The girl I haven't met
It was an ordinary school day like any other. The bell rang announcing that class was over. It was the last period for the day which meant I could finally go home. Outside the school I had to wait for the bus since my house was quite far away. After some time the bus finally came. I went inside and sat down on one of the many available seats. I didn't get much sleep last night so I thought I could take a little nap.
But when I woke up again I was in a place I'd never seen before. It was a small village surrounded by a lake. I thought that I missed my stop but then I remembered that my house was near the last bus stop. I stepped outside the bus and walked along the small road leading into the village. There was a market place with different stalls selling vegetables, fruits and various other things. It was a lively place, filled with voices, laughter and the sound of playing children. At the end of the street was an alley that lead to a quiet and shady place. I sat down on some stairs and listened to the echoing voices coming from the market place when suddenly a girl came running through. As she was jumping happily, totally oblivious of her surroundings, she tripped and fell in front of me. She wanted to let out a cry but as soon as she noticed me she tried to hold it in. Although I felt bad for her, I started laughing when I realized how hard she was trying. She threw an angry look at me and turned away. I picked her up from behind and held her between my arms. Embarassed she tried to shake me off but I told her that since her leg is hurt I'll carry her. Eventually she gave in and told me where to go. With the girl in my arms I walked through the alleys while she was giving me directions. The sun was setting and there was a cool breeze blowing through the village. After a while we ended up in front of an old tree house on the edge of the lake. We climbed up the tree and went inside the house. It looked like someone was actually living here. There was a little oil lamp burning on a table, next to it were some plants and different kinds of fruits. Two boys were sitting on chairs while carving wooden figures. Confuzed I looked at the girl wating for an explanation. She told me that they were her little brothers and how the three of them live in this tree house because they don't have anywhere else to go. She said that with a sad smile on her face so I didn't pry any further. I spent the night there, watching the two guys play with their figures and soon after we all fell asleep. The next day came and I decided to stay with them a little longer. The time with them was nice and carefree. We played different games together, we collected fruits and berries and ate them together, on hot days we bathed in the lake together and in the evening we sat down around the little oil lamp and talked together. One evening I was sitting with the girl inside the house while the two boys were still outside playing. We sat on the floor next to each other and looked at the stars through the little window. The girl said she is happy that I am staying with them and that her brothers seem to like it aswell. I wanted to say something but the girl cut me off. With a sad look on her face she said that although she is happy now, I'll have to leave her eventually. I was a little sad and confuzed by her words. I patted her on the head and told her that I wouldn't leave her. With tears running down her face she repeated the same words. "You'll have to leave me, I know you will .... because you don't belong here." I didn't know what to say. A strange feeling pierced my chest as if I knew she was right but I didn't want it to be true. "Atleast for today I won't leave you", I said. I wiped her tears away and kissed her. There was a feeling of sadness and embarassment in the air. We didn't talk much after that. We hugged each other thightly and gazed at the stars until we fell asleep. On the next day I woke up lying on the ground. Noone was there, even the boys disappeared. I looked outside the house but still, no one was there. I panicked and began to look for them. I searched in the entire village but without success. On the verge of giving up I walked outside the village on the road I used before. Suddenly I see the girl and the two boys waiting in front of a bus. Happy to see them I rushed over to the bus stop. The girl looked at me with a forced smile on her face and told me that my bus is here. I wanted to tell her that I won't get on the bus. That I won't leave them. That I'll stay here forever. But I had the same painful feeling as yesterday in my chest, telling me that I can't stay here even if I wanted to. The boys were crying, they told me to come and play with them again. I nodded while patting them on the head. Then I turned around and looked at the girl. She was still forcing a smile. A very, very sad one. I hugged her and told her that I'll come back one day. She didn't say anything, she just hugged me back. I stepped inside the bus and looked at them one more time before saying goodbye. As we were waving at each other, the doors closed and the bus started driving. I realized how tired I was from running aroung the village so I sat down on one of the seats. While thinking about the days I spend with the girl and her brothers I noticed that I didn't even ask her for her name. Short after I fell asleep.
After a while I hear the announcement for the bus stop where I have to get out. I wake up realizing that I am back to reality. A sad feeling accompanies me while I get off the bus and walk home. A vague memory of the girl whose name I don't know. The girl whose face I don't remember. The girl I haven't met.
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