 PARALLELSharmille Soewoto never really understands the jargon 'parallel universe'. In all honesty, at the mention of the jargon, Sharmille can't help but relate it with the parallel phones that once graced her household when she was a child. You know, two phones which are connected by the same cable, therefore they share the same number. You talk on the receiver of one phone and another person can listen to your conversation on the receiver of the other phone.That night, her third night on vacation back home in Jakarta, Sharmille had a strange dream. Starring in her dream were her dad, Daniel Soewoto, and her long-time love interest Douglas Bing, who is Eurasian of Chinese and Caucasian descent. They were holding a table n the garage of Sharmille's Jakarta home, a room of which the girl was now in deep slumber.It didn't matter why Douglas was at her Jakarta home. It was just a dream anyway. It did matter to her in another way, however. As one primarily guided by her intuition, Sharmille believed this dream would lead to something. Something that Sharmille hoped would be that she and Douglas would be become a couple in the year 2007, which was just around the corner.On the second day of 2007, Sharmille flew back to Auckland to begin her second summer school. She only saw Douglas once all through the summer school. But she got to see a lot of her love interest, Ted Buchanan, who worked in the general library. They even went on a date several times, making Sharmille all the more convinced Ted was only kidding when he told her, before she jet off to Jakarta, that he thought of her only as friends. Ted first made a move on Sharmille in April, when he asked her why she always dressed in pink. One thing led to another, and their flirting heightened as Sharmille went to the library everyday - for her studies as well as Ted. Ted began to introduce Sharmille to his colleagues, and whenever she casually mentioned about hanging out with her friends, he'd curiously ask if they were male or female. At least that's how it seemed to Sharmille.Back to the summer school, Sharmille and Ted's dates stopped when it finished in the middle of February, but the two of them continued to see one another at the library. Everything seemed to come up roses until one day in late April. Sharmille walked into the library to find Ted sitting behind the counter and his face clean-shaven. She exclaimed a little.'Whoa Ted! Look, you're clean shaven!''Do you think I look better?' asked Ted, grinning sheepishly. Sharmille nodded, flashing him her best smile.After checking on the library database website, Sharmille went to level two to get a book titled Mermaids and Mastodons: A Book Of Natural and Unnatural History by Richard Carrington. The book was to be used as a side reading for her English 352 essay on the novel Republic of Love by Carol Shields. The novel uses a lot of mermaid analogy and Sharmille's uber eccentric lecturer and tutor, Ellen Lithgow, suggest she read up on the myths of mermaids to better connect the mythical sea creature with the madness people in love do. Sharmille's choice fell on the Carrington book actually because it was the only available research-based book on mermaids. As a third year, Sharmille understood that this is because it was one of the busiest times, shortly before the mid-semester break and everyone was having an assignment. Hence the shortage of source books.Back from level two, Sharmille tried her very best not to let the sight in front of her have any affect. At least on the outside. There behind the counter were Ted and a cute blonde, mock-wrestling each other. Every two seconds their lips met. Sharmille smiled, eyes fixed on the lovey-dovey couple. She smiled. This is what she does when she's in shock but doesn't want anybody to know it: trying to pull off the amused look. So far she doesn't know if her effort is a success or other people still can read her like a book. Sharmille didn't know how long she stood there staring at the couple and smiling like an idiot. A moment later she decided she had enough.'Hey guys,' she greeted. Oh hi Sharmille! Didn't even notice you're there,' Ted replied with his usual flirty voice. 'You two make such a cute couple.' Ted didn't reply. Sharmille walked towards the counter to give the book to Ted to be checked for due date.'Are you doing Lithgow's paper?' Ted asked. He has BA Hon. in both English Literature and FTVMS (Films, Television, and Media Studies) from the university he works at. He's a full time librarian (a job he's had since his student days because 'it's pretty laid-back and the money's good') and occasional film-maker. His latest short film, Marianne, is New Zealand's only entry to this year's Venice Film Festival. 'Uh-huh,' Sharmille smiled. She actually almost blurted out 'What do you think?' but decided to hold back her sarcasm. It would only convince Ted that he defeated her in the nasty game. 'Do you like Ellen?' 'Well...she's alright...Nice. Freaky hair, though.' Ted chuckled a little. 'Due back on May 19,' Ted said. He affixed the due date chop on the book's first page and handed it to Sharmille.All set and done, Sharmille decided to add a finishing touch to her misadventure with Ted Buchanan this time. She cast her eyes on the girl Ted was reluctant to let go of when he noticed Sharmille was staring at them. She was beautiful, as expected of any blonde. She was a bit chubby, she had what Indonesians call 'tomato cheeks.' Her features were soft, contrasting with Ted's sharp ones. Her smooth blonder hair cascaded down her green cardigan, witch beautifully matched her emerald-green eyes. 'That's a gorgeous cardie you have on,' Sharmille said. 'Really? Aw, thanks,' said the blonde. 'What's your name?' 'Gloria.' 'I'm Sharmille.' A second later Sharmilee decided enough was enough. 'Gotta run. Bye guys. Pleased to meet you Gloria!' She flashed them her pearly whites and butt off. Sharmille didn't wait until Gloria said the same thing. 2007-12-23, 8:07 p.m.     |