The next morning when I woke up, Cairo was no longer beside me. The pillow was still in the middle, and I was sure he hadn't done anything inappropriate. I quickly looked at the clock on the wall. It was 6 AM. I had class at 8 AM, so I jumped up in a rush. I needed to leave.
As I put my feet on the floor, I suddenly remembered the sandals Asher had given me. Oh yeah, I had just left them on the ground. It was annoying—because I was so drunk, I took them off without thinking since I was stumbling a lot back then. But those sandals were important to me because Asher gave them to me.
A moment later, the door opened, and Cairo walked in.
"Uh, C-Cairo, did you see some sandals at Hannah's welcome party? I took them off." I asked Cairo. He thought for a moment before answering.
"I saw your sandals, but… when I saw you drowning, I let go of them." Cairo said. I sighed and shook my head. Cairo glanced at my feet.
"Stay right there. I'll be back." he said.
"Huh? Where are you going?" I asked.
"Just wait." he replied before stepping out.
I just sat on the edge of the bed and waited for him. I was frustrated with myself—how could I have been so careless with something Asher gave me? It really bothered me because it was so valuable to me. I needed to find it. If I had to go back to Hannah's house, I would, just to get those sandals. After about half a minute, Cairo returned.
"Here." he said, handing me a paper bag.
"What's this?" I asked.
"Just open it." he replied. So, I did.
"Slippers?" I asked, confused.
"They're not like the sandals you were wearing. I couldn't find any sandals out there. But don't be picky—that's enough to get you walking and to use on your way home. You can choose, go home barefoot or wear those slippers." Cairo said.
I didn't know what to say. He really went out just to buy me slippers? I was speechless for a moment before putting on the slippers he bought.
"Thanks for these." I said, then I remembered the sandals again.
Asher gave them to me, so I couldn't help but feel sad that I lost them. I sighed deeply.
"You really liked those sandals, huh? Just forget about them." Cairo said.
I nodded silently. He didn't understand how much those sandals meant to me or know that Asher had bought them for me.
"Here, eat this before you go home." he said, handing me a pack of fruit.
I was getting used to this side of him—I wasn't used to him being like this.
"Oh, no thanks. We have class at the university. I need to get home before I head to school." I replied.
"So, you're just not going to eat?" he said, annoyed.
"I'll eat at lunch." I said.
"Come on, I'll take you home. Let's go." he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me out. He was walking so fast. I looked at my hand in his.
"Slow down, you're walking too fast." I said.
"We need to get to your place quickly. You should eat before we head to class." he said. I just stayed quiet after that.
We were in his car, and he was driving fast. I was in the front seat beside him. He was speeding, and suddenly, a car cut in at the intersection, making him slam on the brakes.
"Damn it!" he shouted, slamming his steering wheel. He rolled down his window.
"Hey, you! If you don't know how to drive, just get rid of your car! Idiot!" Cairo yelled out of the window. Oh no, here he goes again. Evil mode activated.
"Calm down, let it go. You don't want to cause trouble." I said to him.
"Oh, there's going to be trouble. If I could just get out of this car and that driver stepped out too, I'd punch him." Cairo said angrily.
I just shook my head. He really tests my patience.
"There you go again. You're so annoying when you get like this." I mumbled, but he heard it and glanced at me. He didn't say anything. He just closed the window and kept driving. I smiled.
"See? You can calm down." I said to him.
"Calm down? If I were outside, and that driver was too, I'd really punch him, Aria." he said. I just laughed.
We finally arrived at my house.
"Thanks. I'll get off here. Oh, and thanks for the slippers and for saving me from the pool. See you at school later." I said.
"Where's your house?" he asked. I pointed to the small house in front.
"You live there? Do you all even fit in that place?" he asked.
"Ouch, sorry, we're just poor. Yes, we fit—there's only me and my brother living there." I said.
"Alright, I'm heading in." I said as I opened the car door and got out. But Cairo also stepped out of his car.
"Why did you get out?" I asked.
"I'm hungry. Let's eat at your place." he said.
"Is that so? Okay, but just so you know, our house is really small." I replied.
"So what? I'm here to eat, not to judge your house." Cairo said.
"Fine, follow me." I said.
When I entered the house, Kai was already gone—it was late, so he was probably at school already.
"Where's your brother, Aria?" Cairo asked.
"He's already at school. Hold on, I'll cook some rice. You can sit down." I said.
I went to the kitchen. We only had some noodles in stock, but I also found some moringa leaves and eggs. I cooked the noodles with the moringa and eggs. Once the dish and the rice were ready, I set them on the table.
"Let's eat." I said, and Cairo approached.
"What kind of dish is that?" he asked in shock, his expression hard to describe as he looked at the noodles with moringa and eggs.
"Just eat—it's good." I said.
I served him some rice and noodles in a bowl.
"No way, Aria. I don't eat this… Are you crazy!" he said angrily, raising his voice.
"You're the crazy one! Why don't you taste it first before complaining?" I snapped back.
"Rich people are so clueless sometimes." I added.
"If this isn't good, you're in trouble." he said.
"Just try it." I replied.
He took a bite of the noodles.
"Well? How is it? Is it good?" I asked.