AFTER HOURS ✔

1

Loren Woods

Whenever I am extremely delighted with my life and I feel everything is surreal, I have constantly been whacked with a reality check. And honestly speaking I am not even surprised about it that's what makes the whole thing a constant routine at this point.

It has hardly been a year, since I have been staying in this massive apartment that my father had bought with one of his former business partners also his friend. I think I must have met him at one of the dinner parties but I could not quite remember since I was a little kid back then.

Originally, they built to use this house during the vacations to spend holidays in an amazing way possible . But now I have moved in here from my parent's place officially since I was old enough and my university campus was near which contributed for me to evacuate from my their place. So I have it all to myself. Correction past tense had it all to myself.

The first year was a little difficult, but I managed it all by myself. Frankly, I've learnt many things living on my own and I am amazed by the fact that I could pull it out .

So it is this huge villa situated on one of the hills, comprising of three floors.

If there is one thing that I adore about this apartment it would be gazing the skyline from the infinity pool on the third floor. The feeling is just out of the realm. A personal ecstasy where the coloured skies along with the weather uplifts my day .

There were many evenings and nights I've spent there losing the track of time. It just keeps me going from the days I did not like.

There is a gym towards the right on the ground floor, the library is located at the left, a movie theatre, a lawn, an elegant garage packed with cars that I don't know the names of a few but it screams luxury and whatnot.

There's everything one could ask for.

It all halted when I saw a few trucks that started to gather in front of the building. Perhaps the other flat is being occupied by the other family I suspect.

My sweet lemonade did not savour sweet anymore and was sour, exactly like my mood.

Ever since I had learnt that lemons are good for fast metabolism and the other benefits that come with them. I've been addicted to it. I've made it a habit to make the use of them in most of the things I cook and prepare.

You could effortlessly find a box of lemons in my refrigerator.

The fact that I have been abusing it than using it is completely true.

I placed the glass jar from which I had been sipping the lemon juice, in the sink.

I strolled towards the elevator not before I carried my speaker and my phone along with a dry towel with me. I pressed the button that indicated three, the elevator door closed landing me on the floor third floor.

I walked out and placed my phone, speaker, towel on one of the pool chairs.

I pulled out my sweatshirt and the shorts that I had been wearing, keeping them on the chair and took a deep breath before I descended into the pool,  swimming back and forth as one of my favourite songs blasted from the speaker which suited the sunset and the swim.

The water started to feel cold on my skin. How long have I been here again?

I step out of the pool, picking the towel, covering it around me. I noticed a guy who was now standing out of the elevators with his hands on either side of his pockets, leaning on the wall beside. His curly hairs made him look effortlessly good. There were few strands on his forehead compelling him to look more attractive than he already is.

His jaw was nothing but flawless with little stubble of facial hairs faultlessly shaved.

He had crossed his hands which showed the muscles that he probably had been working out for.

He is four letters one word, Damn

I grabbed my phone and speaker, striding towards the stairs.

" Hey," he said as I passed near him.

His voice was deep and raspy at the same time, sending shivers down my spine.

That was such a- wait what am I thinking about?

Ignore him, Loren, he is nothing but trouble my inner self reminded me.

Handsome boys are always trouble.

And I agreed with my inner voice .

I did not acknowledge his presence.

I walked my way down the stairs, I did not feel like using the elevator. I could feel someone's eyes on me the entire time.

I closed the door as I entered in.

Probably he was the guy who is going to stay here. I mean he looks smoking hot.

Where is the lie though?

Whatever I have better things to do than think about him, I persuaded myself.

Changing to my pyjamas falling on my mattress for a good night slumber was all favourable until I was hindered by my usual misery of nightmares.

I pant for breath opening my eyes wide, striving to take deep breaths.

I glance at the clock and it indicates that it is four in the dawn.

I sigh as I notice it.

I've barely slept. I close my eyes and face palm before I step out of my bed, walking towards my dresser picking a hoodie, wearing it.

I put on my shoes tying the laces, plugged my headphones stepping out of my apartment.

The more nightmares I have,  the more I suffer as though I've been inside the mesh.

Precisely like the spider that's fated to create its web and end its existence in the one that is built for it by it.

Mine is destined to be in these loops of nightmares just the variation between the spider and me is that  I am not the reason behind my destruction.

I sigh as I hop on my cycle, allowing my frustration on cycling.

The song blasts in my ear, as I proceed cycling, up the hill.

This has become my routine. It's either I walk, jog, run, or cycle.

There is no other therapy like working out, where you get to express all your bundled-up emotions, bottled-up feelings in the form of sweat, by straining your own body.

I drain my body like there is no tomorrow, I let myself feel the physical pain so the one I'm going through in my head would stop bothering me. But it was all good for a while since it is ephemeral, then going back to it again.

That feeling after you sweat is indescribable.

I start to pedal as hard as I could.

The cold winds hit me causing a chill to run down my body. I embrace it like the hug I always wanted.

I look at my watch only to find it's half past five. I turn around to go back to my place, with the chilly breeze accompanying me back.

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