CHANGE

Chapter 2:Ignite

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on my room. As I woke up, I felt a sense of weariness settling over me, the events of the previous night weighing heavily on my mind. It was a rare festive holiday, but instead of feeling rested, I felt drained.

With a sigh, I dragged myself out of bed and began my morning routine. Each action was mechanical, performed with the precision of someone going through the motions. I brushed my teeth, cleaned my room with the vacuum cleaner, and used a mop to scrub the floors until they gleamed.

As I cleaned, my thoughts drifted to Jasmine and our tentative plans to meet later. Should I really go with her? What if she thinks I'm weird or a freak? But then again, maybe it was worth taking a chance.

With those thoughts swirling in my mind, I made myself a cup of coffee. The rich aroma filled the air, and for a moment, I allowed myself to savor the simple pleasure of the warm liquid soothing my senses. But even as I drank, doubts nagged at the back of my mind.

After finishing my coffee, I stretched my body, feeling the tension slowly dissipating with each movement. I let out a long yawn, the fatigue of the past few days catching up with me.

Stepping outside, I was greeted by a cool breeze, a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the summer. The sky was overcast, dark clouds looming ominously overhead. It looked like rain was on the horizon, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation at the thought of the cool, refreshing downpour.

I took a seat on the stairs of my apartment building, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it with practiced ease. As I smoked, I let my mind wander, lost in the hypnotic rhythm of the smoke curling upwards into the sky.

Suddenly, a voice broke through the silence, pulling me out of my reverie.

"Hey, Dev."

I turned to see Jasmine standing there, a warm smile on her face.

"Hey, Jasmine," I replied, surprised by her unexpected appearance.

We fell into conversation easily, the awkwardness from the previous night dissipating with each passing moment. She asked if I had just woken up, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the truth of her words.

"Yeah, I guess I did," I admitted, a sheepish smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

We talked about the weather, the impending rain adding an air of excitement to our conversation. I found myself opening up more than I had expected, the ease with which she spoke putting me at ease.

Before long, Jasmine said she had to go to her mother's place, but she promised to catch up with me later in the evening. I nodded, watching her walk away before turning my attention back to my cigarette.

As I smoked, my phone rang, the shrill ringtone cutting through the quiet hum of the city. I hesitated for a moment before answering, wondering who could be calling me at this hour.

"Hello?" I said, my voice cautious.

"Dev, it's Mr. X," came the voice on the other end of the line. "How are you?"

I tensed at the sound of his voice, memories of my time at my previous job flooding back. Mr. X used to be my boss, a man I had once respected. But ever since I left the company, things had been chaotic.

"I'm doing okay," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

We exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes before I cut the conversation short, promising to talk later. I hung up the phone and made my way back to my apartment, my mind whirling with thoughts of the past.