The Date Planner

2. 9. Unfamiliar

And so forth, for another week I was MIA. To be honest, nobody even bothered to contact me this time.

I would sniff, smoke, inhale the hell out of my stash of pills and weed. The high of the drug would make me feel better for a while like it always does in the beginning.

But sooner it's effect deflates, coming back with twice the pain and the hunger for more. You can't help but keep consuming it until it consumes you.

Luckily for me, I had been through a dozen of these phases and came out of them, not stable but stable enough to know when I need to stop.

To say, it's not easy would be an understatement. Every time it's twice harder than the last time and had I been my younger self, I wouldn't have been able to get out of it without someone's help.

Thankfully, I'm not that person anymore. I'm a changed man. My self control has exceeded in the past few years and to say I'm proud would not do me justice.

Though by the time I did come out of my short term drug induced state, my apartment was trashed like never before.

Cleaning helped me clear my head and think about my choices in the next upcoming weeks to go.

Despite my mom's protest, I had done the one thing I wasn't supposed to do. Miss work for a whole week which I did by drugging myself. The only reason I can think of why mom hasn't contacted me yet is because she's still pissed or she expected me to not turn up the next day at work.

Throughout the pain of it all, there was one person on my mind constantly. And I think it's about time, I faced her rather than delay the inevitable.

So, I decide to take a thorough shower, shave the growing scruff on my face, apply some aftershave so I don't particularly smell like what I have been doing for the past week.

There were prominent dark circles under my eyes and my skin was so pale, not the usual kind. It was kind of a papery, musky kind of pale.

One look at me and she would know that I had been high not a day before. She's seen my college phase and I can't imagine what she's going to say or even acknowledge it.

I put on some decent loose, white dress shirt and black pants, heading out in the fresh evening to do something I should've done a long time ago.

On my way, I bought two bouquets, a bottle of the finest wine, took a short trip to the nearest toy store and headed off to her apartment.

I just hope all goes well.

I think to myself as I enter her apartment building and head straight to the penthouse.

It's 7pm, hopefully she's home and getting ready for dinner.

Or maybe not.

I shake my head to stop overthinking and get it over with. The elevator pings open to her lobby and I enter quietly.

The door's open I realize as I twist the knob and nudge.

Damn, Justine for never locking her doors.

Though it's not like somebody is authorized to enter through the elevator without her permission but still.

You never know with technology. A simple glitch could lead to a lot more. I'm going to have to talk to her about this.

I make a mental note to myself and enter further into the foyer leading to her living room.

There's distinct laughter pouring in from the kitchen and I can't help but feel drawn towards it.