Chapter 4.

Josiah.

I love buying Bliss books because she loves to read. I went to a new bookstore and bought two books I hope she likes. I want to give them to her when I see her. I didn't plan to use the books as an excuse to meet up with her but it kind of played out like that. 

It's been two days since I refused to tell her which led to me being threatened(not seriously though). I'm not even sure when we'll see each other because we're both busy, I'm a lazy bum and I don't know what time management is. 

I own a shop and sell ceramic ware, porcelain and Stoneware. Plates, vases, cups, mugs, all that stuff. I also dabble in pottery, a little. My job is flexible so I have more freedom than a normal 9-5. But I'm always busy doing everything and nothing at the same time. That's a terrible life habit. Don't be like me.

Luckily, I have two people working for me - Joan and Tiny Tim - who isn't tiny in the slightest. They assist in sales and delivery. It's a cute little corner that I call mine. 

I've always had a fascination for dinnerware and vases since I was a teenager. One of my mum's friend - Mama Edna always had the weirdest and prettiest things, from vintage porcelain to assymetrical plates and I always loved them. 

I used to break the ordinary plates at our house and my mum would get so mad at me. I wanted an excuse to buy plates from the store Mama Edna bought her dinnerware. I was banned from the kitchen after a while but I didn't care.

I'd go to the ceramics store and look around for the weirdest looking plates and mugs and vases but I rarely bought any because I didn't have money. I was a broke kid breaking my Mama's dinnerware for an excuse to buy plates that I couldn't afford. The audacity I had😅.

But anyways, money won't make itself, so the reminiscing ends here. Ughhhhh... Adulting is so stressful. I want to be a baby again. My biggest worry then was the darkness, why I had to wear clothes and why my mama always said No to most things I asked for. The good old days.

................

By the time I'm done from work, it's a bit late, around 7-ish and I need to go grocery shopping. I drive to the mart nearby, on my way home. I really don't want to put off shopping till tomorrow that's why I'm doing it now. I get to the mart and go in. 

There aren't many people in here which is understandable. I take a shopping cart and scan the aisles for stuff I need and when I'm done, I push my cart to the check out counter so I can leave. I pay and take my grocery bags to my car and put them in the front seat. I'm burnt out and I need sleep.

When I get home, I leave the bags on the couch and head into the bathroom to shower before I'm too tired. The shower helps to soothe my tired body. When I'm done, I pull on a baggy tshirt and shorts. Now I have to eat before I pass out from hunger. I take the grocery bags from the couch and empty them in the fridge and kitchen cabinets. 

I reheat the rice and chicken sauce I had left over. While I'm waiting for them to be done, I switch on the tv in the living room and look for something interesting to watch. When I find a show I'm interested in, I go back to the kitchen to get my food and relax on my couch. 

Soon, I'm done eating and I'm not moving from my position. But my phone starts ringing at that moment and I left it on the kitchen counter. I don't want to move from this couch though. I grudgingly get up and take my plate to the sink. I pick my phone up and it's a call from Bliss. I instantly call her back and she picks up after a few rings. I hear her shuffling around before she speaks.

'Hi Jo. Were you busy?' 

I know what she wants. 'Nah. What's good?'

'What are you doing?' She's stalling. I'm smiling now.

'I'm couch potato-ing, how about you?' I say and pull my couch blanket over me.

'I'm doing the same. So....'

I'm smiling now. I feign innocence 'So what?' 

She takes a deep breath and - 'Jo, don't you dare act cute with me. Tell me the name of the book.' Hehe. Teasing her is so fun.

I know I'm milking it but it's fun. 'I actually got you two books not one'.

'Just tell me the titles. C'mon." She whines.

'No. Be patient.' I snicker.

'So you're really not going to tell me huh?' She sounds like she's smiling.

I'm smiling too. 'I love you and Nope. I'll give it to you when I see you.' 

She scoffs before speaking 'And when will I see you?'

'How about on Sunday?' Sunday is the only time I'm sure we're not busy.

'Afternoon or evening?' We can't do sunday morning - church. I'll watch church online though 'cause I'm a lazy bum.

'Pick any time that you think is better.' I'll let her choose.

'How about 3 pm?' She sounds like she's moving around.

'That's cool. We're eating out though.' I offer.

'No problem. Pick a good place.' Like she has to tell me.

'I will. So...' I'm just dragging out the conversation.

'So...' She's giggling. It's a cute sound.

I smile. 'I should let you go now. Goodnight.' 

There's a pause before she speaks. 'Goodnight.' 

'Yup.' I don't want to end the call.

'Jo? End the call.' She's laughing at me but I don't care.

'Ok. Bye for real this time.' 

She lets out a breathy 'Bye'. Then I end it and I can't stop smiling. Weird.