BEGINNING OF A DIFFERENT LIFE

Eztli

Since that day, five years passed and the city had forgotten that there was anyone like us who lived. After a negotiation with my parents, I decided to leave the country and went to Canada for higher studies. All the time, when I focused on myself and tried to make a career out of it, something inside of my heart kept calling me, telling me that this wasn't something I was supposed to do. Got a degree in botanical science. I completed my graduation only in Canada and I was willing to get settled here. Until, I was transferred to a remote City of the border to complete my internship. Along with me, there were three other interns who joined and transferred to the remote City of the border.

After the day ended, I went to my apartment and decided to call my parents as I thought of informing them about the internship and the place I will head the day after tomorrow. This sudden change wasn't something I expected but don't know why. I was agitated to be there for an unknown reason. After all, it was my passion to travel and explore many places. I wanted to do something of mine. Something that I would say was that it was my earning in life. 

Money, I already had. My father was a multi millionaire working for a long time and I was sure he would find a man for me to marry, as rich as him. However, I did not want that kind of life. 

"Hey mom…" I called her…, "I got transferred to a city for my internship. I will be heading the day after tomorrow." It was necessary to inform them.

"Dear, I expected that you will be back to us once you complete your degree and now that you have got one, there is no need for you to do that internship. After all, you will take care of Richardson's family once the engagement will be confirmed." My mother broke the news but i was aware of that situation, that's why I stood calm even in the storm.

"Mom, didn't I tell you that I don't want to marry right now? I want to build a career." I was irritated with the same topic to begin with.

"Ezi… why do you want to build a career when you already have what you desire? Money, fame and everything… even Jake Richardson is rich enough to give you everything. Stop being so picky. I want you to come back. We have already discussed the engagement with the Richardson's family. They are willing to do it." She disconnected the call once she yelled loudly at me.

This entire conversation depressed me. It's not like that I did not want to marry but not now. If I went back home, there would be no coming back. Soon after, I received a notification that my parents had booked a flight for me, tomorrow. They are impossible. What am I supposed to do now? It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I cannot afford to miss it if I want to pursue a career in my field. So that be…

I have decided that I will head to the remote City where I was meant to go and start my internship. Glad that I didn't give them any information about the city. So I packed the bags and pretended to be parents on call that I was boarding for the flight the entire time.

"All right, Mom. My phone will be off till the flight duration. I will call once I reach the airport." I lied. 

Basically, it was a disrespect that I gave to my parents but nothing can come between my dreams. Now that I love the freedom I got in Canada, I cannot afford to lose it. Marrying Jake Richardson will be a life time imprisonment for me. All I will do is bear his children and do household work, like other women in their family. I wonder if they had a dream outside that place? No!!! I will not marry that jerk at any cost.

I switched off my phone and hopped inside the vehicle. It was a matador, a local transport. Glad that my phone was off the entire time as it took more than eight hours for us to reach the city where we were transferred. This time, I knew something was definitely going to change me. After the ride, we stopped at the local station and went to the venue where our company had provided accommodation till the internship time. Just a matter of six months, Then i will be back home and Will do what my parents decide for my future. But right now, I am in an unknown place and I will make memories here.

I was shaking when the thought of switching on my phone occured in my mind. I knew that the moment it would be on, my parents would blast messages and call on me. Moreover, they will trace my location.

Sorry, mom and dad, but i hope you will understand. Glad that I was able to save money the entire graduation and took out some cash the day before. My parents will block my cards and it will lead to more complications in my journey. I took the sim card out and threw it in the bin, i will buy another one. After getting settled in the room, I went downstairs for dinner and saw two of my co-workers sitting at the table. 

Among four of us, I was the only female among them. So, i took a seat with them and started a conversation.

"So, Eztli, are you excited for the internship?" Jonah asked me with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Of course, I Do. If not, I wouldn't be here." I replied bluntly.

I knew his reputation from the college as a Casanova. He had tried to hit upon me several times before, even after i rejected him.

"I am curious to know the place. There must be more things to explore here apart from completing the internship." Said Matthew sitting across from me. So he was the adventure guy.

"I am excited as well, I will get the certificate and apply for placement in biotechnology companies." I responded lowly while filling up my plate.

"That's a great initiative. I have my father's business to pursue. So, working for companies won't be my dream work." Matthew replied in a cool tone and smiled at him before much on my food.

"Where is Tony? Haven't he relaxed enough yet?" Asked Jonah.

I shrugged as I had no idea where he was. 

"I will look for him." He excused and left us to continue with dinner.

"So, Eztli… that's a different name you havem i know we have never spoken before during college time but I hope you won't mind if we go together to the botanical lab tomorrow?" Matthew looked sincere except for his adventure status. I had no issue with his attitude and since here we are only four people, there was no harm knowing each other. We might need each other's company in future.

"Sure. That would be great. In fact, I was wondering how I will be able to manage everything alone." I responded in a flat tone.

"Alright, then we will meet at seven in the morning. The botanical lab is almost twenty kilometres from this spot. We might need to take local transport here." He enlightened me with information.

"Sure, no problem…" I smiled and continued to eat.

After dinner, I went straight to bed as I cannot turn on my phone till I buy a new one. I hope this new beginning of my life will be best and memorable.

The morning was early as it felt like in the blink of an eye, I hardly slept well in a new place. Without wasting time, I had a bath and dressed simply as it was a lab where i was heading, and another point was that I don't want to attract attention over me.

Matthew was sitting in the lobby when i arrived and he greeted me with a warm smile.

"Thank you for waiting." 

"I tried calling you, where is your phone? It's been off since this morning." He asked with concern dripping from his face.

"I lost it yesterday. but I will buy a new one." That was a terrible lie to say.

"Alright, let's go." He commanded, in sort of.

"Wait! What about others, Jonas and Tony?" I asked because it felt awkward to leave them here.

"They have already left…" Matthew responded with a hint of anger in his voice.

"Okay…"

We left the place and headed to the botanical lab. As I was excited for the new job, I was anxious too.

Like what Matthew said, it was almost twenty kilometres away from the place we live, i realised that the botanical laboratory wasn't situated in an open area but inside a dense valley. The local transport dropped us on the road and we continued to follow that gravelled pathway to the Laboratory.