Rofus Presence

When night fell, Nikita and I were able to enjoy a few drinks while lying in the vast garden. We are outside her flat, lying on what appears to be carpet-like grass. Looking up at the moon, which will be full in a few more nights. We are not intoxicated. The amount of alcohol we drank was just right for our bodies to sleep well. We will have a normal class beginning tomorrow.

"What is your primary goal for your future self, Nikita?" out of the blue I ask her some random question.

I keep my gaze fixed on the moon in the sky.

"What do you mean, Amelia?"

"What I mean is, what would you like to be? Your chosen profession or dream job. Some of our classmates prefer to leave this place after graduation to pursue their dreams on the mainland. Some of them wanted to remain here and live a simple life. To start their own family and work for a reputable company. So, what about you? What are you planning to do, Nikita?"

"I have no idea. I am not sure yet." She shrugged her shoulders. I could tell Nikita was telling me the truth. "Maybe I will stay here, or maybe I will leave like everyone else."

I nod my head while listening to her. Her eyes conveyed uncertainty.

"I am still undecided about my future, Amelia."

She looked at me to see how I would react. I did not make any movements. I still had my eyes fixed on that starry sky.

"How about you, Amelia? Have you had any dreams? What are your plans for your life?"

"I am not sure either." I let out a laugh.

I am telling the truth. This came directly from my heart.

"Perhaps I was just following the flow of my fate. I had not considered staying or leaving this place yet. I am going to live in the moment now. I will not be concerned about my future self because I know that if I do well now, I will have a better future."

I am not sure why she is staring at me. She seems to have something to say to me. Perhaps she was caught off guard by my response to her.

"I did not say anything strange, Nikita. Why are you looking at me with that expression?"

There is nothing wrong with saying that I prefer to live my life in the present. I suppose.

"Nothing; I am just envious of you having such dreams. Unlike myself, I do not have any plans yet."

"Because you have got everything?" I turn to face her, only to be met with her unexpected gaze.

"Do you think I have everything?"

"Hmmn, everything Nikita."

"You are wrong, Amelia. I don't have any family members left beside me aside from Rofus."

Oh, right I knew nothing about her parents. According to her reaction, they are no longer alive. I pursed my lips and remained silent. She remained silent and let out a sigh.

"You know, Nikita, aside from getting my freedom from my mother, I do not know what else I can do with my life. "I felt empty right now."

Nikita made eye contact with me. She gave me a long look before a sincere smile appeared on her lips.

"Don't worry so much, my friend." She patted my head and whispered, "You will figure it out soon."

"Huh? "What are you talking about?"

Nikita stood up and shook the dirt stuck on her back, rather than responding to my question. I copied what she did. She rises to her feet. I am still curious as to what she means when she says I will figure out what I want in life soon. Is she some sort of fortune-teller? Can she see my future self? It would be fascinating if she possessed such abilities.

"Nikita, please wait up. Give me more information about my future. Will you be able to see me in a few years? Give me a response! I will not stop asking questions until I receive an answer."

"Get inside Amelia, the night is getting cold."

We had already completed our bedtime routine, but Nikita had not given me the correct answer. She remained silent as if she didn't hear me speak. I just frowned at her and made a face. Maybe if I did this she would be able to provide an answer. In the end, though, I was disappointed. She ignored all of my questions until it was time to sleep.

"Okay, Nikita, I will stop bothering you."

Nikita turned to face me and gave me a grin. I roll my eyes heavenwards. See? She could hear me perfectly but pretended not to. I am sure she is laughing hysterically as I behave.

"That is great to know. Let us get some sleep now because we have an early start tomorrow."

Nikita's apartment is only average in size. It has two rooms and I will occupy the other one. It also comes fully equipped with all of the necessary appliances for daily use. I don't have to worry anymore. She let me use a cabinet to store the few clothes I had taken from our house. Nikita also gave me some of her clothes, which she claimed she no longer wears. I did not refuse it. I just accepted it. They appeared to be brand new, hardly used, and clean.

"Thank you for letting me stay here, Nikita." I pouted my lips, trying to be cute in front of her. She glared at me as if giving me a warning.

"Stop your drama—go to bed now!" She pushed me out of her room when I attempted to enter.

"Alright! You don't have to push me!" I replied, a bit shocked at what her reaction was.

"Because we live under the same roof. You are not allowed to enter my room without permission. Do you get that, Amelia?"

"What? Why? We just slept together last night. What's wrong with—" she already closed the door which made me unable to finish my litany.

I didn't do anything other than go inside my future room. I lay on the bed while still thinking about her recent reaction. Is there something hidden in her room that I cannot see? What's that? I want to find out and learn about it!

The next morning I tried to wake up early, but no matter how early it was, Nikita was still ahead of me. When I woke up, our breakfast had already been prepared on the table. She was currently making her way to the bathroom to take a shower.

"Have you eaten already?"

"Yes."

"Why have not you waited for me?"

"When I woke up, you were still asleep. Eat your breakfast and get ready. We are leaving early."

"Okay, as if I can do anything about it."

A week passed as quickly as the days. I did not notice it because we were preoccupied with school activities and projects that needed to be completed on time. We only managed to catch our breath and remember that a week had passed when we arrived home on Friday night. On that day, we also ran into her cousin Rofus outside her apartment, who was carrying a paper bag of food that made Nikita smile.

"What are you doing here, Rofus?"

"I am just passing by. I brought you some food."

"Oh? Did we have a special occasion that I forgot?"

"Nothing."

Nikita invited him to enter the apartment. I didn't choose to listen to their conversation despite that I wanted to. I hurriedly passed them and went to my room. I don't like that Rofus might think I love to gossip about other people's lives which is not true. I stayed there for quite some time despite the fact that I had already changed my clothes and wanted to go out and see them.

"I plan to leave this room soon. Perhaps they have already finished discussing important topics."