A Story of His Instagram

I always became the one who was fond of anything related to electronics and the internet. That made me known as a gadget girl. It helped me anyway. It came in handy when I needed to get used to any new places I visited. I used Google Maps as well. It hadn’t been updated much but it was still useful.

Here in Nevada, one of the states of the United States of America I continued my study after graduating from high school. I took an eighteen-hour flight all the way from Indonesia to Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Nevada. It was so tiring. However, I couldn’t do anything but be thankful. What else was I supposed to do? I arrived here, in a totally new place I had never visited before, in one piece.

Three days before I went to this place I had asked for assistance from someone to pick me up at the airport. At the airport lobby, dragging my huge suitcase with my right hand and a backpack on my back, I was standing and observing every side of this place to find somebody who was supposed to pick me up. In front of the way out, I saw a girl holding a sheet of paper with my name written in a large black font.

I approached her and smiled. “Hi, I’m Cynthia. You must be Kiarra?” that was the name written on the email I received from the administrator of the students I talked with.

She shook her head. “I’m Gina, the coordinator of your residence,” she said. “Well, Kiarra was supposed to be the one who picked you up but she was busy with some assignments so she asked me to take you to the residence.”

I nodded, indicating that I understood.

“Anyway, pleasure to meet you,” she held out her hand.

“Pleasure to meet you too,” I shook her hand and let it go.

She asked me to follow her to the parking lot. We got into a black Chevrolet car which was so beautiful in my eyes. I always wondered when I would have my own car. I would be very glad and drive it everywhere, to new places.

It was still around eight in the morning when we arrived at a big building called Argenta Hall which was my residence. She helped me find my room and told me if I needed a hand she would come fast. I thanked her and closed the door. There were three beds there because this room was for triple occupancy. I chose the one which was nearby the window. I put my backpack and suitcase beside the bed and I lay there. I decided to unpack it later because I really, really needed a rest.

When I woke up I was not alone anymore. There were two other girls who must be my roommates. I sat up on my bed watching the two of them unpacking what they had in their suitcases.

“I guess you are really tired of the flight?” One of the girls whose bed was in front of me said so as to be friendly.

I nodded. “I took an 18-hour flight,” I confirmed. “I have never taken such a long trip.”

“You are from Indonesia, right?” Another girl guessed.

I turned my head to her. “Yes,” I answered. “How did you know?”

She smiled. “I need to know everyone who is close to me, so I looked for information about my roommates. I asked Gina, the coordinator of our residence,” she explained.

“I see,” I said. “Oh, I’m Cynthia by the way.”

“I’m Cassie,” the girl in front of me continued. Her long brown hair made her look stunning.

“And I’m Julie,” the other girl who had long blonde hair finished the introduction session.

I moved a little bit to reach my suitcase and backpack. I decided to unpack them as I felt that I had gotten enough sleep to gain my strength again.

I took out my clothes, sets of underwear, towel, and toiletries and put them into the dresser provided for each occupant which was under every bed. I set several smaller items on my desk.

It was Saturday and I still had two days before I started my study. The first thing I wanted to do, as I always did whenever I came to new places, was to look for a church. I asked Gina about this by phone, because I found her card on which her phone number was written. She told me to come to the church where she belonged to which was in Desert Springs Baptist Church. I was really glad that I didn’t need to bother looking for a church. She promised to take me there this evening.

Cassie and Julie came back after going somewhere I didn’t know and they invited me to have lunch together. I didn’t realize that it was midday. It meant that I had been sleeping for about four hours. That’s why I felt so fresh.

The three of us then walked to the Downunder Cafe by stairs because our room was on the second floor. We didn’t need to take the elevator. We ordered our own lunch according to our taste. I ordered a white Portobello pizza because I wanted to know how it tasted. Then we sat around the table.

“I was on his Instagram!” I overheard a girl sitting not far from me was talking to her friends cheerfully.

I frowned. “Pssst,” I whispered to Cassie and Julie. They tilted their heads closer to me who was sitting between them. “If you were on somebody’s Instagram, would you be really glad as she is?” I pointed at the girl with my eyes and let them took a quick glance at her and then look back at me.

Cassie shrugged. “I wouldn’t, except if it was Genesis Hampton’s. I would be super glad, more than she is,” she answered.

I frowned again. “What makes it so special?” I questioned her.

“Well, you don’t know him,” Cassie said again.

“Of course, I don’t. I don’t belong to this place, remember?” I snapped. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean it.” I realized my tone was a little bit harsh.

“It’s fine,” she said.

“Well as for me,” Julie said and made me and Cassie turn to her, “I would be glad as well, but not that much.”

I was so confused. I didn’t know what they meant. I had no idea what made him so special. What was the girl and my friends liked so much about him? “Now let me know about this. Tell me.” I asked them.

“Genesis is somebody who is really nice. He is so kind-hearted. He puts everyone on his Instagram and lets people know that they are so special. He even stands for those who are hurt by putting them on his Instagram with a caption like, ‘Be nice to him, you don’t know if he’ll be our future president’ or ‘She are precious.’ He keeps doing that and it is really beautiful.” Julie who seemed to fall in love with him finally ended her explanation.

“I always hope that someday I can be on his Instagram too,” Cassie added.

“Wait a minute,” I realized something strange. “Julie, did you say he puts everyone on his Instagram? Like, literally everyone?” I asked.

Julie nodded. “Yeah.” She replied undoubtedly.

“He knows everybody, Cynthia,” Cassie said. Her eyes were wandering somewhere above her head. “That’s why I adore him so much.”

I burst into laughter.

“Why are you laughing?” Cassie asked; feeling surprised. I could see an imaginary question mark above her head.

“Yeah, why?” Julie also asked for an explanation of what my laughing was for.

I stopped laughing. “Do you know how he is in reality? I mean like do you know him personally?” I asked.

“I met him once,” Julie said. “He smiled at me and said hi. For me, a person who says hi to a stranger is a nice and friendly person.”

I kept her words in my mind though it sounded ridiculous to me. Then I turned to Cassie. “What about you?” I asked.

Cassie sighed. “He lived next door,” she uttered, “When I was in junior high back then. Whenever he passed by my house and saw me, he said hello.”

“I still don’t believe that he is as nice as you girls have described, if I haven’t met him and known him personally,” I said.

I always didn’t believe anything easily before I knew it well. Well, it was different with something related to God. I believed in Him wholeheartedly no matter what. However, for this matter, I decided to be aware. I didn’t want to be impressed by someone only because I found that this person was nice to me without knowing personally. Adoring someone was just the same as making someone an idol which was forbidden by God. I always kept this in mind though this was one thing that people hate about me.

“Well, let’s see until you meet him,” Cassie’s smile looked like a mischievous smile of the old witch from the Snow White cartoon.

I shrugged.

In the evening, Gina took me to her church as she had promised. It took only eight minutes to arrive at church. When I stepped into the building, I saw photographs of young people who were having fun at some events on the wall. That made me smile broadly. I had always been really glad of being in a church. Gina asked me why I smiled and I told her the reason.

We sat in the third row. We were waiting for some minutes before the service started. Gina didn’t tell me what service it was but then I realized that it was a youth service when I only saw people around my age. That made me smile as well.

The service started. Everybody worshiped and praised God joyfully. Though it was only a small service attended by a few people, I felt like it was a big one; the spirit was so deep and powerful. Then finally it was time for sermon. We sang the song ‘It Is Well With My Soul’. It was Hillsong’s version because I recognized the bridge part that I really liked.

“God, we thank you for Your presence this evening, fill me as Your servant who will deliver Your message, and bless these people who will receive it. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” the man whom I guessed was a youth pastor -- because he looked older than everyone else -- finished praying.

I opened my eyes.

“We have only a few people here today, so I think it’s better for us to sit in a circle,” he said. “Boys, help me arrange the seats.”

Just like soldiers who obeyed their commander, they grabbed some seats and arranged them in a circular shape right away. Then everyone sat there and became closer to each other.

“Oh, I think we have a newcomer here,” his utterance made me a little bit startled but I was able to calm myself down. “So could you please introduce yourself?” The pastor looked at me and made the others do so.

I gave my brightest smile. “First of all, I am so glad that Gina has taken me here to join this awesome service,” When I said it people gave humming responses indicating they were as glad as I was. “Yeah, it’s true.”

“It means that it’s not a coincidence that you are here now with us.” The Pastor said.

“Uh-huh,” I responded. “Well, I am Cynthia from Indonesia. I just came here this morning and Gina was the one who picked me up at the airport--”

“Oh, I was the one who was supposed to be there for you.” A red-haired girl cut me off.

“Kiarra?”

“Yes, it’s me.” She confirmed.

“Hmm, it’s good that you have two friends that you know here already. Later on, you will be friends with all of us.” The Pastor uttered, registering a charming smile. However, I wasn’t swept away by it. I had no doubt he’d been married. He’s definitely on my ‘Impossible List’.

I nodded and continued my introduction. “As I always do whenever I am in new places, the first thing on my list is looking for a church. Here I’m taking my study at the University of Nevada. Nice to know all of you” I finished.

“Great. We welcome you now in this youth community and you are a part of us.” The Pastor smiled and opened his arms wide.

“Thank you but, umm, pardon me.” I interrupted.

“Yes?” He frowned as if wondering what I was going to say.

“What’s your name, sir? Because I don’t want to have your image in my mind anonymously.” I wiggled my hands as I asked him this question and everyone was chuckling.

“Call me Phillip.” He answered.

“Okay, Phillip. Thanks.” I smiled.

“Well, let me now start this.” Phillip started the sermon.

I enjoyed the rest of the time at the service. God was so good that He took me into a friendly group. I couldn’t be anything but grateful.

It was time for me and Gina to go back to the residence. Nevertheless, before I was going to jump into Gina’s car, somebody called my name. I turned to where the voice came from and found a guy running towards me.

“I’m sorry, I forgot to give this to you.” He gave me a small paper and I took it from him. “It’s a form for you to fill in your identity. We always keep the members’ identity so that we can always reach them.”

“Should I fill it in now?” I asked.

“Oh, no. You can do it at home and give it back to me tomorrow.” He answered.

I nodded. “Okay,” I said. “Thank you, err..”

“Gee Kay.” He pointed a name written on the paper as if he could read my mind. “That’s my name.”

“Gee Kay is your name.” I made it sound like a ‘Geez’ expression and it made him chuckle.

“Hey, are you gonna make me wait here forever?” Gina appeared from the driver side and she was standing with her right hand on the car roof.

I quickly turned to Gina and nodded before turning to the guy again and said, “Okay, Gee Kay.” It sounded funny that I was about to chuckle but I held myself from doing it. “I will give it back to you tomorrow morning.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.” He smiled.

I turned from him and jumped into the car. Gee Kay helped me close the door. Gina started the engine and we left the church parking lot after I waved to the new guy.

“He seems to like you,” Gina said when we were in the middle of our way back to the residence.

I chuckled. “What makes you think so?” I questioned her statement.

“I only know what I saw,” She answered. “I don’t know what the reason is.”

“Oh Gina,” I shook my head hearing her words. She left me with something to ponder about. “Okay, forget it.”

We didn’t talk much on the rest of the drive until we arrived at the residence. I thanked her for the ride and for taking me to church before going into my room and she somewhere else in the building.

Cassie and Julie were lying on their beds with gadgets in their hands. When I came in, they didn’t greet me as if they didn’t know. However, as I lay on the bed, Julie and Cassie started to shoot me with questions about where I was and what I did which of course I answered. Then I got up to change my clothes and brush my teeth and wash my face as I realized that it was already nine. It was time for me to sleep.

I jumped onto my bed. I took my phone out of my purse and texted my parents about my safe arrival and what I had experienced today. Then I read some chapters in my Bible and I finally let myself to close my eyes, drifting off to sleep.