3 Her Story Versus Theirs

"Stay away from me!" Emily shouted then ran away from James as fast as she could. James was left surprised. The students in the park looked at him in a strange way.

"I didn't do anything!" He tried to defend himself against the looks of disgust from the people around him. They may think he was harassing a woman nonetheless a professor inside the school, so he had to defend himself.

Emily couldn't stand it anymore. She was trying her best to calm down and think of how she got in this situation. She was waiting for anyone who would announce that everything was just a prank and that everyone took part in it, but it was already almost lunchtime and no one revealed the truth yet.

Without looking back, she went out from the campus and headed straight home. There must be an explanation of how she ended up being a different person.

Upon arriving home, she was greeted by her mom who looked worried seeing her. She was busy in her garden. Emily hugged her tightly for comfort.

"Are you okay, Emily? Why are you here so early?" Agatha, her mom, asked looking worried.

"Something happened to me today mom. I think I'm getting crazy."

"Why? Did some students try to question your ability again? I told you not to pay attention to those kids. They are just jealous because you don't need to study like them when they are the same age as you."

Emily let go of Agatha's embrace. "What? Are you also part of this act? Please stop it! It's not funny."

"What are you talking about Emily Chavez? Is that how you talk to your mother?! Don't tell me now that you are earning your own money, you can speak to me like that! I didn't raise you to be such a rude daughter!"

Agatha is a typical Asian parent. Respect for them is so essential that you would be considered as the most wicked person if you talk back to your parents. Emily is already accustomed to this situation. A simple explanation she makes would make her mom sound like a rapper.

"Everyone is saying I'm a professor at Denver University. I'm only 20 years old, mom. How can all of them treat me like a fool?"

"Because you're a professor! You finished your masters degree and are now taking a doctorate degree in your school. They offered you the job. I told you not to accept it since I want you to enjoy your student life, something you haven't enjoyed. You focused too much on your studies. Don't tell me now you're regretting your choice? I already told you Emily this day would come. See, I'm correct."

"Mom!"

Agatha took the stick she was using in the garden and beat Emily. "I told you not to shout at me! Go to your room! You would give me a heart attack. I would die early not because of illness or accident but because of heart attack. You and your father are the same!"

Emily rushed to her room without saying any word. All she wanted was for her mom to listen to her. She was expecting that at least her mom could understand her situation and tell her what she had to do, but instead of getting solutions, she was scolded for useless reasons.

She cried and cried that afternoon. She was feeling hopeless. Suddenly, she remembered one person who would definitely be willing to listen to her. She took her phone and called Kate.

"Hello. Best friend! How are you? I thought you already abandoned me." The person on the other line said. She sounded cheerful to receive the call from Emily, her best friend.

"Why would I abandon you? I usually give you a call twice or three times a week." Emily defended herself. According to what she remembers, she always updates Kate on how boring her life is as a nursing student.

"Excuse me. The last time you called me was like two years ago. We met just because you were forced by your mom to meet me. But at least we still had a good time that day and you admitted that you missed me. Remember when you left high school for college? I was so jealous of you for spending only two years in high school because of your in-depth knowledge in most of our subjects."

"Didn't we meet last Saturday? We even went to our favorite cafe!"

"Are you on drugs? You know I still love you even though you changed a lot after becoming a professor. But loving you doesn't mean I have to change my beliefs and memories just to agree with you."

"Let's meet now!" Emily demanded. The person from all the stories she has been hearing so far is definitely not her. She wants to understand what's happening. She's desperate to know the truth.

"Next time, please let me know your plans in advance. I have a date with my boyfriend. I will introduce him to you next time. I'm sure you will like him."

"You have a boyfriend!? How come I don't know about it?" Kate and Emily share all their secrets with each other. This confession of Kate having a boyfriend without Emily knowing is like a betrayal of their friendship.

"If only you called often or met me then you would know about my boyfriend. I didn't know you would react that way. Sorry. Hmmm. You're making me cry. I didn't know you have that kind of emotion for me. You're indeed my bestfriend." Kate is known to be so sentimental and emotional. She cries about simple things.

"Of course I care for you. You're like my sister."

"Thank you bestie. I will meet you tomorrow. I promise. Anyway, I have to go now. My bf is here. Good bye bestie. I miss you. Mwah!" The call ended without Emily even having a chance to say good bye. She felt abandoned and alone. She can't blame Kate for choosing her boyfriend. Anyway, in her memory, she was never the great friend to her. Emily decided to walk in the park near her house. This day has been very long for her. She just wanted to be alone and forget about the confusion she has been experiencing the whole day. She walked to the nearby park and stayed there for a couple of hours then came back to the park near her place. She wanted to exhaust her energy until she had nothing left. She's sure her mom already told everything to her dad, about how she talked back to her and how imaginative she was. She felt so tired but she didn't want to go back home yet. She checked her time. It's almost 9pm in the evening and she didn't have lunch nor dinner. The date is January 10, 2016.

After 10 pm, she decided to go back home. She was happy not to see her parents in the living room. They usually stay here to watch the late news. She went to her room, took a shower and went to bed.

"You did well today Emily. Everything will be alright tomorrow." She uttered a short prayer before sleeping.