Awakening Memories

5. Prima

A/n: It took a long time to write due to constant power outages. So pardon my late update and enjoy this chapter. Some parts are not edited. 😀❤️

My heart pulsated weirdly when the same guy from the bookstore walked into the elevator. It was just the two of us. I quickly averted my gaze to the floor, hiding the bag of books behind me. However, it didn't work as I noticed his eyes on me. He let out something between a scoff and a chuckle, but I couldn't tell which.

I eagerly waited for someone else to join us. Just because the man had shown kindness to me earlier didn't mean his intentions were pure. I don't know why I tended to believe that. Perhaps it was the way he dressed, similar to a drug dealer. The hood over the cap, along with the mask covering half of his face, screamed danger. I couldn't see the color of his eyes.

The elevator doors shut at last and no, my plea had not been heard.

"So, you're here alone?" He leaned back against the horizontal pole attached to the elevator's shiny wall. It was good that he was on the opposite side.

"Why do you want to know?" I chuckled nervously, playfully raising an eyebrow. I didn't want to expose my inner thoughts about him.

"Just curious. You seem to enjoy independence."

Silence emerged. The elevator seemed to never reach its destination. I changed the topic to the question I was aching to ask. "I'm sorry for asking, but are you a..." I tried hard to phrase the statement in a less vulgar manner.

He crossed his arms. "I don't know. Read the book, I guess."

What did he mean though?

He slightly raised his cap, our eyes meeting.

His eyes were strikingly pretty, a shade of olive green resembling a forest. I could've sworn they gleamed as he looked at me. I quickly averted my gaze to the elevator doors, feeling awkward.

I wished the doors would slide open quickly; I was starving anyway.

"See you some other time, stranger," I dragged my cane as swiftly as I could, eager to exit the weird situation. Pain radiated from my nerves as I moved away, but I couldn't show it.

"Hey! You forgot something!" He rushed out of the elevator, holding the book shopping bag in his hand.

Our fingers brushed when I reached out for the bag. "Sorry," we chuckled simultaneously, realizing we had said the same thing.

My cheeks grew hot at the occurrence. I'm not sure if he noticed, though. We parted ways, and I hurried towards Ricciolini's. My heart was beating like crazy, in a good way. Even as we ate dinner, my mind was filled with thoughts about that guy—the one who clearly hid his beauty. I wondered what else he concealed behind that mask, or even a cap. He was such a gentleman, kind and charming.

I lay on my stomach, eager to know the outcome of my Instagram post. I would read the books later.

I begged my parents for more screen time, and they agreed, though they were reluctant at first. I had managed to convince them, after all, our outings were unpredictable.

What! I couldn't believe my eyes! Really??

The frustation I suffered nearly made me fling my laptop to the wall. The poem received no likes at all! Ughh! I knew I shouldn't have followed my heart. I checked my inbox and my message read 'seen'.

Fuck Instagram. I deleted my account and everything. Writing poems certainly wasn't my talent. I also lacked the perseverance that Igor possessed. I'm sure he experienced similar challenges when he started his account, but it was his dedication that kept him going—a spirit I lacked.

They say one man's passion is another's failure. Social media wasn't meant for me. I couldn't lie to myself by scrolling through it again. The posts I saw online were only reminders that I could never reach that life.

What do I even need this device for? I'm better off diving myself into books. Social media is a contest that I certainly cannot win. I didn't qualify for it anyways.

I switched the device off, picked up the shopping bag, and selected the book given to me by the man. Part of the book appeared to have been opened, arousing my suspicions. I turned to that page, and a white piece of paper fell onto my lap.

I took one look of it and just smiled at an imaginary camera. No wonder he had insisted I read my books. This is what he meant.

Shaking my head, I placed the piece of paper under my pillow. I still had those assumptions that I had in the elevator. Whatever lay beneath that mask was either pure bliss or just evil. I didn't want to risk it.

I must trust my instincts.

A knock at the door startled me from my slumber. It turns out I had slept on top of the bed while reading. Morning sunlight peered through the curtains, and the laptop was still there beside me. That was quite an odd occurrence.

The door swung open before I could answer. A young lady with short, curly dark brown hair appeared. She was dressed casually in a long-sleeved plain white shirt and light blue jeans. Her brown eyes sparkled when she saw me. With a wide grin on her face, she rushed towards me, intending to embrace me but sat close to me instead.

"Bea, loca," The joy she once had dissipated. Her voice cracked, as her eyes filled with tears . "It's me, prima Mila. Do you remember me?" 

I wore a sad smile on my face because I couldn't remember who she was.

"I may not recall who you are, but I am sure that I will remember eventually." I placed my palm on her assuringly.

After Mila briefed me on the whereabouts of my parents, we went downstairs for breakfast. The wall clock read eight o'clock and Dr Sanaya would be there at eight thirty for the daily PT sessions.

Turns out Mila, short form of Milena, was my cousin from Dad's side; the second oldest brother in their huge family. Mila was a sales representative for a lucrative clothing company.

"Why then are you taking care of me instead of making an attendance at work?" I dived my fork into the tasty omelette that Mila made. "By the way, this is delicious"

"Well, I alternate from working physically to working at home. And currently, I'm on a vacation, so I thought of spending it with you guys. Especially, my dearest prima."

I loved her lively and sunny personality. She was a fun person to be around. For a young adult in her mid-twenties, I expected her to act differently, but I got proven wrong. Was our relationship like this in the past?

A lot of questions in my brain sought answers. I thought she was the right person to ask them, according to my analysis. If she even wanted to show me photos she saved of the past, I could rely on her right?

I cleared my throat, after a hearty laugh. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything loca. Feel free."

Before the same eight words that always lay on my tongue came out, there was a loud knock on the door. Mila stood up from the barstool and went to answer it.

Instead of one pair of footsteps making way in, I heard two pairs get in. Dr Sanaya always came alone.

Perhaps it was just my parents. Or was it?

It was a short chapter update, but I do promise to write more. Schools have been cancelled due to floods. 

P.s, I'd really appreciate if you'd check out my IG account @thewritesoflen ✨

Thank you.