Just my cup of tea

Rehabilitation

Moving to a new country is life changing. It's adventurous, illuminating and really gives a new outlook on life. But what they don't tell you is that it can feel like moving to a whole new world. Everything is different like the air and the way if feels on your skin. They say the sky is the same no matter where in the world you are but it sure looks different to me here. I can't find the stars as easily as I could back home.

Most importantly, I can't find weed here! I literally gave up everything to come here. Can you imagine a stoner like me moving ship to a place where it's zero tolerance for weed. Well here I am, a sober month into this Asian escape. Rehabilitation for my soul.

People at work are great though. I found a group of South Africans that have made China their home away from home and I think with more time it could become that for me too.

I'm still getting the hang of most things here. Language is the most difficult thing to get through but other than that and the lack of Mary Jane, it is pretty exciting. The food is amazing and much healthier. It's safe to walk around at anytime of the day or night, even when completely alone and everything revolves around convenience.

There are many modes of transportation; taxis (which are actually pretty cheap), subway stations, bicycles, Didi(Chinese Uber) and Modies (ebikes). I got off the Modi and headed into my apartment building.

My apartment is really small. One room equipt with a shower, toilet and kitchen and bed. I wouldn't have it any other way for a first apartment in a new country. Starting from the bottom and working my way up. I loved my couch, it's ugly and grey but the most comfortable couch I ever layed on.

That's exactly what I did as soon as I got back in . I pulled out my phone and after a few minutes of struggling, finally connected my VPN.

3 new WhatsApp messages, all from Mum and Dad checking in on me and oh what's this? Instagram message from Kate. Wait what?

WHAT?!

I just stared at the notification for a few minutes in complete and utter shock. Why? Why did she message me? After all this time? I don't understand. Her life is settled. I mean I knew I did mean something to her once before but I thought that would have passed already. I thought by now I would mean nothing to her. No, I can't get ahead of myself. Just see what she has to say first.

Kate: Hey

Me: Hi, how are you doing?

Kate: I'm good thanks. How are you?? All the way in China now I heard.

She's just casually chatting...I know talking to me is a huge risk for her...I caused so many problems for her before but here she is...just risking it all again. Ok, I just got to play this cool. I can't act like this a huge deal for me.

Me: Yeah, I guess Hales told you guys. I'm good too thanks, been here about a three months now.

Kate: That's great, glad to hear your trip there went well. What's it like there?

What in the world is happening right now?

I so badly just want to ask her why? I mean I didn't think I was that important to her that she would risk causing a disruption in her life again. Was I wrong this whole time? Am I actually important to her? Am I just thinking too much and she's just being curious? For how long will this go on? Is this just a "just wanted to know of you're really in China and made it there alive" chat and that's the end of that?

Me: haha well that's a lot to fit into one message but overall I like it here. It's safe and convenient.

Kate: lol yeah I guess it's a bit much for one message. Hey look at Sky.

She sent me a picture of Sky, her dog she got. I picked the name. I always liked to think that maybe she'll think of me every time she called her or played with her. Wow she's gotten big. Sad to think she won't remember me. How could she, she never saw me that much.

Me: She's beautiful! So big now!

Kate: yeah and naughty.

What do I say now? Should I continue?

Kate: oh btw what's the time there?

Me: it's pretty late here, 11:34 pm. We are 6 hours apart.

Six hours, eleven thousand two hundred and thirty kilometers and 3 heartbreaks apart. But who's counting?

Kate: Wow sorry you're probably super sleepy now.

Wide awake ever since I saw your name pop up but definitely can't say that. Got to keep it cool. Although what if I end it now and then that's it? I don't even know if I can message her tomorrow. It would be weird as hell to ask. Or I'm thinking too much again.

Me: Not really, I'm still on SA time. How's work going?

Kate: Oh it's pretty good actually, I'm working at a new company now. The people are really good to me. Made new friends?

Me: Oh that's great! How long have you been working there? I have made some awesome friends yeah, a lot of South Africans here.

Kate: Well about a few months now. Of course you'd make friends very quickly. It's always easy for you to get along with people. What about the food?

Me: I miss dad's curry a lot but the food here is good. Really healthy haha so hopefully I'm losing weight lol.

Kate: oh yeah? Both know you needed that haha!

Me: shurup! Hey btw there isn't any green here! Can you just imagine not living without green!

Kate: Seriously? that's rough! I just had one now :P

Me: That's just mean! Why would you say that?? What did I ever do to you??

Kate: Okaai, sorry sorry. Who told you to go all the way to China huh? Now see, stuck without the green.

Me: lol well let's just say it's like a rehab.

Kate: uhu okaai

Damn looks like we heading towards the end of the convo...I don't want to stop though..There's so much I want to ask but I just can't..it would definitely scare her off.

Me: I am getting pretty sleepy now, it was good catching up though..maybe I could tell you more about China over a call or something soon?

Shit was that too much? Too forward? She's typing...now she stopped...now she's typing...it was too forward. Shit she stopped typing again...

Kate: yeah sure, I'll let you know when :)

Doesn't sound too promising...Damn.

Me: cool cool cool cool cool

Kate: was that a Jake Peralta reference?

Me: OMG you watch Brooklyn 99??

Kate: of course! I love it! Jake is so funny!

Me: He's my role model haha!

Kate: lol..oki goodnight!

Me: Goodnight..hey thanks for messaging :) it was good to hear from you.

Kate: yeah good to hear from you too :)

Holy shit! Ok be cool be cool. But shit now what?? I was meant to be rehabbing here from all this Kate stuff but noooo. Oh who am I kidding, even though I don't talk about her to anyone it's not like I don't think about her everyday since we met. It's not like I've really made any improvement. Well actually wait no...that's not entirely true. I'm not heartbroken after speaking to her. I'm just happy. Just purely happy.