Under the Same Roof - Chapter Five
By: Moments of Insanity
Date : 07 Jan 2007
Revised Date :
Disclaimer: not mine
Author's note: English is not my first language. I had to try my best to tackle the horrible English grammar. If you see any blatant mistake Please review, and drop a note. Also Constructive criticism will be most appreciated.
This is a "nothing-much" happens fiction, as in no enemies, no conspiracy, just a scribble about two ordinary people learning to live together.
Ami shifted uncomfortably and cracked open one lazy cerulean eyes that eyed the late morning sunlight outside with mild irritation. She yawned, stretching her arms high above her and heard the pops of her shoulder. It was near noon after her night shift. She had hit the sack and straight into an important meeting with Sandman after a night shift in the hospital. Running her hand through her short messy hair, she decided to take a swim to wash away the clump of wool in her mind.
As she went to freshen up, she cast a look at the open door leading to her flat mate's empty room. A strange feeling settled on her chest. Tearing her eyes away from Zale's room, she looked toward her next stop.
A familiar box sat on the kitchen worktop. It was Zale's lunch box. Ami pursed her lips, lifting up to find it heavy with content; obviously Zale had forgotten to bring his lunchbox along with him today. Feeling a bit charitable, Ami decided she would drop Zale's lunchbox his office before heading toward the swimming pool.
Before leaving the apartment, she looked into the living room where a small Christmas tree sat next to bean bags. She smiled fondly when she recalled Zale exhilarant call declaring that he found the perfect Christmas tree on the sales shelf of the supermarket, only to receive a two feet tall pushy Christmas tree that toppled over easily. Zale had sheepishly defended himself by saying it was still a Christmas tree.
She smiled at the memory as she began her day with a brisk walk in the windy day toward Zale's office with her swimwear in a duffle bag in one hand and Zale's lunchbox in a paper carrier bag in another. The Christmas tree denoted a start to their slow work toward the Christmas party. Zale had stubbornly insisted to only use homemade decorations, which resulted nights where both would sit side by side cutting papers into shapes of snow crystals and stars accompanied by the soft murmuring of the Christmas songs from the radio.
She stopped suddenly as she realized her musing had taken her at least a block from Zale's office. She hurriedly backtracked her footsteps to an ordinary commercial building. She quickly scanned the directory before going to the elevator. As she waited for the elevator to reach the destination, she suddenly felt rather strange holding onto Zale's lunchbox. She frowned at the lunchbox, suddenly conscious of her action that spoke beyond the responsibility of a friend, much less of a flat mate.
The elevator door opened as a cheery voice said "Welcome to NAJ Architectural Firm. How can I help you?"
"Ah…" Ami unconsciously frowned, how to say this to the receptionist. I'm here to drop of Zale's lunchbox. That just sounded plain weird. The receptionist looked at her expectantly. "Zale, um," she stuttered, "I meant Mister Enkai."
The receptionist swept her eyes up and down on Ami's rather casual attire. "May I ask who is asking for him?" she continued politely, her hand hovering above the telecom.
"Ami, Ami Mizuno, his flat mate." Ami hastily continued, hoping to rush through her explanation before any misunderstanding could happen. "I am here just to drop off his lunchbox. You see, he had forgotten to bring it. I mean I'd be happy to leave it here, and you could give it to him later; there's no need to call him"
"That's alright," the receptionist smiled. "But I guess I won't need to give it to him," at Ami's confused face, she called out, "Hey Enkai!"
"Ami?" A tenor voice rang out, "what are you doing here?"
Ami turned around and felt her heart skipped a beat as Zale walked toward her briskly.
"What? No greetings for me? Enkai?" The receptionist smiled coyly at him and throwing a mock punch at his arm when he stood next to the reception. "Oh well," she stopped her teasing as the phone rang. Zale rolled his green eyes at his colleagues before focusing on Ami again.
Ami eyed the interaction between Zale and the reception weirdly, suddenly feeling extremely out of place, like an audience somehow stranded on the stage.
"I believe you're about to tell me why you're here," Zale helpfully informed Ami as she seemed to got tongue tied.
At Zale's teasing and her sudden annoyance, she found her tongue again. "Your lunchbox," she muttered and stuffed the package to his hands. "You should be grateful," then immediately blushed at her rudeness. It must be the lack of sleep Ami thought about her impoliteness, making a small note to rest a bit more that night.
"Oh thanks," Zale blinked, an unexpected warm feeling rushed through.
"Have to go," Ami muttered, still feeling extremely self conscious of herself in the reception. She turned to walk pass him but a hand at her elbow stopped her.
"Have you had lunch yet?" Zale asked, at Ami's negative response, "then let me treat you for lunch." At Ami's questioning gaze, "I am treating because I am the one with a job."
Ami looked quizzically at him, "wouldn't that defeat the purpose of bringing lunch to you?"
Zale looked blankly at her and bit the inside of his mouth to stop laughing out. Ami sure knew how to unintentionally cut a guy up short; she was just so clueless. Quickly he gave a well practiced answer, "I am feeling rather puckish today. I don't think a sandwich will be enough for me. Wait for me here, I go and get my coat". Without anymore explanation and not to allow Ami a chance to decline his invitation, he quickly returned to his office leaving Ami standing awkwardly in the reception area, being the sole recipient of the not-so-subtle curious gaze from the receptionist.
Thankfully Zale returned soon. With his hand again at her elbow, he steered her to the entrance, bidding a cheerful goodbye to the receptionist.
"I love this weather," Zale exclaimed, shouting to Ami who walked miserably next to him. The winter wind blow wildly and stole Zale's word with them.
"The wind?" Ami shouted, over the bellowing of the wind. She winced as her face sting from the brittle cold wind. She grunted when a person accidentally knocked into her. The person muttered a quick sorry before like ragged puppets that moved jerkily against the wind. She ran her hand through her hair to tame it, while soon given up at the futile attempt.
"Don't you think it is refreshing?" Zale bellowed back. His green eyes sparkled with glee. His curly hair whipped around his head.
"Refreshing, yes, but it is freezing," Ami retorted, jamming her hands into the pockets while she try huddle deeper into her coat.
Zale simply just smiled, as he walked with a little skip in his steps. Ami eyed the jolly man with mild disgust.
"How long till we get there?" Ami shouted.
"Stop complaining," admonished Zale, who stopped before a light. Ami who had her head ducked to escape the blunt of the wind continued to walk when a car sped by. Luckily Zale, with his fast reaction, grabbed her elbow before she got run over.
"Ami!" Zale exclaimed.
"Sorry," Ami muttered, suddenly feeling sorry for herself.
With a shift, Zale took her hand and began to walk one step in front of Ami. Suddenly the cold seemed to have disappeared; instead a comforting warmth encased Ami, starting from her hand and leading to the tip of her ears.
"Er, Zale?" Ami asked the man walking in front of her, "I do know when to cross the street, you know." She tugged her hand lightly to emphasize her point, only to find Zale tightening his grip.
"Because you need someone to take care of you," Zale replied quickly when he cast a look back at Ami. His cheeks and the tip of his ears were tinged with red, Ami guessed with a note of satisfaction, from the wind.
Okay, one year to publish. cring I am again really really sorry. Again this had been in my computer for a while refusing to write itself. Then again it had been a busy year with university graduation and finding a job and settling down. I know, excuses excuses. I admit I'm not a very good writer; I don't follow any deadlines at all! But I swear I will finish this. Anyway, a great thank you to all who reviewed.
The usually note : Please read and review. And please drop notes where my grammar had gone drastically wrong and suggestions where I could improve.