Accidental Housemate

31: understanding

I had spent years
trying to become enough
for a world that kept asking for more.
Then he looked at me
as though I already was.

UNDERSTANDING

 . . .

I had never reached a place so fast.

Once I stood by his door, I realised I had to calm my rigid breaths down. I stood straight and held my handbag tightly. Took in multiple breaths and fixed my hair.

As I raised my finger to ring the bell, he opened the door. I froze, and so did he. We collected ourselves quickly.

“Hi,” I greeted him with blushing cheeks.

He flashed me a small smile. “Hey, come in.” He stepped aside for me.

The aroma of home hit me hard. The living room smelled like coffee, which we both loved to drink. When I turned around to check if he had followed me in, he had just reached the doorway. I gazed at him, finding hints of the sweet, kind Dave I liked. However, his sad eyes had lost their usual glint.

Being there again in front of him made me feel nostalgic. However, that time, he needed me more than I needed him.

“Can I hug you?” I requested, desiring to give him a warm shoulder to rest on. Fulfilling my nostalgia and reminiscing about how warm he had always felt would be nice, too.

He took a moment to think. His answer was to open his arms with a small smile, and I didn’t hesitate to put down my bag and go to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and inhaled his scent that once stopped my world and made me ponder.

“I missed you so much,” I whispered into his chest, like a secret I wanted to bury deep within him. Right then, right there, there was no more need for hiding and saving secrets.

He hugged me tighter, rubbing up and down my back, and I felt him leave a tiny kiss on my head. “You’re such a sweetheart.”

I couldn’t hold back my smile. I pulled away, although I really hated to, but we couldn’t stand there forever. “Can I have some hot coffee?”

Dave nodded and caressed my hair. He disappeared into the kitchen to get me a mug. I took my chance to sit down and get some warmth under the heater. If I got a blanket, I would definitely doze off.

I heard footsteps enter the living room. I craned my neck, anticipating Dave, but I was met with Melissa’s poker face.

“What are you doing here?” was the way she greeted me.

She looked tired with heavy, dark eye bags and a messy bun above her head, wearing a set of pyjamas that begged to be retired to the laundry basket. I realised that whenever I saw her before, she had a little makeup, but that day, she couldn’t care less about putting any. She had an empty mug hanging loosely in her hand as she walked towards the kitchen.

Dave entered the scene holding two mugs of coffee. She gave him a look, understanding he invited me. Her expression screamed disappointment, but also helplessness. It was his place, so he could have whoever he wanted. She left as swiftly as she came.

Dave sighed. “I’m sorry about her attitude. She wasn’t the nicest before, but it got worse after what happened...”

“It’s okay,” I excused her, genuinely understanding where she came from. “Actually, is it fine if I go talk to her? I won’t take long.”

Dave blinked. “Um, if you want to.” He shrugged. “She’s in the master bedroom.”

I nodded, murmuring a thanks. I went towards the room that used to be mine and knocked twice. She opened the door and faced me bravely. Our height difference was more evident when I stood right in front of her, but her expression was intimidating enough to cancel that out.