Preview

 

I felt alone... and the deeper I sank into my solitude, the less meaning it all seemed to hold. My still-young soul yearned to escape, to go further in order to blossom. Because the place where I lived no longer provided me with the means, nor the sense of purpose. It's strange... I've always felt like I was searching for my path, for myself, or simply for connections that would confirm my search.

 

That's when it all began, or perhaps it was the confirmation I needed to make the decision to leave my country, since I had a good life in Bucharest: a successful and independent career, many friends, and a wonderful lifestyle. But I aspired to more, more than being a fashion event organizer. I wanted to go to fashion school, specialize, fulfill my dream of becoming a designer, and discover the world.

 

On September 7, 2012, a year after the conversation, I was in Paris as an Erasmus student.

Aya: - A little faster, sir?!

Taxi driver: - Huh?! It's blocked, Madam! It's blocked!

 

“That’s the first expression I learned when I arrived in Paris.”

 

During this period, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I had a wonderful year, with new colleagues, international friends, travel, and parties.

 

The following spring, after several interviews, I was accepted into an international private school specializing in Fashion and Luxury in Paris. I was, then, certain that I would extend my stay.

 

I. The New Beginning

 

Once my Erasmus year was over, I started looking for a new place to live on my own. One of my former Erasmus colleagues was leaving her room to return to Romania in mid-August. The timing was perfect for me. I just cringed when she told me it was a room in a Dominican nuns' residence. But I managed to get over it because it was the only option available to me.

 

The Dominican Sisters' Center

 

In mid-August, I found myself for the first time in the sisters' center located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. I had an appointment with Sister Marie, the sister in charge of the students housed in their building.

 

Aya: - Hello Sister Marie. It's me, Aya.

SM: - Are you the new girl?

Aya: - Yes.

SM: - You're a student, right? Because only female students live here.

Aya: - Yes, Sister Marie.

Sister Marie: - Very well, I invite you to sign the contract. This is a Dominican Sisters' Center, therefore: parties are forbidden, as are animals and the presence of boys.

Aya: - I understand... . There you go. It's done.

Sister Marie: - In that case, here are your keys.

Aya: - Thank you.

 

That evening I reflected a lot on all the changes I had made over the past year. This was a new beginning, new colleagues, in an 11-square-meter room on the fourth floor, with a sink in my room, a tiny bed, a wardrobe, a table, and a window overlooking the inner courtyard. The showers are communal, the kitchen and living room are on the floor below, and the first floor is reserved for the nuns.

​

Chapter 2 – New Friendships

​

7:00 a.m., a few days later

​

Aya: “Hi! Chan? That's you, right?! I'm Aya, the new resident.”

Chan, dressed in sportswear: “Nice to meet you!”

Aya: “Have you been working out?”

Chan: “Yes, I've been doing some jump rope.”

Aya: “Wow! Good for you! I go jogging regularly. Maybe we could go together one day if you'd like.”

Chan, surprised by my enthusiasm: “Yeah, maybe...”

Aya: “What are you cooking? It smells delicious!”

Chan: “It's part of my diet. I have to eat sesame tofu with soy sauce and steamed cabbage. Here, give it a try!”

Aya, feeling obliged to taste it: “Alright then. Oh, that's actually really good!”

I was about to take another bite when Sao suddenly appeared in the kitchen.

Sao: “So you're the famous Aya? Ria told me about you.”

Aya: “Yes, nice to meet you...”

Sao: “You worked out, Chan? But why? I found love just the way I am—with my lovely curves!”

Chan quickly leaves the kitchen.

Chan: “Ugh!”

Sao: “What? What did I say?!”

I blush and awkwardly raise my hands.

Sao receives a text message.

Sao: “I need a dress for this weekend! I just got a message! It's a wedding invitation. I really need to work hard this month! Sorry, Aya! How are you? Is everything going well here?”

Aya: “Yes, I think so... Hopefully. But aren't you a student?”

Sao, smiling: “I used to be. Actually, I'm only staying here temporarily. Ria helped me get into the center. I don't plan on staying very long. We should meet in the lounge this afternoon. I'll show you a dating show! After all, that's what we're all looking for, isn't it? True love with a capital L.”

She leaves the kitchen with a wink.

And she was right. Our entire lives—our careers, the people around us, our hobbies, even the food we eat—are all connected to love for ourselves and for others. Or at least, they should be.

​

Ria's Birthday

Aya (thinking): “This room is a little too dark. It needs some decoration, some life. And I need a boyfriend too.”

Ria knocks on the door.

Ria: “Hey Aya! How are you? What are you doing this Friday? It's my birthday and we're planning a little girls' night.”

Aya: “Where is it going to be?”

Ria: “In the lounge, here on the third floor.”

Aya: “What?! But the Sister said parties weren't allowed here!”

Ria: “Don't worry. We won't make any noise.”

Aya (thinking): “How could I refuse Ria's invitation? She's the leader here.”

“Well... I don't know what time I'll get back from school. My classes finish pretty late.”

Ria: “Too bad! Just make sure you're here by 9 p.m.! Bring some chips and a bottle of white wine for the girls. And don't forget your good mood! See you Friday!”

Aya: “A party?! White wine? In a convent-run residence?”

​

8:30 p.m.

​

After buying the bottle of wine, I head back home.

To reach the lounge, I first have to cross the ground floor and take the elevator. That's where the Sisters carry out their daily activities. You can run into one of them at any moment.

While waiting for the elevator, the phone starts ringing throughout the building.

Aya: “Oh no! There's always a Sister downstairs...”

To avoid getting caught, I hide the bottle inside a plastic bag along with my other groceries. Unfortunately, it still makes quite a bit of noise.

Aya: “Good evening, Sister Rosa.”

Sister Rosa: “Going up?”

Aya: “Yes. And you?”

Sister Rosa: “Me too.”

Aya: “But the phone is ringing...”

Sister Rosa: “It's alright. Sister Marie will answer it.”

Aya (thinking): “Tick-tock... tick-tock... my heart is racing.”

The elevator is so narrow that I accidentally bump the bottle against the wall.

Clink.

Sister Rosa: “Are you feeling alright, young lady?”

Aya, blushing: “Yes, yes... It's just a little warm in here.”

Sister Rosa: “What do you have in that bag? It's making quite a lot of noise.”

Aya: “Just groceries. Nothing unusual.”

When we reach the second floor, Sister Rosa steps out of the elevator.

Sister Rosa: “Have a good evening!”

Aya: “Thank you. You too, Sister Rosa.”

Aya (thinking): “Phew... what a relief.”

My heart is pounding. I've only just arrived here—I don't want to lose my place.

The girls are waiting for me in the lounge with loud music, food, and lots of laughter.

Ria: “We've been waiting for you! Where's the wine?”

Aya: “I ran into Sister Rosa in the elevator. I was terrified.”

Ria: “It's fine. She's old, and she wears a hearing aid.”

Aya: “Really? She seemed to hear me just fine.”

The evening goes well. We're having fun, the cake is delicious, and although it's getting late, nobody seems to mind.

Around 10:30 p.m., Sister Marie suddenly appears.

Sao: “Turn down the music! Hide your glasses! Sister Marie is coming!”

In an instant, everyone is sitting calmly on the couch watching TV as if nothing had happened.

The bottle of wine has mysteriously disappeared.

Sister Marie: “Good evening, girls. Everything alright in here?”

Ria, discreetly hiding her glass: “Yes, everything's fine. We're just watching TV and having a snack.”

Sister Marie: “Alright. Just make sure you don't stay up too late.”

The girls: “Of course, Sister Marie!”

As she walks away, I notice a white tail between her feet, followed by two gray eyes staring at me rather strangely.

Aya: “A cat? Here?”

Chan: “Of course. That's Peekaboo, Sister Marie's cat.”

The party ends peacefully, and everyone returns to their rooms.

As for me, I head back to mine. Sitting on my bed, I can't help but think:

Aya (thinking): “Whoever said rules are made to be broken was right. My stay here is off to quite a start... I definitely won't have time to get bored. Tomorrow I'm going to visit a pet store. There's one not far from here, and besides... I absolutely love animals.”