Learn To Love Again

CHAPTER 1 (Mia Hart)

I was awed.

What I saw on the internet was an understatement of the beauty this city. Even from three thousand feet off the ground, I can spot the famous buildings I’ve only seen on pictures. The city was covered by a purple dusk blanket. What a view! But what caught my attention in particular was the clock tower standing tall with pride; the Big Ben. I always thought it best represented London.

The moment I stepped out of the Heathrow Airport, the cold, strong wind threw my brown, wavy hair to my face and hugged my petite frame. Before I freeze to death, I hailed a cab. The old driver carried my luggage and put it under the trunk. I mentally noted myself to tip the kind driver later.

“Where to, Miss?” he asked when he entered the car.

“To Piccadilly, Mayfair please.” I answered. The old driver set out to the traffic.

The view was as beautiful from above as from the ground. London, England was a town steeped in history and beauty mixed with modern sophistication. Between manors and castles, there’d be malls and shopping centers; an entire Victorian townhouse divided and transformed into boutiques, restaurants and shops. The city was also bursting with activity albeit the cold night. Double-decker buses filled with passengers, buskers on the sidewalk surrounded by cheering crowds, couples making out here and there, tourists posing to flashing cameras, shopaholics carrying big shopping bags. This doesn’t compare to the other countries I’ve been to before. As much as I’d love to explore London first, I had to do a rain check because of a very important appointment.

“Here for a vacation, miss?” the driver asked, looking through the rearview mirror. It took me a second to answer him. I’m still not used to the British accent.

“Sort of.” I answered.

“Ah.” he nodded. “Exploring the city by yourself are you?”

“Yes.” I smiled.

Moments later, the car was filled with an awkward silence. A friend back in California used to tell me that I have this talent to make people around me feel awkward; I guess Londoners are no exception. The driver turned on the radio to lighten the atmosphere. Then, a band on a radio tour started playing an awesome cover of Ed Sheeran’s “A Team”.

After almost an hour, the cab pulled up in front of an apartment building clad in plants. The kind old driver insisted on carrying my suitcases to the lobby. I gave him small tip and thanked him for his polite gesture. Then, the concierge escorted me to my aunt’s apartment. She left yesterday for a medical mission in Sudan and said I can live in her apartment while she was gone.

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Flashback:

“It’s alright Mia, no big deal.” Aunt Susie had said over the phone while I was on my way to LAX.

“But how about your husband?” I asked.

“No worries. We’re both going to this mission.” she answered. “He’s too overprotective to let me leave alone.”

“Jeez, Aunt Susie! You just came back from your honeymoon and you’re already on your second one?” I joked.

“How many times have I told you to stop calling me Aunt?” she retorted. “I was just ten when my brother brought you home, you know? We’re more like sisters.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m just joking.” I chuckled. “I couldn’t thank you more, Susie. I don’t know what I’d without you.”

“You’re not a stranger Mia, you’re family.” she said. “By the way, after this mission in Sudan, I’d fly straight to Iran for another one. So basically, we’d meet you one week before your flight back to California. Is that okay with you?”

“Don’t rush. Take your time.” I said. “Besides, I’m 20 now; I can take care of myself.”

“I’m really sorry I couldn’t be there to entertain you.” she said with sadness and regret on her voice. “Take care of yourself okay?”

“I will. Thanks again, Susie.” I hung up.

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The apartment was bigger than I expected. The heels of my boots clicked against the dark wood floor as I walked in. The living room has a wall with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame a breathtaking view of the Hyde Park. Adjacent to it is a red brick wall that holds an electric fireplace. Its opposite wall on the left is plain white and has framed black-and-white photographs in different sizes randomly hung. The L-shaped sofa was immaculate white leather with black and grey velvet throw pillows on it. The doorway on the photograph-clad wall led to a high-end kitchen.  Black granite tiles atop the counters and the breakfast bar. The cupboards and bar stools were all white. A round, glass dining table was situated between the kitchen and the living room with four black chairs. The hallway next to the brick wall led to the rooms.

In one glance, I could already tell that this flat belonged to Susie’s husband when he was still a bachelor. I should suggest a redecoration; it wouldn’t be healthy to raise a baby in this environment.

Just as I flopped on the couch, my iPhone rang. I took it out from my rucksack and saw my brother’s caller ID photo on the screen.

“Hey Jack, what’s up?” I asked when I answered the phone.

“How was your flight? Did you arrive safely at Susie’s place?” Jack bombarded me with questions.

“I’m safe Jack, no need to worry. The flight was exhausting though.” I answered. “Susie’s place is pretty cool. I like it.”

“Make sure that the door is always locked okay?” his voice was filled with worry.

“Okay, okay. I will.” I reassured him.

“And-“

“Always look through the peephole before answering to the door.” I interrupted him. We had this conversation a thousand times already. I can’t help but smile at my overprotective brother.

“Do you want me to come with you tomorrow?” he asked.  “I can skip my class.”

 “You don’t need to. I can handle myself.” I said “Just study well, okay?”

“I can take you to the meeting place if you want.” he insisted, never backing down.

“Jack, I appreciate the thought, but, I really want to do this on my own.”

“Just assure me that when something bad happens, call me right away.”

“I will.”

“You must be tired.” he sighed. “You should go to sleep now.”

“Okay. See you on Saturday.”

“Good night.”

“Night.” I hung up.

 I dragged my luggage to the guest room, which was on the far end of the hallway. The room was cozy. The walls were olive green and the furniture was of dark teak wood. There was a twin-size bed in the middle of the room and a chest placed on its narrow end. There was also a desk by the window. I opened my bags and started unpacking.

After eating a ripe mango and a cup of yoghurt, I went back to my room to plan my outfit for tomorrow. I settled with Balmain red leather pants and double-breasted navy blazer, over an Alexander McQueen eagle print shirt and a Christian Louboutin black ankle boots, all of which were courtesy of Susie. She’d send me designer clothes from time to time that my wardrobe would be worth a luxury car.

The next day when I opened my eyes, light was streaming from the window. My head hurt and my body felt heavy. Damn, jetlag. I struggled to reach for my iPhone on the bedside table. It’s 8:00 am. Crap! I’m gonna be late!