The Next Day
I woke up at 8am just to fix and prepare everything for Jonas' arrival. I went on checking for misplaced books, paint stains on the walls, carpets, and surfaces, dust on surfaces, dirty laundry and rotten food. I even cleaned the fridge and cooked food! After that I took a nice, warm bath.
I then ate my brunch after all that maintenance. Now that everything was fixed, all I needed to do is to wait for Jonas to call.
And he did.
"Hi Silas! I am now here at the coffeeshop where we used to sit and talk about music --- could you give me directions to your place so that I can save you from trouble of having to fetch you."
I told him that I shoul fetch him.
"What? C'mon Silas. I can manage."
I then added that I needed to go out because I have to go get some supplies at the art supplies store where we used to buy paintbrushes and stuff.
"Oh OK. How about we meet at the shop?"
"Good idea," I said, smiling.
"OK then, see you."
Then he hung up.
So I ran out of the flat, excited to meet Jonas after all these times.
I walked through the busy, noisy streets of Copenhagen. I live, breathe and sleep Copenhagen because this is where life is. The palaces of old meet the towering skyscrapers of the new. Coffee shops are flourishing, serving city dwellers cup after cup of warm coffee every minute. Art students like me survive in this environment.
As I turn into a quiet street, I happen to pass by an abandoned warehouse where Jonas, Bo, Johan and I used to do band practices in. When Johan left everything changed: Bo left for the States to study and I with Jonas. When that happened I felt like rescuing Jonas from falling into depression, and I woke him up from bleak sleep. A lot of people had commented that Jonas lost his youthful charm when the band lost a member --- depression took over him too much. He loved being in the band, as he told us way back Grade School. Now what was important is that I was always next to Jonas.
***
I reached the art shop in twenty minutes, looking around for a sign that Jonas had arrived. So I decided to step inside the store to look for him. In the art books section I ran through shelves and there I found Jonas browsing thorugh a book on Manga drawing.
"Jonas, hi!"
He turned around and smiled, then came up to me to hug me.
"It's been a long time, eh?" he said as he released me.
He didn't change after a long time: he still smelled wonderfully clean and his smile still was boyish, at least for me. His hair was still blond and shiny, much like before.
"Yes it was --- what made you decide to move in here?"
He looked at me in a thoughtful manner. "I just wanted to live here because it's lively, and I want to relive our days as a band and as friends."
"But isn't Aarhus lively?"
He paused, then said, "Well, it's liveliness is not what I want."
I smiled and gave him a "you're right" look. I then took his luggage and led him the way.
" I cooked us a wonderful meal," I said as we walked through the brushes and paints section.
"Really?" he replied. "Wow thanks. Still a vegetarian?"
I nodded. "Yep, the best thing to be. But don't worry I cooked some meaty meals for you."
He then laughed.
