The Guy Upstairs

Chapter- 1 Changing Waves

Staring at my phone screen, I know things have become more messier than a toddler eating a breakfast bowl on a buzzing Monday morning. A part of me feels as if things could have been different and better. It was a cold December night, and the breeze felt like a stabbing pin throughout my being. I cannot do this anymore! My inner being screamed. I took a deep breath and let my cell phone slip through my grasp. I picked up my laundry basket and made my way towards the roof. Maybe a little fresh air is all I need after all. For this sinking feeling to disappear, for this icky mist to vanish. I walked out, locked the door behind me, and started the tedious process of climbing three flights of stairs. Maybe I should quit smoking! My brain yelled as I was huffing and puffing for air. I dropped my basket as my body turned into a ball of agony and my lungs were ready to explode.

I made my way towards the edge of the terrace, praying and hoping that no one was there using our only functional washing machine, but as my luck would have it, there it was occupied.

"Hey, are you almost done?" I asked as the large figure in front of me turned.

"Oh yeah, yeah, just give me a couple of minutes," he said as he hurried to finish his load. Who is this tall, almost six-foot-crossed-eyed dude?! My inner goddess asked as she pulled down her circle rims.

"Hi, I am Athena! Nice to meet you," I said as I extended my arm.

"Oh, hi, I am Arthur," he scrambled as he turned to take my hand. And that was when I saw him for the very first time. Hair greying and messy, beard so full that any saint would get a complex. Crocked eyes are hiding behind black square-rimmed glasses. His beer belly poked out of his two-size small shirt. It made me wonder: was dad bods really that much in trend?

"Are you new here?" I asked, pulling my hand back.

"No, I have lived here for more than two years." His eyes sparkled.

"Oh, that's weird; I have never seen you around," I said.

"Yeah, but I have seen you once or twice, I think. Which floor do you live on?" he smiled.

"Ah third," I shuffled; his world felt a little wrong, falling on the threads of knowing some really personal information in a blink.

"I actually live on the first floor. One zero six," his grin widened.

"Oh, that's great," I said, my eyes shifting towards the washing machine.

"Yeah and..." His words were interrupted by his ringing phone.

"Excuse me, I have to take it," he added. I gestured for him to carry on as I peaked my head to get a better look at the timer.

"Yeah, what?" he yelled into the phone as he took a few steps away. I could faintly hear him mutter something, but a part of me really did not care. I just wanted to finish and run back home.

"Sorry about that! That was my roommate asking where I was," he said. I just looked at him with eyes full of fake affirmation. Why is he telling me this?! My inner goddess snarled.

"Oh, look, my clothes are done!" His words felt like a roaring wave of relief, as now I knew this conversation could finally be over. As soon as he pulled out his clothes, I stared to shove in mine.

"Hi bro! We were waiting for you!" an unfamiliar voice called out. I slightly turned my head to find two figures emerging from the dark. I tilted my head to get a better look. It seemed like two very not-so-impressive guys. One looked rather tall, muscular, and dusky, with a little chiselled jaw and a pair of big square-rimmed glasses. On the other hand, the other one was short, puggy, a little fair, medium-long black flowy hair, a perfect definition of dad bod with similar black, big square-rimmed glasses.