Ali was someone who definitely did not like change. She was someone very content with routine and predictability. She liked knowing what the day ahead would bring and where she'd be by the end of it, which is why it was odd when she seemed to have spontaneously booked a flight to Vietnam and showed up on her sister's doorstep.
"Don't worry, I've got a hotel room." Were the first words she said.
"What are you doing here?" Was all Lola could get out.
Ali slipped off her newly bought sandals and walked straight into the room. It was a tiny space that was just enough for a kitchen sink, stove and fridge, a bed and a TV. There was also a shower room and a one and half meter balcony.
Lola closed the door and didn't know whether to be happy or concerned so settled on confused. "Seriously, is everything okay? Do I need to call mum?"
"Please stop being so dramatic. I'm fine." Ali said, sitting on the neatly made bed, as if this was an everyday occurrence.
"But how come you're here?"
"To visit you." She smiled sweetly at her sister. It was a smile Lola hadn't seen in a long time.
"I've lived here three years. You've never visited me before."
"Are you going to show me around?"
Lola stared at Ali a little while longer, still suspicious of the circumstances, but to her relief, her sister really did seem fine. "This is so crazy. Fine, sure! What do you want to see first?"
"How about we start with a coffee."
"I know just the place."
The two sisters walked arm in arm together along the incredibly narrow sidewalk, admiring all the open shopfronts that lined the streets. The whole area felt full of life and culture that Ali had never experienced before coming to Vietnam. The loud horns of the many mopeds that sounded every minute, the stray dogs that trotted around sniffing for food, the friendly locals selling fresh fruit that they'd cut up for you upon request. It was all new and exciting and exactly what Ali needed.
They found their way into a small little shop and Lola ordered two Vietnamese ice coffees. "They make it with condensed milk" She grinned excitedly before leading Ali up the winding metal stairs to the roof. Luckily it had a flat cover to protect them from the sun, but the lack of windows allowed a panoramic view of the city.
Lola tried to point out certain buildings of importance but as it happened, her knowledge of Hanoi was very limited so it wasn't long before they ended up sitting down opposite one another to discuss more familiar topics. "I still can't believe you're actually here with me. How are you doing?" She lowered her voice, even though no one else was around. "I know it's been almost a year since everything happened."
"Yeah, weird to think I should be married right now, huh?"
"But, you're doing okay?" She asked gently, not completely convinced by Ali's calm, maybe even peaceful exterior.
Ali had expected Lola's scepticism. The last time they'd seen each other in person, Ali had not been doing well at all. In fact she had been so devastated that Lola had flown to England specially to see her, to do what she could to help, not that there was much anyone could do.
It was one month before her wedding when Ali got the call that changed her whole life. A phone call that informed her her fiancé had died.
She didn't remember much about the day it happened. It was a Thursday, so she would've been at work, most likely complaining about the ridiculous number of emails she had or avoiding Jan, the office gossip. She would've called him on her lunch break and asked about his day. They would've discussed dinner plans and what they wanted to do with the evening.
