Dimitri thanked the driver as he dropped the last of his bags on the stairs. They had returned to town in the evening because she wanted to spend the day walking around the city and buying gifts for Joseph and Carol, plus a few other friends she had not mentioned before. He indulged her. With her help, he got gifts for his sisters and parents.
“Take the rest of the things to her place.” He asked and handed the address to him.
Ayesha didn’t bother arguing. She thanked the driver before he drove off and walked ahead to open the door. Dimitri didn’t look over his shoulder as he kissed the top of her head and walked in behind her.
He and Ayesha hadn’t spoken about being more open with their relationship since he proposed it weeks ago. He wasn’t going to pres
Ayesha woke up in a fright. She yanked her hand back from the invisible grip and scrambled away from the darkness until her back hit the bed frame. Her lips trembled. Her eyes scanned the room, feasting on every bit of light it saw. Itdidn’ttake long to realise where she was.The suitcase on her bed, clumsily packed with clothes falling out the sides, made her stop. Then she remembered her frantic actions when she returned fromDimitri’splace. Her words rioted in her mind, blossoming her headache as she recalled arguing with Joseph.She sniffed, using the bed to help herself up from the floor. With fresh tears
Dimitri looked up when someone passed by him. He meant to continue reading the email on his phone, but whoever it wasdidn't move away from the table. And for a split second, he wondered if it was Ayesha, only to raise his head to see his younger sister.“Morning.”He raised his cup to her.“Gloomy.”She replied before she sat down.“Brat.
Ayesha glanced at the car park where some of her former colleagues ate. She was surprised that the few people who came over to speak to her on the issue seemed kinder and less judgmental than she thought they’d be. They gushed about how shocked they were to find outshewas dating the mayor's son and teased that they were jealous of her luck. Ayesha had every chance to tell them it was over, but she didn’t.She wasn’t trying to enjoy their attention, but she wasn’t ready for the awkwardness that would set in when she said the words. She didn’t want their pity, or questions, or understanding. She just wanted to be alone with her loneliness.The girls cleared out after three minutes, but it felt like forever. So, she waited fo
Dimitri entered the house and was immediately greeted with the smell of curry and gravy. His family were already seated at the table, passing their plates around. He greeted them with a smile.“Morning everyone.”“Morning.”They all resounded. Vienna patted the chair by her side.“Sit with me.”“As you wish.”
Ayesha smiled at one of her colleagues as she arranged the stools in the room, prepping for the morning class. Three weeks had passed, and she had gratefully gotten the job at the pottery store, so she was filling her time with work while she tried to settle back into a quiet life. There were still a few interested eyes lurking here and there. She could see them when she left the apartment, but they were dwindling. On the bright sight, no more magazines posted about their relationship, and it all fizzled after some time. She wondered if Dimitri had something to do with it or if people just got bored and decided to face their business.Maybe since they stopped meeting, there was nothing spicy to report to the ton, she thought with a scoff.Aside from the news, there was no indication that he
“Morning!”“Morning!” Dimitri waved as he jogged past the older man walking his dog. With only a few minutes left on the trail, he picked up speed, pumping his legs faster and faster until he sped out of the canopy of forests and into the morning sun. He closed his eyes, planting his hands on his waist as he tried to catch his breath. The sun’s heat was bearable, even pleasant in the morning. After his quick rest, he pulled his headphones down to his shoulders and began walking to where he parked his car. He looked towards the water and stopped in his tracks. Ayesha sat on the ground with a blanket beneath her and a lunch box propped at her side. Her sneakers were off, neatly arranged to the side. Her socks stuck out of them. She sat with her hands braced behind her, keeping her upright as she watched the lake. He hadn’t seen in a while. He knew she didn’t want to speak to him yet, so he remained there even though he felt compelled to go to her. He missed her desperately, but he d
Ayesha was restocking the shelves when she heard the bell at the door. She didn’t turn around to acknowledge the customer. Florence was at the registry so she could face her work, knowing that her colleague had eyes on the customer and the cameras around the store. “Daniela here?”She nearly dropped the cup she held at the sound of his voice, barely managing to catch it before it slipped too far. He kept speaking, probably unaware that she was there. She didn’t know if he remembered how much she hoped to get the job. Florence knew, though. She, like the others, knew about their relationship.“I’d go get her for you.” Florence half laughed and sped away. “Take…your time,” Dimitri muttered. Ayesha couldn’t even find it in her to turn around. She was hidden behind the shelves for now. She had managed to set the cup down without making a sound. She wanted to remain crouched down and out of sight. But she felt her body straighten against her will. Desire stopped her from hiding in her s
Under the scorching heat, Ayesha stood beneath the umbrella of one of the stalls inside the marketplace. She examined the oranges, squeezing them to check if they were ripe enough and filled with water. She missed having a cold glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning."That would be 10 pounds." The store owner spoke while packing the fruits she selected away."Thanks."She walked to the parking lot, hoisting one bag over her shoulder as she held the other against her hip. She had spent the entire afternoon shopping for groceries for her new apartment. After moving in the day before, there was nothing more than the bare necessities in the fridge. Water, butter and some eggs.The apartment needed to feel more like home. The fridge needed fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, onions, and garlic. She had gotten enough for the day. It was a start. Now, the fridge would look vibrant and alive. Maybe later in the evening, she'd find a store to buy nicknacks to decorate the shelves an