Dark Lines

Horrified For Them

6/March/2021

Hello Peter,

Do you remember Ben?, he was your friend at the elementary school, you were quiet close for just a year or so, I’m sorry to tell you that he died.

This had happened a week ago, I recently new, it was allover f*******:, they say that he was on drugs, for a long time, about a year, he tried to quit, but he couldn’t, maybe there wasn’t anyone beside him and showing his support, or this thing got into him already, and he couldn’t resist anymore.

He was really addicted but he didn’t have enough will or hope maybe to fight back, I remember that he was so shy and polite back at school, he used to have the highest grades as well. It’s really weird to her this news about him, but don’t get depressed or let down by this, please, this is life, people com, people go, we can’t do anything about it, except remember them by their memories and good deeds.

-ENAJ-

Reading this made Peter feel horrible, Ben was indeed close to him back then, he used to be smiling all the time, and did all his homework right after the teachers gave them.

He used to help Peter during the exams, well not only Peter, he helped nearly all the students during solving the exams, who wasn’t able to study during some circumstances, or they just weren’t smart enough, and even those who were too lazy to study.

He used to help anyone in everything, it’s silly how life changes so much, and the ones that were so close once, can end up taking very different paths in their life then. If Peter was contacting him, he might have been able to help him, but his entire family or at least some close members, with his close friends were surely standing by his side, and supporting him, so Peter as a very old friend that wasn’t being in touch with, couldn’t have changes a thing, this was his fate, and no need to wonder what could have changed that.

At 10:33 a.m. Peter made eggs with sausage, and poured himself a glass of orange juice, the smell was incredible. He took the pan with the glass, and entered the living room, with the breeze coming through the open door of the balcony, and the window, then he put some french songs on the playlist, and presses play.

Crystal was laying on the floor, for no reason then started to roll over as if there was a dough under her. He decided to watch the news, there were so much bad news as always, including the news of extending the lockdown, then he smiled sarcastically at the luck that he is possessing.

“We are planning right after this lockdown, to arrange a field trip for our head workers”, his boss said.

“Actually, that would be just fantastic”, Peter said back.

“Indeed it would be, but don’t worry, all the health measures will be taken”, he added.

“Very good then”, Peter said.

That call has cheered Peter up, there were plans for post lockdown, very excited ones, like visiting old friends, catching up with his current ones, and he will put more efforts, so he can get a promotion, as well as trying to write articles online.

He texted his mom and requested her recipe of the green beans with garlic and hot sauce, he have never tasted something like her recipe. After he received it, and asked about the preparation and some details, to make sure he nails it, he finally finished it. It looked like his mom’s, but he knew that it would never taste like it, although he can’t deny that his attempt was a success, the spice, the texture and the temperature were magnificent.

It was 9:00 p.m., he was starting a new series, it explains the criminal minds, and how they get away with murder, not that Peter was intending to be one, but it is interesting to have such knowledge, and to expand the mind if whoever is watching.

He had his dinner, which was toasts with melted cheese, tomato, cucumber, mint and a big cup of sweetened tea, nothing is as delicious, relaxing and reminiscing dinner. Crystal wanted it too, so he made her some and two hours later, they were tired so Peter took his pills then went to sleep.

*******************

Wide blue eyes were near the bed, looking at him, he was frightened and removed the blanket out of his sight, it was Crystal. Then he relaxed again, although she never did that before, she used either stay next to him in bed, until he gets up, or she just go to the living room, to play or to jump on the furniture.

After a few minutes, he got up and took a shower, then opened the windows to let the house be aired, there was plenty of dust too, so he might gather all the energy he has, and start cleaning later on.

When he had his breakfast; pancakes and strawberry jam, and Crystal had hers as well, he rolled up his sleeves, and first washed the dishes, then dusted the house entirely, after that he tidied up the rooms, and at last tossed the dirty laundry in the washing machine.

At 6:22 p.m. Peter was on the balcony, sipping his cup of coffee, feeling the burden of cleaning off his shoulder, his house looks so refreshing and shiny. The color sky above

Peter was pink, it’s the time of sun setting, it was healing, a totally natural and breathtaking scene. Every corner in the neighborhood was empty, and the lights in each house was turning off one after one, for people sleep early here, which inspires Peter to sleep late, so he could spoil himself with some silence and peace, as if he owns the neighborhood at the late hour, where everyone is asleep, not that he could go out, and wander around, take stalls or anything, but he just felt like he is breaking the law, like some bad guy.

It was time for sleep, after he ate his fancy dinner; cheesecake with tea, and Crystals too, plus he was tired of doing chores this day, so he did the night checkups and took his pills as always, then slept.

*****************

8/March/2021

Hello Peter,

Yesterday I got so mad at my mom, it was silly, but I just feel like I’m in bad mood all the time, I can’t stand hearing any word, or anyone interrupting me from whatever I’m doing, even if it was so silly, but I just feel better when I’m alone, concentrating on what I’m doing, and having peace around me. Although, I would never say such thing to you Peter, don’t worry I can control my temper around my friends, because we have so much in common, and we have fun and act crazy around each other.

-ENAJ-

Peter got up as soon as the alarm went off, this time he wanted to be more active, so he enjoyed his morning routine, because first; he has some extra time for doing them, second; he wanted to be in the moment, and have fun in whatever he is doing.

He threw some toasts into the toaster, then when they were ready, he spread the jam on them, put some fruits on the top, and made a cup of hot milk and cinnamon, then went to join Crystal with her breakfast time.

Later, he checked the mail box, and took the letter, then as usual read it while sipping his tea. He thought that Jane was in a bad mood because of the lockdown, and the bad events in the country, or she is maybe bored and didn’t know how to release her negative energy, if the meditation and the cup of green tea didn’t do much work, or she wasn’t in the mood for them either.

He believed that the person should try several activities to let go of his emotions of weakness, negativity and gloominess, whatever he chooses to do, he must always find a way to cheer himself up, and drag himself out of the hole of misery.

At 3:22 p.m. he cooked some veggies, and put some mozzarella cheese on the top, with a small bowl of sauce, and a glass of juice. He ate them while watching the last match of his favorite football club, before they play on an international level, he used to cheer for this club with his dad, since he was a child, his dad even took him several times to watch them live, plus the t-shirts and the bracelets, that their logo was printed on, it was such entertaining and thrilling times, that managed to gather many family members and friends, if they were aware that it’s just another sport, that meant to bring joy and happiness upon it’s audience.

In the evening, he took the whole can of ice cream, and started filling his mouth with it’s many flavors, that was just meant to cure the hearts, and turn you into a child again. After a few hours, he fell asleep post making sure that he had taken his pills.

*******************

Peter woke up on a bad news, he opened his eyes to a message from a friend saying that he and his wife have divorced. It shock Peter, because just a year ago they were fine, and he remember asking him why did he decided to get married at a young age; twenty three years old, his friend answered that he loved her so much, and so as she.

Peter was having breakfast and going through the internet, reading some interesting news, about celebrities, or facts, things that would entertain him, or actually educate him. While he was sipping his coffee, he noticed a title of some news that say; “Crises of Quarantine”, it seemed interesting enough, so he clicked on it. The rates of suicide, depression, domestic abuse and divorce have increased during this pandemic.

At 3:22 p.m. he had lunch; spicy rice with vegetables, and now he is smoking on the balcony. “Shouldn’t it be forever?, I mean the marriage”, Peter thought, didn’t they imagine such scenarios as quarantine, isolation on some island or some disease, when they said that they will stay together in sickness, during worse times?, were they expecting to marry occasional marriage, just during the occasions, celebration, in their i********: photos.

They should imagine the worst times before the good times, and see if they will stick together, stand their partner, and if anything would create a stronger bond. At least they took this step sooner than later, before doing anymore wrong decisions in this relationship, like having babies, or being an additional obstacle in each other’s lives.

What about domestic abuse?, they couldn’t find anything towards which they can express their anger and boredom, other then their partners?, how sick is that?, they should help each other out, and care about each other’s emotions more than ever now, not make them pay for something that both of them are facing and suffering from.

The hallucinations of course are more than understandable for Peter, so as the depression, all of this is just natural consequences of being in a state of fear and anxiety, while isolating yourself away from everything that you cared for, or depended on it to lighten you up.

In the evening, he had a cup if hot chocolate, and some cinnamon cookies, which Crystal fell in love with, then he played with her a little, took his pills and headed to bed, deciding to start another book, maybe a psychological one, afterwards he will sleep.

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