Tempest Love

The pummelling of my heart is so loud inside my chest, it feels like it's going to burst out of my rib cage. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart, so loud I can almost swear I hear it in my ears and every part of my body. How did it all happen so fast? Why did I let it happen? What happened to my sense of reasoning? Why was I in such a hurry? Is this how it ends? Is this my last seven minutes of reminiscing about my life in sheer pain and utter resentment? Is this how it's all going to end? No fond memory to relieve one last time?... How did it go from “I like you a lot, Celine” “Let's go on a date” “I think I'm madly in love with you” “We can work this out” “I love you, baby” to... “I never loved you” “It was all a lie” “I used you” “You were my revenge” One year ago, it's another hectic day of work, and all I can do is think of more work. Don't get me wrong; I love my job. I love working, but sometimes I'm just not in that zone. I feel jealous of my cat at this moment. Ginger is one of my greatest companions, but he's like the complete opposite of me. His hobby is sleep. I know some people's pets wake them up from their deep slumber by getting on them and slumbering all over their face, but nope, my cat takes his precious time to stretch and yawn the same time as me when my alarm goes off, and through the home cam, I watch him sleep after he's done with his meal. Today seems to stumble on a bit more quickly than expected after being overstimulated by enough caffeine for the whole week in one day. The work is like a breeze. And it's lunchtime; I find a warm mac and cheese with some toppings, which is going to satiate this hunger as I wait for my order. With my complementary chilled pineapple juice from Steven, I hear the footsteps and a very intoxicating, extraordinary manly fragrance. I really want to turn, but I just ignore it and just in time; the moment I'm done with my juice, my name is called to pick my order to go. I raise my card, about to pay for my lunch, when this very polite stranger says, “Good day, ma'am.” “Oh, good day to you,” I say it with a raised brow, knowing most times it's best to just play nice and reject their polite and friendly offer of greeting. But the warm energy that radiated off him made me smile after my greeting. He turned to Steven, “I'll cover whatever she has gotten.” My smile broadens, and I offer a polite rejection, “I can pay my bills and lunches by myself.” I say more to myself, but he says in a very monotone and polite manner, “Why thank you, but I can handle it just fine.” While he says this, he slides his card over to Steven, who doesn't hesitate one bit, adding up both his bulky takeout bag and my small package. Steven grumbles a thank you for his generous tip, and I offer, “Thank you.” While I stare at him obnoxiously, expecting him to say something, he says, “Good day, ma'am,” was the last words you could get out of him before he disappeared towards the door. The moment he was out of sight, Steven gives a dramatic _sigh_ “He is such a gentleman with generous tips here and there.” I give him that look, and he responds... “Don't give me that look; guys don't get tips as much as the ladies, and working in this counter is my least favorite job to do. Oh, and he's one of my favorites after you.” “And why is that, Steven?” “Because you offer such a pleasant smile and money.” “Okay, okay; I don't have time to chit-chat; I have to go.” “Okay, bye.” I stumble back to the office, not really used to nice gestures from strangers, and majority of the polite ones want your number just to pest me. Much to my dismay, my boss and her assistants make the rest of the day kind of hellish, and stumbling out of the cab into my apartment in a rather bad mood. _Meow, meow_ my cat does this a couple more times, acknowledging my presence. I drop to the floor, “Hi, boy.” We play for a bit, and he moves back to his corner. I raise my tired self to freshen up and set up my clothes for tomorrow. Heading towards the kitchen, still thinking what am I going to cook this evening, my phone makes that annoying ringing sound. “Gosh, I need to change that ringing tone,” I whisper to myself as I scout for my phone. It's Mom. I smile and roll my eyes; about time... “Darling,” she says in that bubbly voice that makes me smile no matter the mode I'm in. “Hi, momma.” I hear her fussing over the phone like she's unwrapping or doing something. “Darling, you can't believe how fun it is here in Spain. My goodness,” she says, organizing her phone on her tripod. I locate my own phone stand and head to the kitchen, already starting to place what am going to make in my head, knowing my mom will fuss about everything and nothing, so I best get myself up and going. I zoned out a bit with her babbling about hot men, nice culture, good food... “Darling, darling,” she calls out. “Yes, mother,” “I wish you could be here. I miss you, and I'm sorry I didn't call as promised when I got settled in.” “It's alright.” “So let's get to discussion.” “Here comes the real gossip,” she says. Despite the huge distance between us and this just being a Zoom call, I feel her excitement through the call.