When Hearts Heal

Chapter 20

A week. A whole 7 days I've been waiting for one of them to call. I guess they were both taking the courtesy waiting period seriously.

Too seriously might I add.

"This is so frustrating!" I exclaimed as I fell back unto the couch.

"Well, how are you going to choose ?" Maya asked handing me a chocolate.

"Well, I have spent time in conversation with them both. They both seem really nice. It's been 8 months since I broke up with Jaden so I feel ready enough to try the possibility of dating again. I guess it's just a matter of who wants it more." I replied sitting up.

"Excuse me ?"

"I mean that like I want someone to persue me this time around. To whoo me and treat me like a lady. Almost like in the old days, I want to be courted and for once to not be the one to make all of the plans and be the only one putting in the effort."

"Sounds to me like you're reading too many of those Bridgerton books." Maya teased knowing full well that I had read and reread all of the Bridgerton books in the last 7 months being post breakup.

"Whatever, I just mean that I will base my decision on whomever calls first. That will be my choice."

"May the odds be ever in their favour." Maya said quoting the hunger games as I just smiled.

It might not be the best idea or the most orthodox, but it was what I was planning on doing. At this point, I didn't even care to date anyway but if someone was truly interested enough in me to persue me then I'd be willing to dip my toe back into the dating pool. It was just a matter of who wanted to be with me enough to do the persuing.

I jumped up from the couch at the sound of my ringtone as I ran over to the table grabbing my phone before huffing and pressing decline.

"Why did you do that?" Maya inquired confused.

"Spam. " I replied in distaste sitting back down on the couch.

"You're really stressing about this aren't you?"

"Stressing isn't the word I would use," I started "I'd say that I'm rather...intrigued by the chase of it all. "

I could tell she wasn't understanding a word I was saying and that I had to extend upon my statement. "Okay so, you know that when I was with Jaden I had to do everything. " she nodded. "I had to plan all of the dates, make all of the plans, suggest places to go, what activities to do, where to eat, all of those things. His excuse was always that he wanted to give me the freedom to do what I wanted to because he didn't really care. I mean I was even the one who texted him first after meeting him ! So, I'm done being the masculine and feminine energy in a relationship."

As I finished I could tell that she understood what I was saying, but also that she felt sorry for me. She held pity in her eyes as her mouth couldn't form any words. So instead, she stood up and pulled me into a tight hug that I didn't even know I needed until she let go.

It's funny how the simplest, most mundane things could mean so much to a person in the right moment.

"Well let's hope one of them realises soon what a catch you are." She comforted as I only musterd a brave smile. "How about you go take a self care bath? Go light a candle, put on a movie or take a good book. You deserve to treat yourself to some me time."

Her suggestion was kind, and also showed that she knew me well. I was desperate for some self care, my face has been practically begging me for a moisturising mask. So I didn't defer the idea.

As I felt the warm embrace of the water against my body, I couldn't help but let out a deep sigh of relief. I needed this. I sat back against the bath rim as I moved the bubbles with my fingers, taking in the strong vanilla scent of the candle as I closed my eyes.

This was, no doubt, heaven.

It was like my worries were starting to drift away and with each breath I stole from the vanilla scented air, I could feel my body start to relax and fill with peace as the tension departed my muscles . There was honestly no place on earth as relaxing as this.

Focusing my senses, I start to notice the chirping of the birds outside, and the rustle of the leaves in the wind. I take a deep breath as I exhaled, as if my lungs held all the worries of the world. It was only when I reached for a piece of my chocolate on the counter that I slipped backwards and fell back into the tub with a splash.

"Oh gosh ! I'm so sorry Adi!" Maya apologised as she handed me the towl from the railing. "I did knock."

"And I had music playing. " I clarified as I took the towl from her wiping my face as I watched her with a questioning look as to why she would interrupt me.

"Oh, right. It's your phone. It's been going off like crazy." She stated as I grabbed the phone from her hand as it started buzzing. "Well go on, answer it." She demanded excited as I took a deep breath and pressed answer.