One Summer Day (BWWM)

CHAPTER 8

Roman's POV

Breakfast with Cléo was better than I imagined. She was an amazing conversationalist, a sweet person, and to top it off, she's absolutely gorgeous. Although I embarrassed myself by cuddling her when I fell asleep, I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

I had just made it back to my apartment, when my mother called.

I answered, excited, "Hi, Mama." 

I heard her sniffle on the other end. "Roman, it's... giagiá." I froze. " Giagiá passed away this morning." 

Ringing. That's all I could hear before I collapsed, sobbing.

The past two weeks have been absolute shit.

 I received a call from my mother about a week ago, informing me about my giagiá's deteriorating health. I was optimistic that she was going to get better and this was just a bump in the road. However, later that week, I received another call---  this time, I don't have any recollection of what was said except hearing the words" giagi," " dead," and the ringing in my head. I didn't know how to function. The world didn't feel real. 

Nothing felt real.

My giagiá had been my rock ever since I was a kid. When I struggled with severe anxiety as a kid, she was always there to validate me---not that my parents didn't help but she made me truly feel comfortable. She had lived with my family in our home since Pappoús had died from a heart attack a few of years ago, and having her home was a Godsend.

I would come home from school and smell the aroma of freshly baked baklava wafting through the air. I would run into the kitchen, eager to taste the wonderful sweetness of  her homemade baklava melt in my mouth. Giagiá always had a pleasant smile on her face when she saw me. She would call me "Romaikos," which just meant Roman in Greek, and would pepper my face with kisses. As a kid I despised them--no kid wants their cheeks being squeezed by anyone.

How I wish I could go back in time. I would do anything to go back to when I was in Giagiá's arms again. She always taught me to love unconditionally and wholeheartedly. Giagiá was always sweet to everyone. She always made you feel loved even when you were not deserving of it---and God knows there have been times when I didn't. I didn't even realize how much time had passed. By the time I pulled myself out of the depressive state, I realized how I had completely shut out the outside world. 

I finally got out of my bed after practically living in it for the past two weeks. I tried to turn on my phone but saw that it was dead, which made sense since I had neglected it for so long. Taking a glance around my room, I decided it was time get my act together. I took a long-needed shower, which resulted in me sobbing, but I still made it out. I looked in the mirror and realized how awful I looked.

Stepping out the bathroom after grooming myself, I felt a little more like myself. Next, I tackled my room. I started with the trash, then moved on to the laundry. Before I knew it, my room was spotless. I finally turned on my phone and was bombard with dozens of messages. Many were from my parents, a couple from Jeno and Tako, and then there were messages from Cléo.

Fuck Cléo. 

Before I could even ponder the messages from Cléo, which I hadn't responded to, I get another call from my mother again. I quickly picked it up.

"γεια σου μαμά," I said hoarsely, speaking for the first time in almost two weeks. ( Hello mama)

"μωρό μου πώς εισαι," She asked softly. (My baby, how are you?)

I sigh softly, "I'm doing my best mama. I just finished cleaning myself up and tidying my room," I replied running my hand through my hair. Walking towards my desk, I sat down and drummed my fingers across my desk.