As planned beforehand, I tried to stay close to Gina. Luckily enough for me, Gina came to the hospital everyday to check on her ailing mother, and sat in the same spot where I saw her for the first time. Maybe she had sensed that I wanted to get to know her. Is that why she said, "There's nothing new to know about me anymore."?

My confusion knew no bounds. She was acting very odd. Unable to resist myself, I said, "Are you okay, Miss Crowe?"

"My life gave me no pleasure ever since I was born," Gina said, but her voice sounded like a tired sigh, "how can I be okay?"

"Maybe you can tell your problems to me, I can help you."

"No one can help me, although thanks for your kind suggestion. Now if you will excuse me, I have to go."

Gina bowed, and walked away towards the reception. At a glimpse, it may look as if she did not want to see me, nor did she want to talk to me. I was frustrated. No matter how many times I went to talk to her, she cut our conversation short by saying confusing stuff. This has been going on since the past week. I sighed and sank on a chair. I had absolutely no idea how I was supposed to get to know this woman.

"Miss Storm, you don't have any more shifts today. You can return home."

No shifts! These kinds of days were quite rare in my work life. Apparently, I work so well that the matron thinks that I'm indispensable. Somehow today, she seemed to understand that I need rest too, sometimes. I changed into my normal clothes and set out. It was the first time in six years I had seen the outside world properly. The sun was setting, and I could see the hues of dusk setting in. It had been raining sometime ago, there were puddles on the street. The street lamps were beginning to turn on, and there were buses heading downtown. I wasn't in a mood to head back home, things weren't going well. My parents seemed to realize how worthless their daughter was, and I kept proving it with each passing day. I walked silently, I had no idea where to go.

When you are lost, and your brain goes totally blank, coffee is the best thing to give it a boost. Keeping that in mind, and also understanding the need of caffeine, I walked to a coffee parlor, located a kilometer away from my hospital. I heard from my colleagues that they make the best coffees, and their coffees have the ability to make you forget all your sadnesses. I had never actually tried their coffee before, so burning with curiosity, I walked in. It was full, apparently. There were couples all around, Valentine's Day was drawing near. Literally all the tables were full, except for one near the window. It was occupied too, by a pale skinned lady, whom I recognized as Gina Crowe. I quickly rushed over. As if waiting for me, Gina said, "I knew you would come here."

It was my turn to be surprised, again. I didn't ask her how she knew it, because she would start quoting confusing stuff again. "Well, good evening," I said, sitting, facing her.

"There's no need to be formal with me. I've lost that position."

Pausing, she said, "What are you called?"

Hardly able to believe my ears, I said, "I'm Drew, Drew Storm."

"Pleasure. Would you like a cappuccino?"

"Okay."

Gina ordered two cappuccinos, and looked at me again. Her brown eyes were burning. The dark circles under her eyes were more prominent, but that didn't shade her attractiveness. She had a sharp stare, which could easily seduce someone. I could say all this, because, that was exactly how I felt. After a while, she said, "So, I see you want to get to know me. Why?"

I did not ask how she could read my mind. I simply answered, "I felt we're quite similar."

"How are we similar?"

I turned scarlet with embarrassment. I couldn't possibly tell an actress about my past life. Most importantly, I couldn't let her know that I was a school dropout. I sat tongue tied, looking at her piercing eyes. Seeing my condition, Gina smiled slightly. She said, "Yeah, that's how I feel too when someone asks me about my past life, which was horrible."

She extended her hand, and patted my shoulder. "I guess, you are right. We are not quite, but really similar."

I was lost, again. Though she was an actress and famous, she meant something, but I didn't know what. I became determined to know why she was acting weird.