Page 25

Aoi

Time sure flies by quickly. Visha used to be such a cute little angel and in the blink of an eye he became a lazy and grumpy teenager.

Okay, he’s not lazy, more like he lacks active pastimes. All I ever see him do is study and cling to me. I’m sure he has other hobbies that he simply doesn’t bother telling me about and I get it. I don’t expect him to share everything with me.

I just sometimes wish he’d tell me more rather than wait for me to find out or ask about it. Sure, having privacy and secrets is normal for a teenager but it can’t all be that secret. I understand what it’s like to be young and reckless, I was once fifteen as well.

I catch my wallet and head out to my car. There isn’t much traffic on the road and thank goodness because I really don’t feel like dealing with that now. Living with a teenager means grocery shopping every week. He eats like a family of four and yet doesn’t gain weight.

Lucky brat, I’m telling you.

Walking through the store with my shopping cart, I throw in everything scribbled on the list.

Should I get us a treat? Maybe ice cream? We could eat it during our movie night. I feel bad about ditching him to have dinner with Jason but I’m sure he’ll get over it.

Wait, they have cabbage-

“Oh dear, Aoi? Is that you?” The voice of an old woman almost makes me drop the vegetable.

I turn to face her and recognize the owner as she grins at me. “Mrs. Lewis, what a coincidence.”

“How are you?” she asks, brushing a stray grey strand away from her face. “Last time I saw you must’ve been at your parents’ funeral.”

Well, that’s certainly my favorite subject to discuss with an old acquaintance.

“I’m doing great actually what about you?”

I don’t really want to chat with her but if I don’t, she won’t leave me alone. She’s always been very nosy and annoying, but I know she means well.

“Remember my daughter Rachel? She just got married,” she points out, wriggling her brows.

Who even asked? Jesus, save me. “Congratulations, that’s amazing.”

I start rolling the cart towards another aisle, and she follows close behind me.

“How come we don’t hear about you anymore? And dear Jason? Is he still a lawyer?” she inquires, her intentions palpable.

“Jason’s busy with work. Yes, he’s still a lawyer, but you should ask him that. I’m sure he’d love to tell you more.” My fingers clench around the cart handle. “You know how he is.”

Mrs. Lewis is always trying to couple up her kids with 'wealthy' people. Jason is among her targets and I’m guessing the daughter she wants him to meet is Catie. She’s a sweet woman but Jason has never shown interest in women, at least not that I know. If he had, I would’ve had an aunt a while ago.

“Wonderful! I’d truly appreciate that but he’s never around, how come?” She pouts. “Catie has been asking about him more and more and I wouldn’t want to disappoint her by coming back empty handed.”

Is she serious right now? Do I look like a fucking match maker? Who am I? Cupid’s long-lost son?! Jason’s not going to get with her daughter anyway.

He’s basically with m-

But no, actually he’s not with me. We’re not together. Neither one of us is single yet we’re not in a relationship either. What the hell are we? How long is this going to keep complicating my life?

I mean it’s been eight years since we broke up. There is no reason to keep this crap going because whatever feelings are still lingering in our hearts aren’t enough to make whatever relationship we have work.

“I’m not the right person to ask,” I say, chuckling awkwardly. “He’s always working. Even I have a hard time meeting up with him because of it but I’ll tell him about you and Catie as soon as I see him.”

As if, I’m not going to do shit about it.

She grabs my hands and smiles from ear to ear as if I just announced she won the lottery. “Oh dear, aren’t you the sweetest? Thank you so much. I won’t hold you back any longer, I’m sure you’re very busy too.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

Turning towards the cart, I grab a box of cereal and throw it inside. Rather than depart as she claimed to, she stays put and a sudden sheepish smile tugs at her lips.

What the hell does she want now?

“You know I’m not usually nosy,” she starts, lowering her voice. “But the rumor has it that you have a young teenager living with you.”

Of course she’d ask about Visha. “Ah, well yes. Why?”

“I was just worried about you in case the rumors were all lies.” She leans in and that sheepish smile morphs into a haughty one. “You don’t mind me asking if he’s yours, do you? I mean it couldn’t possibly be the case. You’re far too young.”

“Does it matter?” I raise my head up high. “Whatever I do in my life is my business. He’s my family and whether he’s my blood or not shouldn’t matter.” I smile but it couldn’t be more fake. “Thank you for your supposed concern but I don’t need it. Good afternoon, Darcy .”

She gasps at the viciousness in my tone as I pronounce her name like a slur. Astonished by not letting her walk all over me like I would have years ago, she stomps away like the old hag she is.

I keep strolling through the store, picking up various items and groaning at the prices.

Fuck Capitalism.

I arrive at the check-out and sense the cashier staring at me as I unload the cart. Ignoring her incessant staring and obvious desire to speak, I pull out my wallet to pay.

“It’ll be eighty-nine dollars and fifty-two cents,” she says, fidgety.

I insert my card in the terminal and sigh at how much I spent again. I begin packing the groceries in my bags when the cashier speaks up. “Uhm, excuse me. I’m sorry to bother you but do you have a girlfriend? If not, could I have your number?”

I gawk at her, dumbfounded. “I don’t have a girlfriend but either way you’re too pretty to be asking me my number.”

A soft rosy blush coats her cheeks, and she looks away. “Is that a no?”

“You should raise your standards and find someone who’ll give you a straight yes,” I say and don’t wait for her to reply as I exit the store.

She’s really pretty, that’s true but I don’t like women which is a shame. Being attracted to men is a drag and a curse. There’s nothing good about men. We’re all unnecessarily complicated and many are literally trash. Besides, guys are rats and that’s an insult to the rats.

I unload the bags into the trunk of my car and push back the cart in its rightful place when my phone starts buzzing in my pocket.

Struggling with full hands, I juggle with the cart and keys before finally freeing one hand to pull out the device. “What’s going on?”

“Where are you?”

I massage my temple. “Grocery shopping, I told you earlier.” I walk back to the car and settle down behind the steering wheel. “What’s the matter?”

“When are you coming home,” Visha retorts, ignoring my question.

This habit he has to answer a question with a question absolutely infuriates me. Just answer the question!

“If you’re not dying, stop calling me for no reason.”

“Answer me.”

“Now,” I oblige. “I’ll be home in a bit. Did you start a fire in the kitchen or what?”

I can hear the humor in his tone as he replies, “Yeah, and I even flooded the place. Wanna see?”

“Would love to.” I laugh. “Now let me finish what I’m doing. Can’t drive while calling, you know that.”

“Yeah, drive safe. Don’t die.”

I roll my eyes and turn on the ignition, driving out of the parking lot. “As if. Bye.”

“Bye. I love you!” he shouts before I can hang up.

I can’t help but laugh and stop the car before I end up crashing it because of his nonsense. “I love you too.”