Chapter 23
After the long day at work, Nima returned home and took a hot shower. The bathroom fogged up completely mirroring the haze in her mind. "Why didn't he come?" Her mind was still ringing with the message James had sent her.
She stepped out of the bathroom, put on her comfy clothes. After drying her hair, she threw herself on her bed, exhausted. Despite her exhaustion, she couldn't shake her thoughts off from James and fell asleep with her mind piled up with James's thoughts.
"Nima." a familiar voice called her name. She looked aroud but her surroundings was completely fogged up. She desperately searched for the source of the voice, her breath started becoming heavy, She turned over her shoulders to find a tall figure standing behind her. As the fog slowly cleared up, the figure started to take shape and become more clear.
"James. What are you doing here?" Her voice softened with a glint of relief. "Are you alright?" Her voice filled with concern, she checked James to see if he was alright. "I tho-"
James suddenly interrupted her, "I'm sick of you, Nima. Let's break up." He said with a stone cold face.
"But why?" Nima asked, her voice sounding desperate in need of answer.
Then again her surrounding started to fog up, his voice became unclear, and echoeda as it grew more distant, fading away.
She wakes up her body completely drenched in sweat, her clothes clinging to her body, revealing her figure. She wiped her sweat from her forehead with her hand, "What was that dream? What if" she paused, her expression serious. "No, it's just a dream." She calmed herself and got out her bed to start the day.
As usual, Nima finished her shift at cafe and prepared to head home. But just when she was about to leave, she saw James standing outside by his car, waiting for her.
She got out and walked towards James. He greeted her with a soft smile. He looked down at her as he was way taller and had larger frame. He stroked her head gently, "How was your day, love" he asked softly.
She took a long pause, "It was very tiring. What about yours?" She asked looking up at him with curious gaze.
"Nothing much, but I missed you" he hugged her gently but tightly. "Very much" he whispered softly. She could feel his warm breath against her ear.
Her eyes widened with surprise, her face red as she felt flustered. "What about you? Did you miss me? He asked as he nestled his face in her hair.
"I missed you too James" she hugged him back and gently patted on his back. She repeated, whispering softly, "I missed you too."
James smiled, his lips curled up and his face brightened. He felt a sense of relief and comfort. James found Nima's smell comforting which made him feel lightheaded and at ease.
He pulled himself back, "Let's go, I'll take you home." He said rubbing Nima's shoulders gently. The drive to her house was silent and awkward. Nima wanted to ask him why he hadn't come that day, but she remained silent.
After the car pulled up outside her house, both of them got out. "You should get going." Said James hesitantly. Nima nodded, "Then, take care." She smiled softly at James.
"Wait" James suddenly grabbed her hand tightly, leaving Nima speechless. "Is there something you want?" Nima asked curiosly as her heart raced.
James quickly let go of her hand, he looked hesitant, as if he was about to confess something.
"What is it James?" She asked him, her voice soft.
"Can I-" he paused, his gaze met her's his gaze soft, "Can I spend the night with you ?"