CURSED BY YOUR LOVE

CHAPTER TWO: THE ENCOUNTER

MIRAH

Annie I'm going out to get some groceries be back in thirty! I yelled to my sister and a mild okay was the reply before I closed the door behind me.

The shop was just a three minutes walk from my apartment It's owned by Mr and Mrs Brookes. They've been a great help to me and Annie ever since our parents died in a fire.

Their death really traumatized Annie and I. I always felt like a zombie. I didn't know where to beginning my messed up life. But Mr and Mrs Brookes have been like parents sent from above. I guess God does really care for Annie and I despite all the accusations I leveled against Him.

At a point in time, I wanted to just give up and join Mom and Dad in death but Annie needed me more and I'm sure our parents would never welcome me into Heaven if they realized I abandoned Annie just because life was tough for me. We were all each other had, so, I had to step up and be the amazing big sister Annie saw me to be and most importantly I didn't want those social service workers to dim me unfit to cater for Annie.

So I decided to say good bye to my old sulking miserable pessimist self and say hello to " The New Mirah (Hardworking optimist of course)".

I set out to look for a job and it was on one of those days that I met Mr and Mrs Brookes.

They thought I was a minor deprived of many things in life but I convinced them that I was actually legal eighteen to be precise and that I also have a ten year old sister named Annie.

They listened to all I had to say without interrupting and for the first time since my parents' death, I felt these people genuinely wanted to listen to me because they cared and not because they pitied me.

Since that encounter my life has changed for the better.

I just felt they were Angels sent from above to help us out. They helped us rent an apartment since I believed Annie and I needed a fresh start away from our old neighborhood where we lost the people we cherished the most.

They also employed me to work in their shop to help with the expenses. Everything was going on smoothly but I knew one job wasn't enough to cover all expenses so I started looking for more jobs.

I went to every institution I could think of. Sadly I couldn't land any because they believed I have any work experience and some disqualified me before I could even introduce myself. I mean am I that inexperienced? I whispered to the wind hoping to hear a reply but none come.

Feeling so belittled and frustrated I went to my favorite spot in the amusement park and surprisingly it wasn't filled with people like it used to. I suddenly began to reminisce the good times I had here with my parents. I began to miss them so bad it ached. I felt suffocated suddenly and ran to my get away spot behind the park.

It was empty. Not like it bothered me anyways.

This serenity was all I needed to help me clear my head. I began reminiscing the memories the park held in my heart again but this time my heart broke when I realized I wasn't going to have those happy moments ever again. Tears welled up in my eyes but for some unknown reason they couldn't be shed.

Angered by this harsh reality I quickly got up picking a stone and threw it while screaming.

I knelt down with my face in my palm while breathing unevenly but I was interrupted by a deep muscular voice. Annoyed by his intrusion I rose my head to tell him off but I froze in shock at the sight before me.

He was bleeding from his forehead and his face held an emotion I couldn't decipher.

I opened my mouth to ask him what he wanted but my eyes met the stone in his hand. Suddenly my mouth couldn't form the words anymore. I was literally stupefied and his gaze was so intense, I felt I was set ablaze which made me very uncomfortable. Like he was undressing me with his eyes.

After about a minute he c****d his eyebrow and said, 'Aren't you going to apologize at least?' Those words were enough to put me out of my trance.

I opened my mouth to apologize but those words vanished before they could be uttered.

'What do you mean?' I replied instead.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and mumbled some unknown words and said ' you're kidding right?' 'You freaking threw a stone at me' were his replies. W-w-well w-w-what shows that's my stone? I said a little nervous while pointing to the stone in his hand.

Besides you could have moved out of the way if you wanted to but you chose to get hit. How is that my fault? I replied.

What?! He answered quite angered. I'm no god with predictive powers and high senses.

I mean what are you? Nine? he replied rhetorically trying to remain composed. But his voice still had a hint of anger.

I also felt he found this situation amusing. I mean do I look like a clown or are we acting out a scene?

That really fueled my anger but I had to keep myself calm for my own good because that's what I came here to do. I tried to remain calm but failed miserably because I could feel his gaze burning my skin.“Ah! What's up with this guy and his intense gaze?" I thought to myself.

I didn't know why but something about him made me feel like we've had this conversation before yet this was our first encounter. I frowned in confusion at that thought. In the end I concluded the situation as just deja vu.

Lost in thought as always huh? he said interrupting my thoughts.

I frowned at his words but didn't think much of it.

Soon I got fed up of his presence and just blurted out, you know what if it's an apology you want then I'll give it to you you cry baby. I shouted back. I'msorry. I let out in one breath. There I said it are you happy?. 'Now please leave.' I said in anger.

Expecting him to reply with an attitude but instead he chuckled and said ' wow! I never thought I'd hear that again. Took you long enough. Guess I'll see you around then. Later Ray' He said while walking away.

I stood there confused and asked myself if that really just happened. I mean, is he high or something? What did he mean again? Wasn't this our first meeting? Why did he call me Ray? I mean do I look like a guy? Coming out of my thoughts I shouted to him 'My name isn't Ray and don't you ever call me that again' He just waved his hands as he walked on. Ah! What a weird and annoying man I told myself before heading back home.