I Still Miss You 💔. By A.ZChaudhry

Chapter 8

XANDROS

I am flipping my shit because my omellete is breaking apart. I curse myself when droplets of hot oil splash on my arm, me trying my level best to make an edible omellete but failing drastically well. Mum used to love cooking and baking and hence, she was the one who always made food for us. Cooking was like her safe space, her unpaid therapy but obviously, ingredients paid by dad. He himself pointed this out when mum was telling how she considered being in the kitchen as therapy.

But dad's money was also understood. Poor mum had to put up with an overly energetic loving husband. Sigh.

Toby was more into cooking and did learn a few things from mum but not me. I loathed cooking. I loathed baking. I just appreciated eating. Another trait I got from my dad. My good old man.

Anger hissed through my teeth when it further broke just as the bell rang. Agitatedly, I turned off the stove and moved the pan to the cooler side, deciding to sleep without having anything. Again. I cleaned my hands on my pants and opened the door to see the mail man outside. Nodding towards him, I collected the envelopes and went back inside, ripping through each to check the electricity, gas and water bills. Seeing the values sparked another dull throb inside me to see it so low. I didn't use many lights, I was rarely at home, I didn't use the television, nor the air conditioner in the morning. And so? The bill was less. Payable at the moment with all of my savings, but still less.

Trudging up the stairs and entering my room, I closed the door behind, locked it and placed the envelopes on my side table. I'd pay them the first thing after class tomorrow morning. Turning the air conditioning on, I ignored the hunger pains in my stomach when I just turned over and went to sleep. But not before, a beautiful smiling face of an innocent girl clouding my thoughts, easing a soft smile over my lips.

*I was walking towards class with my earpods inside my ears when I felt a gentle tap over my shoulder. Irritation rushed through me like hot lava because I clearly showed everyone in uni from day one that I wasn't interested at all. I was not interested in engaging into conversation or even looking at someone's face, then what was the point in calling me again?

I turned around for my heart to skip a beat and for my eyes to soften. It was Ava. She was wearing jeans with a t-shirt stuck in her pants with a beautiful belt over it. Her hair were pinned above her head in a bun with messy strands hanging out making her look cute. She was holding her bag and biting her lip when she spoke after pulling it away from between her teeth, "Um, hi."

I shook my head, took out my earpods and smiled at her, "Hey. How are you?"

"Good good. You?"

I nodded in return, hoping she'd get the message across that I was fucking fine. We started moving again, none of us saying any word when she spoke, "I'm sorry if I disturbed you."

I whipped my head in her direction, "No no, you didn't. I just am not used to talking in the morning, especially with rowdy as hell students, so it just caught me off guard. Also, I am not a good conversation starter. So yes."

She chuckled and nodded, "Understandable. I was also like this till Owie changed me."

Jealousy crashed through me when I thought that it must be her boyfriend or some ex. I was always finding an option or a minor loophole to hate her to avoid being the one in pain and I thought this might be the one when I found myself asking instead, "Who?"

She looked at me as realization suddenly dawned on her that I didn't know, "Oh, Owie. Owen. My younger brother. He is six and the most talkative in the family." Thank you Goddd that Owie is her brother, not some limp ex. I released a tensed breath that I never knew I was holding when I nodded, "You all must love him. A younger brother, talkative and definitely of the type that runs around the house?" I questioned looking at her when she laughed, her laugh jolting my heart and telling me that yes-you-are-falling-in-love-we-too-are-here-to-watch, "Yes. Owie is exactly like that. I can't live a day without that little boy."