33

Ashley
I woke up refreshed like the flowers outside which were bathed with the sun. I rose up and walked to get a glass of water from the fridge when I noticed something odd.
The couch was empty, the table I previously sighted last night that was filled with junks and fried chicken was empty as well. With a racing heart, I raced towards Emily’s room and noticed that it was vacant.
Why was she still giving me the silent treatment?
I placed a hand on my hip and rushed towards the bathroom, having a quick bath. I wore my clothes hastily and reached out for a hair band to pack my hair into a bun. A thought ran through my mind and I picked up a pain reliever balm from my drawers and dropped it in my bag
I looked at myself through the reflection of the mirror which had a tiny crack after the day I threw my brush at it, accidentally.
I ate cereal while staring at the news before turning the TV off. The economy was collapsing, people were suffering and the King or Queen of Midon hadn’t made one single announcement.
I clicked my tongue and slung my bag across my shoulder, my mind only fixated on work. I shut the door behind me and locked it with my keys.
I was still staring at the notice of my unpaid rent plastered on the wall when I heard a person clear her throat.
I turned and then impulsively clicked my tongue.
It was Leah, my next door neighbor who always wanted to make friends. Not that it was bad but she had the habit of wanting people to open up to her about their personal lives and she was nosy as hell.
“Never seen a man in your apartment, ” she stated, “You don’t want to get engaged?”
“I am finding it difficult to understand why my life is any of your concern, honey. ” I tilted my head and then spoke with gritted teeth.
“I didn’t mean to be rude, ” I heard her say, “I was just wondering why. You don’t pay your rent on time and-”
“If this is your way of making a conversation, you need to do better, Leah. ” I answered.
“And you need to get married, dear. That’s the only way you can stop getting a notice about your rent being due.” she teased with her teeth exposed. I saw a greenish vegetable stuck to her lower incisor and I shut my eyes, trying to remove the mental picture.
“And why do you think that I need a man to feel complete?” I asked, tilting my head in aroused anger.
“Are you trying to act dumb or ignorant?” Leah let out a chuckle, placing her hand on her hip, “Your social status increases and you’ll get more respect as a woman. You don’t need to worry about rent or food when you have a man right beside you. ”
“Is money all you see in your husband? Is that why you married him?” I asked.
“He was the one who gave me a home. Why bother working for hours when you can just enjoy yourself? Look at the wrinkles on your forehead and why is your skin so pale?” She bent a little, staring dramatically at my face.
“I don’t still understand why we are having this conversation. It’s pointless, Leah. You can marry because of the comfort and social security you may earn but I won’t, ” My lips spread to produce a fake smile, “You don’t have a damn say about my life and you are not in it. You don’t know if I have a lot of things going on in my mind but you just decided to pop into my morning and try to ruin it.”
“Arr you upset, Ashley?” Leah asked with her fake lashes batting at me, “I just spoke my mind. You didn’t have to be rude. ”
“Rude?” I arched a brow, slung my bag across my shoulder, “I should be the one telling you that and not you.”
She placed a hand on her hip, “Go to work, bitch.”
I opened my mouth, unable to shut it. I watched as she unlocked her door, entered and then locked it.
I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to stop myself from banging my hand against her apartment door.
I stomped my feet on the ground in anger and grunted.
Why do people think they have a say in the way others live?
***
I walked on the pedestal walkway with my hands in my pockets and my hair flying with the wind. I curved my palm above my forehead, feeling the humid heat touch my skin.
I observed the busy crowd that walked with me. Some were on phone calls while mothers held their kids with a hand and the other, holding little bags and lunch bags.
I stopped and inhaled the sharp air which refreshed my soul. There was a freshness to the air that wanted me to jump on my feet and dance. I was about to begin walking when I felt a hand grab my butt.
For a moment, I froze and then on impulse, my hands reached to pull my harrasser’s and twist it. I heard a person groan behind me and try to push my hand off him when I turned, hit him across the face and stepped on his legs.
My hands left his when my eyes fell on his. He was dressed in a suit and his eyes was adorned with round spectacles.
“You stepped on my legs and now I’m late for my classes. ” he cried out , rubbing his cheek and trying to pick up the book that fell on the ground.
“And you groped me.” I retorted sharply, setting a bit of distance between us.
“W-What?” He staggered into his feet, adjusting his glasses and pushing them up, “Why would you accuse me of something so disgusting?”
“Stop acting clueless. I can easily call the police to come get you. ” I retorted angrily.
“And who would believe you?” he teased, holding his books closer to his body, “There’s no police here to help you. ”
I looked around and noticed there was not a single officer neither was there a traffic warden that I could see.
“You are really despicable and irking to listen to, ” I scoffed with my mouth agape, “You look like a teacher and I suddenly feel pity for your female students.”
“Run along, girl, ” he finalized, parting his lips to reveal a toothless smile, “We both have places to be.”
And right in the middle of the pedestal walkway, I was sexually assaulted and nobody stopped to listen or hearken to me neither was I able to get justice.
I walked further, aniexty beginning to creep up on me as a thief in the night searching for crumbs and then I saw the bakery in plain sight.
I took hasty steps, my gaze fixated on my watch as I pulled on the door, stepping into the bakery shop. I sighted Emily at the counter and Leo, both staring at me.
“Why are you both staring at me?” I asked.
“Your hair is a mess.” Leo promptly responded while pointing.
“You can brush it up. ” I heard Emily whisper.
“Thank you.” I awkwardly responded.
I walked over to the counter and placed my placed my bag on a chair, settled down beside Emily and began to speak when I noticed Leo cleaning the tables with a napkin. It was a early morning ritual which we performed interchangeably.
“You didn’t wake me up. ” I muttered.
“I tried,” she answered without looking at me, “You were sound asleep and I didn’t want you to yell at me. ”
I placed a relieved palm on my chest, delighted that she was finally speaking to me.
“I am at ease, I thought you were upset at me and that you stalled on opening the door, last night. ” I uttered my words in haste.
Emily dropped her pen and then turned, her gaze fixated on mine.
“Do you really think that I could be that cruel?” she asked, “Is that what you really think I’m capable of?”
“Oh no,” I shook my head hysterically, waving my outstretched hands in the process, “I was just saying crazy things. Ignore it. ”
“Okay.” she turned back, her attention fixated on the the calculator in her right hand.
I reached out to clasp and interlock our hands together.
“Your hands are dreadfully cold. “she remarked.
“And yours are hot, that’s why we are friends,” I laughed, “We need each other.” I nudged her by the shoulder.
“Stop being so cheesy, ” she countered back, a smile beginning to dance on her lips, “It makes me feel weird. ”
“Really?” I teased, “Should I tickle you so you can feel less weirder?”
“No, please.” she begged, trying to hold back a chuckle.
I was about to decide between tickling her by the sides or letting her be when I heard the door bell ring.
“Finally,” I heard Leo chorus, “Now I can stop cleaning these damn tables.”
A woman stepped into the bakery, wearing a puffy sleeved, black midi dress with a black hat to match. She looked beautiful with the crimson-red lipstick that complimented her smoky-eyes.
For a second, I thought she had missed her way to a funeral or was dropping by for a quick breakfast before heading to.
“Good morning. ” I greeted, rising on my feet.
Emily’s fingers which were still interlocked with mine under the counter trembled and shook like a leaf. I sharply turned to glance towards her when I noticed she wasn’t lifting her head and was fidgeting with her hair.
“Ingrid.” I heard her whisper and when she spoke, her voice trailed slowly, like her words were unwilling to take flight. There was a sadness in her eyes, the brown too glossy.
I was about to utter a word when the realization slapped me in the face.
Ingrid!
That slimy little bitch!