“Of course, they’re for you.” I hand him the garments, but he doesn’t reach for them and frowns instead.
“Can I really take them?”
“Yes, you can. I can’t let you stay in these worn out and wet clothes. Go take a warm shower then put these on.” I smile warmly in hope that he won’t be too wary of my generosity.
It’s hard to convey my intentions with someone that has every right to be on guard, but I hope he’ll slowly understand that I mean to help him and nothing else.
“There isn’t much I can do for you in my current situation, but I can at least give you clean clothes. Don’t play hard to get and just take them. You deserve them.”
He peeks up at me and a wave of different emotions flash in his eyes. His lips part, then shut. “I don’t understand.”
“What is there to understand?”
“You’re so…kind. It’s weird.”
I’m weird because I’m kind? Is that even possible? I’d rather be a decent human and be seen as odd than be a shitty person and be seen as 'normal'.
“No need to thank me. The bathroom’s the second door to the left. Call me if you need anything. Oh, and there shouldbe enough clean towels in the shelf below the sink, so pick whichever you want. Help yourself to anything you find,” I say, clasping my hands together.
He nods and makes his way toward the bathroom. I let out a long sigh. How does someone turn into a parent in the span of a few hours? Don’t tell me I’m a fucking magnet for hardships.
5
Visha
Just wow.
I stand in the perfectly polished bathroom, wondering what to start with. Everything is so white and clean, from the marble on the floor to the shower.
I notice that there’s not a single product on display on the sink other than hand soap. The mirror hides a cabinet behind and out of curiosity I open it.
“Didn’t expect that.”
I thought he’d have many perfumes and skincare or whatever else people usually have in their bathrooms but no. There’s only one bottle of cologne, a pack of toothpaste, one toothbrush in a sage green container, and a box of Q-tips. I scan the row below and find some moisturizer and a cleanser.
“At least he washes his face,” I huff.
That man has the bare necessities and nothing more. But why? He seems to live alone and has money so why doesn’t he treat himself?
That’s stupid. He should live well if he can afford it. What’s he holding back for?
I turn toward the shower curtain and part it, revealing a beautiful and modern white shower. On a metallic corner rack there are a bunch of products. One shampoo, one body wash, one loofah, one exfoliator. Just one of each. This bathroom proves that there’s barely any sign of a living person.
Confused, I open every other cabinet and drawer I can find and scan for more clues but everything’s half empty. Even the drawer under the sink with towels scarcely fills the space.
“What the-”
None of this is normal. For someone as radiant as Aoi, he surely doesn’t make an effort turning this apartment into a home. Either way, it’s none of my business so I don’t fret it and get undressed instead. The cold and wetness of the snow makes my clothes stick to my skin as I pull them off. It’s gross and my skin feels cold and humid.
I stare at my bruised and flawed skin through my reflection. Every patch of purple, every healing wound reminds me of the hell I just escaped. My flesh resembles a canvas of sunset colors only waiting for the opportunity to fade into nothingness.
Sighing loudly, I focus on the matter at hand, occasionally glancing at the closed door. He won’t come in while I’m showering right? Maybe I should lock the door just in case.
The system of the shower confuses me, and it takes me at least five minutes to figure out how to turn it on.
“Okay, so this is cold and this warm? Wait, is it the other way around?” I turn on the faucet and sway my fingers under the stream. “Ah nopethisis warm.”
I grunt under the warmth of the water washing today’s and the past year’s hardship off.
