THE LAST PROMISE

CHAPTER 7 | First Impression

MAYA

“Maya! Maya! God dammit wake up!” I feel something cold hitting my face, my eyes snap open and I gasp for air.
I look around and I'm in my bedroom, my flat and I am safe. No one will hurt me. They won't hurt me. He won't hurt me.
“Are you okay?” Mbali softly says like she's talking to a wounded child. I hate that tone.
“I'm fine!” I get up and go to the bathroom.
I close the door then take my towel and wipe my face. I look at myself in the mirror and I don't like what I see. This weak and broken girl. A tear drops but I quickly wipe it. I can't be weak, I need to be strong.

I open the door and find Mbali changing my bedding.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I…”
“It's okay, I understand.” I walk towards her.
“No, Mbali. You shouldn't have to be dealing with all of this. It's not okay.”
“You're my best friend Maya and I'll always be there for you. Even in your worst times. What happened to you was traumatic and you're having nightmares about it. I'll be here to help you as best as I can. When you're ready to get help, you will seek it. I know you will.”
“Thank you for being here, for being you and what I have always needed in a sister. Thank you.”
“I'm not going anywhere”

She nudges me then we laugh. While she goes to warm us some milk. I changed my pyjama top since the other one is wet. She comes back and we sit in my bed. We talk, she makes me laugh and I forget about the dream I had. It was scary and it almost felt too real. That's what scared me the most. She snores softly next to me. I cover her up, making sure she's warm then walk out of my bedroom with my sketchpad.

I go to my favourite spot by the window and sit down. The moon is high and shining so brightly illuminating our living room. I open my sketch book and start working. I lose track of time because I'm concentrating on what I am doing. The pain on my neck reminds me that I have been in this position for hours. I look at the time and it's 4am and that means I have 4 hours to sleep then wake up and get ready for work. I get up, head to the couch and sleep.

Someone is ringing the bell and it can't be Mbali or Deli which means it's someone else. I pull the blanket over my head and ignore it. Mbali will just have to answer it. It stops ringing but only for a while.
“Mbali, get the damn door man.” I shout and try to shift on my bed but then I fall flat on my ass.
I groan then remember that I decided to sleep on the couch. The doorbell rings again and I think that maybe it is either Mbali's boyfriend or Deli's. They could have sent them here for something. Wait, if Mbali is gone then that means I'm late for work. Shoot!

I quickly get up but then my phone rings on the coffee table and the damn door.
“I'm coming” I shout to whoever is on the other side. I take my phone and answer it while heading towards the door.
“Mbali? Why didn't you wake me up?”  I ask her over the phone.
“Because you were tired. You worked the whole night Maya. You need to rest.” I open the door and see this tall, huge body that is facing away from the door. “Maya? You're not even listening to me. You see what I mean?”
“Uh…”
The man turns around and I gasp. “ Mbali, can I call you back…”

“No, just listen to me okay. I talked to Gerry and she assured me that taking a couple of days off will do you good since she saw that you have been struggling at work so your work is very safe. We just need you to get well so you can come back stronger than before.”
“Okay, tell Gerry I'll call her. Thanks friend.”
“Anything for my bestie. Deli will come and bring you lunch okay?”
I turn around. “I'm not sick, okay, I can still feed myself. She doesn't need to come, she better not come. I've got to go, we'll talk.” I hang up then turn and face the man that saved my life. I shift my head so I can look at him.

“Hi,” he greets. For a minute my brain freezes and loses function because I just stare at him. “Are you okay?” He asks.
I slowly nod. “Hi, how did you find where I live?”
“Are you going to invite the man who saved your life or we are just going to stand here and talk?.”
I look at him then shake my head. “Oh sorry, please come in.”
He walks in, smells nice. I look at myself and I shake my head. Just great. I'm in my pyjamas, probably look like a mess from another dimension and have morning breath. He's seen me in my pyjamas for the second time now. He's going to think that I'm ashy and don't bathe. God why do I even care what he thinks. He clears his throat. I close the door.