Their next orders came after they stood by the barbecue, waiting. They had gone through a handful of street food and drinks while they walked through the park. After an hour, he had eaten so much, from icecreams to shawarmas, kebabs, and flavoured chicken wings. It was a miracle he still felt empty enough to each more. For what was to be their last meal, Ayesha proposed they order the meat how they preferred without the other hearing what came with the order. Dimitri didn't understand why, but she was having fun, and so was he. He took his pack before Ayesha picked hers up. "Okay." She grinned, looking up at him and holding a piece of meat from her plate up to him. He leaned down to take a bite, savouring the taste of the spices mixed in it. "How's that?" Dimitri chewed some more. "It's soft. I think I taste some curry and maybe a hint of garlic, but I can't be sure." "That's good. I am not sure why you can taste garlic, though. I didn't have that mixed in." "Must be something els
"I want you to contact the supplier and be sure they have the goods ready to set out in a week. Double-check with the new shipping company." "Fine." "I think I want to plan a party for the launch. When everything is set, I would like to pick a date." "No date in mind yet, then?" "None. We will see in the future." "Alright." Sofia entered the information into her tablet. She and Florencia worked relentlessly since morning, preparing for a delivery that would arrive in three weeks. A soft knock came at the door before Dimitri walked in. Florencia's face lit up with joy as she walked over to her son, embracing him. "What are you doing here." "I came to pick up some files for dad. I promised him I'd get them on my way to the office." "Which folder?" "Something to do with work, don't worry yourself. I am sorry for interrupting you. I wanted to say hello since I was in." "I don't mind." Dimitri finally turned his eyes to her, and she did her best to cull her excitement. It wasn'
Standing by the window in her darkened room, Ayesha washed the rain wash over the clear glass. It was only the second time since she arrived that she was witnessing a storm. Ayesha wished for a lighter rain, so she could walk under it without fear of being drenched from skin to bone. She wanted to dance under the showers and feel the pellets of water kiss her face.She rested her head on the glass, her phone in her hand. Joseph had long gone to bed, but she couldn't do the same.The nightmares had grown the past few weeks and robbed her of all joy. They had stopped in the past, but anxiety and worry were always the triggers to revive them.Wistful, she pushed the window open an inch. Big enough to allow fresh air in and a few wisps of rain. Her eyes lowered to her phone screen, and she stared at the contacts on her phone.Dimitri's, to be exact.It was nine in the evening, and she had no business calling him at such a late hour. She had nothing of his, no jacket to return or a bag to
"Your mother is glad to have you home." Dimitri looked up and accepted the glass his father handed over to him. With a weak smile, he allowed his eyes to follow the ripples that formed at the top."I have missed being home.""What's the saying? There's no place like home?""There isn't."Dimitri tried to spend as much time with his family as he could. So he was there more nights than not. His mother came over to his place. She left a few of her personal touches here and there. He welcomed it. Since he was a kid, she had poured all of her love into him.Of course, as he grew, she had to fall back and allow him space to grow, but he allowed her to fuss over him occasionally. He knew what it meant for her to have him around, which was why he had been hesitant and was still reluctant to tell her he was diagnosed with the same disease that took his father."How have things been going with Sofia?"Dimitri's brow lifted in surprise. "Why would you ask me that.""Your mother seems to think th
The leather surface of the steering wheel bit into her palms as she squeezed her hands over it. Pretending to be on the road, she turned the wheel left and right, imagining the sleek, red coup driving through the streets. She had never owned a car before. She had her license but never had a reason to buy one.They had been in the store for over an hour, going through cars to find one that didn't only fit their budget but also looked impeccable and in good shape. There were three Ayesha had her eyes on, and she couldn't choose, so she pushed the decision to Joseph, who decided to buy the red sedan."How is it." Joseph peeked in, resting his forearms on the window frame. "The imaginary ride you are on right now.""In a few minutes, it wouldn't be imaginary anymore. Have you paid?""Yeah." He held some papers by his head. "Everything is set. I even have the keys."She squealed with excitement, and Joseph laughed, jumping into the passenger seat and tossing the keys to her. The engine rev
Prepared to start his day early, Dimitri got into his car after ending a short call with Sofia. The previous day, she confirmed that the earring he found was hers, and he decided to hand it over to her on his way to work. It wasn't a long drive, and he preferred to do it himself, so he set off early, taking the fastest route to the apartment complex.After his conversation with his father and remembering all his sister said to him, he believed it would be better to create a bit of distance between Sofia and himself. No matter how he wished to change the past, she would forever be someone he loved. Someone he dated, and there would always be that memory between them.Friendship wasn't possible because it would be easy to confuse the feelings again. Easy to fall into the same rabbit hole that ate away at them day by day. Sofia assured him they were mature enough to handle seeing each other, and he agreed, but he also understood that there needed to be a limit. They had danced to the sam
"And you are looking extra pretty because?"Ayesha smiled at Joseph through the mirror as she struggled to get the hoop of her earrings through her ear."I can say the same to you, already in a suit.""Sports jacket." He corrected, straightening the lapels of the jacket and adjusting the arms. "I have a date to get to, and I am guessing that is the same thing with you?""Not a date.""Here we go with this nonsense again." Joseph walked over and perched himself on the dressing table, watching her while she applied her lipstick. "You have met him more than five times now, and you still refer to these meetings as "not dates". Do I look like an idiot.""Joseph," She heaved with exasperation. "Look, you are right. I like him. I do. But he doesn't see me like that. At least, I don't think he does. It's not a date. We enjoy each other's company, that's all.""If you like him, why don't you go for him.""What?""Are you waiting for him to make a move? You've been interested in other guys in t
“Unbelievable.” Ayesha looked at him and then back at the slow-moving traffic. Cars moved at an excruciating pace, and his car was far behind. All he could see were headlights. They had been sitting in the car for the past twenty minutes, contemplating what was causing the hold-up. Ayesha felt partly to blame since Dimitri had stopped by a convenience store to buy her a cold bottle of yoghurt to drink. He assured her it was nothing to worry about. They were still miles away from her apartment, and things weren't looking good for them. “What happened, do you think?” He stretched a bit, wiggling his fingers to get blood flowing through. “No clue. Something might have gone wrong up ahead. Maybe a car took a wrong turn or something.” “Hmm.” She sighed, clutching the yoghurt bottle in her hands. “Pray it’s not an accident. I can’t see too well. Maybe I’d come down and check it out.” “Are you in a rush?” “No. But I’ll like to know wh