Neil came back to Ms.Rose's clothing store and sat on a chair in a hurry, seeing him Mr.Rose approached and asked about what happened, "nothing, I want a leave for tomorrow, I need to find a rented place..." Neil said in a rush, "eh...yes of course you can, I will manage and don't worry about the pay cut, I won't have one" Mr.Rose got it something was wrong so agreed without hesitation.
After the sunset Neil left the mall as well as Mr.rose closed the door of her store and went home, below the dark night sky Neil was walking with his hands in his pocket and looking at the ground, he seemed to be lost in thoughts, somewhere near an open ground he stopped and looked at the few pricks of fire in the black sky, that night was unusually lonely today, maybe he was remembering something that was long gone already, in that windless and clear night, he could here bark of a dog at the end of the road sounded close at hand, even the dog the was not friendly today.
Neil was in front of his apartment, when picked out his keys some thoughts bothered him like always, (there is no place left for you) but still there was irritation, frustration, sadness or anger but only exhaustion, he went inside that small space he had for now, that apartment was not wide and luxurious but suitable for a person who wants to have a peaceful life, the building were that small space was situated looked so old and grassy, it was a bare and shabby place, but the looks inside was far different than outside, clear and classic as someone took care of it wholeheartedly, it was kept neat and tidy by Neil as his own place but now he have to leave his site too.
The kitchen was attached to the hall and there was a chair to sit on, the bedroom with a single bed attached to the washroom can give anyone a sign that it is for an alone person, after changing in the night dress and removing his earrings he slept, he put his earrings in a safe place as treasure that he cherished the most, even though it felt empty he still comforted himself with some thoughts, (this place is too small for me I will find a better one tomorrow), then suddenly something came in front of eyes, it was the face of that familiar person earlier, (Daniel...why was he there? when did he come to this place? and just why that mall?) Neil was again lost in innumerable thoughts, why was he thinking so much? so what if that person came? he didn't see Neil right? and even if he sees him nothing will change right? he now doesn't get bothered by anything anyway? why is he even thinking about him so much?, (just sleep dammit) Neil closed his eyes and after trying for hundreds of times he finally slept.
*What is this?, a dream?*
"Why are so quiet? can't you talk?"
"he must be mute or something" two people or two young boys were talking to Neil,
"You are the one who has a loud mouth, it's not his fault" someone came from behind, taking Neil's side,
"tsk, let's go there is no use to be here" when Neil looked at them going he felt a piece in his heart to be satisfied, he looked at the one who spoke for him, it was Daniel, but as soon as he looked that person's face started cracking like a glass, it was more like the glass was cracking not in front of him but inside him,
---¹ [the scene changed]
"You...GET OUT OF HERE!"
"Neil..."
"..."someone was shouting at Neil and someone was crying, it was all not only familiar but something that he never wished to remember.
Neil woke up with dark circles below his eyes, his eyes were slightly red, anyone could tell with one look that he cried, he got a call from Ms.Rose while getting ready,
"Hey boy, my friend told me that his brother is looking for a renter for his apartment, you told me about needing one? go and check it out if you like it"
"Thank you so much Ms.Rose you are so much of help"
"oh come how many times I told you to call me Rose only, or this older sister will get angry"
"I will remember that Rose, Thank you again"
"Your welcome dear",
a little smile came in Neil's face, giving him a sense that there are people who care for him, seems like his day got better.
The address that was sent by Ms.Rose was not much far, he arrived in only 15 minutes, the landlord of that place seems around his age so he thought it would be easy to talk to him, the person was told about Neil already, he was standing there like waiting for a ray of hope²,
[looking anxious and waiting for help] he came running after seeing Neil, "Hello my name is Jack, you must be Neil right?" looking at him Neil thought that this person looks easy going, "Hi, Mr.Jack", "it's ok no need to be formal you can call Jack", "sure" he took Neil towards the apartment which was about to be sold, Neil was ahead surprised by the look of the building, it looked so fine, there was an elevator inside the building that inside scene was more fascinating than the outside, when he came in the elevator this scene again flash in front of his eyes, that familiar guy then that dream, just why was he remembering again?, they arrived in front of that apartment, Neil was again fascinated after glancing at this apartment, it was far gorgeous than the old one were he was living, a hall with a sofa, tea table and dinning installed, seperate kitchen that was big enough for 5 peoples to sleep, a bedroom with a balcony attached to it, the washroom was wide and divided into two space, one space was half empty with basin and toilet, and another one was for shower and bathroom, a complete heaven for a place who never live in such place, Neil was anxious after seeing around cause it seemed like the rent would be so much more the acceptations, his current salary was 150 dollars and with the look of this apartment, the rent should be around 80 or 90 dollars? at most 100 dollars? or 120?, he was gonna all his salary at once, "excuse me how much would be the rent?", "ya 60 dollars", "eh?", it was the lowest price he could think of, only 60 dollars of such fine looking house?, Neil just can't think of anything else but be curious so he asked, "60 dollars? isn't it so low?", "well...actually I need some money urgently so if it would if this house is sold soon, I would like to ask you a favour",
"yes", "can you please give payment in advance for 2 months", "sure" (my savings will be gone), "so you are taking it", "yes I will get my things at evening", "sure" and deal was final, while getting back Neil looked at the door opposite of his apartment, (I hope the neighbours are not annoying).
* * *