Welcome to Drifida (1)

Chapter 5: Welcome to Drifida (1)

I found myself on a bus headed toward Drifida, I woke up at the crack of dawn to catch the only bus that traveled to the town. Surprisingly, the bus wasn't crowded at all, Did I board the right bus?

The city lights gradually disappeared from my view, it was slowly replaced by gigantic trees and thick green forests that seemed to stretch endlessly toward the horizon. It was already ten o'clock in the morning, yet the sun remained hidden behind a thick layer of white clouds. The weather in Drifida was different from the sunny city I was accustomed to, It was cloudy but it doesn't look like it will rain anytime. It also doesn't look like the sun will show itself anytime because of the thickness of the cloud.

It's very cold and warm at the same time. It is the perfect wheater for a good read. And I am not used to it. I'm more used to the hotness of the city, the chaos that it brings to everyone.

The bus journey was smooth, with a scarcity of cars on the road and an unnerving silence among the passengers. The absence of honking horns and the bustling city noise left me feeling weird. I was accustomed to the constant beeping and impatient drivers back in the city, but here, everything was strangely serene and silent.

How will I ever get used to this?

After a few minutes, we arrived in Drifida.

I stepped off the bus and glanced around at the old-looking buildings and houses that welcomed me. Even the trees seemed to have aged a hundred years! Though to my surprise, a few modern buildings managed to stand tall, reaching up to the tenth floor. I had expected everything in Drifida to have an old-fashioned charm.

I guess modernism reached every corner of the world.

The bus had stopped at the first stop, as Megan had reminded me countless times, I can't even remember how many times. That I should get out of the bus at the first stop or I'll end up lost in the forest. Which I think is a bit of an exaggeration. Who would walk in the forest once they get out of the bus? And will the bus even stop at the forest? Certainly not me.

She had mentioned that we would meet at Café Drifida, a famous café in the town. I can't help that ny jaw dropped as I approached the café, the architecture had an old charm that made it stand out from the neighboring shops. The four-story building housed the café on the ground floor, while a small flower shop next door displayed the freshest and most vibrant flowers I had ever seen.

The sight of those flowers put the city's fake flowers to shame.

Before even entering the café, the aroma of coffee mixed with the fragrant scent of the flowers entered my senses. It was a blend that surely contributed to the café's popularity.

I could even go here just to smell it.

Once inside, I felt as though I had stepped into the pages of a magazine. The café's color scheme consisted of white, brown, and green, with wooden finishes that made everythings so Drifida. Classical music softly played through the speakers, making the atmosphere cozy and welcoming.

Books, cushions, pillows and many more are not perfectly arranged. The cups are different from each other. The books scattered all over the place. The sits with cushions. This is a dream cafe.

Despite its popularity, the café wasn't overcrowded. Some customers were engrossed in their laptops and tablets, while others are reading books or gazing out the window while savoring their hot coffee. Hot coffee is the perfect drink in this atmosphere. Whoever orders cold is crazy.

I scanned the room, searching for Megan, who said that she would be waiting for me there.

Feeling slightly self-conscious, I attempted to lift my heavy suitcase. The ancient wheels squeaked loudly and I reddened from embarrassment. I had borrowed the old suitcase from my aunt and hoped it would survive the journey, it did survived but I probably won't.

Megan sat at a corner table beside the counter, dressed in a suit while sipping her coffee. Her brow was furrowed as she stared intently at her tablet screen.

"Hey," I whispered as I settled into the seat opposite Megan, finally catching her attention.

"You're here!" Megan exclaimed, speaking in a combination of excitement and a hushed tone.

"I missed you!" I tried to suppress my squeal, not wanting to disrupt the café's silence.

She looks so much better and she looks so much nicer here. The scowl that she always wear in the city—which I thought would be permanent in her face, is not replaced by a relaxed face.

We embraced each other before taking our seats.

"It's quite cold here. You didn't warn me about the weather," I grumbled, rubbing my hands over my exposed shoulders.

"I completely forgot about that," Megan admitted, shrugging her shoulders. "But don't worry, it does get sunny here occasionally, like twice a week."

I sighed, realizing I had packed more suitable clothes for a warmer climate than for a colder one. "Well, I guess I'll have to make do with what I have."

And go shopping once I have my pay.

"Speaking of which, where am I going to stay? I've got all these bags with me." I gestured at my dying luggage.

Megan grimaced at the sight of my worn-out suitcase and bulky camping bag. "You should have told me your suitcase was an ancient relic. Where did you even dug that? I could have asked Mom to lend you a newer one."

"It's just a luggage, and since you already got me the job, I don't want to disturb you with this simple problem." I replied.

Megan let out a sigh. "I just hope your luggage holds up throughout your stay here."

~~◇◇◇~~

As we walked along the old streets of Drifida, I struggled to lift my heavy suitcase while Megan carried my large camping bag. Megan explained that she didn't have access to a car, and public transportation was scarce, so we had to go to the dorms on foot.

Fortunately, the company had provided accommodation for its employees, which Megan referred to as a "dorm," although it resembled more of an apartment complex. It was a sizable five-story building that housed employees who lived far from their homes. I was grateful for the company, I won't have to find a place in an unknown town and of course, free rent.

"Are we almost there? My feet are killing me, and I'm exhausted," I complained, trying to keep up with Megan's pace.

"Do you see that building across the road?" Megan pointed to a massive structure on the other side. "That's it."

The building is large, it is more like an upscale apartment complex rather than a typical dormitory. Just how rich the company must be to provide such accommodation for its employees? Behind the building, I noticed the dense forest, it probably is a thing in Drifida.

Why would such a prominent and influential company choose to establish itself in the heart of a small town like Drifida? With lots of forest at that.