/Erick
One bedroom apartment, quite spacious and at the same time absolutely crammed up with endless papers.
I was indulging in my morning coffee, whilst taking in the view from his window - outside it was sunrise, it was early autumn morning. The mist in the air gave the mysterious feeling to the town below. Everyone was waking up to their jobs, to the assignments that were waiting for them in the office, to the never ending flow of consumers and service.
I was enjoying this time of the day. When all was still about to wake up for a day filled with tasks and things to do.
Staying in Tokyo made me absolutely comfortable in many ways. Although it was such a buzz filled place, I enjoyed living here. Outskirts of a big city, the more "down to earth" feeling to it, compared with the central.
I came here barely a year ago. Luckily for me, I landed a job with a publishing company. Being the writer for a publishing house. Every few weeks I'd have my manager come over to have a chat, check progress on the work and remind me of deadlines.
Miraculously, by the great judgement of mine - my manager was really a great man. I was lucky to have this person as my manager.
Just past 6 in the morning the phone rang.
Display showed the name "Yuki", which promptly let me push the button to answer.
"Good morning chef." - I let out.
"Good grief, you really have no life, do you? Could you open the door for me please? I'm kind of freezing here." - Voice on the other end was trembling from the cold shiver.
"Why don't you buzz in?" - I went on, as I slowly walked towards my apartment door.
"Because you still have not fixed the bloody buzzer." - Said the man behind the door, as I opened it up.
"Due come in, before I get a free frozen statue outside" - I moved to the side.
"Thank you. I'm coming in." - Said the man, as he walked inside. I closed the door behind the man.
"I'll pour you some hot coffee. Just made it." - I walked towards my small kitchen.
"Much appreciated." - Said man, as he took his shoes off and walked inside the room.
"Yuki, do you still have sugar with your coffee?" - I turned around to face my guest.
"I'll put sugar in myself, if you don't mind" - Yuki left his bag in the room, then walked to the kitchen.
"So good when it's warm." - Yuki held the cup in his hands.
"That sure is a joyful feeling right there." - I laughed.
The two of us moved to the guest room to sit on the sofa. Coffee table in front of them. Curtains drawn open, sunlight is just starting to pour its light in and make everything look dazzling.
"Why do I even comply with you on coming this early to see you?" - Yuki was stretching his neck.
I just laughed in return. I knew that although Yuki is whining and moaning about coming this early - he really enjoys it.
"So, do you want me to wake you up around after 12 midday? You'll have enough peace and quiet by then." - I looked at Yuki.
Yuki ruffled his messy head.
"Yeah. Guess around 12 noon would be the best. I'll use shower then and will occupy the bed. Been working the whole night." - Yuki finished his coffee.
I sat enjoying the presence of another human being inside my humble home.
Due to the friendship that the two of us developed, Yuki was at times coming over to sleep at my place. There already was a spare clothes shelf and toiletries that Yuki used.
Somehow we arrived in this situation just 3 months ago. At the time, Yuki and I knew each other for 5 months. Usually you don't get this close to people in this short amount of time, but we clicked on this unknown level. And so it happened that the two of us became such close friends.
Yet, Yuki would not tell much about personal matters, he'd mostly talk about work. But at the same time, the same setting was on for me also. I'd keep it short and would not talk about past or personal issues.
After all, each person has a right to be the way they are.
"Good night." - Said Yuki, standing in a hallway, looking at me. He already took a shower, changed and now just notified that he'll go to sleep.
"Good night. Sleep well. I'll wake you." - I replied.
Sun shone across the room - spreading the feeling of warmth. The mist behind the window slowly was dissolving, letting the heat of the sun wake the earth up, wake people up.
There were more cars leaving the parking lot now, many people slowly dispersing from homes to the stations, bus stops - towards work, school, university, plans of the day and more.
"Soon, maybe soon enough I'll be able to do it." - I picked up one page from the table, which was the same page once resting on the work table belonging to Ella.
"Please, give me more time." - I let out, - "Ella, please, just a bit more time."