Chapter 1: The Most Annoying Gym Guy
657 Words
Titan Core Fitness was insanely crowded. The sound of treadmills, EDM remixes, trainers shouting rep counts… everything mixed together until Yira felt like her head was about to explode. “Two membership renewals, towel stock’s finished, locker number 38 is jammed again…” Aina mumbled while handing her a sticky note. Yira took it without saying much. Her fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard while helping an elderly woman who had just finished a zumba class.
Elderly Woman : “Thank you, dear. I really like the way you handle customers.”
Yira immediately smiled softly. “You’re welcome. Drive safely later.”
The woman walked away smiling happily. Aina looked confused. “I seriously don’t understand how customers see you as an angel when your face looks like you reject loans for a living.”
Yira : “My face is normal.”
Aina : “Normal my—”
The gym doors opened before Aina could finish. A man walked in while slowly removing his black hoodie.Tall, broad shoulders, black sleeveless shirt, visible veins on his arms, and a face that carried the dangerous confidence of a man fully aware of how attractive he was. Yira felt irritated almost instantly. The man strode toward the counter with a shaker bottle in hand.
Syazir : “I want to register for a membership.”
His voice was low and calm. Yira handed him a form.
Yira : “IC.”
The man handed over his ID while still staring at Yira. For a long time. Too long.
Yira raised an eyebrow. “What?”
Syazir : “Are you angry at me?”
Yira : “…no.”
Syazir : “Because your face looks like I ran over your cat.”
Aina immediately bent over trying not to laugh. Yira pulled the form slightly harder than necessary.
Yira : “Name?”
“Syazir.” He chuckled a bit.
Yira : “Okay.”
Silence. Syazir filled out the form while casually leaning against the counter like the gym belonged to his family. Yira tried focusing on entering his details. But the man kept talking.
Syazir : “You never smile?”
Yira : “I smile at customers.”
Syazir : “Ouch.”
Yira : “Are you registering or starting a podcast?”
Aina had already escaped behind the counter because she couldn’t stop laughing. Syazir glanced at Yira’s name tag.
Syazir : “Yira.”
Yira : “…yes?”
Syazir : “Your name doesn’t match your face.”
Yira : “Is that illegal?”
Syazir grinned and somehow that made Yira want to smash a printer over his head. A few minutes later, Syazir handed over his debit card.
Syazir : “Where do I validate parking?”
Yira : “Back counter.”
Syazir : “Which back counter?”
Yira : “The back one.”
Syazir : “Can you explain better?”
Yira closed her eyes for two seconds & start explaining. “Walk straight. Turn left. You’ll see a huge printer. Next to it.”
“Ohhh.” Syazir nodded slowly. “So you actually can talk in full sentences.”
Yira smiled thinly. “Do you want me to personally escort you to the parking area too?”
Syazir : “If you want to accompany me, sure.”
Yira : “No.......!.”
Her answer came so fast that Syazir burst out laughing and unfortunately… while he was laughing, the shaker bottle slipped from his hand. SPLASH. Chocolate protein shake exploded across the counter. Including Yira’s keyboard. The entire gym fell silent. Yira slowly looked down at the dripping keyboard. Then she looked back up.
Syazir stood frozen. “…I can explain.”
Yira : “Mr. Syazir.”
Syazir : “Yes?”
“At this exact moment…” Yira inhaled deeply. “…I am definitely angry at you.”
- Writer
