Chapter 11: Just a year and two months
1005 Words
JUST A YEAR AND A FEW MONTHS
The duo had left the Cafe two hours later. The conversation would have stretched further if only Charlie hadn't cut it short.
Deedah's boss had blown up her phone countless of times while they were there. The black woman wasn't bothered at all. She'd just roll her eyes at the screen and cut off the volume.
Not wanting to render her best-friend jobless, Charlie had brought up the excuse of making lunch. It wasn't much of an excuse if she actually has to make lunch in a few minutes.
Mama Freya wasn't out by the time she got back. Looking at her garden, Charlie shudders.
I can't even look at her garden the same way...
Walking around the house, Charlie picks up the trimmers and watering can that was bundle up the side of the wall. After make sure all the beds are properly watered and dressed, Charlie walks inside.
"—ean by that, Sandra?" Tristan pauses and smiles at Charlie before he darts his focus away from her.
Tristan sighs and facepalms, "Is there no other option? A year is just too long!"
He pauses. Series of groans and a couple of silence later, "Okay. Thank you, Sandra. I'll see what I can do. Yeah, how's everything at the office?"
Silence, "Okay. I'll see what I can do. Bye."
"Welcome back, Charlie."
Charlie perks up from her spot behind the counter, "Oh, Tristan! When did you get back?"
"Few minutes ago."
"Oh, that's nice," Charlie pulls her hair in a ponytail, "I'm just about to start on lunch."
Tristan smiles.
"Hey, I noticed you really like gardening a lot."
Charlie blushes, "I wouldn't call it gardening. I just like taking care of flowers, I guess?"
"Oh, I understand. It really gives the house a homey touch. Wait... Why don't you have some in-house plants?"
"I'm really allergic to most of them. Some makes me sneeze, itch... Y'know, the usual. It'd be really nice to have some but they'll do better outside."
Tristan laughs lowly, "I guess so."
Charlie cooks with a feeling of someone staring intently at her. Anytime she turns back, her eyes would meet his and he'd smile a bit and keep staring.
That's a good thing, right? Smiling and staring means he's also... Interested, right?
"Lunch is served. Take a seat, I'll go call Blurin."
"Wait," Tristan stops her before she could take the first step.
"Why? What is it?" Charlie asks as she sits opposite Tristan.
The doctor clears his throat, "I just spoke to my assistant about Blurin's... Situation."
Charlie nods for him to continue.
"Sandra, my assistant, called to tell me that the airport has been shut down because the government has decided to begin the re-construction. Turns out, the effects from the airport bombing two months ago was pretty grave. There's no airplane that's travelling far North or moving in or out of the states for now. Air transportation is basically shut down in the East. She said she read it in the news that the reconstruction will take roughly one year and a few months."
A year and a few months?
Charlie bites her lip as she hums. The bombing had left everyone on their toes. It occurred two states away from Steinfield but since there are only one international airport in the whole East, it really affected everyone.
"Wow," Charlie mumbles.
"Yeah," Tristan sighs, "But she said they have begun construction but I don't know how long it might drag. You know how constructions are in the East. Work for a week and take a break for three months."
Tristan murmurs under his breath—probably curse words—before dragging his fingers along his face and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"So what are you going to do now?"
The question pulls a sigh from the doctor, "Honestly, I don't know. I'll have to make some calls, send some mails, text some messages... God, this whole thing is just tiring."
"Hey, it's okay!" Charlie replies immediately, anything to get that furrow off his brows, "You guys can stay here as long as necessary. As you can see, I leave alone and the accommodation is quite friendly. It's better than lodging in an hotel till God knows when."
Please say yes..! Charlie chants in her mind.
Tristan immediately sighs and runs a hand through his hair. A grateful smile immediately stretching on his lips.
"God. Charlie, thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I'm so sorry for the sudden disturbance. I know you don't have to do this but I appreciate the fact that you're doing it anyway. Thank you. I'll try my best to help in any way. I can help with the rent and groceries."
Charlie laughs and waves her hand dismissively, "They'll be no need to help with the rent. This is my father's property. But you can help with the groceries, I think it'll be very nice for you to do so. Thanks."
"No. I should be thanking you."
"It's okay, Tristan..." As long as you live her till God knows when. I'm satisfied! "I'll do anything to help!"
"Thanks again, Charlie. I'll be sure to keep you posted on any improvements."
Charlie stands up and wipes her hands with the kitchen rag that sat on her shoulder, "Enough to that. Let's eat. The food is ge—"
A loud thud from upstairs cuts her off.
As she was about to move, Tristan stands up immediately and raises his hand calmly.
"Don't worry. I'll go get him. Thank you again. You can start lunch without us. It might take a while."
Charlie nods at him before he runs up the stairs.
So, a stranger... scratch that... Two strangers are going to live in my house for about a year and few months? A particular hot sexy cute doctor stranger...
Charlie doesn't know whether to yelp in joy of to furrow her brows in uncertainty.
But anyways, It's just a year and few months...
- Writer
