Once Upon a Future

    “Hello? Can you hear me?” her voice resonates again throughout the kitchen. Awakened from my daydream, I hastily picked up my cup of dalgona coffee and went straight to my laptop. With a click on the screen, I unmuted myself to continue our conversation. The one that got interrupted because apparently both of us had to get ourselves a drink with all the ’tea’ we’re spilling.

“Yeah, I can hear you. Loud and clear,” I replied, as I make a quick ‘OK’ sign with my thumb and index finger. A habit I picked up from all the emojis I’ve been using. “So, what were we talking about again?”

“Right, so we were on the topic of the virus.”

    “Ah yes, the virus.” I said, as I dramatically took a sip from my cup noticing that she also did the same. We both chuckled out of amusement. “Who would’ve thought it’ll last this long, huh?”

    “Totally! Like at first it was just six months, and then it went on for another six – and then it went on for another year! We missed our graduation because of it too!” The frustration on her face was evident when she said this, with her hands holding the sides of her head.

“The way I’ve dreamt to have graduation pictures with friends and having a getaway afterwards to celebrate..”

“Poof!” we said in unison.

“Gone in a flash.” I continued.

“Never to seen again.” She replied, with a small nod. “Glad that at least we had a job during the pandemic, though.”

“Ah, true. I’ve read stories of people losing theirs, alright.”

“Tons of them.” She emphasized.

“Tons.” I sighed. “It somehow created this divide of essential and non-essential jobs for some reason, and it’s kind of sad because back then, everyone had a place to do what they can do, and now it’s just.. gone.”

“Right? And as much as we can’t be choosy with our jobs back before then, it’s even harder now that only these ‘essential’ jobs are seen as valuable and everything else is just..”

“It kills off dreams. For some people, at least.”

“Like yours?” she said softly. I let out a helpless laugh.

“Sort of.”  I took a glance to the painting I had adorned my kitchen wall with, wondering.  Wondering if I would ever be able to make a living with something like that. “So here’s to hoping it ends soon, you know. Whenever that’ll be.”

“Yeah, whenever that’ll be.” Both of us fell into silence, deep in thought. This is probably the umpteenth time we spoke about the same topic, but yet we still do it. That was how deep the thought had engraved itself in our minds.

“Oh, by the way – are you joining the ComUnity tonight?” I spoke, with a hint of excitement in my voice.

“I think so! A lot of our friends are going online today, so I was thinking of joining in too. ”

“Yay! That sounds great! I’ve wanted to play a bunch of party games with you for the longest time!” My exclamation was followed with joyous laughter.

“Well, at first I was a bit reluctant – it’s pretty scary to be in an online community with strangers after all.” She laughed. “But then again, I could just play among friends, so there’s really nothing to worry about.”

“Yep, exactly! It’s really nice that the platform is available for free, huh?”

“Yeah. At least I’d be able to virtually meet my friends and catch up since we’re not able to talk face-to-face.”

“True.” I nodded. “It really makes up for the lack of interaction we’re having nowadays.”

“Right?” She nodded in agreement. She then glanced at the wall clock and let out a gasp.  “Oh wait, sorry I think I’ve got to go. I have to start preparing for dinner.”

“Oh, okay sure.” I replied. ”I’ll see you at 11 then? ”

“11 it is.” She raised her thumbs up. “See you then!”

“Alright, see you!” I waved her goodbye and hover my cursor to the end call button. I made a mental note to remind myself of tonight’s meet up, and with a click of the mouse, the conversation ended.

Photo credits : Tomasz Frankowski on Unsplash