Chapter 3 - The darkness within (1/2)
In the late twenty-first century, they discovered a new pathology nicknamed the void. The screen era, as most called it, was when technology severed the fragile link that held families together. The symptoms showed distinct signs of lack of empathy, mild to extreme depression, lethargy, and difficulties to communicate with others. It greatly affected the birth rate of newborns. Even with efforts from governments and worldwide programs to remedy the situation, the results were fruitless.
I used to suffer from the void in my teens. The medication didn't help much. The happiness program encouraged us to make friends and go out to speak to others. Only through interaction did the effects of the void decreased. Lyla was my best friend, I imagine she still is. I'm using the 'was' cause it's been almost a year since her last VMS*. Why did she have to leave in the first place? Right, that boyfriend.
I can still see her standing on the platform with wet eyes. Her new boyfriend, Timi, gave me a tight smile. I nodded at both of them feeling my heart squeezed inside my chest.
”So this is it,” sighed Lyla trying to keep her tears at bay. Her chin trembled, and she pulled me into her arms. All of this happened too quickly. In three months, she met that awesome guy, according to her, and they had moved in together. It was love, at first sight, she kept telling me. I didn't have time to assimilate the change. What about our girl's night and her continuous nagging about my black-rimmed glasses retro appearance? What about my darkness trying to drown me?
”I'll miss you,” she whispered into my hair. ”You'll call you every day, you'll get bored with me,” I chuckled but my throat was tight. Why did she have to move so far away? Why was she leaving me behind?
”Pray that I can get a boyfriend soon, so I won't get lonely,” I smiled as she let go of me. She laughed and her tears spilled on her cheeks. Her laughter was contagious, all three of us laughed to release the tension. Lyla took out a tissue to fix her smudged mascara.
”Lili darling, you're too picky. If you want a boyfriend you must invent him,” she closed the gap between Timi and her. Reached out her hand, which he immediately took in his. They smiled at each other when the huge led panel above the boarding gate displayed the number of their shuttle. They turned to look at it, then turned back to me.
”If you're interested, my friend tried that new company. I don't remember the name but I'll send you the info when I find it. It's an artificial mate agency—” said Timi, but Lyla slapped his arm while glaring at him.
”What? Damien said that they make an awesome product,” he insisted with a straight face. I thought he was joking, however, Timi was an odd type. He smiled too much. Maybe I was the odd one—the paranoid one
”Shut up, Lili-darling doesn't need those machines to make her happy. She'll find a meat lover who's loving, gentle, caring, likes fantasy book, cooks, does her accounting, and is good in bed,” I couldn't help laughing at her long list. Lyla really knew me, I'll miss her so much when she's gone.
”Believe me when I tell you she's terrible at cooking. She'll poison the poor guy if she tries,” she rolled her eyes at me and I laughed harder. I'll miss her jokes.
”Why Titan of all places? Jupiter's moon, really?” I asked, still not realizing it was probably the last time, I was seeing both of them in the flesh.
”The money is good and I need my honeymoon get-away,” she leaned closer placed a kiss on Timi's cheek who blushed and looked away. Ok, they are in love—I get that. I really envy them. They waved one last time before lining up in front of the gate.
As I watched them holding hands, I felt a sting of jealousy. I've never thought of leaving everything behind, I liked my routine. Standing in front of the airport window, I watched her shuttle rocketed into the night sky I knew I had to change. Days later, Timi sent me the link to a fancy website. It was too good to be true. The kind of impossible dream. Sognare.
I blinked chasing the memory trying to drag me into the dark corners of my mind. Into the void. I reached the door to the room, I gave a rapid peek over my shoulder at the two handsome guys standing behind me. It was too good to be true. I bit my lower lip and opened the door giving them access to my private kingdom, where no male has set foot.