‘Ding – dong’ ‘Ding – dong’
The doorbell rang. Aurora stood up from all the mess in her 22nd floor studio in New York City, walking slowly over to get the door. It must be him, she thought.
It is him. The guy in her mind for two years ever since they met at the graduate school. He came to help her with packing. He also brought her some cash. “You are going to need money on the road.” He casually browsed her face.
“Thanks Alex.” She put a jacket on her tiring body, “shall we?”
“We shall.” He opened the door for her like a gentleman. They walked out of the door together like a couple. Like they have never broken up before.
They stopped by a Chinese restaurant downstairs her apartment. This Chinese restaurant serves the best spicy chicken in town. Spicy chicken is the code between her and him. They always had spicy chicken to celebrate special events when they were in graduate school. Spring prom, final exam, etc..
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“So – what’s going on? How come you are moving in such a rush? Have you told anybody yet?”
Questions come straight to her face. She hesitated – am I supposed to answer those? I mean, I do still like him. And I will probably always like him. But he isn’t my boyfriend anymore.
Thought for about two minutes, she opened her book still – you just can’t say no to someone you care about so much. “It’s my visa. I didn’t obtain the lottery visa for my work. I can no longer work for my last company. I would have to change my job.”
“Would your new employer help with your visa? Are you going to be fine in the South? You have never been there before!”
“Whether I can adapt to the life there or not – It is what is happening, and I have to accept the fact –”
“What ifs we get married?! Would you still have to leave?” Alex interrupted, with no patience.
“Don’t be dumb. You don’t want to marry someone just for the visa reason.” Aurora answered without hesitance, “you want to marry for love.” Aurora knows that he doesn’t love her. No matter how much he shows he cares about her. It is not love. It is merely empathy. And She doesn’t need empathy. She sensed that when they were dating in the graduate school. It was epic. But school love can only stay in the school. We all know that. “Just let me leave. Let’s have one last good meal together. Let’s enjoy the chicken.”