Rememberment, Chapter XXXV: The Time I Went Missing

Ari and his fiancée, Satu, had moved in together to live in a small apartment right in the town centre. Their place was above the only video rental shop in town, along the route from my school to the bus station.

One day I was leaving school and decided to pay them a surprise visit. Ari had told us that they had gotten a pet parrot and I was curious to see it. After climbing the steep and narrow staircase that led to their home, I knocked on the door and was let in by Satu, who was alone at home.

The parrot was big and green and its former owner didn't want to keep it any more because of all the noise it made. Satu and I chatted about it for a while, but then she had to leave to run some errands. I asked if it was okay for me to stay with the parrot for a little longer. "Sure, just make sure that the door gets locked when you leave."

The birdcage was hanging from the ceiling above one end of their sofa, so I lay down and tried to teach the parrot some words. It seemed to be a slow learner. The sofa was soft and comfortable, and at some point I fell asleep.

I woke up when Satu came back home. She looked frightened. "Are you still here? Your parents must be worried sick. I'll call them right away to let them know you are here". I looked at the time and it was already past six.

Sure enough, my parents had been worried out of their minds. It had not even occurred to them that I might be at my brother's house. Instead they had been calling the parents of my friends (some of whom had since been driving around the town looking for me). Dad was just about to call the police.

I knew I had really messed up this time, but my parents weren't angry; they were just relieved that I was safe. I learned my lesson though, and made sure to always tell them in advance if I was going somewhere after school.