After thanking Lauren again and giving her a brief hug, I quickly made my way out of the mansion. The sun would be setting soon, and I wanted to take a stroll in the city for a while to take some photos for what I needed to do next. Although I wasn’t absolutely sure what Dina was up to, I had a very good guess.
The city center felt even busier that early evening when I arrived than I remembered the last time that I was there. It seemed like a few more shopping malls had popped up and some new skyscrapers that were under construction the last time that I was there had opened up as well. As usual, the crowd was a good mix of people ranging from couples, university and high school students and regular working adults. I used to come here with my sister all the time to hang out after high school or whenever we were allowed or had the time.
After finding a good spot in front of one of the shopping malls that my sister and I liked to frequent, I took out my mobile phone and snapped a few selfies of myself. I almost bumped into a man that was walking by while I was too focused on posting my selfies onto my social media account.
‘I’m here now. You better come find me...’
That was what I thought in my head when I pressed the button to post my photos. Dina must have known that just like all those times when she disappeared that she would owe me something or at least an explanation. If I couldn’t find her, then the best that I could do was tell her that I was now back in the country so that she would get in touch with me and find me.
She better find me...
...
“I would like to check in please...” I told the receptionist at the hotel lobby.
“Please wait a moment,” she replied with a polite smile.
While waiting for her to settle the documentation and room security deposit, I took out my phone and took a short video of myself while making sure to showcase a good view of the hotel lobby before posting it on social media. If Dina is watching, she’ll know exactly where to find me.
“This is the keycard to your room. The Wi-Fi login username and password can be found here...” the receptionist informed me professionally.
The rest of her instructions drowned out in the background as I focused my eyes on my phone. Usually, Dina would call me but since she hasn’t done that, she must be scared of someone tapping her phone or tracking her based on her phone signal. I shrugged while thinking that she could easily call me from another number if she wanted to.
Is that it? Has the hunt for her become that bad?
Dina should be very good and experienced at these kinds of things and I shouldn’t have to worry in her place.
“Umm...thanks,” I thanked the young lady politely before heading to my hotel room.
The hotel room was a standard and modest one, but I liked its modern touch, plus the online reviews did say that this hotel was clean and had good and friendly staff. After taking a quick warm shower and washing my hair, I emerged from the bathroom with a white robe wrapped around my body and my hair still dripping wet. It was quite disappointing that my phone had not rung even once even though I had turned off its silent mode.
When is Dina going to give me a call?
I flopped myself down onto the bed before reaching out to grab the hair dryer. That was when my phone started ringing and vibrating on the same table right next to the hair dryer. My outstretched hand suddenly changed its destination as I hurriedly grabbed my phone. Just as I had anticipated, there was an unrecognized foreign number displayed on my phone screen.
“Dina...” I said in a low voice as the line connected.
“Well...someone surely sounds furious...” Dina’s sweet and familiar teasing voice replied through the phone before she let out a giggle.
My eyes narrowed at her seemingly carefree attitude. I knew that I shouldn’t feel at all surprised but that didn’t stop me from feeling irritated at how happy she seemed while I was suffering again while cleaning up after the mess that she had caused.
“Where are you right now?” I asked.
“Does that even matter? Welcome back to town,” my sister replied.
“Where did you run off to this time? Where are you and who are you with? Actually, it doesn’t matter anymore, just come back home,” I told her hurriedly.
“I’m really sorry, Leya, but I really can’t go back this time,” she said while sounding truly apologetic.
“Why? Listen to me, what you’re going through is just another illusion. It will pass and you will come home just like all the times before,” I said before letting out a sigh.
“Nope. This time it’s different. You probably don’t understand but he’s really my true love,” Dina argued stubbornly.
I had no idea how many times Dina had spoken about ‘true love’ to me over the years.
“Let me get this straight and you can tell me if my speculation is correct. You met a good-looking man who came to work at the mansion as a driver. Someway somehow, you ended up sleeping with him and now you’ve eloped with him. Am I right?” I asked although I already knew the answer well enough.
“Pretty much except you missed the fact that I felt in love with him at first sight...” she replied casually.
“Sis, how many times have you fallen in love at first sight?” I asked before pressing my lips into a tight thin line.
“Umm...a couple of times?” she replied in a high pitch voice.
“A little more than over ten times...” I corrected her slowly and clearly.
“Hmm? That many times? Are you sure?” she asked before giggling again.
--To be continued...