I woke up with a heavy empty head. It must've been a bad dream. I can't think of anything else. I can't be bothered in the mornings to talk or think. I don't wanna take a bath right now but i have to do it so i can get outside. I reluctantly took a quick shower and put on some unironed clothes.
….
I don't like to eat sometimes when I feel empty in the head. It's an odd feeling to describe. It's like all I need is already satisfied, I just need time to feel hungry naturally although i haven't eaten anything since morning. I made myself out of the house and rode my way to the demolition site. It's already begun overnight. There were workers removing the debris and other materials out of the place. I would guess this construction will take about 5 months to complete. I stood around a bit and had a chat with the overseer.
It's about 11 am in the morning now. I really feel hungry, I also feel my cup of coffee is now long overdue.
I could go home and cook up something but I feel too lazy and unenthusiastic about it. It would make me feel lonely. I don't like it. I made my way to the cafe again.
"Morning" I greeted Monica at the cafe billing counter.
"Hey! What do you like to drink? You don't need to pay, it's on me." replied Monica.
"Um.. a coffee, with little sugar." i said "you have a break coming up? I think i wanna show you something"
"Yeah.. I think I'll be free in 15 mins if you can wait." told Monica.
"Sure. I'll be over there.'' I replied, giving a faint smile.
I sat around and saw her working very busily. My coffee arrived after a while, I drank it while watching her work. I get the impression that she really likes her job but it probably might be an act to make the customers feel nice and friendly.
"I'm done, where do you wanna go?" said Monica.
"I know a place."
We rode across town and stopped at a beach. We sat, looking at the sea.
"Were you really free for the day?" I asked Monica.
"Yeah, no." replied Monica while grinning. "I just passed my shift over to a friend, it'll be fine. They don't need me around to run that place."
"Ooh. Do you not like your job?"
"I mean.. It's fine. I can at least pay my bills like barely so it's good enough I think… What about you? Do you like your job? Mr. Construction master?"
"I'm a planner!"
"Whatever, potato tomato"
"It's 'tomato, tomahto'. Again you're wrong."
"Never mind, do you like your job?"
"Oh… hell no."
"Why not, what's hard about it?" asked Monica, looking into my eyes.
"I don't know.. Most of the time you're either calling somebody or scribbling some shit that nobody cares about. It's how it is and you get to see buildings getting destroyed. I think it's kind of sad. All these buildings have a story of their own to tell, you know? They shouldn't just be done like that. It's sad to watch for me."
"Yeah But they should be removed to build new things right? You're doing the town a favor, think about it that way." replied Monica.
"Yeah.. I guess you're right."
"I'm always right."
"Nah, you're an idiot." I laughed.
Monica grabbed my neck a little and I rolled over the sand.
"So what's been new in your life? Have you been seeing anybody? Like a crush?" I asked.
"No. What about you?"
"Uh.. nah i couldn't get along with anyone."
"Why not?" replied Monica.
"I don't know. I just can't. It ain't my choice."
"Mmmh.." nodded Monica.
"I wanna tell you about a dream I had today.. It's uh.. We were playing in the rain and uh.. I don't know. I saved myself and you but I left him out in the rain. I didn't mean to-"
"It's not your fault, Ryan.." said Monica. "It's fine, don't be dramatic now."
"Yeah... I couldn't make it up to you. I left. I'm sorry." I shed a little tear.
It's rare for me to cry. I didn't even cry at my grandparents' funeral. It's embarrassing.
"Knock it off, it's not like you to cry." said Monica, holding my arm.
I brushed my face off with my sleeve.
"I wanna see your home," said Monica. "Do you cook for yourself daily?"
"No.. I just buy some meals on my way home, I don't really cook. I'll show you around my place."
….
We got to my home. "That's the kitchen, I sleep upstairs in my room." I told Monica while she looked around my hallway. "Make yourself at home."
"Wow.. this place looks depressing." replied Monica, "it's not like it used to be back then."
"That's rude."
Monica sat on the couch beneath the stairs and took out a book from my dad's shelf which stood opposite to her. It doesn't look like something that she would be interested in reading in a million years but she still looked really curious as she flipped through the pages.
"Since you do nothing here, why not have dinner at my place for a change tonight? My daughter will be happy to be around you too." said Monica.
"Um.. sure, yeah I would like that."
"Then let's go pick out the groceries, it's on you" replied Monica.
We made our way to different shops and had fun shopping around till the evening.
"This is the most fun I've had in a while, you know." I said.
"Me too." replied Monica while eating her ice cream cone, it was melting from all the sides.