Prove it

The day went by so quickly. The people in the accounting department, including Sara, could be seen tidying up their belongings and bid their goodbye as they exited the administration building.

She trudged her way to the Bonington Hall, too exhausted to fully enjoy the beautiful nature spread in front of her. The thoughts of unpacking her luggage drained her energy physically and mentally. She did not look forward to coming home. "If only I could just wiggle my nose like Sabrina or flick my finger as Matilda did, life would be so much better."

The yellow motion sensor lights flickered, welcoming her as she entered her flat. "I guess I'll be having the flat to myself tonight then," she thought happily. She took off her shoes and started to make herself comfortable - by unhooking and taking off her bra.

She walked towards her room, twirling her bra as she pleased. "This could be my first and last time to be able to do this before people started moving in." She conveniently went through her luggage to unearth her toiletries and nightdress.

"Hey, girlfriend! I don't remember having a roommate…?" Sara heard a deep and hoarse voice from her back.

Sara screamed in panic, crossing her arms to cover her chest as though she was naked and at the same time looking for the bra she just tossed about.

"What are YOU doing in my room? Who are you? When did you get in?" she asked.

"Actually YOU entered MY room, flatmate – or are we roommates? Unless there are new changes I am not aware of?" he said rather calmly, picking up and returning Sara the bra that was on his leg as he brushed his curly bang to the side.

She stared in disbelief; her eyes quickly surveyed the room and at the same time trying to recall whether there was any sign of people staying in the room before this. Her stance was defensive, ready to attack with whatever her hands could reach from her luggage.

"Look, calm down alright? I was here first. I have been staying in this room for months."

"Prove it!" was all she said.

The brawny person stood and walked slowly towards the desk and grabbed his dark brown wallet. He fished a rectangular card and handed out to Sara. Sara nervously took the item and inspected it. The ID confirmed he was indeed the same person in front of her with the name Bryce and based on the ID number, he had been working two years earlier than she did.

Sara was still not satisfied. "Other than proving yourself as you claimed, this does not mean you have been staying here for…" Her voice trailed as Bryce walked towards the wardrobe and showed his personal belongings in one of the bottom shelves.

"No, I remember seeing it empty this morning. You could have put it there while I was out."

Bryce rolled his eyes and sighed deeply. "Look, there is no other way to do this but let's get out of this room first." He gestured his hands towards the door while grabbing his keys and headed out.

Sara initially wanted to lock him out but then if they were flatmates, she would not want to have any bad blood between them. She did say she wanted to get along well with her flatmates. She dismissed the negative thought and tried to give Bryce the benefit of the doubt.

Just before she made her way to the door, Bryce pressed the button on the doorknob in and locked her inside while he himself stood on the opposite side of the door.

Sara mumbled the absurdity of the situation as she tried to make an effort to confront the weird man.

The sound of keys jangling on the other side of the door, finding its way into the keyhole can be heard. Then a pop!

"See, that's my key unlocking this door. I'm the rightful owner of this room!" he sneered.

Sara tapped her pocket to look for her bunch of keys, trying so hard to prove that the one in his hands was hers. But deep down she knew he was telling the truth. Unfortunately, hers was on the floor and it would be a silly move to insist that she was right. She immediately admitted her mistakes and apologised.

"I'm sorry. I just thought we could simply pick our own room like we did when we were students," was all Sara could say.

"Don't think too much of it. I can help you find your room if you want to. There are just two more doors to be checked anyway," Bryce said humorously. Clearly, he was only trying to break away the awkwardness. But as usual, the ever-paranoid Sara flushed of embarrassment instead.

Together they moved Sara luggage to her new room. Bryce playfully mentioned that all the rooms are the same if ever Sara felt too attached to his room.

Bryce then explained that he has been staying in the flat for about eight months already. He was originally located in a different flat before this, though he never explained why he moved. Sara just assumed Bryce wanted a new environment.

"But even so, why does the place feel so empty?"

"Well, do I look like I'm the type to prettify the whole flat by myself?"

Sara giggled hearing his response.

"Anyway, please make yourself comfortable. Make yourself at home as this will be our new home now. I have to go and get ready. I normally work at night, you see. Although I think now I need to change it since you are starting to live here."