One Week To Love

Sunday

Justin woke up to the buttery aroma of toast wafting through the modest apartment. The sun streamed through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow on the sparse furnishings. He rubbed his eyes, momentarily disoriented, before remembering the events of the previous night.

The evening had been tense. Ava had reluctantly agreed to let him stay after their abrupt encounter on Saturday. She had given him the spare room and strict instructions to keep to himself. Justin, grateful for her unexpected kindness, had assured her he would be as unobtrusive as possible.

Now, as he stepped out of the room, he found Ava in the small kitchen, toasting bread. She looked exhausted, dark circles under her eyes, yet she moved with a quiet determination. She noticed him and offered a weary smile.

"Good morning, my unpaid guest," she said, handing him a new toothbrush. "Take this brush and come for breakfast. This is all I can cook right now because I am very tired."

Justin returned her smile. "I can pay if you want, and it looks like you didn't sleep last night. Were you scared of me?"

Ava shook her head, her expression a mix of fatigue and resolve. "I don't need any payment. I have a lot of money already. And no, I wasn't scared of you. I was studying until 4:00 and woke up at 7:00. Obviously, there will be dark circles under my eyes."

Justin nodded, appreciating her honesty. "Thank you for letting me stay. I promise I'll be out of your way soon."

They sat down at the small table, the simple breakfast of toast and jam laid out between them. The silence was awkward at first, each lost in their thoughts. Ava broke the silence, her voice soft but curious.

"So, what exactly is your condition?"

Justin sighed, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "It's called haphephobia. It's a fear of being touched, but in my case, it's more extreme. If a woman touches me, I faint. It started when I was a toddler, and the doctors couldn't figure out why. It's made life... complicated."

Ava listened intently, her eyes reflecting a mix of sympathy and curiosity. "That must have been really hard, growing up with something like that."

"It was," Justin admitted. "People don't understand. They think I'm aloof or weird. It's easier to avoid contact altogether."

Ava nodded, understanding the struggle of being misunderstood. "I can relate to feeling different. My family... well, they have their expectations, and I never seem to meet them."

Justin looked at her, sensing the weight of her words. "You're doing your best. Sometimes, that's all we can do."

Their conversation continued, gradually easing the tension between them. They shared stories, their guarded walls slowly crumbling in the face of mutual understanding. By the time breakfast was over, they felt a tentative bond forming.

Ava stood up, gathering the dishes. "I am watching a movie do you want to join me ??. Feel free to make yourself at home, but remember our deal."

"Of course," Justin said, standing as well. "Thank you, Ava. For everything."

As they walked into the living room, Justin asked, "Which movie are we going to watch?"

Ava hesitated for a moment, a sheepish smile playing on her lips. "I was thinking of watching a K-drama, but I know you probably won't be interested. Everyone makes fun of me for liking K-dramas, even though they don't know the language."

Justin's eyes lit up with genuine excitement. "Are you kidding? I watch K-dramas too!"

Ava's surprise quickly turned into a shared excitement. "Really? That's amazing! I never meet anyone who understands my obsession with them."

They settled on the couch, scrolling through the options until they agreed on a popular K-drama series. As the first episode began, they exchanged glances, both delighted to have found a common interest.

Ava and Justin settled in to watch "Queen of Tears," a popular K-drama known for its emotional rollercoaster. As the drama unfolded, Ava found herself tearing up during the more poignant scenes, wiping away tears with the back of her hand.

Justin couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you seriously crying at this? It's just a small scene!"

Ava playfully swatted his arm. "Don't make fun of me! It's just really touching, okay?"

Justin laughed, and Ava, pouting, beat him cutely on the arm. "You're so mean, Justin!"

He grinned, but then something dawned on him. He realized that Ava had touched him multiple times, and yet nothing had happened. He didn't faint or feel any of the usual symptoms. He zoned out, lost in thought about this strange development.

Ava noticed his sudden silence and interrupted his thoughts. "Justin? Are you okay? What do you think about the drama so far?"

He snapped back to reality and smiled at her. "It's nothing, Ava. The drama is great. I'm really enjoying it."

They continued watching, but Justin's mind kept wandering back to the realization that Ava's touch didn't trigger his condition. It was a small miracle, and while he couldn't explain it, he felt a glimmer of hope.

As the hours passed, they laughed, cried, and bonded over the dramatic twists and turns of "Queen of Tears." The drama brought them closer, their shared experiences forming a strong connection.

From 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM, they were engrossed in the world of K-dramas, laughing, gasping, and occasionally tearing up at the plot twists and emotional moments. The hours flew by, and for the first time in a long while, Ava felt genuinely relaxed and happy.Suddenly, Ava's stomach growled, reminding her of the time.

She looked at the clock and gasped. "Oh no, I completely forgot to cook lunch!"Justin chuckled, sensing her panic. "It's okay, Ava. Don't worry about it."

"But we need to eat," Ava protested, standing up and looking towards the kitchen.Justin gently took her hand, guiding her back to the couch. "Sit down, Ava. I'll take care of it."

He pulled out his phone and started browsing through local restaurants. "How about we order some Indian dishes? That way, you don't have to cook for dinner either."

When the food arrived, they laid out the dishes on the small dining table, savoring the delicious Indian cuisine. They enjoyed the meal together, chatting about their favorite scenes and characters from the drama.

As the day turned into evening, Ava looked at Justin with a newfound sense of camaraderie. "This was really nice. Thank you for today."

Justin smiled, feeling a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. "No, thank you, Ava. For everything."

They spent the rest of the evening in a comfortable silence, occasionally chatting about their favorite K-dramas and sharing stories from their lives. As the night grew darker, they both felt a sense of peace, knowing they had found a friend in each other.