poor at the time, so he didn’t have enough money to buy more canvases.
I looked at Cartcart engrossed in the artwork. I was happy to see him admiring the paintings. He even remarked, “It’s amazing how he could get the colours so natural with his palette. The painting might look simple but trying to blend it, is a work of art”
The day happened to be the day when Cart’s sis, Paola wanted to celebrate her daughter’s birthday. We stopped by her house for a while and I met Paola, as well as Cart’s parents. We talked for a little bit and I showed her the cards I purchased at the museum.
“It looks like you!”, They remarked.
Cart’s mom found out that I was leaving soon and wished me goodbye and to have a safe flight the next day. I smiled and thanked her, that I was happy to have met her. Cart and I left, hand in hand as we waved our goodbyes.
But inside, I was really was sad to leave. How can I ever cope with this ache again? How can I go through the painful goodbyes again? I just can’t think of tomorrow. My heart will just break.
Thoughout my entire stay, Cartcart was so sweet to have cooked for me. Some of them include:
Arrabbiata
Grilled Bell peppers with Olive Oil and Parsley
Tomato Rice with potatoes and salad on the side
They were all lovely. In fact, he fed me so well, that I’m still rather bloated at this point of writing. In turn, I wanted to cook for him too. I tried to make Vermicelli Soup with the pack of dried vegetables that I packed along. Inside it contained dried shitake mushroom, dried lily buds, vermicelli and dried tofu which I soaked to make it softer.
I cut up some potatoes and finally eggs which I eventually combined with the soaked food in boiling water.
Me : Eh? Why is the water boiling like that? Why is there so much bubbles?
Cart : Its the type of water we have here. We’ve always had these type of water.
Me : This water is hard water!!!
Cart : Its good water! Full of calcium.
I try my best to scoop away the bubbly deposits. In the meanwhile Cartcart cooked some rice.
Me : Uh, Cartcart… why is the rice so thick? Are you making porridge?
Cart : Oh no. This is risotto. Doesnt your rice look like this?
Me : No. Our rice doesnt expand like that.
Cart : It must be that risotto contains more starch that makes it so.
Me : Ohh … Well, the dish is all done! Lets tuck in!
Cart : Smells good
I taste the soup with the risotto and makes a face
Cart : Whats wrong?
Me : Something’s missing
Cart : What?
Me : There’s no flavour! This is tasteless!
Cart : No! This is fine! Really!
Me : No its not! Yuck! I’m hopeless at cooking! I’m so ashamed! I conked up with such a simple dish! This is terrible!
Cart : Come on! See, I’m still eating it. Its not bad, really!
Me : I dont like it!!!
Cart : Ok, what can we do to improve this?
We stuffed the food in the fridge and the next day, Cartcart helped to buy some soup cubes. I beamed at him and proceeded to fix my concoction.
Me : Ready!
Digs in to the soup with the risotto
Me : Mmm! Much better!
Cart : Yes it is, but I’ll still eat whatever you cook 😛
—
We went for a walk in the park in the vicinity. I’ve been facinated with the relaxing, flowing fountains outside of Cart’s window. It was so tranquil to see children playing with their families and to see people just relaxing after a workday.
Me : Look dearest! A rosemary bush. Smells great! There’s one there too, and there and there!
Cart : Oh my gosh. So many
Me : Now we can cook baked potatoes 😛
—
Grocery shopping in the afternoon. I was facinated by the rows and rows of different cheeses. There were so many that the eyes can see. I’ve never seen so many varieties and make before.
Cartcart shows me some vegetables that I’ve never seen before.
Cart : Do you have this? (Holds up a Radicchio)
Me : No, never seen it before
Cart : How about this? (Points to orange zucchini flowers)
Me : No, thats not a common food here.
Cart : Banana?
Me : I know what a banana is!
Cart : I mean, for the banana pudding. Is that good?
Me : Oh. (sheepish) Yeah. I think so.
After the grocery shopping, we chanced upon Cartcart’s parents and they invited us up to their apartment. Cart’s mom showed me some old pictures of the family and I admired the beautiful family. (Cart’s mom was a hottie in her days!)
She then showed me a some dancing videos and proudly showed the trophies that they won. (Cart’s parents used to teach dancing)
Cart’s mom : We got 3rd place in the national dance competition
Me : Impressive! Do you still dance?
Cart’s mom : No, we only do it for fun now
Me : What kind of dance do you know?
Cart’s mom : Foxtrot, Cha cha, Paso Doble, Jive, Rhumba …
Me : Awesome … I’d like to know how you are able to balance yourself in such high heels
Cart’s mom : It takes practise, lots and loads of practise 😉
—
We went to Gianicolo in the evening afterwards and admired the view. Gianicolo was a higher point in Rome and it had the spectacular view of the different famous Roman monuments. I could see the vittorio emanuele monument from here. From the distance, I can even the Pantheon and the stronghold.
It was also a great make out place.
I noticed a few couples making out beside the lighthouse tower. At the same time, a tour bus arrived, full of American tourists. These people came pouring in and snapped pictures of the view like there were no tomorrow.
And yet ANOTHER tour bus arrived and our area was full of tourists (at 9pm?) I could imagine the other couples being disgusted at the disturbance. These people cuddling up with their partners and then suddenly multiple camera flash buzzes.
But why would anyone would use flash at night time? It doesnt illuminate the background and the picture will turn all washed out. It reminded me of what Satoko said about Japanese tourists posing with peace sign at every single thing and it made me chuckle.
Some people do such funny things.
Back in Singapore again after a 14 hour flight ordeal.
Missing him a lot. Where did the time go? It feels like the days just passed by in a blink of an eye. A wonderful week with my dearest and now I’m back here again. It’s quite heart aching actually, sometimes.
I spent a most lazy vacation, doing nothing but lounging around the house doing housework and meals, and the occasional dinner and passeggiata. I was even too lazy to take much pictures. Not complaining though, getting a break from work and studies was a total breather.
And the meet with Cartcart’s parents? I think it went fine.
They invited us for dinner on wednesday. Throughout the day, I asked Cartcart, “Do we bring gifts? How do I greet them? What are the correct things that I should do?”
I spent a while thinking of what to wear before finally deciding to stick to the feminine and demure pink knit top and skirt that I was already wearing.
By the time I was done blogging, we were in a rush already! We were supposed to be there at 7.30 pm and we only left home at 7p m. Cart told me that it was considered rude to turn up exactly on time as it was perceived that the guest was only interested in eating.
I didn’t know that! Ack!
At length, we finally reached the place. Cartcart quipped, Relax! Sometimes I’m always late anyway, We take it for granted since we are family 😛
He pressed the buzzer, the gate opened and I stepped in and a rather large apartment. There were a few people already at the door saying hello.
I muttered in confusion, Buona Sera, Buona Sera.
Cartcart introduced me to his sister, Paola, her assistant, and finally his mom and dad. I shook hands with them and smiled but I was rather flustered as I couldn’t speak the language so well. It was way over what I could handle.
Nevertheless, they were really nice and friendly. Since I wasn’t fluent in Italian and the rest of the family wasn’t fluent in English, Cart had to be the translator, bridging me and the rest of the family. Poor Cartcart, having to talk non-stop like that. 😛
Cart’s dad invited us down to the garden for an aperitif while he talked about the fruit trees that he had taken cared of. Paola’s children came down to play and I was amazed at how extremely cheerful the family was. Everyone was smiling and clapping and saying words of encouragement to the children even at the smallest accomplishment. It looked very very loving.
It was quite different to the more reserved Asian household that I was used to.
In time, we had dinner and I looked and marveled to myself that I’m actually having authentic home cooked Italian pasta. Paola made tomato based pasta with olives, capers and a large prawn. It looked more like a small crayfish actually.
After which we were served with a large plate with at least 6 different cheeses. By then, I was already rather full as Italian portions are rather large. But I wanted to try the cheeses anyway. The sweet Cartcart carved some for me and I tried a few. There was one in particular cheese which I was fond of – the delicate sweet milk cream cheese which tasted very refreshing with honey.
Paola’s daughter was gregarious but appeared shy when she was near me. Cartcart explained that she was fascinated by Sandokan, a popular Italian TV series about a Malay pirate. And me being a Malay, she was expecting me to arrive with a kris and give a fighting display. Which was quite funny as I’ve never heard about this ‘Sandokan‘ before being explained about it.
Cart’s mom and dad had a chat with me over dessert while the children were sent to bed. It was already approaching 9.30 pm. Interestingly, it was still bright at 8.30 pm.They asked questions about Singapore, the nice sights to see around here, how the country made their money, and the different types of people here.
I looked at Cart’s parent’s features and I can even see how he got his eyes from his mum and his nose from his dad. “He’s got my stubborness too!”, quipped Cart’s dad.
A while later, we thanked them for a wonderful dinner and said our goodbyes. It was the norm to make kissing sounds as you put your cheek left and right, close to theirs.
As I waved from out the window, I asked Cartcart.
Me: How did I do?
Cartcart : Well, I think that it went fine. If I dare say, I’m sure they think that you’re cute!
Me : Cute!? Grr …
The night seemed rather early. Cartcart decided to take me out to Piazza Navona. It was a lovely night as we walked down the cobblestones as I recognized the place were we visited last year. Though it was night time, there were still a throngful of people walking about and we stopped for a while to listen to a group of people singing acapella.
I then noticed a stand with a cartoonist drawing caricatures. Admiring his style, I persuaded Cartcart to have a caricature of us together. He was initially shy, but after much insistence on my part, finally agreed.
“Smile! Bigger! Smile again!”, directed the cartoonist as I gave out a grin and looked out at the statues and buildings around the Piazza.
Me : The place has changed a little bit
Cartcart : Really?
Me : Yes, I see renovations in some of the buildings.
By now, some people gathered by to see the cartoonist at work and there was this lady who was chuckling at something the cartoonist drew.
At length, the artist was done and we took a look at the completed picture.
I think the cartoonist did Cartcart really well. The facial features, the beard, the nose, the eyes. It doesn’t look like me however, save for maybe the hair.
We then walked to the Fontana Di Trevi. By then it was way past midnight and yet there were a number of people around. Most of them threw in coins and took pictures. There was one crazy enough to dip her legs in the fountain and posed for a picture. A couple even pushed another into the fontana and made themselves soaking wet. It wasn’t allowed though and soonafter a policeman was blowing his whistle and gave a glare.
I looked into my coin purse and to my horror only found 10 SG cent coins. It was something that couldn’t be helped. I threw three 10 cent coins in the fountain. And then sat down to hug and cuddle with Cartcart as we looked at the tranquil fountain.
It was a beautiful night. It was a moment that I didn’t want to last.
Its here again, the same feeling as I had last year – the wretched combination of butterflies in my tummy, nerve wrecked feeling and euphoric excitement all at the same time.
Tonight I fly, please wish me a safe journey
In mathematics, there is something which is called the ‘Probability Tree’ in which it measures what your chances and odds are in a situation.
If you dont do something, there will be a fair chance that something else will happen as a result.
—
Back in Jurong Institute, there was this boy which I was friends with. We both met as we were both from the science stream and would share the same lecture so eventually it would be inevitable that it would be that we stop for a while and talk about school matters.
I liked to go to class a little bit early to recollect my thoughts and to get ready for the day. One fine day, he joined me and accompanied me. From that point onwards, it became a daily routine. I’d meet him in class in the morning, and we’d talk about all sorts of things.
“Look at this assignment Mar, do you remember what Mr Cheong said?”
(Someone opens the grill windows)
“Argh! The sun’s shining on me. I cant see!”
“Aha! God’s shining on you! You’re the chosen one!”
“Hahaha! I’m the chosen one? Chosen for being a slave in class you mean”
I’ve always liked reading poetry. I dont know if he picked up on that, but there was a time when he’d bring a book of poetry for me to read. It was full of sad poetry but I remember being impressed because no one ever did something like that for me.
Then he started to wait for me after school to take me home which I thought was such a nice gesture. And I went back together in complete and full oblivion that maybe perhaps, he actually liked me.
But I didnt know about it. I wasnt aware. There was a time when he asked me to meet him at the library to pass him some malay language notes. It was so hillarious. I waited, saw him coming and said “Here’s the notes you wanted. Got to go now. Bye!”
It took me a couple of years later to actually understand that he was actually trying to ask a date from me! How naive and straight minded I was at the time. (But why cant some guys be more direct about things? If you wanted a date, say that you wanted a date, not say that you wanted some set of notes and then expect us to decipher what you are talking about)
But the routine carried on, we’d meet in class before school started, he waited for me at the bus stop, I guess by then, I took it for granted that I’d have someone to talk to and to confide to. I told him that I admired another guy from the arts class. He nodded his head in his usual quiet demenour and that was that.
My best friend Pam was having her birthday party and she invited her close friends. Her birthday coincided with my month so we decided to have a joint event. It seemed that he gave me complete attention during the occasion. He gave me a stuffed bunny (I still keep it for the good memories)
Suddenly Siva, my classmate blurted out.
Siva : Prove your devotion to Marina!
Him : Dont put fire to the oil.
It was then that I was jolted out of my oblivion. Devotion? Put fire to the oil? Whats going on? Is there a story that I wasnt aware of? What what what?
—
The end of the year, he left for Turkey for a vacation and when he came back he acted much much cooler than how he was to me before.
“Hi, how was your trip to Turkey?”
“It was alright”
“What did you see there?”
“Loads of stuff”
Slowly our friendship drifted apart as he went to do his own things and I continued with mine. I see alot of similarities in his character with my dearest. He was sweet, a gentleman, polite and very kind. Never once was he ever mean to me or said anything hurtful.
Sometimes I wonder alot what would happen if I had chosen the other path. If I had stayed a while longer with him instead of just handing him the pile of notes. To actually realise what he was trying to say to me. For us to actually be more than friends.
Will we be together? Will we eventually be married? Will I have kids with him? Will I be happy?
I’m not sure if he’d be reading this blog but if he was …
Dear Halim,
I still wonder how you are and what you are doing now. How are you? Thank you for the wonderful memories that you gave me. Thank you for being the kind and sweet person that you are and for the attention that you gave me. It really did made me feel special.
I’m sorry that I was such a blur-sotong at the time. Actually I did have a little inkling, but I was secretly hoping that you’d asked me anyways. It would have made it more concrete.
But we were young … But I still wonder about the different possibilities that could have been …
I’m sure by now you’ve probably have a wonderful lady friend to accompany you. Maybe you’re married and have kids now even. If so, congratulations! I’m happy for you. How is she treating you?
Here is my sincere hope that you’ve gotten what you’ve always aimed and achieved. Life is such a vast puzzle.
Fondly remembering you,
Marina
How shall I word this?
So much things to say, but I’m unsure of how to express it. So I’ll try to say, the best that I can.
Its valentines day today. A day to celebrate love. A special day with your loved one. I see couples walking hand in hand. The girl will be carrying roses, chocolates, soft toys, balloons or other various trinkets that her partner would present her.
I cant help but to feel a little wistful watching these couples. And I get a little envious. It isnt about the roses, the chocolates or balloons. I dont care about those much.
What these couples have, is the chance to meet up face to face and spend to time together. Holding hands together. Looking into each other’s eyes. Laughing together. Just sharing moments together.
I have a loved one, but he is thousands of kilometers away. I cant hold his hands. I cant see his smiles or hear his laughter. I cant look into his eyes or stroke his hair.
I miss him …
Long distance relationships is never easy. It starts out passionately, like an ignited matchstick. But like matchsticks, most of them dont last very long. Because in long distance relationships, it takes an immense amount of patience and strength which most people just dont have.
I really hope for that to never happen. I think that we’ve got something really good between the two of us. Beautiful memories spent together. But this distance, this intermission can really drive me crazy.
Sometimes I think about the different ways that this relationship will not work. Differences in culture, the sheer distance, our diverge interests. And that makes me think to myself, why carry on this relationship, when its chances of working out does not look good. Maybe we should just save ourselves from grief and just say goodbye.
But if we say goodbye, that would mean to throw away all our hopes away. And if we say goodbye, we will have regret of what to be. Is it worth giving up?
A wise friend said,”i prefer taking risks than feeling buried alive in a pointless existence”
All I have now is hope of the wonderful things to look forward to.
And I look forward to spending days together with you. I love you. You are my sun and the king of my heart. I feel so deep for you.
Will you still have me in years to come? Will you still love me?
Please love me … I fear that I might forget …
Un milione di baci per te amore mio 🙂
18th December! Happy anniversary my dearest 🙂 And heres to wishing to many many more to come 🙂
Back in Jurong Institute, we’d always tease each other about getting married.
1999 Hema : I’ll never get married! I can’t stand relationships! Boys are horrible!
1999 Marina : Don’t say things like that, those who say that they won’t get married, are usually the first to do so.
1999 Juli : We’ll see who’ll get married first.
1999 Marina : The first person to get married, will buy each of us dinner
ON!
And then Hizam’s wedding came up.
Hizam was our classmate in Jurong Institute and one of the first person to get married. The teasings started.
“When is it going to be YOUR turn”
2003 Hema : I don’t know, but I just started seeing this guy and he’s seems very serious about me
Jump over to February 2005
Hema : Ladies, I’ve got news for you. Chan and I, are going to get married! I’m so excited!
Juli and me : Oh my goodness! We’re so happy for you!
I had a lovely evening yesterday night at Hema and Chan’s ROM reception. Juli and me met up and went to Chandni restaurant at the Golden Landmark hotel where the reception was held. We arrived a little late as we were trying to find a suitable gift for the couple.
About 30 mins late but we reached just in time to see the couple signing the papers.
Hema looked so beautiful and lovely and stunning and Chan looked so happy. It was so amazing to see, friends, good friends, growing up from a studious classmate to a beautiful lady.
Met up with a few other classmates, Vai, Hizam and his wife, Maya as well as Shifaa was there and had a lovely time catching up with them.
“What are you doing now?”
“How are you?”
“When’s your turn?”
From left to right : Juli, Vai, Hizam, Maya and Shifaa
We teased, and joked with each other and I couldn’t help thinking how far we’ve progressed since school days and how we’ve matured.
Vai was talking about his trip to South Africa, going there alone. Hizam was talking about his daughter, saying how the ladies of the house demanded alot of his attention and how Shifaa was talking about her experience as a teacher in a special school.
I can’t imagine this conversation happening back in school. It was more juvenile, more carefree.
We had lovely buffet dinner.
As always, I wanted to try everything. So, as usual, I took just a little bit of everything. My plate always looked heaped at the end of the table.
Delicious.
A slice of the wedding cake
The DJ made us play some silly games. Like who has the biggest tummy contest. Poor Hizam got sabotaged and got prodded by the groom who was the judge for the contest.
Support from the sympathetic wife
And the best sari contest
Feeling so out of place
Dancing contest
It was a lovely night. Good friends. Who could ask for more.
I’m so happy for you, dear Hema Sayang 🙂 May you and Chan travel many many journeys together.
Carrie : Oh wow.
Aleksandr : What?
Carrie : That is some strong coffee. Oh. Well, no wonder you work all night.
Aleksandr : Thats the way I like it.
Carrie : I could need a little milk in this.
Aleksandr : Then its not espresso. Milk will ruin it. Keep sipping it. You’ll see.
Carrie : I need to talk to you about something
Aleksandr : Yes?
Carrie : You know the other day, when I was talking about my friend?
Aleksandr : The one with cancer.
Carrie : Her name is Samantha. I just felt like, you werent very sensitive about my feelings. I mentioned her and your first response was to tell me about your friend.
Aleksandr : Who died, yeah.
Carrie : Yes. See exactly.
Alexandr looks puzzled
Carrie : I’m sorry about your friend. But my friend, is going to be fine.
Aleksandr : Then my friend died.
Carrie : See! You’re doing it again.Not every one dies.
Aleksandr : Then they are lucky.
Carrie : Okay, I … Maybe I’m not being very clear.
Aleksandr : You’re being clear. You dont want your friend to die.
Carrie : Please stop saying die!
Aleksandr : But to be realistic, you must acknowledge this possibility, yes?
Carrie : No! They caught it early, its stage one. She’s having the cadillac of chemo. No! She is going to be fine. And your scaring me isnt helping.
Aleksandr : All I’m saying when my friend died …
Carrie : Hey! I dont know why, but you are not listening to me!
Aleksandr : You are not listening to ME!
Carrie : Are you kidding me? All I’ve said is, Please. Dont. Talk. About. Your. Friend. Who. Died.
Aleksandr : Her name is Sophie.
Carrie : I’m leaving
Aleksandr : What are you talking about? We’re having espresso!
Carrie : No! We’re not having espresso. WE are not listening!
Aleksandr : Sit down. Finish your coffee.
Carrie gulps the hot drink
Aleksandr : Its hot
Carrie grimaces and coughs
Carrie : I’m leaving. You know, I asked you, not to mention your friend. Now all I can think about, is your friend. And my friend, has nothing to do with your friend.
Aleksandr : I think you’re acting like a child.
Carrie : And I think you’re acting like an asshole.
Aleksandr : Maybe you should go right now.
Carrie : I’m already going!
—
Some weeks later
—
Aleksandr : I didn’t think I would hear from you
Carrie : I was upset. Now you know, I need you to not talk. So that I can say this without you confusing me. Samantha is my friend, she’s my family, my insides. She will be fine, because she has to be fine. That is how important she is to me. So, for you to say that she just might not be just … its feels very … hurtful. And really uncessesary.
Aleksandr : Let me explain. My friend who died.
Carrie : God!
Aleksandr : Wait. Wait. When she died. I was suprised. The amount of pain. I didnt want you to be surprised like I was.
Carrie : Well, you could have just said that
Aleksandr : We are different
Carrie : Yes we are. I need my relationship with a little bit of milk.
Aleksandr : Its clear who the writer is, huh? Your friend will be fine.
Carrie : Thank you. And I’m sorry about Sophie.
Aleksandr : Thank you.
