Chapter 2: How it is perceived
Alpara Kolumna: A Reporter's Chronicle (Season 1)
Table of Contents
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Chapter 2: How it is perceived
I suppose it won’t make any difference if I make friends here. My self-image is and always will be the same. I’ve simply been in my own skin for too long. I’d love to change, and surely my ambitions should be so selfless and dignified that it ought to be enough for me to… well… feel better, shouldn’t it? Why do I feel like I’m lying to myself as long as I haven’t actually put my actions into words? I should go and get dressed quickly now.
“Hey Theo, are you leaving today?” Without a word, he turns to me and shows me a photo of his daughter. Although Theo and I have spent every day together over the last month, this is the first time he’s shown me a photo of her.
“Nina turns 10 on Saturday, so of course I have to go and see her. I miss her so much, Alpara! I’m homesick for my daughter and can’t wait to see her again.” I replied, “She’s really lucky to have you as her dad.” Theo laughs and replies: “Haha, thanks mate, I’ll do my best. Have you packed your stuff yet?” I just look at Theo questioningly, because I’ve got nowhere to go. “Theo... I’ve got...” – “I know,” he cuts me off. “You’re coming with me. I’m not going to leave you here to rot over the weekend. Just come along. Nina’ll be delighted and you can help with the preparations. Besides, you wanted to get out and about anyway. You can sleep on our sofa bed. It’s no problem.” I hesitate briefly – do I really feel comfortable with this? But Theo can be very persuasive, and so...
...We’re off to Cologne in Theo’s posh Audi C1. It really is a posh car. Goodness me. But first we need to pick up a present. Luckily, I’ve got just the right idea. It’s not as if I don’t listen to my mate when he talks to me all day about his daughter.
After hours on the road, we’ve finally arrived. Whilst Theo is just saying hello to the neighbours, I take my rucksack and the present out of the car. I think I’ve got everything.
As soon as we got inside, Nina immediately rushed over to Theo and they hugged each other. It moved me so much that I completely lost my social skills – I actually wanted to give Grandma a fist bump to say hello. Don’t be so clueless again, Alpara, you can do this; nobody saw.
“Mum, Nina, let me introduce you to my mate. This is Alpara Kolumna. Alpara, this is my mum Hilde and my daughter Nina... um, Alpara, are you actually going to put your fist down or...?” said Theo whilst holding his daughter in his arms, and I... wait... put my fist down... why am I like this...???
“I think you’re cool!” Nina said to me. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. She must take after her dad when it comes to saving me from an embarrassing situation: “Icfff... sorry, I’ve... Aaaah-hem I mean, I got a Frog in my throat saaasfsfds sorry... I’m... Hap...” Grandma Hilde interrupts me and came over to me to introduced herself: “Hello Hap, I’m Nina’s grandma. You’re welcome to take your things upstairs to your room, and then you two come straight into the dining room. There’s stew.” With that, she disappeared into a room whilst all I could manage to say was: “My name isn’t Hap...” BAM the door slammed shut and Nina and Theo couldn’t stop laughing. Theo’s lying on the floor, crying with laughter. Should I call an ambulance? Guys, at what point should you call an ambulance if someone’s laughing too hard? ..
Now that things have calmed down and the two of them seem to have laughed themselves silly, it’s time for something to eat, and I’ve got to tell you something. I haven’t had anything this tasty in ages, and I know you’re not supposed to talk with your mouth full, but this is just too delicious. You’ve got to try that bread, mmmmm... soffy, you’ve got to try that... I mean... mmm... sorry, I meant you’ve got to try that bread. This family really seems to love bread.
“I think you look like a raccoon!” Nina said to me, just as I was about to dip the bread into the stew with relish and then shove it down my throat with abandon. But did she really just say that?! I don’t look like a raccoon. Well, not really. I look briefly bewildered, whilst Hilde interjects: “Nina, that’s not very nice! Hap doesn’t look like a raccoon!” I’m totally confused and Theo asks: “Nina, what on earth made you think that?” I wait eagerly for her answer: “I think your eyes look like a raccoon’s. I mean, sooooo raccoon-like... you know?! Just like raccoon eyes look. Besides, I loooove them. I’d love to have one as a pet, but Grandma won’t let me because she says we’ve got Perri and the two of them probably wouldn’t get on. I don’t want that either, because after all, I love Perri just as much as I love raccoons and I want them to be friends.” Well, well... so I’ve got raccoon eyes now. Kids are pretty cool...
After dinner, we tidied up and went back into the living room. We watched the Reinholz family’s favourite programme. I never thought I’d ever be so captivated by a programme about ants. Did you know that ants have been fighting a bitter battle on this planet for ages?! This programme had it all: drama, love, passion and even war... I don’t need to say any more, do I?
I’m surprised at how well it went. I never would have thought that Theo’s family would give me such a warm welcome. Grandma Hilde, Nina, Theo and Perri... what a lovely family. Am I jealous of Theo?...No...I don’t think so...I’m happy for him and I’m glad he’s letting me be part of it. But is the desire for such a lovely family something I’m even allowed to think about? Given my luck, probably not...well...let’s see what happens tomorrow...what will happen...hehe...
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