I Do Not Mind The Rain

Chapter 7

Sometimes you meet weird strangers

The three of us sat in the waiting room that we reached after much difficulty. We had to walk without making any noise or being seen. It was harder than it sounds. Taiyan gave me some snacks from the vending machine after I washed up. He also kept laughing every time he glanced at me. I was a little embarrassed.

I've done a lot of stupid shit in my life but nothing comes closer to mistaking a human for a talking zombie. The human in question being Sam. He was kept eyeing me everywhere I went. He said he is a fan but the way he is looking at me he seems to have been questioning his life decisions.

"So, Sam what are you doing here?"
Taiyan asked him as I chewed on the protein bar.
"I just came back from my dad's."
"How did you survive here?"

He looks like a zombie so the other zombies were probably confused. There is no way in hell I'm the only one who thinks he is a zombie, I mean look at his eyes. It looks like someone gave him black eyes by punching him. I guess those are just the after-effects of using too much smart phone or maybe he is just ugly. I already chased him down once almost risking our safety, so I wasn't about to interrupt this conversation. I would never live that down so until I have to be the butt of a joke I must keep quiet.

"Well as soon as we landed I got so many texts and calls from my mom. I called her before I got off the plane and she told me to hide in the bathroom. I didn't believe her at first but the moment the door opened I saw these people looking horrible and running towards us. So I just hid in the bathroom for an hour and waited for it all to calm down."

Taiyan nodded. "Is there anyone else here? Did you see a pilot or...?"
"I don't think so. I somehow made it here and the first human sound I heard was from you guys. I was thinking about getting out of here but mom keeps telling me to stay put and hidden and not go to her. "
Taiyan sat back before he took off his black coat. The top two buttons of his white dress shirt were holding on for dear life. He looked sideways taking off his watch and then throwing his head back revealing his Adam's apple and sharp jawline as he ran his hand through his hair and the muscles of his arms flexed. He then folded up his sleeves and revealed the veins on his arm. My mouth must have fell open on its own and I know I was breathing heavy because what the fuck is he doing right now? We are stuck in a zombie city and he is putting on a strip show in slow motion with back ground music. Is this actually happening or am I imagining it?

"Aera?" His voice broke my trance and I blinked. He was looking at me as if he's been talking to me for a minute but I completely zoned out. I am so attracted to him right now. I mean I always was ever since the first day I saw him but lately especially today the attraction is off the charts so much so I wanna climb on his lap and....
"What are you thinking?" He waved his hand in front of my face. I cleared my throat and sat up putting away the protein bar.
"Nothing. What were you saying?"
"I was saying that you and Sam should stay here. I'm gonna go out and search for a pilot or someone who might have survived who can help us get out."
"What?"
He stood up picking up the crowbar from the floor. "Don't make a sound. Charge your phone and contact someone. In case I don't come back wait for someone to get you. Don't go out, okay?"

My stomach dropped the dreadful feeling took over my body. I felt light headed. I stood up.
"You are leaving me here?" My voice sounded small and I felt a lump of tears in the back of my throat.
Taiyan came closer and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"Don't worry I'll come back." He smiled.
But no, no way. I'm not letting him go. I turned and looked at Sam who was staring at us with narrowed eyes.
"Hey Sam."
"Yeah?"
"Help me."
"What?"
I went around Taiyan and quickly jumped on his back. He bent down with the force as I held on to his neck.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm not letting you go." I looked at Sam. "Bring his coat and tie his hands."
"Aera..."
Sam stood up. "Is she always this crazy?" He asked Taiyan.
"Hey!" I protested.
"I'm afraid so." Taiyan said and in an instant he unlocked my arms without any difficulty and swiftly took my waist in his arm before pulling me off him and throwing me on the couch. I started to get up but he knelt between me legs and pushed my shoulders down.
"Hand me that coat." He said to Sam.
I threw my legs in the air in protest but I couldn't get off the couch.
"What are you doing?" I squeaked. Taiyan smirked at me. He smirked at me, that jerk! He took the coat and tied my hands with it.
"No matter what, don't untie her." He said to Sam before he looked at me.
"I hate you." I stopped struggling and looked away from him feeling my eyes tearing up.
He turned my head around and made me look at him.
"I'm sorry. But I'll come back. I promise."
The tear spilled over from the side of my eye just as he bent over and kissed my forehead. He caressed my cheek looking at me for a second as he smiled. I'm sure I was pouting. He got off me but I didn't look at him leave. I just stayed put and looked at the ceiling holding my tears in.

"Take care of her." I heard him say before the door open and shut behind him. I don't know how long I stayed there until I closed my eyes and dozed off.

The sound of the camera clicking woke me up. I opened my eyes to find Sam clicking my pictures without my consent I might add. As soon as he noticed my eyes open, he got flustered and stumbled back losing grip on his phone which fell to the ground.

I rubbed my eyes realizing my hands were free. I sat up looking at Sam picking up his phone and avoiding my eyes.
"Were you just clicking my pictures?"
"Uh..."
"Give me your phone."
"It's not what you think. I just...I told you I'm a fan and I don't..."
"Give me your phone now." I said in my most business like voice.
Sam wet his lips and gulped before he took the phone and shoved it down his pants. I almost laughed at it.
I stood up and took a threatening step towards him.
"You really think I wouldn't go down there." I eyed the fly of his jeans. "If you don't want to be embarrassed take it out."
He must've seen how serious I was. His shoulders sagged as he took out the phone and gave it to me.

"Are you really my fan?" I handed him the phone back once I was sure all of my pictures were gone for good.
"Yes. I am. Look I untied you and I charged your phone." He pointed towards my phone on the center table.

 "Then why were you taking my pictures like a creep just now?"
I reached for my phone noticing several calls and texts from my manager. 

"I just want to remember that I actually met you." 

I looked up from my screen and at him. He might look like a zombie but he is kind of cute.

"It is me."

He nodded before saying, "What is your relationship with the dude who just left?" 

I shrugged. Fuck me if I know.

My phone dinged again. It was a text from my mom.

I had her named saved as Evil Bitch on my phone and to say she was the cause of all of my misery would be an understatement but even so she is my mother. And I do care about her.

'Call me if you aren't a zombie already.'
'Your brother is fine.'
'Send me your pass code in case you don't make it.'

I sat down on the couch looking at her indifferent texts. I wanted to throw my phone across the room but what good would that do me. I am done giving her power over my emotions. Like my therapist told me, my mother, she never cared enough. And the little bit of what she did; she never succeeded at expressing it.

'I am alive so don't get your hopes up yet.'
I texted her back before I replied Zeni. If anyone can take us out of here it's her.

I contacted a lot of people from my team asking if they were okay.
The last text I sent was to Taiyan.
'Where are you?'

...