A fulfilled person
Chapter 20 A Fulfilled PersonText property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
TANIA’S APARTMENT, NEW YORK. With a delightful tune on her tongue, Tania strolled into the room, giggling multiple times. Nina looked up from the sweater she was crocheting. “What’s going on? Why do you look so happy?” She asked. Tania exhaled like a fulfilled person and handed her an envelope. “Take a look at the content.” Nina raised a brow as she received it. Reading through it quickly, she gasped. “Oh, my goodness! Tania, this is such good news. Brooklyn College? That’s a big deal.” She squealed, clapping her hands. “This is my lifelong dream, Nina. I will finally study art history and learn as much as I want. And this is all thanks to you.” “Me? What did I do?” “You noticed my excitement whenever there’s a new art piece in the house. You made it a duty to always seek my thoughts on any new art piece that caught your interest and even praised me, saying I would make a good curator. So, I got more curious and started reading. I got my GED and then applied for college. So here we are. I wonder how you never remember those little things.” Nina smiled lightly. “Because I was just being sincere with my compliments. I noticed and felt it would be best to let you know. I am glad you took the initiative, Tania. It is never too late to become whatever you choose to be. We should celebrate.” “Yes, it’s a double celebration. With you starting work next week, I am so proud of us.” “So, where should we eat? I am on a budget. Would like if the place is a bit reasonable with their prices.” Tania cackled. “Why are you explaining yourself to me, Nina? I am cool with wherever we eat as long as we have ourselves. I would have loved to splurge for just this night, but I have to save every dime I have got.” “Oh, no! The mood is beginning to switch. We do not need that soreness around as it stands. Let’s be merry instead. Come on, go change, and then we head out.” Nina said, trying to brighten the mood. She grinned. “Let’s go then.” An excellent restaurant a few blocks away from them was where they eventually chose to eat. After making their order, they settled to eat, making small talk. “Andrea is losing her damn mind,” Tania mumbled, casually chewing on her fries. Nina seemed to have lost interest the minute Tania mentioned the name. “What is it this time?” “She had the police over at the grocery store to get you arrested for assaulting her.” She paused abruptly with her chewing. “What? But I didn’t do anything like that. Why am I just getting to know now?” “You have had enough from that witch already. Samson thought it would be too disturbing for you, so he just told me. You don’t have to worry about anything. Samson taught her a lesson when he showed the police the CCTV footage. I wish I had seen her face that day. It must have been quite demeaning for her. Such a crazy bitch. How did you even become friends with her?” Nina let out a shaky breath. The mention of Andrea every time makes her heart race. “We had a class together. I aced our semester test, and the professor felt happy about it. He announced it to the class, and suddenly, everyone became more polite towards me. Not as if I was in anyone’s face before. I was practically invisible. However, it did feel nice to have people regard me and ask me questions that perplexed them.” She picked up her fork absentmindedly, digging into the plate. “The day I met closely with Andrea was at the pastry shop close to the college where I worked, and she offered to buy me some croissants and doughnuts for my lunch break. I was surprised at her kindness because I had never been approached like that by anyone. Just like that, her visits became frequent. I helped her with her studies, and we became inseparable. When we got to our sophomore year, we were already living together in an apartment fully furnished and paid for by her father. I wore her clothes, and she was always there for me that I never thought of being alone again.” “My goodness! One would have thought she was a saint. Only to find out that she wants a puppet.” Tania hissed. “Do you not have any family at all?” Nina snorted. “I am an orphan. The only home I have truly known my entire life is the one I thought I was building with my husband. Turns out I was only fooling myself.” She patted her outstretched hand. “You need never to think less of yourself. Remember that these kinds of people aren’t even worth your sweat. But I am worried, though.” “About what?” “Leaving you behind. Your belly is growing day by day. You will need all the support you can get. I am worried that you will be all alone by yourself.” “Come on. It can’t be that bad. I am not handicapped, and I can take care of myself.” “I never said you can’t. I am just admitting to being worried.” “When are you set to leave?” “In a month. Just about enough to prepare myself and resign from the godforsaken job of mine.” Nina chuckled softly. “We have enough time to spend together before you leave. I will pay the utility bills as soon as I get my monthly check. So do not worry.” Tania rolled her eyes playfully. “You think I am worried about that? The apartment is all yours to use. Just as long as you take good care of yourself. Then there would be nothing to worry about.” “Trust me. I will be fine.” She reassured. “I believe you. Not to forget that I will make sure to call you at every chance I get and maybe when you do get a car. You will drive by my school to say hello.” “I definitely would take you up on that,” Nina said. Her phone rang, calling her attention. Nina’s face relaxed as she saw the caller’s ID. “I need to take this.” She whispered, answering the call. Tania had an amused look on her face. “Take all the time in the world, baby. It’s all yours.” She giggled at her joke while munching on her food.