DANIEL AND TANIA

Tania.

 

It is more of a strange story rather than a scary one. That night, it was raining heavily, and Tania gotsoaked from head to toe. When she arrived in her tiny apartment, she went straight to the bathroom, undressed, had a quick hot shower and put on a dressing gown on her wet slim body.

 

Tania put all the soaking clothes in the linen basket and went to the kitchen to prepare her supper. She was soon to be married to a computer engineer who was very tall and handsome.

 

After her evening meal, removed the gown and changed into her bright green pyjamas. She took a suitcase from under her single bed to the lounge, sat down on the bed and started to listen to the voice messages from her Iphone.

“Hi, it’s Kate. Have a lovelywedding. Did you catch a handsome guy? Is Daniel coming? I call you again, bye!”

 

“This is Melissa Barnard; thanky you for the invitation. I wonder who you’ll marry. I can’t wait to see.”

 

Tania did not like packing, not that she had much to fill, but she had no other choice. She was due to leave the rented flat within three days after marrying. She went through a box of magazines and found an old scrapbook from when she was twelve. She started flicking through it page by page, smiling.

 

Tania picked another scrapbook; on the cover were printed in large letters decorated with colourful patterns: “Persdonal Do Not Read!” When she looked at the first page, she saw aa photograph with her and two other, a girl and a boy; they were all the same age. In those days, she had very long hair which reached her back half way.

 

“September 7th. I had a fight with Kate over a boy! I was ashamed because the boy was watching us.”

“October 12th. Today, I was to take part in the school Christmas play. I was thrilled, and the boy was selected too.”

“November 15th. Kate started going out with Godfrey, so Claire went out with Thomas. Those two boys were always together. Do I have a boyfriend? No.”

“December 1st. I hate all the boys in my class; they fool around too much. I think it’s stupid because they always want to kiss. Will I kiss when I grow up?”

“December 18th. One week before Christmas!”

 

Then the mobile rang. She stretched herself and reached it. “Hello!” She recognised that voice and was very surprised. Daniel? No, no. I was still up.” She listened. No, not at all. I was packing some stuff; I’m getting ready, that’s all. How are you doing?”

Daniel told her he had two tickets for a production of Hamlet, and if she wanted to go with him, she asked him for what day. Four days later, she agreed to go with him at 6 p.m. on Saturday. He insisted on being there, and she promised she wouldn’t be late.

Did she get mixed up with the dates? Or was it intentional?”

 

She thanked him and continued to read her scrapbook. “One week until Christmas,” she continued to read. “Will I spend Christmas with my boyfriend when I grow up? I hope so. He would be scrumptious!”

She turned over the next page and saw two words only printed in giant letters. “Not Daniel.” She put the scrapbook in the suitcase with the others, picking up a bunch of photographs from the same period. She gazed at them individually, reflecting on each one for some time.

Then something reminded her of her friends. Daniel was not with her crowds those days. She did not even know him!”

 

Daniel.

 

The theatre’s foyer was empty, and the performance of Hamlet was about to begin. Daniel was seated by the entrance door, trying to reach someone on his mobile. He was not successful because he could only hear the same message repeatedly. “I cannot answer right now. Please leave a message or try again!” As he put the mobile back in his jacket pocket, he felt someone was watching him. He lifted his head slowly, and in a corner by the popcorn machine was a little girl with long black hair, dressed in dark green with thick black stripes and brown sandals. She stood still, her head down, gazing at the carpeted floor.

 

The young man felt uncomfortable and moved his head away from her, but the girl stood there like a statue. He tried his mobile again to no avail, so irritated he got up from his seat and went to the booking desk asking the clerk if someone had previously asked for him. He explained that he was waiting for a friend. Explaining that she was suppose to watch the play together, but there were no messages. Then he asked about the girl but as he turned the girl was gone.

 

Daniel went back to his chair and waited. He felt unsettled and tried the mobile again, but he heard only the message.

“Hi Tania, it’s me, Daniel! Where are you? I’m in the foyer waiting for you. I think the play started by that doesn’t matter. I hope you’re OK. Please call me as soon as you listen to this message.!”

He got up, went to the machine where the girl stood, and looked around him. The foyer was in complete silence and empty as the clerk left her place, too.

 

“I’m in here,” said a voice which was of a little girl. He did not see anyone, so he followed the voice through a hall leading to the studio theatre. He went in but couldn’t see anything, as it was dark. He stood waiting. “Over here,” said the voice. He tried to locate the light switch but could not, so he walked through the studio very slowly. He reached the platform, and the voice spoke again. “I’m waiting for you!”

 

Daniel saw the shadow of a little girl running out of a lit side door and ran after her. Now, he found himself standing under a spiral staircase. He looked up, and on top of the landing, through the metal railings, the girl peeped through it. “I’m waiting for you!”

 

“Who are you, little girl?” he asked.

 

“I’m still waiting for you. I’ve been waiting for you since I was twelve, Daniel!” The little girl started laughing out loud continuously until her laughter became hysterical.

 

Tania got married that same evening, while David, a few days later, was committed to an asylum.