Lights went out and the entire park turned dark. Christine was still jogging under the blinking shade of the trees that appeared in the apartment's welding light; the apartment very next to the one she had rented. Every single time she passed by that spot of footpath, the balcony of her house-to-be spontaneously caught her attention. There was something about that flat. Something that she wasn't familiar of, something she felt was wicked. Besides, it had an aura which was rather unDavisy. Yet, she had no other option than to take it, for just the vibes wasn't a matter of great concern for her, especially as the rent wasn't a huge amount for this room, unlike the other ones around. She hadn't moved in hitherto. But she surely was going to real soon, willingly-unwillingly.
The girl went tired upon completing her rounds. She sat at one of the corner benches from where the balcony was clearly visible. Panting, she kept looking at it, even while she opened the bottle lid and as she supped. At last, she turned the bottle over her head to pour the remaining water upon herself. The droplets dripping down her face slowly mixed with her sweat. And now she stood up as she was ready to go home.
* * *
"I can't believe you're shifting to that place," said Anna breaking her Martini sup. The two couldn't afford the drink, but since Christine was moving out, they were just doing of their will, for once sitting in the pub, rather than a bar to avoid loud music which wouldn't have let them talk. "Do you have any idea what kind of people are living around there?"
Christine Davis felt surprised.
"You never talked to me about that before," Christine said, hesitatingly. "What kind of people are living around in there?"
"How do I know? I was just asking you if you know it."
"Well, of course I do. I met them a couple of days ago. They're lovely and I guess it would be amazing to have such a neighborhood."
"Oh, that's a great thing to know," exclaimed Anna. "You'll have wonderful neighbours there. Besides no one's gonna trouble you while you are busy with that writing stuff."
Christine paused for a while. People usually pretend they know nothing when someone is being stoic in front of them or when they know that the other person is lying. But that wasn't the case for these two ladies. Davis very straight forwardly said what she had to say.
"Is that so?"
Her roommate took too long to answer this – "yeah!" But she did this with a smile fake enough.
Christine spoke nothing and silently kept looking at her face. But Anna instantly broke the eye contact. She finished the cocktail in one go and stood up from the stool to leave the bar.
Out there the door opened for the two women. They appeared cold while they walked through the footpath of the streets. For long on their way they seized the look and neither of them spoke. Until they had reached their current apartment building. Anna and Christine turned to face each other.
"Won't you be missing me, Anna?" she asked politely
"When the hell did I say so?" answer arrived in a sobbing, low voice.
Christine thrust herself against Anna and hugged her. They clenched each other tight without giving it a thought.
"It's been three years of us together," Christine spoke at her ear, "at least don't hide it from me."
"I'll miss you so much Christine!" Anna sobbed, "You've been no less than a sister to me. Every day I come home from work I long to see you. Your very sight eases me. You are my home, my family! I don't know why are you leaving me!"
"Anna. . ." Christine said. She slowly released the tight hold and took her both hands. "Relax babe. I'm not leaving you. You know that flat is not so far away from here."
"Can't you stay in here with me?" Anna insisted
"Anna, you know I can't," Christine answered.
"But why? You're earning enough. Aren't you?"
"No, I'm not," Christine replied. "My expenditure is great, you know it well. I have to get a cheaper flat as soon as possible." She paused and they just looked at each other. Then she added, "I hope you get it."
"Yeah, I do," Anna replied with no other option. And they headed home; holding each other's hands wherever they went; at the entrance and in the elevator too. For this was perhaps their final night in the same room together.
* * *
The next morning ushered in a pleasant Sunday. However, it was a busy day for the girls. They had to get Christine's belongings to be shifted to her new home. Christine was packing her possessions. Anna stood by the door looking at her, biting on the apple's surface.
"Won't you lend a hand Anna?" asked Christine.
"Nope," she said concentrating on the fruit.
"Fine, I'll do it on my own."
Anna took the last bite until there wasn't any red portion left, and threw it in the bin even though it had enough of edible part on it. She began packing Christine's stuff with her. Christine smiled.
"You said you won't help," said Christine.
"You knew I wasn't serious," said Anna.
"No, I didn't."
"Well, if you're saying this you must be right. Why would I help you?"
Saying this Anna stopped packing.
"Exactly, why would you help me when you hate me so much?" said Christine.
Davis was sitting on her knees at that point. Meanwhile Anna pulled out a golden locket from her pocket. She approached her without being noticed.
"Perhaps," she said and simply put the jewel around Christine's neck. She stood up.
"Anna, but this is yours. . ."
"I know," said Anna without letting Christine complete her words.
Christine looked at her with a poker face. Then Anna added after a pause "you're gonna give it back to me when you return to our apartment."
Despite the fact that the locket was expensive plus a precious gift for Anna, she didn't deny to keep it. And simply said – "for sure". Afterall, her roommate longed to give it to her so much. The locket was a simple gold chain with two letters 'AC' in capitals at the bottom, which probably meant 'Anna Cumberbatch', until she met her. And then it was 'Anna-Christine' to be considered.