Elsa and I, found a routine in our daily interaction at the small corner. I can't boast that we are super close or that she is completely free with me or trust me, but I do know we strive to meet up every other day.

If I finish my lectures on time, i'd either stop at andrew's or Nick's place to freshen up then i'd make a stop at the corner before heading to Parrot. There were days, when this routine would be broken by Andrew dragging me to his band practice or mom forcing me to drive her to her friend's place.

There were other days, in which I willingly broke this schedule. Like one time when Karen arrived home for a short break from school. I couldn't miss the chance to spend time with her, we barely had time for physical contact or interaction; she was in school all year round and our only chance at interacting would be when she flies down for Christmas and new year.

I missed Karen badly and I couldn't trade an opportunity at spending time with her for anything.

Another one of the days in which I broke this routine, would be my rendezvous at Nick's studio. We barely saw each other at school, given that we were in different faculties. I also loved going to his place, mainly because of his grandmother. She'd always complain about how we (drew and I) rarely visited. She'd then go ahead to bake some yummy bread or any bake-able delicacies.

We never had enough of her cookies and the other things she baked. They were one of the perks of visiting Nick's place. From her crinkled smile and the shimmering of mirth in her brown eyes, I could tell that if she had her way, she'd spoil us rotten.

I didn't mind, and I knew that drew wouldn't. We were after all, her three golden grandsons.

✏✏✏✏

My lectures terminated three hours before the scheduled time, and I thought over going to Nick's studio or going home.

In the end, I didn't choose any one of the two options. I ended up in drew's apartment sipping red wine and sleeping for an hour. Then I  walked downtown and winded up in front of our corner.

I was welcomed with silence, a disposition trashcan and a few pebbles on the floor. My gaze landed on our empty rock companion. There was no blue bag and definitely no Elsa.

I knew that she hadn't been here. The pebbles were from Elsa and a result of my missed target, yesterday. I had kicked the trashcan in frustration when we were about leaving.

Her non appearance was unsettling. I couldn't deny that I did not break the routine, but this was the first time that I would arrive here before Elsa.

Later, as I got up from where I had been sitting from over an hour. I deduced that, this was the first time she would miss coming here in five months.

Fun fact: I like eating brown bread.