Twisted game

CHAPTER 4: THE MOVE

Asim opened his eyes as sunlight filtered through the window, the rays hitting his face, he squinted slightly before slowly sitting up, he could feel his body aching in ways he couldn’t ignore.

“s**t” he muttered, noticing his clothes scattered across the room. He turned to his side and pulled at the sheet but only to find pillows arranged underneath them.

The bed was empty.

He let out a breath and dropped back onto the bed, closing his eyes as flashes of the night before rushed through his mind. The amazing night, the stranger, the intensity and the way everything felt so real.

It was a big relief that he wasn’t killed, the thought made him huff out a quiet laugh, but it didn’t last long.

His eyes snapped open as reality settled in. Aileen could walk into the room any moment and he wasn’t sure he had the guts to face him. Not after what had happened.

He pushed himself out of bed quickly, grabbing his trousers just as a sharp wave of headache hit him. He paused, steadying himself then shook it off and put on his shirt.

He touched the pockets of his trouser but they were empty. “Phone…” he muttered, turning around.

Asim searched the room, the covers, the floor, the couch but found nothing.

Was he robbed? The thought made his chest tighten as he moved towards the small table by the side of the room. Just from the distance he saw it. His phone.

Relief washed over him as he picked it up but something slipped off with it, a small note.

He frowned slightly before picking it up and reading.

Thank you for a great night, but unfortunately I have somewhere else to be, you can have breakfast and stay as long as you need, the room has been paid for.

Aileen

A slow smile spread across Asim’s face as he sat back down on the bed before reading it again.

Without thinking twice he took a taxi back to the club, grabbed his bags, booked the next available flight heading home.

By the time he stepped out of the taxi in front of his apartment, exhaustion had already settled deep in his bones.

Then he saw her.

Karen stood right in front of his door, his heart dropped.

“Great” he muttered under his breath. “Just what I needed”, unsure how to get her out of his house without creating a scene. He walked slowly toward her dragging his suitcase.

“Asim,” Karen rushed forward, her voice unsteady. “I’ve been trying to reach you. But you didn’t answer. I was worried”

“Is that supposed to mean something to me?” he asked, his tone sharp, “I’m sorry if I couldn’t pick up the call of someone who stabbed me in the back”

“I wanted to tell “She said quickly. “Believe me, please…”

“Karen.” He cut her off, not raising his voice, but firm. “I just got off a long flight and I would love to rest”

He moved past her, pulling his bags toward the door.

“Asim, please…. I’m really sorry” she spoke, her voice breaking as tears slipped down her face.

He stopped, for a moment but he didn’t turn around before he spoke “You know what hurts?” his voice quieter now, but heavier. “I’ve been a good brother to you. I never let you get hurt, I always shared things with you.”

He finally looked at her “I would have never done this to you, do you know why?” he asked

“Because I love. And I respect you.” Silence followed his words, then he opened the door and stepped inside shutting it behind him.

Asim leaned against the door, his eyes closing the tears he’d been holding back finally slipped free.

He stayed there for a moment, breathing unevenly before pushing himself upright.

He dragged his bags inside his room, without bothering to unpack and headed straight to the mini bar in his living room, he grabbed a bottle of drink, then moved towards a sofa to sit down, he poured a drink, then another.

The quiet of the apartment felt heavier than anything else.

His phone rang, he glanced at the screen, Mom. He exhaled slowly.

He knew not answering the call would make her worried and answering might break him.

He took a deep breath before answering.

“My goodness Asim,” her voice came through, warm but scolding. “I told you to call me as soon as you landed”

“Hey, Mama” Asim whispered softly, forcing steadiness into his voice.

She paused. “Are you okay baby? You don’t sound good”

“I’m fine” he replied “Just feeling under the weather”

“I told you to get your winter coat but you never listen now look” she fussed

A small smile touched his lips despite everything. He never felt like a stranger with his family “Mom, it’s not even that cold over here; I’m fine”

“If you say so,” she sighed. “Have you spoken to your sister? She said she’s also in Manchester, maybe the two of you can hang out this holiday as well?”

His grip on his phone tighten slightly “I’ll call her when I have the time. Mom I have to go, I’ve got something on the stove; I love you” he voiced, any second on the call he would tell his mother the truth.

“I love you too baby” she replied before putting an end to the call, Asim lowered his phone then wiped his tear with the back of his hands.

Weeks rolled into months and months into a year.

Asim made sure to avoid his sister as much as possible. At family gatherings he kept his distance, never allowing himself to be alone with Karen. As for Aiden, his name was no longer mentioned. Asim made it clear that whatever they had was over, their mother didn’t want to hear a word about it. But the reason for the break up remained a secret between Asim and Karen

One morning Asim finally opened up his suitcase that he had taken on the trip, the one he never unpacked.

His movement was slow memories flashed back. His eyes fell on a small folded note. Aileen’s note, a faint smile crept on his lips as he picked it up, reading it again.

The past year hasn’t been easy, dating felt pointless, every time he tired, something held him back. Fear, maybe. Or the memory of something he never got to understand.

He exhaled and set the note aside, forcing himself to continue unpacking. His phone chimed, he frowned slightly, wiping his hands before picking it up.

It was an email.

His eyes scanned the screen and then widened.

“No way…”

He read it again, just to be sure. He gasps holding his breath, he couldn’t believe it.

It was an approval. A job offer he had applied for about months ago, he was going to be the head coach of the hockey team in Young wales college in the UK.

He let out sharp breath, then laughed, the sound filled with disbelief and relief.

“Finally,” he muttered, running his hand through his hair. “Something good”

The move from Texas was smoother than expected, the school had arranged an apartment for him, simple but comfortable.

It didn’t feel like home yet, but it was a start.

“Hi, you must be Asim Jonas?” he turned to see a woman with red hair and a cute smile on her face.

“Yes I am”

“Welcome,” she said warmly. “I’m Caro. The theatre Director here”

“Nice to meet you,” Asim replied. “I’m looking forward to be working here”

“We all were, my dear” she said with a light laugh before heading her apartment.

Asim watched her go for a second before stepping inside his own place.