So Strange

A Proposition

Chishiya's POV

  I feel pressure in my chest. Actually, I feel pressure on my chest, too. I look down and watch lithe hands roam the expansion of my chest. This feels odd. And I can't tell if I like it or not; probably not. Moments pass before I'm spun around. I'm in a rolling chair. It's comfortable.

  Now I feel a heavy weight in my lap. What is this? Why can't I see clearly? Everything is so bright. All I can make out in front of me is a dark figure. I'm trying to focus on the space their face would be, but the movements they're making on my lap are distracting. Every motion is abrupt yet coordinated. Like a seasoned dancer.

  Then I feel something in my hand. Fabric? I can't tell. I can't even see my hands with this figure in the way. Whatever I'm holding, I clench it tightly. I can't help but feel pleasurable from this action. Why is that, I wonder? My head feels dizzy. Everything fades to white before I can make sense of it.

  I open my dreary eyes and take in the dim room around me. The clock on the wall reads 11:31 am. I don't have work until 2:30. Mm, my back feels stiff. I need to stop sleeping on my side. I hoist myself up, but the moment I'm level, a distinct dizziness swirls around in my skull. Just like..in my dream. My dream! I remember most of what happened. I need to write it down before I forget.

  I get out of bed slowly, attempting to avoid getting orthostatic hypotension again. A notebook is already open on my desk. I take a seat in my uncomfortable office chair, then grab a pencil to sharpen. Now, what exactly happened in my dream? I want to be able to get a clear picture in my mind when I read back to this entry. Let's see; everything was blurry, I was in some sort of office chair. Was I at home? Perhaps not. I know every in and out of my own home, and nothing about this dream screamed familar. I should have been able to visualize everything better if I really was in my home. Or perhaps not; dreams are unpredictable.

  I take around thirty minutes to write down every aspect of my dream in as much detail as I can recall. Maybe I'll have this dream again. I tend to have recurring dreams. There is one dream in particular that I have more often than not. I don't like thinking about it, though. It's not a pleasant dream, to say the least, and I'm not so partial to gore and death. I better get ready for the day.

  I grab clean clothes in gray and black as well as a clean towel, then head into the bathroom. The room becomes humid when I turn the hot water on. The mirror has already fogged. I find it ironic that I have a double sink in my bathroom, yet there is only one bedroom. It's like a reminder that I'm forever alone here. But the bleak reminder is fulite. I leased my own apartment so I could be away from people. Besides, Sato is more than enough for me.

  Whilst daydreaming, the water spraying from the shower head begins to cool from the scalding degree I had set it to. I should exploit this temperature while it's available and stop wasting time.

  I remove my night clothes and enter the shower tub, closing the transparent curtain behind me. The water is nice but not as hot as I usually prefer. If I could, I would like to stay submerged in this torrent of hot water until my skin starts turning red and I can't feel my extremities anymore. Forever drowning out the world of dripping and crackling and boiling hot water. When I die, I'd prefer to drown. But I don't want that right now. I've brushed close enough to death for now.

  For the remainder of my shower, I work on autopilot. I carry out my bathing routine and end by washing out the conditioner that has been soaking in my hair. Once my shower is complete, I step out of the tub and grab my towel from the wide, formica countertop. I wrap and tie the towel around my chest, then grab my hair brush and begin brushing my pale hair back. Strands of wet, white hair fall over my face and stick uncomfortably to my neck in the mirror. I need a haircut, undoubtedly. Maybe I could trim it this weekend. I have work off on Sunday anyway.

  Now that my hair is parted, I reach into the cabinet under the sink for the blow dryer. I'm causious in completely drying out my already damaged hair under the heat of the blow dryer, but I do not succeed. To remedy this problem, I rub some leave-in conditioner into the tips of my hair and let it seap in. The length of my hair bothers me even more now that it's dry.

  As I exit the bathroom, the clock catches my eyes. It's 12:02 am. It's still so early. I guess I should eat something. But what? Before I can answer that question, I must change into clothes. So I do. After the matter, I walk into the kitchen that is just across the living room from my bedroom. Before I start my exploration for food, I remember that I have leftovers from yesterday. I had ordered Thai food. I didn't get anything special; just shrimp pad Thai. They always give large portions, so I still have half a box to eat.

  I place the take-out box in the microwave and set the timer to one minute. I don't have a dining table, nor do I plan to get one. My couch and coffee table will suffice. My blank TV screen mocks me with the reminder that my Netflix subscription is going to waste. I don't know why I'm still paying for that. I hardly ever watch TV, and when I do, it's for background ambiance. I really shouldn't be so wasteful like every other human on this earth. I need to either watch or cancel my subscription... I'll cancel my subscription.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket in the middle of my silent eating. Let's see; app notification or message? What an unforeseen event. It's from Niragi. I can't imagine what he has to say to me.

Suguru Niragi:
you at work yet?
12:11 am

You:
No. I'm going in around 2:00.
Why do you ask?
12:12 am

Suguru Niragi:
i left the hospital yesterday and the nurse told me I should buy some stuff for my arms
she wasn't specific is this the right stuff?
12:13 am

  Niragi sends me a photo of a box of gauze wraps and... Oh, no. He really bought hydrogen peroxide. I can only imagine the pain Niragi would have endured if he hadn't thought to text me first.

You:
Neither of those items are correct. You didn't even get antibiotic ointment.
12:14 am

Suguru Niragi:
stop criticizing me
im not a fucking doctor
12:14 am
what should i do then?
12:15 am

  An idea comes to mind, but I don't know if it'sa good one. I could offer Niragi a visit to the hospital so I can show his what supplies are best to apply to his medical situation. I doubt he'd do it right the first time, anyway. Or I could send him links to products that I know to be more suitable for his condition. It would save me the trouble. And knowing Niragi, he would succeed to make a short visit a social ordeel. I sigh audibly.

You:
I am going to make a proposition, and you are going to process it like the average human being. Then you will give me your answer calmly and without any ill intentions. Yes?
12:17 am

Suguru Niragi:
whatever short stack
12:18 am

You:
I do have to work today, but I am able to extend my lunch time. During that time, you could come to the hospital, and I could show you the proper materials needed to clean your burns safely at home. I'll even do for you the first time. Do you agree to this or not?
12:19 am

Suguru Niragi:
hm...
yeah ok
12:20 am
but what time is your lunch time?
12:21 am

You:
I'll have to check my schedule, but when I am certain of a time, I'll tell you when to come.
12:22 am

Suguru Niragi:
no one tells me when to come
12:23 am

  I leave the conversation there, not seeing anymore reason to continue. Although I don't understand the purpose of Niragi's last comment. A small frown lines my lips at his childishness. Mm, I shouldn't let him bother me, though.

  Now, all there is to do is eat my breakfast and wait for two o'clock. I am anticipating the ravenette's visit to not go as planned. But maybe Niragi will surprise me. That's a pleasant thought, but I shouldn't get hopeful. At least I have enough authority over the ravenette to have him escorted out of the hospital. Although I doubt it will come to that. Only the future can tell.

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1580 words