I had just finished blow-drying my hair after taking down my natural hair twists. My hands were now officially numb; all I wanted to do this Saturday afternoon was lie down and take a nap. However, a knock on my door interrupted my plans. Heading to the door, I slowly opened it – standing behind was Xue Rou.
"Good afternoon, Rou, come inside," I greeted and quickly welcomed her in.
"Good afternoon, Kasi, thank you," Xue Rou said with a small polite smile before entering the room.
"Have a seat. What would you like to drink?" I asked, closing the door behind me as I headed to the small kitchen space on the left.
"Don't burden yourself; water is just fine. Concerning yesterday's matter, I wanted to give you a reply today," Xue Rou stated.
I poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. Thanking me, she took a small sip from the water and pressed the glass on the table before us.
"Have you made a decision?" I enquired.
"Hm, I figured you have a tight schedule, teaching from Monday to Friday. It's better if we change residents today or Sunday in whichever week you choose. What do you think?" Xue Rou asked.
"That would really be convenient," I replied.
"However, there is no need to hurry; we can change any week from now," Xue Rou said.
"It's alright; let's change houses tomorrow," I stated.
"Isn't that quick?" It's not an urgent matter," Xue Rou worriedly said.
"Not really, I don't have too much luggage; changing houses isn't so hectic on my part. Do you have too much luggage? If so, then I might have to consider that," I said.
"I don't have a lot to carry," Xue Rou replied.
"Then tomorrow shouldn't be a problem?" I said.
"Alright," Xue Rou replied.
"Great. By the way, do you know any movers around here?" I enquired.
"Movers?" Xue Rou said in a puzzled tone. It was then that I noticed that we had been speaking in English mixed with Chinese. Although Xue Rou could reply to some English words, some terminologies and jargon used might throw her off.
"People who help with our luggage from one house to another," I explained.
"Oh! That...there is an uncle I know; he can help us," Xue Rou replied.
"Can you give me his number? Or better yet, call him since you personally know him. "It's better to give him a heads up earlier on so as to efficiently have a smooth journey without delays tomorrow," I said. Xue Rou nodded in understanding and picked up her phone, calling the man. On the phone in loudspeaker, she explained the purpose of her call, and the uncle said he had no other plans on Sunday, so he would be around. From the exchange, I got to know him as Uncle Hua; the price was agreed upon, and plans for moving were put in motion.
Rou and I exchanged a few words, then she left. Since we had agreed on the moving schedule, I started packing and arranging some items that I would take with me. Although I had spent a short period of time in this house, a sense of nostalgia washed over me at the thought of leaving. I loved the setting and arrangement of the place, but after thinking about Xue Rou's initial sacrifice to accommodate me, I felt thankful and put my feelings aside.
Sunday quickly approached; Xue Rou called me at 9:10am in the morning and informed me that the uncle who was supposed to help me with moving was outside the house. I was thankful about packing all my items last night since I had just finished taking a shower. I quickly threw on a jacket and sweatpants, coupled with ankle stockings and Crocs. My hair was already in a low bun, so I just folded a simple hair scarf and tied it over it. Travelling came with a lot of falling particles, humidity and some other inconveniences which required me to attend to my hair all over again. I didn't have time for that; hence, the head wrap.
Once outside, I spotted a bald, medium-height man standing beside a white truck, so I walked towards him.
"Mr Hua?" I slowly called once I approached him.
The man quickly turned around to face me. "You must be Kasi? Xiao Rou showed me your picture. No need to call me Mr; just address me as Uncle Hua. "That's how most people address me," the man said in Chinese, his tone vibrant and bright. At this stage, although I couldn't speak Chinese fluently, I could clearly listen to the words. I quickly nodded at his words and smiled; however, I still picked up my phone and connected the translation app just in case I got anything wrong.
"Where are your packages? Let me help you carry them out," Uncle Hua said. I led him inside my room, where I had neatly arranged my suitcases and boxes. While Uncle Hua carried out one of the suitcases, I also carried a light box containing my shoes out.
"Kasi? What is happening?" A sharp voice cut through the air as I stepped out of the room – it was Ci Xing. It was then that I realised that I hadn't informed her about the moving; everything happened so quickly that I didn't have time to do so.
"Xing! I and Rou decided to change houses. It is better for her to stay beside school since she is still in recovery. "Everything happened within a short time, so I was unable to communicate," I said. In the distance, I saw Uncle Hua coming back, so I walked ahead towards the car. Although the box wasn't too heavy, carrying it was still a burden; I didn't want to stress my arms.
"Is that so? "Well, let me help you out," Ci Xing said.
"Ah! No need!" "It's just simple cases and boxes; I can do that," Uncle Hua said as he entered into the room soon after Ci Xing.
Minutes after, all the luggage was properly situated in the truck. I entered into the room and looked around for the final time. My sight quickly landed on the small potted cactus on the windowsill. I walked towards it and picked it up.
"Ah! Your cactus grew? I lost mine; I don't know whether I gave it too much water or something; it simply moulded away," Ci Xing said as she entered the room. Some time back, the school had supplied the staff rooms with different plants; however, five cacti were in surplus. Seeing this, they were given out to willing parties – I received one, and so did Ci Xing.
"I searched a lot about the care of cacti; it's actually a matter of balance. They are not so difficult to raise," I smiled as I turned to face her.
"You are really good at everything," Ci Xing sighed. Our conversation had become smooth and natural over time; Ci Xing was no longer hesitant to voice her opinions like before.
"By the way, about the whole moving thing, do you really want to move out? I know the place where Xue Rou stays; although it's not that far, it will need you to board a train or an Uber. I think it's not convenient. Plus, the construction of the staff quarters is progressing quickly; soon, Xue Rou can settle back in if she wants to," Ci Xing added.
"It's fine, I..." My sentence was cut midway at Uncle Hua's voice.
"Kasi, is there anything else that needs to be taken?" Uncle Hua enquired as he stood in the doorway.
"It's alright, thank you, Uncle Hua," I said. Hua nodded and turned back, leaving the room.
"It's better for me to go; Xue Rou is waiting for us on the other side. I have considered all your scenarios; it's just like America, simply commuting from home to work, nothing really inconvenient. Don't worry yourself with this matter," I said as I followed behind Hua.
"Alright then," Ci Xing said as she followed behind me to the truck. Setting in the seat opposite Uncle Hua, I waved goodbye at Ci Xing, and the car took off.
We had some small talk with Uncle Hua, who asked about my nationality, what I was doing in China, if I was married, etc. I thought the journey would be long, but surprisingly, it only took around 20 minutes to reach the place. Xue Rou was already waiting on us in the distance. When we arrived, a security guard checked our IDs and talked to Xue Rou, who explained something to him; he seemed to have understood and let us in. Xue Rou quickly sat in the back seat, and Uncle Hua drove inside the compound.
A high-rise building came into view; the environment was conducive, with some greenery in the compound. Some children were playing outside; childish laughter could be heard as Hua drove to the underground parking lot.
"Let's put the luggage in this trolley and then take the elevator; the room is on the third floor," Xue Rou said.
"Where did you get this trolley?" I asked in surprise.
"I don't know; I also found it here when I arrived. Everyone uses it and leaves it in this underground parking lot. "Who knows where it came from?" Xue Rou chuckled as she stepped out of the car. Uncle Hua and I also followed suit. Uncle Hua put my luggage in the trolley, I held my cactus, and we headed to the elevator.
After all my luggage was properly put in place, Uncle Hua put Xue Rou's luggage in the trolley next. I quickly followed him out of the door and gave him money. I was really grateful for his help; he didn't overcharge, and his attitude was likeable.
"NO, No, I was already paid; keep the money and use it for something else," Uncle Hua said in defiance.
"It's fine; take it as me showing my appreciation. "I will feel bad if you don't take it," I spoke, and the phone translator immediately voiced out. Uncle Hua looked in my eyes; seeing that I meant my words, he thanked me and headed into the elevator. Xue Rou said her goodbyes and followed behind him.
I headed inside the room and inspected my new home: a bathroom, bedroom, sitting room, kitchen and balcony. It wasn't bad; maybe this place would hold my future memories in this new environment. I placed the cactus on the windowsill, then opened the door to the balcony. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupsXIKeePS
In the distance, I saw Uncle Hua's truck leaving.
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