“Does that mean I will have classes on campus?” I ask instantly.
“No, unfortunately. I just received an email from the president, and there won’t be classes on campus this year. Everything will be done online.”
“But what about my group? Does that mean I won’t see them the entire year?”
“Do they live in Manhattan?” Dad asks.
“Hmm, I think so.”
“Well, why not invite them over to our place so you can attend the online courses together? Might be better than spending your entire college year studying alone.”
Our place? So does that mean I will have to return to Park Avenue once my classes start again? I can’t believe after everything Alex and I have gone through, Dad wouldn’t agree for me to live with my fiancé. After all, Alex also has a condo in the city.
“It’s a great idea. I can pick you up once you’re done,” Alex replies, which basically confirms what I was thinking. And the fact that he doesn’t even suggest to my dad for us to remain living together shouldn’t surprise me. “What do you think, Miss Van Gatt?”
You know exactly what I think. But instead I say, “That would be great. Thanks.” After all, this lunch is not the right place to talk about it.
“Do you guys have anyone in mind to plan the event?” Emma suddenly asks.
I take sip of water before saying, “Um, no, not really.”
With a big grin on her face, I know exactly what she is about to say. “Perfect. I’m in charge of it, then.”
Alex drops his jaw like he’s about to unleash some sort of comment, but I manage to speak first. “Are you sure? What do you intend to do?”
“I can arrange the setting, the flowers, the music, the invitation cards, like, all that stuff, you know. I’ve organized plenty of parties in my life. Fifteen days is short, but I can manage.”
And with a hint of naughtiness, I look at him and ask, “What do you think, Mr. Van Dieren?”
“Sure,” he mumbles, returning the smile. His eyes then go to Emma, but now they are more formal. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
“Hmm…” Emma takes out her iPhone, and after checking something, she shows us a picture on Pinterest of an elegant dinner with candles, white tablecloths, live music, and an impeccable setting. “Something like this. What do you think?”
“Oh, wow.” My lips curve into a broad smile, picturing our engagement party in such a classy setting. “That looks fantastic.”
“Perfect,” she says. “And how many people are gonna attend?”
“Thirteen adults,” Alex replies. “Including you and your parents.”
As I watch them discuss the details of our party, and how they can arrange the terrace to include live music, a soft smile quietly charms my lips, warming up my heart. Being engaged to him tastes better than anything I could’ve dreamt of. And I make the conscious effort to keep it in my memory for as long as I shall live. To me, having lunch surrounded by all those I love is the exact definition of happiness, and my mouth starts watering at the delicious smell of the sautéed mushrooms Maria is now putting on my plate. Ah… what a beautiful day to be alive.
After lunch, Emma, fully empowered in her new role as the event planner, goes around the terrace, taking pictures and jumping from call to call to prepare the decor and setting. Meanwhile, Cynthia brings me my iPhone so I can check all the emails and messages I’ve missed. To my surprise, I find many unread texts from my group at Columbia, and in particular from Matthew: Prof Chilnisky told us you got into an accident and are in a coma. I hope one day you will wake up and see this. Columbia is not the same without you. We miss you so much, Petra. Please call me once you see this. That one is dated all the way back in March.
Then another one from him, this time for Easter: Happy Easter!!! I know you are still in a coma, but if you ever wake up, I want you to know you are in our thoughts. The group had lunch at my place, since a lot of restaurants are closed due to the current pandemic. But in your memory, we tried matcha lattes with seven spoons and soy milk just like you like. I must say, though, it’s absolutely disgusting (sorry). But hey, at least Sarah loves it! Xx
Oh boy, I crack a laugh imagining him tasting a matcha latte for the first time. What a pity I wasn’t there to see it.
Then another text—this one, though, is really long:
Well, today I just took my last exam. With the current pandemic, we’re doing everything online. And we didn’t even know if the exams would ever take place. It was such a big mess. I swear, what a terrible time to be alive. You’re kinda lucky that you don’t have to witness any of this. The mood is pretty bad, everyone is kinda depressed. Suicide rates are skyrocketing. Our group is having some friction, and Katrina and Sarah had the biggest fight ever because of the face coverings. Anyway, sorry for the rant, but I miss talking to you. I hope one day you will see my messages and call me.
Wow. My heart feels tight as I finish reading his text. Scrolling farther down, I notice that Matthew kept sending me many, many more messages, the latest one sent just a week ago. Without waiting any longer, I press the FaceTime button and call him.
My anxiety grows as I wait for him to accept my call.
Oh! Finally! “Hey, good afternoon, Mr. Bradford,” I tease with the biggest grin.
“WHAT?!” he screams, before covering his mouth. As I wave at him, I see him getting overly emotional and his eyes watering. He starts sniffling, looking up to prevent tears. “Thanks for the messages,” I tell him. “They were really amazing. I felt like I was still there with you guys.”
After breathing in and out, and getting used to seeing my face, Matthew gives me one of his goofy laughs. “Good afternoon, Ms. Van Gatt,” he jokes back. It feels amazing to see him again. He looks happier, heck, even tanner, like he just came from vacation or something. “I can’t believe you’re finally awake. I’m so sorry I didn’t visit you, but with the current pandemic, like, I didn’t think it would’ve been prudent.”
“Don’t worry, I understand. How are things with the group? Is everyone alright?”
“Yeah, things were a bit tense, ya know, some arguments here and there, but friendship always wins,” he confesses. “I haven’t seen David or Katrina all summer. I think they went back to their home states to visit their families.”
“Are they coming back to New York for this semester?”
“Yeah, they should be flying back next week. Very few people managed to get a dorm room, ya know. They got very lucky. Campus this year is pretty much closed. Most people are staying in their home states and will do everything online,” he says.
“Oh, wow. And Sarah, how is she?”
“She’s great. We went to Hawaii for my dad’s birthday. We stayed there all summer. You don’t see my tan?”
I laugh at Matthew’s failed attempts to try different angles of light that will enhance his bronzed skin. “Yeah. You look great,” I tell him. “Look, um, the first day of classes is the eighth. What if we meet at my place on Park Avenue and we attend the classes together?”
“Um.” Matthew seems confused. “So you also decided to switch to economics-philosophy?”