I had a horrible sleep that night. I felt tired and upset about everything that had been going on recently. I woke up feeling incredibly anxious about the air con installation fee. My flatmates had previously agreed to contribute to the cost, but after yesterday’s argument, I wasn’t sure if they still would. Gathering my courage, I approached Jodi and John in the kitchen to discuss the matter.
The atmosphere in the room became tense as I mentioned the air conditioner installation. Canberra was supposed to be a fresh start for me, but I was regretting my decision to move. Jodi and John exchanged glances before Jodi declared that they were no longer willing to contribute to the cost. My heart sank, and I could feel my face flushing with anger and disappointment.
The argument grew heated, and just as I was about to respond, Jodi stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her. The sound of the door slamming was like a trigger, and tears began streaming down my face.
John, who had remained silent during the argument, moved closer to me, trying to comfort me. He explained that Jodi had a bad temper and that she often acted impulsively when she was upset. Although I appreciated his attempt to console me, I couldn’t help but feel that there was something off about the situation.
As John continued to comfort me, he offered to give me some money to help me relax. I kindly declined the offer, still feeling slightly uncomfortable. John quickly changed the subject and started talking about how great the air con was and how nice and cool the house now felt. He even praised the company that handled the prompt air conditioner servicing. Canberra isn’t the kind of place you want to live without adequate temperature control.
Despite the tension between us, I couldn’t help but agree with him. The house was indeed much better, and the installation team had done an outstanding job. But the lingering uneasiness about my flatmates and the unresolved financial issue weighed heavily on my mind.
On top of that, the stress from university had been mounting. My botany studies were demanding, and I found myself constantly trying to juggle assignments, exams, and maintaining a social life. The pressure of my academic commitments made it harder to deal with the ongoing issues at home.
I spent hours in my cooled room, trying to focus on my studies but constantly being distracted by my thoughts about the money dispute, my flatmates, and my mounting workload. I missed my family, my friends, and the comfort of my old life. I wished I could share my burdens with someone who understood me, someone who could offer solace and guidance.
As the days went by, I knew I had to find a way to address the unresolved tensions in the house, but also to manage my stress and stay on top of my studies. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I was determined to overcome these challenges and make the most of my time in Canberra.