Read The Eternal Intern (Contemporary Romantic Comedy) for Free Online Page B

In the short time that I was interacting with my new landlord , my brain gave me peace. But now, all I wanted was to talk to her.
     
    T he closer we got to the city center, the more people were filling the sidewalks.
    “If you ever want to walk to the city, it's only twenty minutes by foot from where you're staying ,” Ms. M’Beka explained to me waiting for the green traffic light.
    “Green! ” I responded.
    Ms. M’Beka looked at me then swiftly turned her head upwards looking at the lights.
    “Oh yes, thank you,” she responded slowly accelerating the car. Further down the street I could see a long line of people. It literally went for at least a block.
    “You have to get out here ,” Ms. M’Beka smiled.
    “We are here ,” she continued.
    Her finger pointed to an entrance.
    “Go in there, get yourself a waiting number and then get in line,” she explained.
    “Thank you. But why are they all standing in line if they have a number? ” I asked.
    She laughed. “You'll see why”.
    I walked past the long line of people to get to the entrance. There was a young mother with her baby wrapped around her chest. Right behind her an older man. His eyes looked empty as he was focusing on the floor. As I got closer to the building’s entrance a woman shouted towards my direction “HEY, YOU. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
    I wasn't sure if she meant me and therefore kept walking.
    “ARE YOU DEAF? GET IN LINE!” the woman's voice got more aggressive. 
    I stopped, turned my head in her direction , and said “Me? Cutting the line?”
    “Yeah, she's right. You get to the back of the line ,” a younger man demanded assisting the woman.
    “But I’m just going to get a number ,” I tried to explain calmly.
    “So are we, moron ,” the woman said aggressively.
    “Wait, you’re standing in line for a number to wait for a clerk? ” I responded in disbelief.
    The woman just glared at me not saying a word.
    Welcome to Africa , I thought. What else could I do but stand line to pull a number. As I was waiting my thoughts were with Loretta again. Was she thinking of me as well . Damn, I really do admire asexual people sometimes. Just look at me. I mean, I am in Africa to eventually do what I always dreamed of, radio. And what am I doing? Instead of enjoying this I am only thinking of her, standing in line with more than thirty people.
    Eventually, I got a ticket. 89 . I looked up to the digital board. 14 . Great! Well, at least that gives me more time to think about my next step. As the hours were passing I visualized different scenarios. Me flying back if Loretta would ask me to. Me calling her unsuccessfully. Me not calling her at all.
    “Pardon ,” a deep voice interrupted my thoughts.
    I turned my head and was looking into the blue eyes of an elderly man.
    “I think it's your turn,” he said pointing at my ticket.
    I looked at it. 89. I blinked to the board hoping he was right. 89. “Thanks!” I said moving forward to the counter.
    From there on everything went extremely fast. I received my new phone and walked straight out of that crowded place. I was looking at the phone as if it was an ancient artifact. This was my lifeline to Loretta. I was walking along the street to find a quiet spot. I didn't want any background noise to distract this important conversation. My God, what was I thinking? It was only a telephone call. I acted as if my life was on the line. I took a deep breath, punched her number into the keypad, and put the phone to my ear.
    Beeeep , Beeeep
    I was rubbing my toes against each other as I always do when I'm nervous.
    Beeeep , Beeeep
    I began scrambling the words together in my head.
    Beeeep , Beeeep
    I kept waiting for another few seconds and eventually hung up. I felt empty. Maybe she wasn't around, I tried to convince myself. But I called her mobile. How can she not be around? I was beating myself with self-doubts as suddenly my phone started to vibrate.
    “Oh my God!” I shouted out loud,