Next Life

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

I unlocked the door to my apartment in which an empty house welcomed me. Scattered letters were seen on the floor. I slowly picked up the letters and turned them around to see its contents
' bills, bills, bills, nothing new' I said.

I let out a deep sigh as I turned around to open the lights and lock the door. I live in a well-kept apartment with decent furnitures and space enough for myself. It's a one bedroom apartment with a kitchen that I can work around in as well as a living room enough to keep me cozy, I guess with that being said you can say that I live comfortably, comfortably but alone.

'June 2017' I said to myself as I put down my things, June 2017 was when I arrived in this country, with this year being 2019, I'll be living here for almost 2 years now. I grew up in Dubai, stayed there for almost 10 years, I dreamt there, lived there, grew there, I never imagine that an unfortunate event would occur in my family enough for mto be sent me back. Both my parents are separated with their own families which explains why I live alone, I'm used to it though, or at least I try to convince myself that I am.

Before I get too deep in my thoughts I shrugged myself away from it to avoid being eaten by my own thoughts. I decided to treat myself to a well-deserve dinner but before that I thought to myself that dinner after a hot shower would be the best. I grabbed the remote control to turn the television on, having noise around the house keeps me company. I entered the bathroom and turned the shower on as a tilted it left waiting for it to turn hot, I slid away from my clothes and just as I was removing my pants I found a piece of paper.

'Oh...Kayel' I murmured to myself

I hold the piece of paper that was given to me by the man I met earlier, I looked at the number written alongside his name, 'should I contact him? He gave me his number after all' I thought to myself, ' No, that would make me look desperate, besides it's only been a couple of hours' I whispered to myself. But what was I worried about, why was I worried about looking desperate of even of what I'd seem like when it was clear that I'm only after interviewing him. I looked in the mirror and caught myself slowly turning red, my eyes widened at the sight I was seeing, I lost track of time standing naked and looking at a piece of paper containing the name of a man and his number, 'the water must be hot by now that's why' I said as I try to convince myself. I thought to myself to focus on taking a shower for now as I put aside all of my thoughts.

I gently put on my clothes that suits night time, I then blow dried my hair before stepping out of the bathroom.
'I'm hungry' I said to myself.

One of the cons in living alone is not having anyone to prepare a meal for you, 'well I decided to treat myself anyways' I said. I slowly opened the cupboard taking out some salt, pepper and other condiments, I decided to treat myself to some beef broccoli with freshly steamed rice and a side of soup. If there's one thing I'm both gifted and thankful for it's probably my talent to cook, ' being raised by a single mom who's continuously busy at work sure has it's benefits' I jokingly said. My mom doesn't really know how to cook, so ever since I got a grip at how it's done all cooking chores was basically assigned to me, not just that actually, I remember ever since reaching the age of 13 my mom raised me with strict principles and that includes getting involve in finances as well as chores. At age 13 I started becoming in charge of groceries, not just groceries actually but handling the finances in food at home, since my mom basically doesn't know how to cook I was entrusted with that responsibility. I usually hold a resentment for being forced to mature at such a young age but now I guess it does have it perks.

I slowly laid down the food at a table in the living room facing the television. I do have a dining table fit for 6 people but eating there just makes me feel more alone, having a bit of noise actually calms me down more. As I finished arranging the table I glanced at the clock ' 9:38' I whispered, I then again thought about Kayel, 'what's taking him so long' I asked myself, I was in shock with what I just said, was I actually expecting him to contact me? Normally I'd have no problem contacting my respondents first since again, I'm the one who needs something from them, and this research is badly needed for my grades. As I calmed myself down I was reminded of our encounter earlier, I remember exactly the feeling as well as the embarrassment upon getting caught staring at him. I was once again reminded of his eyes that was damply complimented by the sun exposing a deeper shade of brown, as well as his jet black hair that perfectly compliments his skin tone as well as his physique, his hands that seemed rough at look but gentle at touch, his gentleman-like demeanor which first brought my attention to him. While I was slowly starting to lose myself in thoughts I snapped back to reality.

'I can't...'

I told myself. I know it's too soon to assume things will go somewhere but I have been through too much lately and after what happened to my family I don't think involvement and vulnerability is suited for me.

I focused my attention back on my food with melancholy written in my eyes, after losing myself in all of those thoughts I was starting to lose my appetite. To give yourself the chance to love and to be love is one thing but I know in myself that I shouldn't get involve in that, not anytime soon. I was confused on weather I was being realistic or I was depriving myself of chances because of the trauma I've received.

What I felt earlier was something I haven't felt in a while. I stared at my hand that touched his. ' It's not that I haven't felt this in a while' I told myself. It's true, when I think about it it really is not because I haven't felt it in a while but rather I haven't let myself feel that in a while. I haven't let my guard down for a while, I haven't been free for a while, I haven't let myself experience things for a while. It occurred to me how much I've been depriving myself of so many chances out there in the world for things that has already happened and I can no longer change. The thing is, knowing it is one thing, overcoming the trauma is another. What I felt earlier was me letting my guard down, letting myself be free, letting myself experience things. As I was battling with my own thoughts I then fully lost my appetite for the night.

Just then my phone lighted up with a notification from an unknown number, ' oh...a message' I said. I took out the piece of paper that was given to me by Kayel and looked at the number that messaged me, it's the same number, 'He messaged...' I thought to myself. I brought myself to open the message just to be shocked by what he said.

' Pizza is the second best thing I like to eat in bed, p_s_ _ is the first 😉'
' What?!' I shouted with both my eyes staring widely at the text.