Initiation (studxstud)

Chapter 31 - ॐ

⇡[Taylor (Taye) Owusu]⇡

CHAPTER 31

What's Done in the Dark

The evening skies were cool and cloudy, soft winds blew and it smelt of coming rain. The scent was similar to seagrass. It comforting, yet the weather matched the day that I was having. Both externally, and internally.

I was waiting on Taye's arrival outside of my apartment complex, where I texted her to meet me. I refuse to make the commute to hers to have this conversation.

It began raining while I waited, giving me a serious case of déjà vu. I hate that rainy days will always remind me of Taye. I made my way inside and got an umbrella before heading back outside.

Now that I stop and think about it... Andrea still has my damn umbrella.

Two weeks have passed, two weeks of thinking and reevaluating every moment that's occurred since Taye entered my life. Replaying each intimate moment, all the times that I'd catch her and Braille whispering, and the constant hints that Braille dropped of how conniving this bitch actually is.

To be honest, I'm at fault as well for being so oblivious and a 'pushover' just as Braille said. I should've listened to her. I'm the one who brushed off Taye hiring someone to follow me for 'safety reasons' in the first place. I'm the one who allowed her to choke me in the passenger seat of her car, for doing my job which I've done for a living. There were so many red flags that I bypassed.

...I'm such an idiot.

"Amina?" The sound of her voice rekindled a sea of nerves, accompanied by a smudge of unfamiliarity. This is the longest we've went without seeing one another, and it was odd to see her again. I saw her in a completely different light, as though I was meeting her for the first time again. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

We exchanged glances, and she approached me with an umbrella shielding her from the pouring rain. She stepped onto the sidewalk where I stood, and the lamppost a feet away from us illuminated her face simultaneously.

...Such déjà vu.

I looked into her dark eyes as a smile spread across her face. I can no longer decipher if it's an act, or if it's her being genuine. To think two weeks ago, I would've been instant putty in her hands.

"What're you doing standing out in the rain? I know you aren't lost this time," She jokes light-heartedly but my expression remains stale. "Let's go in--"

I immediately cut her off as I told her, "Nah, we're good out here."

"I want you to stay right where you is and don't take a step closer to me." I state, "Just listen to what I've got to say, because this damn sure might be the last time you ever hear from me."

Taye's brows furrow subsequently as she questions, "Wait, why? What's going on, Ami--?"

"And quit saying my government." I say while simultaneously taking a breath to calm myself. "You've lost that privilege, I used to find it so enticing but now it just makes my skin crawl."

Her eyebrows remained furrowed in dismay and I tear my gaze away from her. I took a brief moment to form my words before continuing.

"This past week or so been weighing so heavily on me mentally and emotionally." I begin, "I told you once I'm at risk of getting hurt... I leave without any regrets."