Short Stories

Ask and Answer

And the blank page stares back with its dry, paper-ish eyes...

The amount of work is too time-constricting and stress--concocting for me, and I guess that means that I have to leave this crappy piece of a job I actually wanted to have. I reach over the pile of papers for my even more crappy--ier phone, and leisurely scroll over my emails and messages.

*No new messages.*

*No new mails.*

I don't know, but the amount of missing you is too much for my heart as well. My heart sinks as the unseen feeling of pain washes over my senses. I sigh and shake my head violently. Why the hell are you torturing yourself over something you can't take back? Idiot!

Indeed, too much time without communication ought to break more than enough strings to really, truly pull us apart. Now the temptation to see your beautiful face is also too much. I exit my messaging applications and head to the gallery to view the last photo we had. We were too happy in it.

And damn all these human senses! I have stupid tears welling up in my stupid eyes. There are high--heeled footsteps nearing, so I wipe my eyes on my sleeve and close my phone. It'll all be better not be caught using gadgets during overtime work hours.

"Cienna, are you done with the editing?" Kimberly Kristina Waters, my ultra chic & socialite boss leans of one of my cubicle's half walls; she's awaiting my answer with her blue eyes elsewhere.

"Yes, Ma'am; I am currently sending them to your drive."

"Perfect! I thought you'd never get it done; but as usual, you never let me down. Tata!" She hurried back the way she's come without as much as a glance.

Good, because we both know who's responsible for your unfaithful act. I sigh again and check my to-do list. There are no work left for me, and that actually signals that I could leave that ugly hell-hole of an office.

After arranging all my stuff, and checking that all my drawers are locked tight, I look around the office to see who's still around: Brian Khonkovsky from the Photography Dept., Elah Diepp from Proofreading and the new guy from the Writer's, Kevin Steeples. Brian and Elah were too focused on their due work for me to disturb them. But Kevin was about to go, too. Since I don't like walking the dimly lit corridors all alone during overtime, I choose to scamper after the guy I barely knew instead of asking Brian to walk me. I hastily say goodbye to my good co-workers.

"Hey! Kevin, right?" I catch up to him, kind of out of breath.

"Hi, um, you okay? Cienna, right?" He looks concerned.

"Yup, Cienna Blanc. Yes, I'm okay, thanks."

Kevin nods, and then there was only the sound of our muffled footsteps on the carpeted floor. The infamous awkward silence overpowered the both of us, but that doesn't mean I failed to be observant. Whenever I happen to glance at him, I sense some kind of loneliness in his dark eyes. That kind of look is what I see whenever I face the mirror after crying over you. We approach the elevator.

Without thinking, I say something unlawfully and ridiculously rude. "Fresh from a break--up?" BAM. Kevin's head snaps at me, and looks so sad and amazed. He let out a shaky laugh. "You read my mind or something, Miss?" He laughs more freely, and I laugh too. "Yeah, it's too obvious, huh?" He pushes his overgrown hair away from his eyes, which he's done for ten times already. I choose to open it up.

"So you pushing your hair is a mannerism?"

Kevin laughs some more. "Mind-reader! Yeah, I had it ever since I was six."

"No, Mister, I am no mindreader. Just observant." I defend.

"You say your surname's Blanc? You French?" He looks more comfortable, and without breaking his mannerism, he pushes his hair back again.

"A bit, but I haven't been to Europe yet. My Mum died before she could actually bring me there."

"I'm sorry." Then he notices the elevator coming up. "Ground floor or Parking lot?"

"That's okay, she went happily. Parking lot." I smiled at the thought of my auburn haired mother who knew small English, but cooks like a 5-star chef. "Back to you though. Fresh from break-up?"

"No, not really. I just missed her. It's been two years, and she's found the right guy blah." He looks away with a sad smile. Tell me about it, dude. Same fate!

"I get that. My ex has just found his fiancée, too, but we broke a bit later than yours." He looks as if about to say something when the elevator pings, and the doors open.

He recovers though, and offers to walk me to my car. I accept and we walk towards my red Ford KA. We were both silent, my thoughts revolving on our sudden acquaintance. His might probably be a cross over me, and his long--lost ex.

We finally reach my car.

"Bye, Kev. So see you tomorrow?" I extend my hand for the late handshake.

"Sure, C. Bye!" He takes me hand, and gives a fair shake.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's good to be writing again. :D This story seems to be something more, huh? I like it. HAHA.

So yeah! Hi again. I hope you enjoyed Ask and Answer. :D

Yours truly, feeble_typewriter!