Heating Up Home

The day of the air conditioner installation finally arrived, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. Over the past few weeks, my flatmates and I had been getting along quite well, spending more time together and even developing a friendship. However, this morning, Jodi and John seemed angry and distant, and I couldn’t quite figure out why.

When the air conditioner installation company based in Canberra arrived, Jodi and John left the house in a huff, clearly upset about something. Despite their absence, the installation team was incredibly friendly and professional. They efficiently installed our new climate control system, explaining how it worked and how to maintain it for optimal performance.

Later that night, when Jodi and John returned home, they were greeted by a cool and comfortable house. Unfortunately, instead of appreciating the comfortable temperature, they immediately started arguing about the impact the air con would have on our electricity bills. I tried to reason with them, explaining that the air conditioner I had chosen was energy-efficient and wouldn’t drastically increase our expenses. I had to pay out of my own pocket the entire cost of the air conditioner service. Canberra is a bit of a nightmare in the warmer months, but my housemates wouldn’t listen.

But my words fell on deaf ears. The argument escalated, and I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. Overwhelmed with frustration and sadness, I retreated to my now-warm room to work on my homework, trying to distract myself from the conflict.

As I sat at my desk, I couldn’t help but feel disheartened. I had genuinely believed that the air con would improve our living situation, bringing comfort to our home. But instead, it seemed to be driving a wedge between my flatmates and me.

Despite the sadness weighing on my chest, I tried to focus on my studies, hoping that time would help heal the rift between us. Deep down, I still held onto the hope that we could eventually find common ground and rebuild our friendship, even if it took a little bit of compromise and understanding from all of us.