"Victoria!" I flared up as I harshly tapped on her feet.
"Oooh, what is it this time?" She said with sleepy eyes.
"Why do you always do these things? Is it so hard to maintain orderliness? Why can't you ever leave things as arranged as you met them?" I thundered.
"You do not have to shout about it. I intended to arrange the cabinet after I woke up."
"Just the same way you intended to mop the room two days ago or maybe the same way you had it in mind to do the dishes that you and your friends ate yesterday, which by the way, I did."
" Just two instances and you're making a scene? What happened to the rest of the other days? You're usually the one messing things up and I usually clean up your mess with no noise. You're too much of a control freak. I'm just surprised you do not have OCD."
"Oh, now I'm the control freak. It's fine. I'd just leave the cabinet this way till you wake up from your beauty sleep." Victoria was clearly infuriated because I disturbed what seemed to be a very peaceful nap.
"Fret not, I'd arrange the cabinet when I wake up….."
She mumbled something that I couldn't clearly hear and I wasn't eager to find out either.
"You better" I said as I stormed out of the room. It was time for my daily coffee and so I headed to the cafe down the road.
Victoria and I had been hostel room mates for the past two years. It's only sensible that she got used to the fact that I liked things being done and that too, at the right time. I opened the door leading to the cafe and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee hit me. This was one place I could spend a whole day at with no regrets.
Briskly, I walked towards the counter. Sam, my favourite barista, was on duty. What a delight.
"A good day to you Sam". I smiled in Sam's direction.
"Good day Ms. Linda".
"I'd like the usual. Thank you"
In no time, my cup of coffee was ready. It was time to get some happiness after Victoria almost spoiled my day. As usual, I picked up the saucer that held the cup and immediately took it towards my mouth.
After a sip of my coffee, I felt a little pinch on my chest. I looked down and discovered that I had spilled my coffee. Can the world just stand still! I looked around to see if anyone was watching. No one. In the heat of the moment, I dashed out of the cafe and headed back to the hostel.
What just happened? I never spilled my food or drinks. I took my coffee with utmost precision and ensured that the cup was placed properly in my mouth. How then did I spill my coffee on my white t-shirt!
With so much confusion and anger, I dashed back into the room to meet Victoria awake and the cabinet arranged.
"Oh Victoria, you're a darling. You actually arranged the cabinet". Victoria rolled her eyes and didn't answer me.
I would deal her later I mumbled and moved towards the wardrobe to change my t-shirt. Soon after, I found myself walking back to the cafe from whence I came. My cup of coffee had been discarded since I left without a word. I ordered another cup and in no time, it was ready.
A few sips into the new cup of coffee, I discovered that my shirt had been stained again. This couldn't be a coincidence. Maybe the coffee cups here had a crack in them. But why was I the only one getting the cups with cracks in them? I paid for the cups of coffee and walked back to the hostel.
Victoria's countenance hadn't changed. Although I yelled at her, she was still my gist buddy. In a bid to liven her mood, I decided to tell her about what happened today at the cafe.
After narrating my plight and how embarrassed I felt to her, the young lady immediately burst into laughter.
"You do not mean it".
"Yes I do"
"But you never spill food or drinks. You're the greatest control freak I know" Victoria said.
"Exactly. That's why I'm still very much confused."
"Or could it be the little statement I made earlier when you disturbed my sleep?"
"What did you say?"
"Out of anger, I wished that you wouldn't have control over the things you loved doing the most. Since you're always in control, I wanted you to know what it feels like to be out of control."
I took a few seconds to think this through. Taking my daily coffee was one of the things I loved doing the most.
"Oh Victoria, your statement worked. Your words are quite powerful. I didn't know that my little outburst got you that upset."
"Little? You call that little? You chose to disturb me just when I was about to catch some sleep. Not only did you disturb me, you also spoke to me like some kid who can't tell their left from their right. You had really outdone yourself Linda."
"I'm sorry Victoria. I didn't mean to speak to you with so much disrespect. I just get jittery when things are out of place. I truly am sorry." I said, feeling so much remorse.
Victoria looked at me as if she was trying to catch my emotions.
"Fine. You're forgiven. Please do not do it next time. You could talk about it but please do not yell at me."
"I promise. I wouldn't do it again. Thank you so much" I said, kissing the back of her hands.
Amidst our fall outs and misunderstandings, my roommate was an angel and she constantly proved it. Now, I can drink my coffee with no fear.
