.

"I guess you just decided on bumping into me every single time you meet us." I murmured, dabbing the alcohol wipes lightly on my injury.

"Its not Amara's fault." defended Khalil, "she didn't intentionally do it." and shrugged.

"Sorry, hun. I didn't realise I'd bump into you that damn hard." she said apologetically.

We left the concert soon after the incident as Khalil, Liz and Amara accompanied us back to home, somehow things didn't make sense anymore.

"Call me Faye." I corrected her, "And I know you didn't do it intentionally, but it burns hell ya know." I chuckled softly, trying not to cause a scene or any unnecessary conversation, in that matter.

The universe somehow managed to turn a perfectly normal day to an irritating night, and obviously I didn't like it. I had questions revolving around my headspace and I knew asking them out loud wouldn't sound good the way it sounds in my head.

"I guess I'm gonna go to bed now, see ya later." I limped off to my room without much eye contact.

During the ride back home, Khalil had introduced us to his anonymous-not anymore-friend, who actually turned out to be his cousin, Amara- the girl who offered us chocolates at the cafe as an apology. We couldn't properly meet her that day, so here we are.

She also told us how every year Khalil takes her with him to this concert and surprisingly he didn't take her along this year.

Apparently cause he chose along two ladies over her. Men, I say!

- Or Cause that doofus didn't want us to officially meet her maybe? I don't know.

- Or maybe I just needed some sleep.

*****

Today's been a week since we met Amara at concert, and I wouldn't deny- she really is fun. But throughout the week, with Amara around mostly every time, it felt as though things were heating up. Like, Liz- who seemed to has been jealous with Amara around and she wont show it, but I see it. But we're getting used to her being around. Or maybe not.

My diploma courses might begin anytime next week, I'm waiting for a schedule. But with all the fun and distraction, I am way behind in my holiday work, which sucks. And now I gotta stop wandering and start my work if I want to finish before the deadline.

So everyone's out celebrating Amara's 50k subscribers on her YT channel, while I'm in my room working on my papers.

"I should take a break!", hopping around the house I went searching the kitchen where I found the divine leftovers, and devoured them in the hall. And just like that, fatigue takes over and I surrender, laying on my bed- ready for a dreamy nap.

No good time to nap than when you are stressed but also relaxed, you know what I'm talking about.

My phone rings unexpectedly and I pick it up quickly, "Hey, girl. What you doing?" asked Liz.

"Oh you know, breaking a leg."

"Relax, you got this. Don't stress out, your stalker wont be impressed." she giggled, "Jokes. Just don't stress, we'll be back soon and I miss you."

"You liar." I snicker at her tone and I assure her that I'm not stressing and I'll be okay.

"Shit." I groaned, she did it. She ruined my nap because she reminded me of that stalker, and with that I was now more than conscious of the little letters he sent. And with every minute passing by, my urge to throw open that box grew strong, until the moment I couldn't resist any longer.

"It's not bad. I'll just read it and throw them all away." I shrugged, trying to convince myself, but who am I kidding?

The box had a sweet cologne, whenever I opened it. I hesitated for a while, but then it was too late. Either I read those letters and kill the curiosity within me or I let it consume me. And I chose the former.

I randomly opened a letter and noticed that they were dated sequentially, so I opened them all and arranged them accordingly. Unfortunately, I had a little sneak peak on all the letters and now I gotta read them all, which I would've done otherwise anyway.

"This guy's a smart ass." I whispered to myself as I put them down on the carpet in proper sequence.

"15/10/2020
I saw you. Today for the very first time, and yes you look prettier in person. Although I saw you from afar, I couldn't make myself walk upto you. I wish I could, but its easier said than done. One day, I will. Its awkward, ya know, I've never written stuff down I felt. Haha, but it feels serene and I could write all day- it just flows out. Or maybe that's just your charisma.
I cant wait to see you again, god, I'm a creep-hah. Why does it feel like it'll be all right, if you were by my side. Maybe you would listen."

I never expected to be said that, I've been sent really disgusting, indecent chits and who doesn't. I was expecting this to be the same, but it wasn't. It was decent, short and sweet, and dreamy. And now having read this, I actually recall where I was that very day- I was at a plant nursery, buying houseplants to decorate my house.

"He was there." I whispered to myself, in shock.

I roughly fold it and toss it into the box, picking up the second one which was dated 4 days apart from the first and I take a deep breath before starting to read it, cause my brain was on full stamina to overthink and overanalyse on behalf of me.

"19/10/2020, The Metro.
I swear I didn't follow you, but you were there- it was surreal. And I wasn't expecting to see you, I mean the first time I did know I was gonna see you, but now that I happen to be at the same place with you- will I be a believer if I said this might've been fate? You are a real person, so effortlessly. Unlike me, who has to play the pretend game every single day.
You helped a clumsy single mother to carry her belongings to the station inside, when she clearly needed help but thought it was too much to ask. You helped her anyway, and not gonna lie- I'm still smiling thinking of you. And, gawwwd the picture I attempted to click turned so hilarious. Look,"

Why the hell am I smiling? "Fuck, fuck, fuckk, Faye. No" I scold myself, while cringing hard at myself, and rummaging through the box to search for the polaroid's.

Taking out the pictures of the first two respective letters, I stare at them for a while. The nursery picture came good, except for that half of my face was obscured by a hanging pot, but I guess it didn't matter to him lest he wanted to not catch my attention.

The second one, as he mentioned, was a little blurry- which took my and the mother's face on focus but the rest was swirled by light. I chuckled at the sight of our ghostly figures.

'Why didn't he ever approach me?' I found involuntarily asking myself repeatedly, but how would I answer that myself? I never saw him, never talked to him- then how would I know the reasons why he kept himself away from me.

The doorbell rang out of the blue, over and over and by that I knew it was Khalil. So I clear out the space, throw in all the everything into the box and hastily put them into the closet.

I was about to run to get the door, the bell suddenly stopped ringing and Liz came running through the halls, "Sorry for being late. I gotta go use bathroom urgently", she said tossing her purse on the bed. "Don't wait up, Amara brought a cake to celebrate here again. Give her a hand" She started rummaging into the drawers as she blabbered.

"Are you ok?" I frown at her.

"Yeah, its just the fucking bloody mary time of the month." she groaned, "got it!" she said pulling out a sanitary pad.

"Okay, just call if you need anything." I walk out, chuckling along with her.

Walking into the living room, I see Amara and Khalil muttering among themselves on the either sides of the couch.

"What you talking so seriously about?" I say, jumping between them.

"Nah, nothing." Khalil jolted up.

"No! We were talking about the box your stalker gave you." she said, casting a frown at Khalil, "I guess you should just discard all that, you know boys will be boys."

"How do you know?" I asked her, instantly after she finished.

"Huh?" she asked confusingly.

"I mean, how do you about the box?"

"That guy." she pointed at Khalil, while he uncomfortably stood behind us.

"Oh." I said, loosening my shoulders and laying back on the couch.

I wouldn't discard any of that, maybe not now. But I gotta read them all, maybe then I'll figure out who is it. Until then, I gotta keep them to myself.

"Woah she's judging us hard." She giggled, looking at Khalil.

"Yeah, no Faye. We just talk a lot, and we cant keep secrets so we tell each other, ya know. Like everything, sibling thing you know?" Khalil said, leaning over the couch from behind Amara.

"I'm not. I just got lost", I got up and took the cake on the tea table. "Lemme go get this on a good plate, you guys stay- Liz will be here any minute."

I carry it to the kitchen, searching for a big enough plate for it on the counters and drawers, when Khalil enters too.

"Hey yo, listen up." he whispers, pulling me to the farthest side of the kitchen.

"Okay, mister. Do not do that again." I pull my hand back. "What's gotten your lazy ass off of the couch?" I cross my hands and stare at him, while he checks if anyone's hearing us.

"Why do you love me so much, bitch?" he mocks a girly voice.

"Ew, shut up." I hit his arm, and he starts to chuckle. "No laugh louder, bitch." He immediately glues his lips together to stop his laugh.

"Okay! Now, when were you gonna tell me Liz's birthday is this weekend?" he whispered.

OMG, yes. I totally forgot its already end of November, and December 2nd is this weekend.

"Woah, don't tell me you forgot your bff's birthday is around." He said pitifully.

"Oh shut up, I've been occupied with shit load of work."

"Okay Sherlock, I have a plan. Tada, lifesaver- Khalil." He pointed himself, and I rolled my eyes evidently. "But I need your help!" He continues, "just like I told you earlier, Amara's not good with secrets, and she's been bonding so well with Liz, that I'm paranoid she'll ruin our surprise."

"She doesn't know its Liz's birthday this weekend?"

"No, I cant tell her!" he whispered but loudly.

"I thought you weren't good with the secrets too." I told him.

"Yeah not really, I just said that to make her feel inclusive." he shrugged.

"Oh, what a bitch you are!" I gasped mockingly.

"So, are you in?" he huffed, completely ignoring my remark.

"Yes! Not that I couldn't plan her a surprise party myself, but because I had completely forgotten, if it weren't you reminding me. So I owe you one." I said, patting his head and back to doing about my task.

"Oh what a good bitch you are!" he sighed, and I smiled to myself of his comeback.

****

"Honestly I could eat up a whole of a pizza and still be hungry for another." said Liz.

"I'm gonna go for team pizza over burgers, too!" I said.

"No!" exclaimed Khalil.

"Whatever, K. You guys up for tomorrow?" Amara asked.

"Yeah, babyy. What's the plan?" said, Liz taking a sip of her drink.

"I've got something in my mind. What about you, Faye?"

"Nah, I still got stuff to deal with." I sulked into the couch.

"Mhm, I see. You've been busy for a whole week- we miss you, ya know." Amara said, gently rubbing my hand.

"Um guys, I too might have some business to do." chipped in Khalil.

"Like what?" mocked Liz.

"Something." He shrugged.

"Alright, bestie. So I guess its you and me tomorrow." said Amara cheerfully.

"Be right back." I got up and walked right up to the kitchen, with my glass of cola.

"Okay what's the deal with you?"

"God K, stop sneaking up on me." I flinched.

"Are you tryna mock Amara?" He frowned, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, was it that accurate?" I rolled my eyes.

"Okay firstly, why didn't you back me up when your bff tried to catch my lie. And secondly, I'm assuming you don't like Amara." he said, as I filled my glass with more cola.

"First of all, why would I back you up when I didn't wanted it to seem evident that we'll be working on her bday surprise. Secondly, we wont be doing any planning or executing at my place. Thirdly, I don't like her yet!" I said all that in a breath and then proceeded to walk back towards the room.

"Let's go K. Faye, I think we should head out now, its late. See ya tomorrow, maybe."

"Or maybe not." chuckled Khalil. "I mean if she gotta work, then there's a chance you wont see her at all."

"Whatever. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Goodnight!" I bid them, and came in to see Liz already dozed off on the couch.

"Hey, go to bed come on." I whispered lightly nudging her arm.

"No, I'm too lazy to move plus I'm in the best comfort right now, lemme sleep." She drowsily replied, and went back to snoring lightly.

"Okay, goodnight. Will clean the mess tomorrow." I said, looking at the chaos over the table.

I assumed that tonight I could take my bed, but I dreaded to enter it considering those letters were sitting in my closet. But I was exhausted enough to resist myself of that curiosity and surprisingly I fell asleep immediately without any wizard's voodoo.

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