Midnight meetings

Big Ben had just struck 12 times five minutes ago, and I found myself a bench next to the London Eye. It was a nice night, not too cold and it wasn't raining, which was good. I was in the mood to stay out for longer, I didn't want to go back into the flat just yet. I needed the fresh air. I had just sat down when the guy in front of me said

"Are you Yvonne?"

I didn't quite catch him the first time "Sorry?"

"Are you Yvonne?" he repeated himself. I smiled and said no.

He wasn't convinced because he then went on to say "the one I've been talking to..?" Again, I shake my head, smile, laugh, and say no. 

"You look a lot like her"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah"

I laugh. At this point I am intrigued about this midnight meeting.

"Yeah, I live there (he points) and she lives there (he points again), and she said we could meet so we said we'd meet under the base of the London Eye" 

"Aww!!"

"but my phone battery is at 7%"

I laugh. "Well, this isn't the base of the London Eye! It's there!"

"Yeah but I'm late"

I laugh again as he walked off in the direction of the London Eye.

How cute.

When I thought I'd have enough fresh air, I was also curious about whether he was still waiting for her - I had intended to talk to him since I was bored and was quite amused by this midnight meeting, I got up from my bench and started walking toward the London Eye.

He was still there. 20 minutes on and he was still waiting. I almost talked to him but decided against it. I then noticed a girl walking towards the Eye. Could it be? Could she be the Yvonne he spoke of?

I walked past her and smiled.

She doesn't know I know her story.

Then I saw them meet and embrace.

You've got to love it when stories from books come to life. You've got to love midnight meetings. :)

<3

Things that only happen in movies

...or so it seems.


First thing's first, to put it all in context, my phone is completely dead. Dead to the world, dead to me. It doesn't function, I can't even unlock it to read messages or make/take a call. So most of the time I ignore it, and most of the time it's alright except when I'm trying to meet up with friends, in which case it is difficult unless I specify exactly where and when to meet.


So this afternoon, I was meeting one of my friends, Jaimin for lunch, and we set exactly where and when to meet. Got there, didn't see him, obviously had no way of contacting him (my phone also died while I was sleeping because I couldn't be bothered to charge a phone that wouldn't' work anyway - it's a wonder I still carry it around when it doesn't do me any good). I got my book out of my bag and started reading casually, like I could pick up my phone at any moment and ring him if I needed to, and that I had simply chose not to ring him but to wait patiently instead. He turned up in the end (he got a little lost), but hey, the system works even if you don't have a working phone.


After our meet up, I was going to a friend's boyfriend's birthday party. I have never been to his place and all I had was a postcode. Used Jaimin's phone to ring her up and got directions, and off I was on my (silly clueless) way to his flat. Tralala, got to the station, sort of worked out which way I had to go (without google maps!) and found it! *phew!* I thought. She had told me, look out for 36, and I was right in front of it! She also told me "we will either be in the flat - look for flat C, or we will be in the garden (it was a barbeque)."


I was slightly unsure of what to do when I got there. There I was in front of this building, unsure of where flat C was, and not being able to ring her to let her know I was there. I saw a little gate around the side and figured it led to the garden in the back. Alright, I thought to myself, maybe they'll be in the garden. I ventured in - at the same time feeling like I was breaking an entry. Haha! Got to the back and it was a scene! Food and empty bottles on tables, a barbeque in the back, but not a single soul around... Where were they!? I was completely lost. I went back to the front, went up the steps to the front door and the buzzer said "Flat B", which was clearly not I was after.


I walked up and down the street, hoping someone would spot me. Nothing happened.


I debated on borrowing a phone from a random stranger (I had her number written on a post it note - post it note WIN), but wasn't sure who to ask. Every time someone walked past I thought to myself, maybe her? Maybe him? Maybe them? They look nice enough, right? Then decided not to. When I finally saw a teenage girl walking down the street, I thought, hey, she looks harmless enough. (I assume everyone has a working phone these days) But all she said to me was "sorry I don't have any credit on this phone" Useful. Very useful.


I then debated on taking the train home, but it seemed like such a waste, after I had made that long journey there - I also had a bottle of Rose that was meant for the birthday boy hmm.


I went back up to the front door and tried the buzzer that did not say "Flat B" - none of them said Flat C, but I thought I'd try anyway. No response. I started strolling up and down the street again, feeling rather silly whilst trying to think of a better solution.


All of a sudden, someone came out of one of the side doors (Flat A), and started walking to the garden in the back! I almost jumped up with joy. He must know them! He must know where they are and how to get into flat C! I creepily followed him to the back garden....


"Hello..." I said.


"Oh hi"


"Do you know where everyone is?" I ask curiously. "Or do you know how to get to Flat C??"


"Oh", he said. "I think they all left, I saw them hanging around the front garden saying bye and things." I start to get desperate - surely the party hasn't ended!


"Umm... could I borrow your phone by any chance, my phone is completely dead"


Then he realised I had just got there and I wasn't part of the party before - ha-ha. Amazing. He said I could try buzzing the flat. So we went up to the front door (once more) and buzzed. He then said to get him if it didn't work. I laughed, nodded and said thank you.


I pressed on the first buzzer. Nothing happened. Pressed on the second. Nothing happened. Tried the first again. Nothing. The second. Nothing. It just wasn't working.


He did say I could get him if it didn't work, so I went back and told him no one had come down.


"Could I just quickly borrow your phone and make a quick call?"


"Sure", then he paused. "Actually, we have a landline, why don't you come in"


And so I randomly followed him into his flat to use his phone. How strange, being in a strangers flat that you had only met a minute ago. I dialed my friend's number. Voicemail. Of all things, of course this had to happen. I tried again while my new 'host' said to "make myself at home" and offered me some tea. Voicemail again... I was at wits end. Here I was, in Flat A, and she wasn't picking up. On the other hand, it was a nice flat and I was on a pretty comfy couch. Haha!


Then the phone in my hand started ringing.


"Oh! It must be your friend" he said, I laughed and passed him the phone - it could very easily not have been. But of course it was. They had left the flat and gone to a nearby hill.


I took some directions down (mentally) and said goodbye to friendly Flat A.


Oh yeah. It's perfectly normal to stroll into a random strangers flat to use their phone - speaking of which, when he was telling me the directions to the hill, his cat jumped right up out of no where to the shelf in front of me and I literally jumped out of my skin. Haha! And I thought things like that only ever happened in movies. Maybe now when I watch movies I'll think - oh yeah, it's perfectly normal to end up randomly in a strangers flat.

Sure. Sure.

I felt like I was in a movie.

What exciting adventures you have when you're without the convenience of a phone.

Love it.

You know you're jealous.