Tears Of London

Soul mates

JO

The next day, I was at the café near my apartment, waiting for Aliya to come. We got closer since that night we met. I see myself in her. She is like a soulmate, i feel like no one understands me more than her.
We're having a brunch ; a cheese toast for me and a ham bagel for her ; telling each other a bit more about ourselves.
I learnt that her and her parents are from Eritrea.
While listening to her, I couldn't get out of my mind what I found in Erin's bathroom. I know I shouldn't be thinking of this, but I'm worried about him since I found that secret mirror. Is he that bad ? Is he sick ? Is he in danger ? Should I do something to help him ?
- I was a baby when we left Eritrea, Aliya pursues.
- Why did you left ?
- We had to go because of the war of independence. Things really started to heat up for us.
- Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know about that.
- That's okay, we have left safe and sound.
She takes a bite in her bagel.
- Erin's parents too, she says with her mouth full. My parents and his know each other. 
- Really ?
- Yeah, for real.
- Did they know each other in Eritrea, before leaving ?
- No, actually they met after his parents decided to leave Africa as well. When we learned that some Eritreans people had arrived in London and were looking for a home, as we were before, we welcomed them in our apartment.
- Oh, it was kind of them. Are they still friends ?
- They still see Samya, yes. Not often, but they're still friends.
Samya. It's the first time I hear his mother's name.
- What about Erin's father ? Do you know him ?
I don't know much about his family. But I sure know he's not close to him.
- Not that much. He seems a bit weird.
- What's his name ? I ask, curious.
- Ahmed Mekonen.
I take a sip in my coke.
- Their relationship seems strange, I say, talking about Erin and him.
- Erin is terrified of his father, Aliya declares, making me perplexed.
I look at her, putting her lips on her straw.
- Do you know why ? I ask.
- He never talks about it, she simply answers. Maybe he was violent, I don't have an idea.
I am curious. The only thing Erin told me about his father was that he was calling him a faggot.
- Did you know he was really into drugs ? I say, after a while.
- Course, darling. Isn't it obvious ?
- No, I mean...really. Into hard ones.
I want to be reassured. Maybe it is not that bad. Maybe it is common, and I'm the only one shocked about it.
Maybe I'm overdoing it, but I can't help it, I am worried about him.
- It's getting worse, she said, what doesn't reassure me at all. Why ?Have you seen him take weird stuff ?
- I saw seringues in his bathroom, and some powder. I don't know exactly what.
- I know he's taking cocaine regularly, but I never paid attention about other things.
After a second of thought, she exclaims :
- Oh yes, you're right ! I saw him inject ketamine once, but I never stick around for that. I'm afraid of needles. 
Ketamine. I even never heard about that drug before, but only by the name, I can tell it's a hard one.
- Don't worry about it, she says as I was frowning of concern. He knows what he's doing, and it has almost always been that way.
But it's getting worse, she told me earlier.
- Do you think he'll be better, one day ? Healthy ?
She looks at me with small sad eyes.
- One day, I think, when he'll decide to. But, honestly, you should not wait for him, Jo.
I'm playing with my toast, pensive, turning it over and over again.
- Or you might wait a while, she adds.