Chapter 4
Maya still found it difficult to believe she would be in the position not to be happy about a new day. The past week was hell for her.
All her life, she had forced herself to embrace a new day to overcome any crisis forthcoming.
Her eyes remained fixed on the documents spread across her desk. This has been her routine every single day, but now she finds everything irritating and tiring.
Her mind was now occupied with memories and people she tried to forget, but it seems futile.
Though she hadn't really read a single line in the past 15 minutes, drawing her colleagues' attention to her.
The quiet hum of computers and soft tapping of keyboards filled the room, but none of it registered in her mind.
Everyone was used to her mild smile and bright face at work. But now she seemed to be a different person, presently the last person to finish a project.
It felt like she had to take a leave from work and go back home, her safe place. Locking in was what she had called it, but now was not the time for it.
With the office undergoing changes, everyone was on their feet so as not to be at the receiving end.
Numbers, reports, and deadlines were easier to deal with than people, easier than family dinners and broken promises.
Maya leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temple.
The long hours and sleepless nights were finally catching up with her.
She believed she needed something to clear her head.
Having done things she had dropped long enough, it was time to place everything back as it was and then hover back in the dark.
She glanced at the work clock on the wall. Later than she had planned, but staying longer wouldn't change its work. It was no longer distracting her.
Her fingers hovered over her phone for a moment.
She then sends a message.
"Are you out tonight?" ignoring the other messages she had sent her, asking how she was faring and how she had been.
Nora replied almost immediately, as if she had been glued to her phone, waiting for a reply.
"Of course, same old place."
Maybe a night out was what she needed rather than sulking back in her apartment.
For the first time that day, Maya allowed herself a small breath of relief. She realized that she had been holding back for too long.
The office was beginning to empty, the quiet shuffle from her coworkers fading as they packed up for the evening.
She had acted so busy so as not to draw anyone's attention to how and why she was unusually moody until evening, leaving her only with the cleaner and the security on the next floor.
Reaching the address Nora had given her, Maya stopped just outside the entrance. For a moment, she didn't move.
Seeing people here was the same as usual, arms draped around friends or maybe lovers as if nothing else mattered in the world to them.
She made her way toward the bar she had already referred to as old and unchanged because it had not been the same for ages.
People had been gossiping that it was built for a money laundering scheme.
This was a life that she used to live and enjoy back then with Nora.
This was where they came to clear their minds, complaining about life and how they were meant to survive it.
She remembered escaping being drugged, but it didn't stop them from coming until Daniel had told her that places like this were destructive to both of them and unhealthy for their relationship.
That it was going to lead her to cheat on him, to get addicted to alcohol, and to detach from people and places that helped her forget the quiet complications and trauma back home.
She nodded as she stared at the door for a few seconds longer, then straightened her hair slightly, put the disturbing thought away, and stepped inside.
Tonight, all she just wanted was a breath
Maya made her way inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim glow, as her eyes scanned the room. The noise, the delight, the crowd.
Still, it was better than staying at home, curled up somewhere in the dark, overthinking everything that has happened.
She walked further, hoping to find Nora in their old ritual spot, increasing her pace as if she had a limited time to be there.
On sighting Nora in the exact place she expected her to be, chatting and giggling with people, Maya guessed it was her newfound friends since it has always been easy for her to associate with people.
Happy that at least she found her with ease, reaching out to call her name.
She collided straight into someone.
It was unexpected; her body jolted back. She still can't explain if she collided with a rock; luckily for her, a firm hand held her back before she could lose her balance.
"I'm so...."
The apology died in her throat. As she remembered, she had promised herself not to apologize for people's mistakes or take any blame.
Even though he was taller than her, Maya refused to be intimidated.
What caught her attention was how simply he dressed and how calm yet intimidating he was, like he didn't belong here; in his other hand, he was holding a young lady who Maya could tell was older than she was.
She seemed pretty drunk, like her other boyfriend had come to pick her up from a party he had warned her against.
"You should watch where you are going," Maya said as you put her hand free, smoothing down her dress.
For seconds he stood there not uttering a word; neither of them moved.
Maya blinked, her heart still racing, but she stood her ground. But now for an entirely different reason.
Now he seems to refuse to move, with the girl standing next to him like he held her against her wish.