Chapter 8: Chapter 7
"What do you mean?" I asked her as I looked at the message on her phone. We had been upgraded to VVIP tickets which means we get to meet them after the performance and we have backstage privileges .
"VVIP?" I said looking at TingTing with a shocked face. "I couldn't get the VVIP tickets because there are only three VVIP tickets and they were already sold out now because someone somehow caught someone's attention we managed to get VVIP tickets," TingTing said as she squealed in her seat. Did Jay upgrade our seats to see me again? Is that what he meant by see you again?
Of course after what happened I couldn't sleep all night, I keep tossing in my bed as I played out different scenarios in my head and seeking explanations most of all my heart was playing ping pong with me , it would best fast and then slow fast and then slow. Was that a medical issue? No because whenever I thought about that possibility my heart would beat fast and adrenaline would course out through out my body. Eventually the excitement died down and my body gave innto the exhaustion and I found myself asleep.
Classes had begun and it was overwhelming but exciting. On our first lessons we had to introduce ourselves and tell each other what our favourite hobbies and interests were and people could ask you a one question if they were interested in something you said. I got asked the most questions about the why's and the how's and the what's which wasn't bad at all, I loved how they were curious and asked questions that helped them know me better but what I didn't like was the staring I got as I walked around campus. It was overwhelming, how do celebrities survive with all the staring that went on as they did their things? I do know some do love the attention but like isn't there a point you reach where you just can't handle it anymore?
We were a week away from the performance (Mini concert) and TingTing and I were so excited, we went clothes shopping and even decided to buy them mini gifts of appreciation. Saejin was not that excited, she was excited that we were attending our first event together as friends but the rest of the things she wasn't in the least excited. She did help us choose the outfits since we would be wearing the same color scheme but the rest she backed away.
"First week of school and we already have assignments can this get any awful," TingTing complained as she entered my room, "The only assignment we got was to read our program objectives," I said as I paused the movie I was watching .
"I am jealous of you right now, i should just switch courses while I still have time."
"You will be openly welcome."
"Am I the only one who is bothered by Saejin coming late every night?As soon as her classes are over she leaves and comes back really late," TingTing said as she laid her head on my shoulder.
"I noticed too and she is always tired and she looks a teeny tiny bit awful. Should we ask her if there is something wrong?"
"I don't know, should we?"
"I am asking you and you are asking me?"
"I mean like should we really ask her. She did say she was fine," TingTing said, she was biting on her lip meaning she was worried and confused. "I don't know, let's see when she comes back and then we will ask her," I said and then we heard the main door opening. We looked at each other and quickly rushed to the hallway. Saejin was in her room packing some clothes in a small suitcase, " Are you leaving?" TingTing asked. Saejin looked at us for a brief moment then smiled and continued packing her clothes, we both stared at her in anticipation waiting for her to say something. "I am just going to visit someone for a few days , I will be back in a week," Saejin said as she closed her suitcase and packed her other things she would need like her textbooks, laptop and other stuff.
"Is everything okay Saejin...you look tired and-"
"Awful, I know . I am okay don't worry. It's just that I am doing something with my friend and it will take a bit longer so I decided to avoid the constant back and forth and just stay there for a while," Saejin explained.
"What about the concert?"
"I will be there, I will be here a day before."
Saejin left and TingTing and I just knew something was not right but we decided not to snoop around and just trust that she is okay. We hadn't known each other for that long that we would snoop around and invade her privacy.
One thing I feel like we should emphasize about moving abroad is FOOD!
I know some countries have really tasty food and all that but adjusting is really hard sometimes, I was so used to eating Pap but now finding maize meal to make Pap was difficult. My body was craving the usual food i am used to eating but it was getting the food that was available, the food wasn't bad but sometimes when the cravings got you they got you good and it feels like you will take the next flight back home to eat and then come back. I did some internet research and the African restaurants I found were mostly Western African restaurants, they served west African food which wasn't bad because it was something and the food was great.
TingTing took me to the mall and I tried this dish called Mala xiangguo and I fell in love, I also tried satay and it blew my mind. What I didn't like was the plain noodles because they have like vegetables, few of them and an egg, it was not bad but it wasn't something I would want to eat based on a craving. And a tip for you...Dondon donki, it's this Japanese shop that sells everything from food to skin care. It was really aesthetic and we got some nice things from the shop like these cool eggs that can be eaten raw, matcha salad dressing and steamed egg custard, there was so much more but I didn't want to overspend.
"Saejin said she won't be coming today something came up she said she will meet us at the event so I am going to send her clothes to her through courier since she left them thinking she will be back," TingTing said as she packed the clothes nicely along with the accessories and shoes.
"Okay, did she send the address. I have this discount promotion I got from the app maybe we can use mine and make use of it," I said getting my phone out.
"Sure the address is Namley Avenue and bukit timah road," TingTing said with a slight frown on her face.
"Bukit Timah? No wonder she is always exhausted, that is like an hour 30 minutes away,"TingTing said looking at me with a confused face. "I wonder who stays there?" TingTing added as she typed on her phone. I found a driver and sent the drivers details to Saejin. TingTing suddenly gasped.
"What?" I asked, looking up from my phone.
TingTing's eyes widened as she turned her screen toward me. "Namley Avenue… That's where they lives."
I blinked. "Who?"
TingTing swallowed hard. "Them."
My breath caught. DAIZY? The one with Jay the man who mysteriously upgraded our tickets? The same Jay who said he would see me again?
I quickly grabbed my phone and stared at the address Saejin had given. My heart pounded in my chest as a terrifying thought crept into my mind.
Was Saejin staying with them?