A Break Apart

CHAPTER 4. The Gym

"And how's work going?"

"Ah, stressful as always, but I can't complain." His voice couldn't overshadow the background noise of what I supposed were aeroplanes ascending into the air. I opened my mouth to respond but he beat me to it. "I hope you guys love it over there."

"Yes, the environment is cool," I said.

"Taking care of your mother?"

"Actually, it's the opposite, you know she wouldn't let me."

"I wouldn't either."

"Ugh... you guys..." I grumbled, and his laughter made me chuckle.

"I'm sorry, just give me a minute!" he yelled, but the response wasn't meant for me. My call had come in at the wrong time because I could sense how busy he was.

"Okay, Daddy, take care." I brought back his attention with a goodbye.

"Yeah, you too, angel," he said.

I ended the call, holding a smile on my face. Then I realised how less engaged I had been in activities since the beginning of the holiday. I must have a hobby or something, because at this point, I felt like a house prisoner.

It hadn't been long since Mum and I got back, and yes, we found our church. St Paul; fifteen minutes drive from home. And not only that, we also took the moment to explore the area properly. It had a supermarket, a park, and a sport yard, but the gym got me mostly excited. Of course, the gym!

I flung my phone on the bed and sprung up from the same bed I had been laying on since I had lunch. I opened my wardrobe and took out a black tracksuit that had white stripes on either side of its sleeves and trouser. I paired the tracksuit with a chunky black sneakers, and then I grabbed my phone and exited the room.

I walked past Mum who sat in the couch, watching TV.

"And where are you going?" Her question halted my steps, and I turned towards her.

"Remember the gym we saw on our way coming back?" I asked.

"Yes?" She urged me to continue.

"Well as you can see," I gestured at my outfit, "I'm off to the gym. Tired of staying at home all day and doing nothing."

"But you have your school project," she countered

"Not in the mood for that now..."

"You're always not in the mood when it comes to school work." I cringed at her words, thinking my chances of stepping out were cut short. "Well, don't stay out long," she added, and my heart leaped for joy.

"Yes, Mummy, see you later." I went for the door.

The walk to the gym was enough exercise to call it a day and turn back home. The two-storey building stood taller before me than what I saw hours ago from the passenger's seat of my mum's Toyota Venza.

Few cars were parked in front of the Royalty Homes store on the bottom floor. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the entire front of the store showcased their exorbitant furnitures. The gym stood out on the first floor in a neon green paint that reminded clients to eat loads of vegetables, and it had a black, bold sign of FITNESS HAUL on the rooftop for every passing eye to see.

"How motivating," I muttered to myself before putting a foot on the first stair out of what seemed like a hundred of stairs. My eyes burned as I climbed up to meet the sun. I felt as though I had lost ten pounds when I stepped on the vast terrace.

I turned to the entrance on my right and pushed the heavy glass door that seemed intentional for weight-loss clients to start with. My ears began to throb from the sound of the music beat that I hadn't heard from outside the gym.