BEGRIJP JE ME - Joost klein

chapter 16

The sun had climbed higher in the sky as I made my way out of the park. The Sunday morning had been a peaceful escape, but as I wandered through the city streets, I felt a growing restlessness—a need to do something more with my day. I decided to head toward the market, a lively spot on weekends where the vendors set up their stalls, filling the air with the scent of fresh produce and baked goods.

As I approached, the sounds of the bustling market reached my ears—children laughing, vendors calling out their wares, and the hum of conversations blending together in a soothing cacophony. I slipped into the crowd, taking my time as I browsed the stalls. The vibrancy of the market was infectious, and I found myself smiling as I sampled a slice of apple from a fruit vendor and admired the vibrant bouquets at a florist's stand.

I was inspecting some locally made honey when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw a message from Joost.

Joost: Hey, how's your day going?

A small smile tugged at my lips as I read his message. He had a way of reaching out at just the right moment, like a gentle nudge reminding me that he was there, even if we weren't in the same space.

Me: Pretty good. Just wandering around the market. You?

His reply came quickly.

Joost: I'm at the studio, working on a new track with a friend.

Me: Nice.

Joost: Want to come by and hang out? No pressure—just thought it might be fun.

A quick look at the time told me I had nothing pressing on my schedule. The idea of hanging out at the studio sounded good and comforting. I hadn't done much yesterday and was kind of hoping to hang out with someone since Max had been out all weekend.

Me: Sure. Where is it?

He sent over the address, and I realized it was pretty close to where I was. I felt excited at the thought of seeing him working and doing what he loves.

I headed to the studio, listening to some music on the way. The studio was tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. When I arrived, I knocked on the door. A moment later, Joost opened it, his face lighting up with a welcoming smile. He looked casual in a basic black shirt and comfy joggers.

"Hey, you made it!" he said, approaching to give me a quick hug.

"Yeah," I replied, stepping inside. The studio was cozy and filled with an assortment of music equipment, vinyl records, and colorful posters. It felt like a creative haven. "This place is amazing."

"It's got a good vibe," he agreed, gesturing around. "Let me introduce you to Tantu."

I hadn't noticed the other person in the room, a tall guy with a relaxed demeanor who was fiddling with some equipment near the back. He turned as Joost called his name, offering a friendly nod as he walked over.

"Tantu, this is Athina. Athina, meet Tantu, the genius behind the beats."

"Nice to meet you," Tantu said, his voice smooth and easygoing. "Joost's told me a bit about you."

"All good things, I hope," I replied with a smile.

"Only the best," Joost chimed in, shooting me a quick grin.

"We're in the middle of working on something, so it's a bit chaotic, but feel free to make yourself comfortable," Tantu said.

"Okay, thanks," I said, taking a look around. The space had a lived-in feel, with equipment scattered around and an inviting atmosphere.

Joost offered me a seat on a comfy couch near the mixing console.

As they continued to work, I found myself settling into the background, content to observe. Joost moved with a focused energy, completely in his element as he adjusted levels, sang, and discussed ideas with Tantu. There was something captivating about seeing him like this—immersed in the creative process, where every movement, every decision, was driven by instinct and experience.

At one point, Joost handed me a pair of headphones. "Want to hear what we're working on?"

"Sure!" I said, settling in. Joost handed me a pair of headphones, and I put them on as he played a snippet of their latest track. It was a mix of electronic beats with an experimental edge, a sound that was both familiar and refreshingly new.

As I listened, I looked up and saw him watching me with a smile that made my heart flutter. His eyes shone with a special energy, clearly eager for my reaction.

"What do you think?" Joost asked, pulling me back into the moment.

"It's incredible," I said honestly. "It's got this... energy to it, like it's alive."

"That's exactly what we're going for," Tantu said with a nod, clearly pleased.

We spent the next hour like that, the two of them bouncing ideas off each other while I listened, offered my thoughts when asked, and simply enjoyed being a part of the process. It felt good to be included, even if in a small way, to see the work that went into creating something meaningful.

---

As the afternoon faded into evening, the atmosphere in the studio remained light and productive. At one point, Joost and Tantu took a break and stepped outside to grab some fresh air. I decided to join them.

Joost reached for his box of cigarettes, a familiar routine. He stepped out onto the small balcony and turned to face me. He lit a cigarette and took a long drag before offering it to me with a casual flick of his wrist, a gesture that felt oddly intimate.

I accepted, taking a puff. The taste was as bitter as ever, but there was something uniquely personal about it, a hint of his presence still lingering.

Tantu leaned against the railing, looking out at the city. "So, Athina, what have you been up to lately?"

I took a drag, letting the smoke curl into the air. "Not a whole lot, honestly. Just the usual stuff—writing and hanging out. Nothing too exciting."

"Hey, that's cool," Tantu said, nodding. "Sometimes it's nice to have a chill routine."

I laughed, feeling more relaxed. "I've been checking out new cafes and stuff."

"Nice," Tantu said, nodding. "Any favorite spots you've discovered recently?"

"Actually, yeah," I said, passing the cigarette back to Joost. "There's this little café that's hidden away on a side street. They have the best coffee and a ton of old records."

Joost took a drag and handed the cigarette back to me. Our fingers brushed briefly, and I felt a small spark. "That sounds great. I'll have to check it out sometime."

Tantu grinned. "Yeah, Joost's always on the hunt for new spots. He's got this thing for finding the best places to hang out."

Joost laughed, giving Tantu a playful shove. "Hey, I just like good vibes. Speaking of which, how's the writing going?"

I took a drag and thought about it. "It's going well. I've been working on some new stuff. It's not perfect, but it's getting there."

Joost's eyes lingered on me, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "That's awesome. Keep at it. It's cool to see you so dedicated."

I felt a warm glow from his words. "Thanks, Joost. That means a lot."

Tantu checked his watch and stretched. "Alright, let's get back inside before we freeze out here. It's getting chilly."

We headed back into the studio, the air between Joost and me charged with a subtle, unspoken connection. The conversation continued inside, and the atmosphere remained relaxed and easygoing. The evening wore on, and the chemistry between us was as natural as it was intriguing.