Melissa
"I still don't get why you brought me to your house. As you said before, that we are not a real couple, so why?" I asked, taking a seat on the couch.
Like everything else in the room, the coach told a story, a testimony to the personality of its owner. It was a piece made more for the style than comfort, a moderately priced copy of some honestly talented designer.
The house had large arched windows. Through the windows, light flew through all seasons, gracing the air without favour, illuminating the sweet-toffee browns of the wooden floor.
Max walked from the kitchen carrying two glasses of strawberry juice. He was walking with his socks only, and damn he still managed to pull off.
"Hope we have the same taste," he grinned, placing them on the glass table. I gave him a small smile and grabbed one for myself.
"I figured that to help each other, we have to be friends, so this is the first step. You should know where I stay, as I know yours," he answered, sitting down across the table, leaving me gobsmacked.
He wants me to be his friend?
Something about being his friend did not sit well with me, but this was a huge step!
"I mean, trust is the first thing in friendship, right?" he asked, taking a sip, his eyes not leaving mine.
I gave him a small smile and concentrated on looking around the house.
We were silent for a moment, and this time, it was not as comfortable as it was in the car. Instead, the atmosphere was filled with tension that I started feeling uneasy, especially when he was looking at me with an emotion I could not tell.
I cleared my throat and placed my glace back on the table.
"Do you stay here alone or with friends. You know, Ken and Jake?" I asked, trying to make a conversation. I remembered his friend from the club, Jake.
"Sometimes, Jake comes over, but as for Ken, not that much," he paused for a moment.
"The last time Ken crashed here, I got a migraine," he grinned at me, making me laugh.
"I can imagine. He is funny, though," I said, taking another sip and was glad the weird tension was broken.
"You like him?"
"Mmmh?" I quirked an eyebrow as I didn't quite understand his question.
"Do you like Ken?" he repeated. Maybe I was overthinking things but did his voice sound strained?
"Um... yes...Well, he is fun to be around, so yes." I saw him stiffen for a moment before gulping down the whole juice. Is he angry because I like his friend?
"As a friend, of course," I added, looking at him intently, hoping to understand why he was acting so strange.
"As a friend?" he asked with a quirk of his eyebrow like he did not believe me.
"Yes, what else were you thinking?" he shrugged, and I chuckled.
"Now, who needs to get his head out the gutter" I teased him. "What? I was just curious,"
"No need to worry, dear boyfriend. He is too young for me." I winked, making him shake his head.
Ken is not younger than me, but if I am to date someone, that person has to be a couple of years older than me, like Max.
"Besides, I only have eyes for one person," I added, drinking my last swallow. If possible, I felt the room suddenly freezing, making me shiver.
What was happening? I peeped through my glass only to see Max giving me a look he had never before. A cold look that got me warry.
¨Haze,¨ He said that word, his voice dripping with venom enough to kill.
¨Huh?¨ I was still confused why he suddenly changed. Also, why did he called that name?
¨Haze is the one you have eyes for, right?¨
¨What?¨
¨If you like him that much, why did you ask me to pretend to be your boyfriend?¨ It took me a while to process what nonsense Maz was spouting. Why was he referring... hold on.
¨Wait, you think Haze is the guy I like?¨ I asked carefully, wanting to understand what he was on about.
¨Huh, he scoffed, looking away from me. ¨ That's why you keep referring me to him, right? Calling me Haze all the time.¨I paused my eyes on him, drinking every word he uttered. Taking in the look on his face when he said those words.
¨Are you jealous?¨ I found myself asking without thinking. Max looked at me surprised, but before he could answer, I broke into fits of giggle that led to me laughing.
¨Why...why are you laughing?¨ But I could not stop. It was just too funny thinking of it that it made my eyes sting. I laughed until I started to feel my ribs hurt.
¨You...you actually think that I call you Haze because I see someone in you? Oh, my, how dumb can you be?¨ I asked to see him frown at me.
¨Then why call me Haze? My name is nowhere close to Haze.¨ I took deep breaths to calm my nerve from bursting again with laughter.
¨I..well, you see...¨ It was my turn to feel flustered. ¨When I first saw you on the bus, the first word that came to mind was, Haze.¨ I saw him quirk an eyebrow, slightly confused before his eyes circled when he understood what I was saying.
He cleared his throat, looking away shyly.
Did he just blush? I could not help but wonder, noticing his ears turning pinkish. I wanted to taunt him, but...
¨Then who is your only one?¨ Aha, back to that question.
¨My Bibi.¨ I answered, amused by his bashful behaviour. Who would have thought that one day, I would witness such a cute side of Max?
Max stood up from the seat and collected the glass before heading to the kitchen. The house was too beautiful to only sit and watch, so I followed him along.
The apartment's kitchen facilities were located in the central room. Tall interior glass doors created the illusion of a much bigger space. And the black lacquer paint is a testament to embracing darker, cosier spaces instead of forcing them to look big and bright with all-white interiors.
Though modern in many ways, the open shelves displayed beautiful antiques.
"So tell me, what exactly do you do?" I asked, tracing my fingers softly on the counter. It was black, smooth, and beautiful.
"I am a student. I told you before, remember?" I smiled sheepishly. Of course, I remember. I was just trying to strike a conversation. Seriously, how do people in a relationship even keep the conversation going?
"Mmh." I hummed, looking around the place. "Then how do you afford this apartment, don't get me wrong, but you have to be loaded to be able to provide for this," I said, sizing the place. ¨Not to forget the expensive car we arrived in.¨ I added, a dazzling red car flashing in my memory.
"Are you a member of the Mafia?" I suddenly asked and slapped my mouth, my eyes widening.
What was wrong with my mouth?
"Illuminati?" Max furrowed, his eyebrows confused at my question. Since I had already spoken my thoughts aloud, I could only nod.
He looked uncertain about answering and a little uneasy. I read a lot about physiology and knew how to read people using their body language. With the way he was reacting, It was like he was guilty.
My jaw dropped, and I started sweating.
Am dead! That was all I could think about.
I blinked my eyes a couple of times, thinking of a way out of the trouble I brought upon myself. How could I be so stupid and think that I could have a boyfriend for hire?
Oh my goodness, Mel! Stop overthinking! I tried reasoning with myself, but I was already a goner.
Hired boyfriends only worked in novels, not real life!
My stupid battle was broken when I heard someone laugh. It was Max. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I totally forgot he was present.
"You do have a wild imagination, crazy one," he said in between his laugh.
So he was lying? I sighed with relief but was still cautious.
"Come down, honey, I don't slaughter people to have this life," he assured me.
"Then how come you are this rich? When I first met you on the bus, you looked like someone who is well-lived, but I didn't think you were this rich."
"I am not rich. My mom is," he shrugged, leaning on the counter.
"Aha, so you are a mama's boy." I teased, wiggling my eyebrow playfully as I was finally relieved.
"Proud to be one." he grinned. There was silence for a moment before I decided to break it again.
"Lemmie asked you something if you don't mind," I started. Max shrugged, giving me a go-on look.
"Between your mom and dad, who isn't an African?" I asked the most curious question I had been meaning to ask for a while.
I shifted my weight to one side, leaning against the counter while crossing my arms across my chest.
"My dad is Italian, they met with my mom at a party, and they happen," he shrugged.
"Huh, such a bad storyteller, couldn't you make it a little bit interesting?"
"Were you expecting the kind of fireworks in the sky?" He mused, turning the tap on and rinsing the glasses.
"So, do you speak Italian?" I asked, ignoring his taunting question.
"Piccola, sono mezzo Italiano, come posso non parlare Italiano?" He spoke in a swift Italian accent leaving my jaws to drop in amazement.
If there is a language that I was in love with- still in love with - was Italian. I tried many times taking classes online and could understand some words, but with the way Max spoke, I believe that I am still far behind.
Maybe seeing my confusion and amazement, he chuckled and was about to explain when I stopped him.
"Don't!" I raised my hand, " Let me try, 'I am Italian. How can I not know Italian?" Seeing his impressed look, I jumped in excitement, shouting a yes.
"You got the message but still missed something."
"Which is?" I frowned. Leaning a little bit closer across the counter, he whispered, "Piccola," but loud enough for me to hear.
Of course, I knew what the word meant. I just did not think of it earlier. Max snickered again, seeing my flushed face.
"Sono innamorato della lingua ( I love the language)," I said lowly, lifting myself and sitting on the counter.
" Have you been taking classes?"
"I am still learning, especially the accent."
"Why do you prefer the Italian language? What got you interested in it?" he asked curiously, watching me closely.
"On Tv, I was watching a certain soap opera called Dolce' Amore. I immediately fell in love with the language and took some online courses. All I needed was someone to talk to. To improve my pronunciations and the accent, but there was no one." I finished looking at him.
"So you are a romantic, hopeless kind of person?" He quirked an eyebrow, eying with an amused look.
"Because I watch Soap operas?" I questioned with a raise of my eyebrow.
"Exactly"
"No, I am not. I just find them more interesting than watching football." I snorted, looking around the kitchen.
"Well, at least now we have our secret language." he winked, striding towards me and placing his hands on the counter, caging me in between.
Totally not expecting his action, a gasp escaped my lips, causing me to slide down the counter, only to end up in a very tricky situation. He was so close to me that I could practically feel every inch of his body slightly pressed against me.
How did we end up in this situation? Every time silence reign between us, I could not help but repeat that I was in a handsome's man house over and over again, like a mantra.
I tried to breathe like a normal human being, but failed miserably.
"You are so jumpy," he said, his voice deep than usual, leaning towards my ear, "Especially when I touch you," He whispered near my ear, making my heart thump wildly. I managed to a huge lump lodged in my throat.
I needed to get away from him, but my less stayed glued on the ground.
I felt his thumb trace the line of my jaw, across my chin, and down my neck. I thought perhaps he hadn't heard me over the pounding of my heart, but then he opened his mouth...
"I need you to stop." He pulled back slowly, his hand leaving a trail of goosebumps formed in the wake of his fingers.
I immediately missed his presence, almost pulling him back to continue with his ministrations.
What. On. Earth. Happened to me?
"Huh?" what he said last registered in my mind. What did he mean by I need to stop?
"You should stop being jumpy whenever I touch you," he said, smirking at me.
Gosh, I swear this man is an Angel of smirking.
"I don't like being touched," I retorted, rubbing my arms softly to get rid of the tingling sensation his hand left behind.
"Well, you need to get used to it. And also..." He drawled, going back to the living room. I sighed and followed him.
"Also, what?" I was getting irritated, maybe because of him, or maybe the restlessness I was feeling annoyed me the most. I don't know why but I suddenly longed to be touched - his touch.
"Easy tiger, impatient aren't we?" he chuckled, taking a seat on the couch.
"You also have to learn how to touch me," I paused on my track, frozen by his words.
"Say what now?"
"Why are you so shocked? Isn't that what couples do? I told you before, that I cannot be the only one making an effort when it was your plan, to begin with, " there he was back again. An annoying guy who wouldn't stop reminding me that it was my fault.
"I was starting to like the silent guy," I said sarcastically, taking my seat across him, expecting a comeback but got nothing.
I turned around, wondering why he was silent again. Something that I found strange since we met today day. Even though he would flirt or act like the annoying man he is, he would space out at times.
I thought maybe, he was just tired, but now looking at him spacing out again, I could not help but worry. For the very first time since we met, I saw different emotions on his face.
He looked sad, heartbroken, and in pain even.
"Stai bene (Are you okay?)?" I asked after a while in Italian, of course, trying to get his attention. Max only nodded absentmindedly, staring in a certain direction.
Following his line of vision, I spotted a photo frame that I did not see before. I walked closely and gasped, looking at the picture of a beautiful little girl.
Her skin complexion was lighter than Max's, and her eyes were black. Her lips were full and had dimples.
"A beauty like Kilimanjaro, I see!" I whistled, reaching out for the frame only to hear Max chuckle.
"Kilimanjaro? Seriously?" he cocked an eyebrow at me. "You do, realize you have just compared my sister with a mountain," he said smiling.
"Oh, forgive me not, but I can't compare her beauty with anyone. Not with this goddess' looks.¨ I rolled my eyes, caressing the photo.
¨Sorry, but Kilimanjaro is the finest. Even though I haven't seen it live, apart from TV and pictures," I said, still looking at the picture, but then realized something, making my eyes snap at Max.
"Wait, what? Your sister?" I was surprised, to say the least.
"Yes, my sister, and you are right. She was beautiful." Max answered with a sad smile.
"Was? Oh my goodness, Max I am sorry. I didn't know." I quickly returned the picture frame to where it was.
"No, you don't have to," he said, picking up the picture frame and leaning against the couch.
I also took a seat beside him.
"It was a long time ago," he added, sighing while staring at the picture.
"I am sorry if I am not good company today. I brought you here, and I have done nothing but act stupid." he raked his fingers messily in his hair and looked at me.
"Every year, this day is never my day. I thought, having you with me will make me feel better, but instead, I feel awful for using you..."
"Hey," I stopped him by placing my hand on his arm.
"I know that we are basically strangers and still have a lot to know about each other. You helped and saved me before, even without having any idea who I was back then. The least I can do is let you use me for today." I smiled, assuring him. There was a long silence that prevailed before he drew a deep breath.
"I still remember her lifeless body floating on that damn swimming pool, I should have been there to save her, but I wasn't. I wish..." I squeezed his arm as an encouragement to go on.
"When she left everything fucked up, mom fell into depression and became bitter. Dad got tired of waiting for her to come around and cheated, then later got a divorce. After that, mom got more serious and started working in the company. I wonder even if she has time for herself. It's always about working with her, nothing else. The gang was there to support me, they never left, and that's why I love them so much. Even my father couldn't do that. He left when we needed him the most."
"I didn't do my best. Damn! I wasn't even there," he got up abruptly and kicked the couch with anger causing me to jump.
My heart broke for him, I wished I could help ease the pain and tell him that it wasn't his fault, but it was not a good time yet.
"How old was she?" I asked, hoping to divert his attention.
"Eight years old." he sighed.
"I bet even if she frowns, she still looks pretty." I walked towards the picture frame and picked it up but frowned, looking at it.
"But then she must be getting wrinkles by now since she has been frowning ever since she left you guys," I added, and Max looked at me confused.
"I doubt that. She is now in a better place," Max smiled a little.
"I don't know. I would cry and frown if I see my family crying and hurting themselves because of me," I shrugged nonchalantly, hoping that he was getting the message.
"But then, it would make me happy to see them smile and laugh at the good memories we had." I continued, and he just sighed.
"I don't know what happened, but I have a feeling that you did try your best, Max." I placed it back carefully and turned to Max, who was looking at me dispirited.
"Yeah,
"I just think that you and your mother have already punished yourself for so long. Maybe it's time for you both to free your sister and let her rest in peace. Let yourself be happy and cherish the memories you have of her."
"It's not easy, Mel, it's not easy to just forget," he said, walking towards his bedroom. I presumed and was right.
"I know, but that is life, and we got to deal with it. No matter how hard it is, it won't just stop spinning. You have to let her go, for her sake." I followed him behind.
He said nothing but flop on the bed, bouncing a little bit. I did not have time to check what it looked like, as my focus was not on the who looked depressed at the moment.
Blame is fascinating - it shapes our lives. It can be a gentle way of positioning ourselves, a gentle joust or banter, or it can be poisonous, hurtful, or devastating for its victims.
"How was she? Apart from being beautiful, of course," I asked, joining him on the bed. By that, I mean sitting on the edge.
"She was funny and complicated. I guess women are always like that by nature," he answers with a hint of a smile, and I was glad but still scoffed at his comment.
"One moment she was so understanding, the next she was the most annoying person in the whole universe. I mean, there was this day that she was supposed to spend the weekend with Winnie, ken's sister, but then she refused and claimed that she wanted to stay with me, and you know what that meant, right?" I just kept silent and smiled, urging him to continue.
"It meant no party, no girls, no having fun." I couldn't help but giggle.
"I can just imagine your face."
"I had to babysit the whole weekend. She put make-up on me and made me wear mom's clothes. What was the name of the game again?" he asked, tapping his lips like he was remembering something.
"Yeah, cha baba na mama," his eyes lit up, and I burst into fits of laughter.
"You got to be kidding me!" I exclaimed, still laughing. He also joined me.
"I can't believe that she made you do that," I said as I calmed down.
"She was just like my mom, so controlling and always got whatever they wanted, even if it meant blackmailing and threatening you," he explained.
I looked at Max, puzzled.
How can a small child blackmail somebody?
"You must be wondering how? There was this time when she had a toothache. After a few weeks, she was better, but mom banned her from eating chocolate till a month was over. My little sister, Masher, came to me and asked me to buy her one. I said no, no, and no, but then she threatened to destroy my Ps.¨ My eyes widened in disbelief.
¨ I thought she was bluffing, but later in the evening, the handle was broken. She even had the guts to threaten me by breaking my computer's screen. I had to give in eventually." He sighed, throwing his head on the pillow.
"No way!" that was the only thing I could say at the moment.
"And also she had this obsession with diet and eating healthy. One day she made dad and mom prepare her a milk bath with some flowers in it so that she would have soft glowing skin." I shook my head, giggling at how cute the girl must have been. She must have been one handy girl to deal with.
"I have a feeling that if she was still around then, you would have had her surrounded with bodyguards all the time to keep off the predators," I said, and he chuckled. There was a little silence in the room before he lay on his one side facing me.
I didn't even realize that I was already lying down on the mattress facing him.
"Thank you," he said after a while.
"For what?" I asked.
"For being here with me today, for listening, and for taking me back in time, I do appreciate it,"
"Are you happy now?"
"Very happy," he answered with a bright smile that got my heart melt.
"Then I guess God will add one more year in my life span for making someone happy today," I murmured, but he heard it since I had him chuckled.
I was exhausted as my eyes became heavy in seconds. I did work in the morning, so that must explain it. A yawn escaped my mouth. I couldn't think clearly or see clearly. I think I was falling asleep when I heard Max's voice.
"You are special, you know," I thought I heard him say.
"You are special to me too," I murmured, drifting off to la-la land.
I thought I felt warm hands on my cheeks, which I involuntary melted into them. Maybe I was just dreaming because that was the last thing I remembered.
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Cha baba na mama (Kiswahili word) is a game similar to playing house.
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Adlyne Faith.