BEYOND REPAIR

unseen

Unseen
The world outside my window was a vibrant tapestry, woven with threads of green and purple. Jacarandas, in full bloom, cast an ethereal glow on the quiet streets of Upfront. A gentle breeze carried their sweet perfume, a stark contrast to the antiseptic scent of hand sanitizer that had become an unwelcome companion. It was a world I longed to fully inhabit, a world beyond the confines of my bedroom, where life unfolded in vibrant colors and tangible interactions. But for now, I was a solitary figure, trapped in a cocoon of my own making.
The pandemic had transformed my once bustling world into a muted canvas. Where once there had been laughter, shared secrets, and the thrill of Friday nights, there was now an eerie silence, punctuated only by the ticking of the clock and the distant hum of traffic. My days were a monotonous rhythm of online classes, solitary meals, and endless scrolling through the digital void. The world outside, with its promise of adventure and connection, seemed like a distant dream.
I was Kundiso, an ordinary girl living in extraordinary times. My sanctuary was a small, sunlit room, adorned with bookshelves that housed a world of escapism. A desk, piled high with textbooks and notebooks, dominated the space, a battleground where I waged war against the complexities of the curriculum. It was here, in this quiet corner of the world, that I found solace and a semblance of control.
The morning was a slow awakening, a gentle nudge from the world outside demanding my attention. Sunlight, a golden intruder, painted the room in warm hues, chasing away the remnants of sleep. The day ahead was a predictable pattern of online classes, punctuated by the occasional burst of social interaction through the screen. Sean, my digital confidant, was an island of normalcy in this sea of uncertainty.
His message arrived like a lifeline, a promise of escape from the digital prison. The prospect of real, human interaction was intoxicating. I prepared myself, a mental checklist of conversation starters and potential awkward moments running through my mind.
When the doorbell chimed, a surge of anticipation and trepidation coursed through me. As I opened the door, a world of noise and movement burst into my quiet sanctuary. Sean, with his usual infectious enthusiasm, stood at the forefront, a human embodiment of sunshine. Behind him, a group of unfamiliar faces materialized, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
The hours that followed were a whirlwind of introductions, forced laughter, and awkward silences. I moved through the afternoon like a ghost, a silent observer in my own home. Their world was vibrant, filled with inside jokes and shared experiences that excluded me. It was as if I were watching a movie, the characters larger than life, while I remained a mere spectator.
As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the room, the group started to disperse. Promises of future hangouts were exchanged, a hopeful note in the midst of uncertainty. Left alone, I felt a strange mixture of relief and disappointment. The world outside was calling, but a part of me was content with the solitude.
Later that evening, as I scrolled through my phone, a notification caught my eye. An unknown number, a simple message. It was the beginning of something unexpected, a twist of fate that would lead me down an unfamiliar path.
To be continued...