Chapter 6 – The Bucket List

“Alright. I’ve done it. I’ve compiled a list of fun activities I would undertake if I wasn’t… well. Let’s skip that part of the conversation.” She leaned back in her chair, clearly satisfied with herself. I didn’t know how she had managed to dye her hair from purple to orange in a week, but it kind of suited her. Her hair was also not open and flowing over her shoulders in silky waves like last week. This time, her hair was neatly tied up in a ponytail. Gone was the black leather jacket, replaced by a modest green summer dress. “How about a hello first? Yes, thank you. I’m doing really well. Yes, I brought your package,” I returned the rather warm greeting. She only snorted, “Oh, come on. No time to waste! The sooner you get out of here, the sooner you can complete the first task on my list.” “How nice of you. I’m also happy to see you again,” I teased her again, to which she only rolled her eyes. “Just a quick reminder. I agreed to you making a list. I never agreed to do anything.” “Yes, blah blah blah.” She rolled her eyes once more. “So, first item on the list. It’s my most favourite thing in the world to do – so don’t you dare utter a single bad comment about it. You have to try it. It’s amazing,” she squealed with joy. I sighed, “I’m sensing something bad.” “Standup paddleboarding!” “What… I don’t know about that.” “Pleeeeeeeease!” “No, never. I have absolutely no balance.” “Perfect. You’ll be able to practice exactly that.” “Nope. Not doing it.” “It’s either that or bungee jumping.” “Seriously? Nope, not doing that either.” “Alright… we’ll work us up there,” I caught her mumbling to herself. “Sorry, what was that?” “Nothing. I said it’s great weather for standup paddleboarding. You’ll enjoy it. I’m sure.” Raising one of my eyebrows, I sent her a dubious look.

“It’ll be fun. You’re trying out something new every week from now on. Just like me and my styles. Come on. Where’s your scientific curiosity? Just look at it like it’s an experiment.” I chuckled, but that comment had kind of hit a nerve. “It’s really sad, isn’t it?” I sighed deeply, eyeing her. “What?” “That my life is so boring that one of my customers, a total stranger basically, has made it her mission to create a bucket list for me.” I let out a dry laugh when she shot me a pitying look. “You want to know what’s really sad? Spending your summer break locked inside because you broke your legs,” she said while her eyes were searching for mine. “Yeah, sure. But that’s going to change eventually. I mean you’re going to heal, and then you’re going to resume living like a true maniac. Jumping off cliffs and climbing Mount Everest and stuff like that.” “Sure, yeah.” She just shrugged. “I, on the other hand, am just going to continue living this boring life until I die.” Gone was the pitying look, and it was replaced by a mysterious devilish grin. “Ha, nope. Not happening. Not when I’m done with you.” After a quick pause, I resumed the conversation. “You know, having this conversation with you – a technically total stranger – feels like it already qualifies as an experiment.”

“You know what? Maybe you should think of it more like it’s a truth or dare game. I dare you to go standup paddleboarding.” She laughed under her breath. “Besides, I don’t know about you, but I count people I have had near-death experiences with at least distant friends.” At that, I chuckled again. “In that case, I should have thanked the flowerpot properly for its service before it got cleaned up.”