Rekindling Embers

Chapter one: Awkward Reunion

They entered the apartment, drenched from the heavy rain outside, and she was now shivering from the coldness of her wet clothes.

"You have a nice apartment," she complimented him.

"Wait here; I'm going to change and find you something to wear before you catch a fever. I doubt I have anything in your size, considering you're small," he said.

"Rude as ever, and it's okay; I'm already used to wearing big men's clothes," she said with a sarcastic smile.

"And you still talk too much," he said and disappeared down the corridor.

She waited for him in the living room as instructed and looked around, checking out how nice the place was without moving. He came back with some clothes and handed them over to her.

"There's the corridor; the second door on the right is the bathroom. Don't worry; I'll be in the kitchen," he said.

"Okay," came a short reply from her as she made her way to the room.

She put on the clothes, which were a pair of shorts and a short-sleeved T-shirt, way too big for her since she was short and thin, meanwhile he was tall and fit. She looked like a six-year-old whose clothes were bought by her mother, yet she looked cute and adorable in them.

Walking to the kitchen, Alex was cooking. He couldn't help but smile at the cute figure in front of him, though the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"You look ridiculous," he said.

"Thanks for the compliment," she replied.

They fell into an uncomfortable silence, unsure what to say to each other. It had been about eight years since they last talked, and it was an awkward moment for them.

"Still don't know how to cook?" he broke the silence.

"I'm a grown woman now; I know how to cook," she lied.

"I wouldn't have guessed."

"Of course. So, what are you cooking?"

"Making pasta."

"What a bummer?"

"If you want something else, you can cook it yourself, Ms. Fancy Pants."

"I didn't mean it like that. I was expecting you would cook South African food."

"I'm tired, so I thought of making something simple, and pasta seemed better than bread."

"If you were alone, you wouldn't cook?"

"Yeah."

"That means you're cooking because of me," she said with a smile.

"When was the last time you had South African food?" he changed the subject.

"Same year I left."

"Why did you stop visiting?"

"Did you miss me much?" Trying to change the subject.

"No," he lied. The truth was that he missed her more than anyone.

"But the rest of the guys did."

"So you didn't miss me, but why?" she asked, feeling hurt.

"Why should I miss you?" he fired the question back.

"Because I was also your friend."

"Maybe a little."

"I knew it," she said excitedly.

"Don't make me change my mind."

"Okay, sorry."

"The food is ready."

"Finally," she said, heading to the dining table.

"Won't you help me?"

"Just bring two plates and forks."

Soon enough, they were eating in silence.

"When did you get here?" she asked.

"A week ago."

"Oh," she said, nodding.

"I thought you didn't like football."

"Yeah, I don't."

"What were you doing today there?"

"My friend told me she met a cute footballer and invited her, so she asked me to tag along."

"And you didn't object?"

"It was my way of paying back the favor."

"Makes more sense."

They finished eating; he suggested it was best if he washed the dishes.

"I'm done washing the dishes; I'm off to bed," he said.

"I'm feeling homesick," she said.

"And?"

"I won't be able to sleep, and I was thinking maybe we can watch a movie together." She said sincerely.

"Okay, but no romance or horror."

"It's a deal. Do you have snacks?"

"No."

"What kind of person doesn't have snacks in their home?"

He just gave her a look and said nothing. She decided not to push it, or else she would spend the night alone.

Before they knew it, they both fell asleep in the middle of the movie. It was easy for her to fall asleep in his presence because he made her feel at ease for some reason.

She was woken up by her phone ringing. She answered without checking the caller's ID.

"Hello."

"Amanda!" exclaimed the caller.

"Jeez, Maddie."

"You scared me to death."

"I'm very much alive."

"Where are you, and why didn't you answer my phone last night?"

"I'm at a friend's house, and I didn't hear my phone ringing because of the storm."

"Who is this friend? Should I be worried?"

"So many questions and relax he should be the last person to worry about."

"He?"she asked sounding shocked.

"Yeah he."

"Who is he?" She asked curiously

"An old friend."Amanda replied bluntly.

"When are coming back I need the details?"

"Soon enough and there is nothing to talk about."

"You can't spend the night in a guy's house and say it's nothing."

"I'm dropping the call."

"Come sooner...."

Amanda hanged the call on her and scanned the surroundings she saw no sign of Alex. Just as she got up Alex appeared from the corridor wearing tracksuit holding a bag.

"Let's go I will drop you off."he said upon seeing her.

"Morning to you too by the way to have a mouth wash.