Dimitri looked up when someone passed by him. He meant to continue reading the email on his phone, but whoever it was didn'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
Dimitri walked out of his room, padding into the living room barefoot. He had pushed himself too much on his run earlier in the morning, and his muscles were aching. So,heplanned to stay home,slouchedon the couch, watching whatever came up on television. At least until he felt strong enough to do something else.He threw the towel over his shoulders and fell on the seat. He sipped some juice from a large coffee mug and munched on some crackers while watching a reality TV show he barely understood. Unable to settle for it for long, he changed the channel. Then again and again.When his phone rang, he sighed, almost grateful for the distraction and slapped around the couch till his fingers felt
Ayesha wiped her cheeks as she reached the end of her story. She tried her best not to make it sound like an excuse because she still bore the responsibility for her actions. She wanted him to understand, not excuse her. So she chose her words wisely but did her best to speak on every truth he needed. “I can still feel their hand on mine sometimes when I sleep. They dragged me across the palace while I screamed and stuck my foot on the rug. Once my dad was tired, he had the guards carry me the rest of the way. I was spoiled, they said. I would learn, they said.”“You will not leave this room until your wedding day.”She shivered at the memory of the words. “I stayed in that room for two weeks, maybe three, but it felt like months. There was just a single window. They gave me a bed to sleep on, so they weren’t total savages. The guards kept me company, and the maids brought me…more like snuck me some good food here and there. They couldn’t disobey my parents but could do what they cou
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