As they were walking through the airport, there was only silence between the two. But, for the first time in a while, Romy didn't think it was awkward. With Emily, silence didn't seem to matter, it wasn't awkward anymore, it felt good. It felt okay. Good company makes that happen, Romy said to herself, reassuring her second thoughts. Emily was good company. And Romy felt at ease, even if she still didn't know at least 10 things about her. She was glad to be with her. To not be alone, and to not feel lonely.
Romy didn’t even have time to answer when another announcement made its way through the speakers in the overcrowded airport in Vancouver.
"Passengers from the flight Air Canada 304, your attention please, a specific carousel has been facilitated for you to claim and pick up your registered luggage. We are sorry for the inconveniences, but weather is just one of those things you can't control. Thank you for your understanding."
- We really should get going, I hate it when everyone just stands in front of you while you are waiting for your bags. Emily said, annoyed.
Romy, what are you doing? She thought to herself. She found herself hesitating as they made their way out through all the other disappointed passengers. It seemed like everyone was just flying home for the holidays. And , suddenly, Romy felt as overwhelmed as before. The least thing she wanted was to be alone, because being alone most of the time only leads to feeling lonely, and that's the least thing she wanted. Emily was right there, after all, offering company and, in a way or another, she just seemed like the perfect travel buddy.
Romy didn't know why she was so reluctant to just say yes to everything Emily suggested. She was shy, of course, but this was also the first time she felt this intimidated by someone else. She was scared of what could happen. A lot can happen when you get to be so close to someone and for such a long time. Romy figured the snow storm wouldn't just disappear in a day, so of course they would be stuck in a hotel room for more than expected. Who on earth decides to be the roommate of someone they just met? Sleeping in the same room with a stranger? Showering in the same room with a stranger? She felt vulnerable. But she didn’t hate the idea either. She figured this would make a great story you tell when you are getting wasted with your friends, something like “I got to share a room with a stranger due to a snow storm, how cliché is that?” Didn’t that happen in movies and in movies only? Fanfics , too, but in real life?
- What does your bag look like? Emily asked, forcing Romy to come back into reality and leave her thoughts for a minute.
- You mean like literally all the bags out there?. We need something more specific, no?
- What now? That 's new ha ha.
- My mum painted them for me, and it's turned out perfectly useful as you'll see. Romy said, playfully. “It just stands out , ok?”
- I bet it does… Emily said, giggling.
- What does your bag look like then? Romy said, ready to make fun of hers too.
- Oh, I just have this. Emily said, pointing at her back, where she carried her one and only Herschel backpack.
- You travel light , huh?
- Something like that ha ha.
Romy figured that going for their luggage together meant agreeing to Emily’s suggestion of rooming together. And Emily just took that as a yes.
As they waited for their luggage, Romy figured it would be a good time to get to know Emily a little better. She knew that the sooner she knew a little more about her, her overthinking would ease a little. No one wants to share a room with someone you don't even know 10 things about.
- So… Listen, this may be silly to you, but I know nothing about you and we are about to share a room for god knows how many days, nights and you are still a stranger to me and …
- I thought we were past the strangers phase ha ha - Emily said, interrupting Romy
- Okay fine, let´s do something. Have you ever played this game called 20 questions? Emily, said, excited.
- So we ask questions to each other, but the rule is that you can’t ask the same question twice. For instance, if you ask me what my favourite colour is, I won’t be able to ask you back the same question.
- Are follow up questions allowed?
- Yes! Ready? I'll start.
- Of course you are, Romy said, resigned but with a smile on her face.
- What is your biggest fear?
- Wow, we are starting off strong… Uh.. I wouldn't know. I would say death, but I’m also very scared of heights.
- Okay, good, now you ask me! Emily said.
- Hmmmm, if you were granted three wishes, what would you wish for? Romy asked.
- That’s a good one! So first of all, I would ask for snow storms to stop existing! Hmmm, I would love to be a millionaire as well and lastly I would love to have the ability to read minds!
Romy didn't have time to say anything back when Emily was already asking the next question.
- I’ll go easy on you this time ha ha. Favourite movie?
- I have two! Grave of the Fireflies and Avril et le monde truqué ! Romy said, with a smile on her face.
- Oh la la, that french accent! I could listen to it all day ha ha. Your turn.
- Just for the record, comfort food and favourite food are different things, so, my all time favourite food are tacos and pizza, but not just any tacos, authentic mexican tacos which are rare to come across if not in Mexico but well anyway, and not just any pizza, but Chicago style pizza. Now, my comfort food is definitely a bowl of cereal with a grilled cheese sandwich. Oh and just not any cereal , it has to be Honey cheerios cereal. Yep, there you go.
She could talk. And Romy found it fascinating. Emily seemed to be one of those people who never run out of topics. One of those people who never let the conversation die.
- Tell me about your family. Romy said, thinking it was only fair to know.
Hadn't it been for Romy’s clumsy incident, she wouldn't really have asked her that, she found it a little intrusive, even if Emily started off strong, but at this point Emily did not only get to see family pictures, she also knew her brother had died, so yeah, she thought it was only fair to ask. Time to even the scales.
- That is not a question, it’s an order ha ha. Emily said, nodding her head and looking away, in giggles.
- Fine. Tell me about your family?
- Hahaha you’re smart, I’ll give you that. Well, there is not much to say really … She stopped abruptly. “Look,your bag! You are so right! It really does stand out ha ha”.
Romy found it rather easy to get ahold of her bag. The carousel had just started to put on display all the luggage, and hers happened to be the very first one. She was too tired at this point, and carrying her 22kg bag plus her handbag plus her backpack didn't make things easier.
- We should get going and head to the hotel, we don't want to now get stuck in an airport, huh? Emily said.
- Do you need help with any of that? Emily asked. You know what haha, just give me that, I’ll help.
- Thanks. Romy said. So, we have a question pending, don't we?
- Do we? Questions do expire after a while, so you may want to ask another one. I lost my train of thought I am afraid.
Emily said, smiling, but with a look in her eyes that one could describe as sad.
Romy didn't want to push, so she decided to give in and just let it go. “Fine, maybe we can call it a day with this game. It's actually pretty exhausting. It's not that I carry with myself a list of questions to ask to someone”
- Oh my god, you don't? First the pink wheels and now this? Who doesn't have an already prepared list of questions? Emily said, in an ironic friendly way, mocking Romy and giving her a pat on her back with her elbow.
