บท 14: Chapter 13
As the days passed, I found myself slowly becoming accustomed to ordering my food by myself. Asherseemed to be guiding me into this newfound independence without me even realizing it. It had been a week since we shared that dinner together, and his influence lingered in my daily routines.
Each day, I would enter Adil's shop with a bit more confidence, knowing that I could make my own choices when it came to food. It felt empowering to assert my preferences, even in something as simple as a meal selection.
Asher's patient explanations and encouraging words had a lasting impact on me. He had a way of making me feel comfortable and capable, gently nudging me out of my comfort zone and into a world of self-reliance.
With each order I placed, I felt a sense of accomplishment, a small victory in my journey towards independence. And though Ashermay not have realized the extent of his influence, I was grateful for his guidance and support as I navigated this new chapter in my life.
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As I savored each mouthful of the delicious curry rice, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. Ashersat across from me, quietly enjoying his meal with a subtle smile playing on his lips.
There was something about his smile that seemed inscrutable, as if it concealed a deeper emotion beneath its surface. Yet, I couldn't quite decipher its true meaning, especially given the limited knowledge I had of him.
"I didn't know Adil had a brother," I remarked, breaking the comfortable silence between us.
"We are...um...not exactly on good terms, and that must be the reason why he never told you about me or even me about his girlfriend," Asherreplied, his tone tinged with amusement.
"Girlfriend?" I echoed, surprised by the revelation.
"Yeah, you," he said casually.
"I'm just his friend," I protested, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up my cheeks.
"Hm...I see," he responded cryptically, his expression unreadable.
I couldn't help but wonder about the nature of Adil's relationship with me. Was there something more between us that I hadn't realized?
Turning the conversation towards Asher, I asked, "What about you, Asher? Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No," he replied bluntly, his response leaving no room for further inquiry.
"Why?" I pressed, curious to know more about his personal life.
Asherfell silent for a moment before continuing, sidestepping my question entirely. It seemed there was a hidden layer to his past, one that he wasn't quite ready to share.
As we continued our meal, I realized that our conversation had taken on an asymmetrical dynamic, with me divulging intimate details of my life while Asherremained guarded. Yet, strangely enough, it felt natural, as if there were certain boundaries that neither of us dared to cross.
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The routine of sharing daily meals with Asherbecame a comforting norm in my life, yet the mystery surrounding him only seemed to deepen with each passing day. Despite our frequent conversations, I realized I knew very little about him. His enigmatic smiles in response to my questions only added to his enigma.
What troubled me even more was my inability to ask about Adil, even though his absence weighed heavily on my mind. It was as if something stopped me every time I tried to broach the subject, leaving me with a sense of unease. Perhaps it was fear of the unknown or a subconscious desire to shield myself from painful truths.
As the week went by, the murders in the area gradually faded from the headlines, replaced by an eerie silence that hung over the nights like a thick fog. Despite the tranquility of the city, my nightmares persisted, a constant reminder of the darkness that lurked beneath the surface.
Yet, strangely, whenever I shared a meal with Asher, my fears seemed to vanish, if only temporarily. His presence brought a sense of peace and calmness that I couldn't explain. It was as if he had the power to chase away the shadows that haunted me, if only for a brief moment.
In those stolen moments of serenity, I allowed myself to forget about the dangers lurking outside and simply enjoy the warmth of Asher's company. But deep down, I knew that the peace we shared was fragile and that the darkness would inevitably return to reclaim its hold over our lives.
Tomorrow, I have a date with Asher. I can't exactly call it a date, but...
"I will take you somewhere tomorrow, and it's a surprise," he said before leaving this evening. I'm not one to anticipate things, and it's strange how Adil slipped from my mind in just a week.
I won't say I like Asher, but I can't say I hate him either. It's a thin line between them, and I am walking on it...
(The next day)
I took a leave, especially for today. It seems I'm genuinely looking forward to this outing. Whenever I spend time with Asher, he teaches me the joy of making my own choices, and I appreciate it. That's the main reason I meet up with him every single day.
I waited at my house for 30 minutes, and he was late!
After about an hour, someone knocked on my door. I opened it, and there was Asher, standing at the front, slightly out of breath.
"Sorry, I'm late," he said with a small smile.
What's with the smile now?
"It's alright."
"Come on, let's go," he said, pulling me by my hand.
There was a car parked downstairs on this small street.
"Hop in."
"Oh."
So, he has a car. Of course, he's earning quite a bit.
"So, where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"I don't like surprises."
"But you'll definitely like this," he said as he started the car.
"Is this car yours?"
"Yes, I bought it after I got my first income."
"I see."
It was quiet for some time. It's been days since I slept properly, so the journey and the cool air are making me drowsy.
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I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. I was surprised to see the view in front of me.
It's the BEACH!!!
This is the first time I've seen the sea. It's breathtaking. I immediately got out of the car and ran into the water. The cold water touching my feet felt so refreshing.
The water sparkled with the sunlight falling over it. The sea breeze felt different. The water was salty.
"How's the surprise?" Asherasked, standing behind me with a small smile. More like a proud smile.
"It's refreshing."
"Why haven't you visited the beach before?"
"My mother promised to take me to the beach on my 12th birthday, but she died before that, so..."
Without a care in the world, not caring about anyone around me, I played in the water like a small kid. Ashersat at the shore quietly observing me. It was awkward, but I didn't care much.
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I lay down on the shore, painting. My dress was completely filled with sand and wet with seawater. It felt heavy.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I was worried you wouldn't like it," he said after a relaxed exhalation.
"Why the beach suddenly?"
"You told me that you haven't been to it at least once, and the beach is like a place to calm your soul. The water helps. It whispers. And I thought that you needed it," he explained.
He thought a lot about it, and that made me happy.
He booked a room in the nearby hotel to clean me up. Furthermore, he took me out for lunch later. It was very tasty. All the remaining day we checked out all the things that were near the shore.
Everything was going very well, and that made me a little anxious. Being happy doesn't suit me, so I am sure that something bad will happen. Life doesn't like me being happy.
And just as I had imagined, I saw something I shouldn't have seen.
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