Jim
Time stood still as his gaze was glued to the person before him. Amy, his Amy. He just stood there silent as he was dumbfounded. Indeed the world is small. He was still staring directly toward her that he did not notice his surroundings.
"Holy moly!" Kaley said making Jim brought back to his senses. He shook his head and looked at Kaley covering her gapped mouth
"I know right?! Can you believe this?" he asked Kaley as she shake her head in disbelief.
Lightly tapping his shoulders, " Go ahead and introduce yourself!" But when he was about to take a step foot forward, he suddenly stopped and went back to his track.
"W-wait. I am not yet ready," Jim admits looking down.
"What do you mean you are not ready?" Kaley asks as she was catching up with his pace.
Jim was not like this. He is a confident young man. If he wants to introduce himself, he will do it without hesitations and he carries conversations with strangers well. But he can't also understand why all of a sudden he just wants to disappear. He thought that he was ready but he wasn't.
There were a lot of people around who could hear him. How would he introduce himself? And why would a stranger like he is to Amy and would suddenly introduce himself to her, wouldn't be that strange and would make him a weirdo? Even if his intentions are pure and friendly, he is aware that he is staring at her the way that would people think that he is a pervert.
"I don't know how to introduce myself to her. Like should I introduce myself to her just cause? I don't want to appear creepy. I have been staring at her this way then would suddenly tell her my name and would ask her?" he ranted while his head was still down. "What if you are in her position, you are there hanging out with your friends or maybe family I don't know, then this man would stare at you and would suddenly tell you his name? That's weird and creepy right?"
"Fair point," she nods. "But the thing is, you were wondering how you will look for her right? Yet here you are, chickening out at the very last moment. She was there, say hi tell her you are Jim the virgin."
"You make it sound so easy. But it's not, Kaley. I don't know all of a sudden I feel shy. Also, why would I bring that up? And you are not that sure about me being a virgin," he rolled his eyes.
"Nutting doesn't count, James," she says mockingly as they continued to walk and was looking for a bench to sit down on.
He just smirked. "You knew me as a college freshman when we met, but as a high school student...," he says acting cockily.
"A sad teenager?"
"Oh so you know," they both laughed. As their laughter died down, Jim became serious and uttered, "I am now relieved and content to know that she is confirmed to just be around here somewhere. The first time I saw her, I just thought that I was just imagining her because of how often I seared my eyes on that portrait when I was still working on it. But after this confirmation and from Nana, I am confident that we will see each other again. Although I don't know what the future holds for the both of us since we are complete strangers in this lifetime. But I swear, by the next time we'll meet again, I will make sure that she will remember my name."
"That's the spirit!" Kaley says enthusiastically as she placed her head on Jim's shoulder. "All these years you thought that you were just broken yet here you are. You just didn't know that you already belonged to her that's why other people don't fascinate you anymore."
He nods in response to her epiphany. "I just could feel that I will see her again. She is just around here. I could feel it and we just saw her. That's the assurance that I think I need so I will not rush it."
Mayim
There she was standing in front of the portrait. Just like most of the art pieces, there was a piece of background information about it. There was a lot of information about it but this is what lingered in her head...
"Epitome of Heaven"
An artwork that was made by Sheldon Cooper in the year 1847 to commemorate his lover who passed away because of the plague.
"That's sad to know that she died so young. He must have been devastated..." Mayim sympathized after reading it.
"If I will die tomorrow, will you make a portrait of myself to commemorate my memory?" Chanel asks as she stares lovingly at her boyfriend.
"Of course mon chéri. I will even use my own blood to paint you," Chad responds with a sexy tone making Mayim and Jenna cringe.
"Could you both get a room or I'll stab you both here so no blood paintings will be happening?" Jenna says bitterly.
"Haters, back off! You are just jealous, our Queen Chihuahua. Don't worry you can still have your very own mon chéri once you hit puberty." Chad ridiculed earning a laugh from the rest of the group. Chad hugged her apologetically.
"This is child abuse. I will tell you on my mom!" Jenna stomped and they all laughed together.
As the laughter died, Chad and Chanel asked her to pose for photos. Prodding her to pose similar to the pose from the portrait, a silly pose, a group picture of them, and a candid photo of Mayim facing the portrait as if she was shocked that they look alike. Jenna was shaking her head because of the hilarity of her friends. She kept on apologizing to those people who were coming near them because she knew that they were a nuisance to their peace. Then all of a sudden Mayim stopped her movements and stared in the direction when they were reviewing the photos they took.
"I will post this on Instagram or maybe Facebook. I swear this will go viral. Their resemblance is uncanny," Chad said in disbelief. Jenna gently nudged Chad and pointed at Mayim with a weird look.
"We should get going. Mayim has begun to dissociate from the real world. Her body might follow. So let's all go," Jenna said earning a chuckle from the couple. Mayim then shook her head when Jenna started to tug her pulling her out of her thoughts.
"What happened Mayim, what did you see?" Chanel asked as they continued to walk.
"I think that I saw him."
"Who? Blue-eyed hottie?" Jenna asked smirking. Mayim just nodded in response.
"Shut up! No, you did not! I was just joking" Jenna covered her mouth in disbelief.
"Wait, who the hell is this blue-eyed man? I also have blue eyes..."Chad asks confused at Mayim and Jenna's sudden reaction.
"Where did you see him? And why didn't you at least come closer to him!" Jenna shrieked at Mayim.
"I space out! I-i..." Mayim says putting her hand on her forehead. "Damn those blue eyes!" she whispered loudly.
"Okay, so nobody will answer me..." Chad sulks at both of his friends that are seeming to marvel at a person that was not mentioned to him. He turns to look at Chanel and whispered, "Do you know what they are talking about?". Chanel just shook her head no in response.
"Do you remember where he went? We should go in that direction!" Jenna states as she tugs Mayim again in a different direction.
"Desperate are we? That is so unladylike of you Miss Jenna!" chuckling at Jenna's actions.
She let go of her grip on Mayim's arm and looked at her with her mouth wide open, "Excuse me? We were just talking about this last night. Don't you want to see him? Come on, let's say hi!" grabbing Mayim's arm once again.
"Hey, both of you! Who the hell are you talking about?" Chad shrieks making Jenna and Mayim stop.
"Nosy are we?" Jenna grinned at her friend who is pissed at both of them. "If you must know, we are talking about this man Mayim saw at a café that she locked eyes with her. After that, Mayim got inspired and wrote about him. He is the main character in her new novel," Mayim nodded at her friend's simplification.
"Wait is he also part of the reason why you're breaking up with the douchebag?" he asks.
"No...I only saw him and it sparked something in my head," she just shrugged.
Chad just nodded with a hint of excitement on his face. "I just hope that his name is not Ryan too," he ridiculed earning giggles from them.
All of them decided to eat dinner together so right after their tour around the museum, they just continued to catch up with each other. They talked about their relationships, careers, current hobbies, gossip, and anything under the sun. They had fun hanging out with each other. Poking at each other and then making up just like in the old days. Mayim's day was filled with laughter and in the meantime, she forgot that she need to settle what is between her and her boyfriend.
After having dinner, they decided to go home. Jenna and she went back to her apartment complex and accompanied Jenna to her car for her to go home as well. As they were walking to her car, she heard Jenna sigh.
"What are you sighing about?" she wondered.
"I think I know what you'll do once you're alone," she says grinning at Mayim as she pokes her sides.
"What?" Mayim asked as she swat her finger from her side.
"You'll call Ryan over and ask him to ravage you," she laughed.
"Oh shut up," she cringed slapping her arm gently.
"But I am actually proud of you. You figure it on your own without me rubbing it to your face that you are being ridiculous and stupid." Mayim just rolled her eyes at her as Jenna smirks at her. "I am here for you, Blossom."
"Thank you that means a lot. And as am I to you, Buttercup. Give me a text when you arrive okay? And the next time you're around town, bring your man dildo," she laughed as the atmosphere begins to be emotional.
"Alright! Love you!" Jenna claimed as her car's engine hummed and drove away. Mayim just waved at her as Jenna's car went further from her.
Now being alone, everything seems to be so quiet it is deafening. She rubbed her arms to warm herself from the chilly wind of the night. Still, her thoughts are occupied by her worry. She pulled out her phone and typed something. She had thought about it the whole day and had decided and she was certain that she is ready for it.
I need to tell you something. Let's meet up tomorrow.
She then pressed send as she released a heavy sigh.
Jim
As soon as Jim went home from work and the museum, he was exhausted. He unbuttoned his buttoned-up shirt and slouched on his couch. It was a long day but he was still smiling. He saw her and Kaley saw her too. It was not a figment of his imagination or just hallucinating from drinking too much coffee. He wonders where and when would he see her. Would she talk to him when he'd introduce himself?
Shaking his head because of his thoughts, he undressed and went inside his bathroom to take a quick shower before laying down in his bed.
As the back of Jim's head hit his pillow, he immediately drove to slumber.
He was aware that he was dreaming but everything was clear. But he was haven't been to this place before yet it felt familiar. He definitely knows that this is a dream. As his sight moves around the place, he saw pigment colors at one side, paint brushes, and a black canvas right in front of him. This might be a dream of Sheldon's memory.
As he was sitting in front of the canvas, he could hear himself sobbing. He picks up a brush not seeming to control his movements in his dream. He mixed the pigments before putting them on the blank canvas. He witnessed himself sob uncontrollably as he finished the painting, only taking breaks when he felt thirsty and felt that he needs to relieve himself to the bathroom. He was restless. Day and night he used it to finish the painting he was not sleeping or eating.
Suddenly his dream went to a different scenario, he heard a knock downstairs and he saw some people who were checking up on him. They were telling him that they haven't seen him for a long time and they know that it must have been hard on him. They bought him food. He was very pale and had become thin from the lack of appetite he was feeling. He was still in tears as he thanked them for checking up on him before they left. The world was unkind yet he is thankful for people like them who would go out of their way to help someone even if they are not asked.
Before coming back up, he drank 2 glasses of water to replenish his throat from the dryness it feels from the sobbing. When he went upstairs, the portrait seemed to be finished. It was more vibrant than it was when he restored it and the details were there but were very on point. Sheldon wailed as he came closer to the portrait. He then sat down in front of it and leaned on the portrait.
"Amy..." he spoke as tears came down his cheeks. "It has been a difficult year without you. I miss you every day. Since you left me, I have never thought of anything else but to be with you."
"I miss talking to you. I miss the smell of your hair when you're next to me. I miss your smile. I miss the way my name sounds when you say it with adoration. The time I have spent with you has been so little yet you made me feel like I am yours since the beginning of time," he barely uttered as he looked up at the portrait. "I want to be with you but that would be too selfish of me, wouldn't I my love? I know for sure that you wouldn't want me to do that. But it just kills me every day to hear your voice, feel your presence, and see your smile only in memory."
***
Sheldon stood up and went further into the room where he seem to grab a rope. He was walking back in forth absent-mindedly.
"I am sorry for keeping you waiting for too long, Amy. And I hope that God will forgive me for what I am about to do. Living every day without you is too much to bear. If it kills me every day, it should stop. Why would I let life separate both of us if we can be together sooner? I love you, Amy." he uttered to himself as he climbed near the window using his stool. He attached the rope to the upper part of the window, he pulled it slightly to know if it was sturdy enough before tying the knot and placing it around his neck.
"I will meet you soon Amy," he said as he kicked the stool.
After a few moments, he could feel his struggle to breathe waking him up. He gasp as he opened his eyes sitting down on his bed. He turned to his side to retrieve a glass of water trying to calm down from his dream. He could feel his cheeks wet from tears as well. It was definitely some dream.
So he unalived himself in front of the portrait. That is why there is definitely a melancholic vibe that is attached to it. He thought to himself.
Still groggy from the recent events he pulled out a pen and a journal he have kept at his bedside and wrote down what he had seen in his dream. He thinks that this was unnecessary given that it was so vivid in his memory.
Mayim
Mayim is at her apartment waiting for Ryan to come. It has been an hour since the time he'd promised he'd arrive but his shadow was still not seen in her apartment. She initially thought of meeting him in a café nearby but since their conversation contained private matters, she just decided to make him come over to her apartment. She was steeping tea when she heard her doorbell ring. With a deep breath, she placed her mug down and walked over to the door.
Ryan stood there with a smug look on his face. He is not even saying anything but she's already pissed with his presence. She opened the door wider to allow him to go inside. When she closed the door, Ryan pulled her waist and was about to kiss her but she looked away so he kissed her cheek instead.
"Playing hard to get are we?" he said as he leaned again to kiss her but she was fast to unclasp his arms from her waist and pull herself away from him.
"What's with you today?" Ryan asked as he was confused at her sudden actions.
"Can we sit down and talk without you sucking the life out of me?" she frustratingly says as she went to the couch.
"I will if you promise to let me leave a hickey on your neck after," he says with his voice raspy as he sits down next to her on the couch.
Listening to him right now gives a chill to her spine, not being aroused but because of cringing. She does not believe that she has let anyone talk to her that way and yet the boy who claims to be her boyfriend has such a vulgar mouth. It was not even a time for that kind of talk and everything is just sex to him.
Cringing at his recent suggestion she sat down not knowing what to say first. Her head is clouded by the words she has been bottling up and does not know what to say first.
Without control and thinking, she uttered, "Let's break up."
He turned his head in her direction, "Where is this coming from? Just a few days ago you shiver at my touch and now you want to break up with me?!" his voice escalated.
"You have changed and you are just with me for sex. I don't feel loved anymore. I-it's just-" she was cut off when he suddenly replied.
"Okay," he said casually holding her gaze.
"What do you mean okay?" she said with furrowed brows.
"Okay. Let's break up. Why? Do you really think I'd chase you? You're the one that will do that to me. Just a little bit of flowery words, you'd kiss my feet. You're not the one I am losing Mayim, you're losing me. You're no prize," he shrugged.
His words were spoken nonchalantly yet they stung just went through her like a stab of a knife.
"Oh, well see about that," she tried to level his smugness and fought for her tears to not fall. "I have been incredibly patient with you for over the years, I don't nag you when you break your promises, I have been trying to build a connection to you for over the years and all I get is for you to make me feel cheap and insult me like we are not in a relationship!" she spoke as she tried to not escalate her voice in anger.
He was about to speak again when she said, "You always tell me that you love me yet I never felt that from you. You just used me for your own pleasure. And you think I'm no prize and you think you are A PRIZE? When you can't even give the bare minimum?! You are selfish and such a self-centered jerk. Why would I keep you in my life if all you can offer is toxicity and a small dick!"
He just glared at her with anger eminent in his eyes. "I don't need this. I know that in a couple of days, you will beg for me. Don't act like I don't know you Mayim. I will just text you that I miss and you will be spreading your legs again," Mayim had enough and slapped him.
Ryan was speechless because he had never imagined Mayim to be violent, he just stared at her holding his cheek. "GET OUT!" she yelled at him.
He scoffed and smirked while running his thumb to where Mayim slapped him as he stood up. "You are not gonna get over me. You will never find someone like me, Mayim."
His audacity astonished her that only added fuel to the anger she was already feeling. " I said GET OUT!" she yelled one last time before he walked through the door and slammed it behind him.
Mayim slammed her back to her couch as she tried to recall all of the things she heard today. Surprisingly, she doesn't feel regretful and remorseful of everything she has said but she still feels angry towards herself for letting that jerk think that way about her. Tears started to stream down her face as the words he said echoed inside her head Do you really think I'd chase you? You're the one that will do that to me. Just a little bit of flowery words, you'd kiss my feet. You're not the one I am losing Mayim, you're losing me. You're no prize.
She'd prove to him that she doesn't need her for anything. She blocked his number and all of his socials and she hopes she will never cross paths with this nitwit ever again. She feels disgusted that she had kept up with someone a narcissistic dumbass. She was contemplating whether she'd call somebody or she will keep all of these to herself as her tears continued to stream down her face.
The air inside her apartment was suffocating so she went outside to take a stroll. It is already starting to get dark outside but she wants to get the heaviness off her heart. She decided to stroll and walked absent-mindedly outside.
Jim
He went to work a bit tired because of the lack of his sleep. But he still came on time for work, even ahead of Kaley. He went ahead and checked his emails to see if there are some requests from companies, museums, or personal requests from an individual. Upon checking his emails he found out that he will restore and preserve a painting and will be dropped off in their workstation/office in an hour. After putting his coat on and preparing his needed equipment, he then finished the pending artwork that was commissioned to him before starting on the new one. Concentrating on his current task he didn't hear Kaley come in.
"Hey..."Kaley greeted him and stood near him watching him work.
He looked up and smiled at her. "Hey," his smile turned into a frown when she saw his friend with such puffy eyes. "Hey, what happened to you?" he asked with concern.
"Nothing allergy attack," she said casually.
"Well, why did you come to work?" he genuinely said standing up and looking at her closely. Seeing the apparent sadness in her eyes his concern turned into a grin. "What happened now, Christine?" he asks raising one eyebrow at her.
"Nothing really," she answered avoiding his gaze.
"What did the two of you fight about now?" he asked calmly.
"I can't hide someone from you can't I?" he nods at her question.
Jim listens to his friend's rant about what happened between her and her boyfriend last night. As they were hanging out, Kaley observed that her boyfriend was distant and was not in a great mood and asked him what was wrong. He refused to answer honestly and just told her to not mind him and that he was just tired. Kaley and her boyfriend had promised to be open about one another in their relationship. Everything that they feel, the successes and even the failure, they must share. He loves her but he wishes that he could have this privacy for himself. Kaley has thought that he is hiding from her or even being unfaithful to her. And it had escalated into a fight that ended up with the two of them still upset with each other.
She was still upset about it the next day and Jim tried to calm her down because anger should not be the emotion that will rule over her head or she will say things that she will regret. Once she had calmed down, they can both talk about it with cold heads. She was not being rational right now because she is full of rage.
"No matter what I tell you, you do not side with me. Who is your friend here?" she says as she crosses her arms sulking at him.
"I am not siding with anybody. I am just weighing another perspective here to clear your cloudy thought from anger," he explained as he continue his work. "If I side with you, are you going to realize that you are wrong here as well? I am not justifying what Tom did but you need to respect boundaries in any type of relationship. Just like what you and Tom have."
Kaley got quiet and thought about it. Jim was being reasonable. "Do you think I overreacted?"
"It's not a question for me to answer, but a little," he started. "Men and women are very different when we handle things you know. Girls like you would like to talk about what you feel and would find sympathy with the girls around you easily. But men like to keep things to themselves. As am I, and it is because of the social convention's dictation. If we are too connected with our emotions, we are judged by society. My point is, it is very easy to share these things if he was you because it is just how it is with your sex. But it is different with us. I don't know for sure if there is another agenda as to why he is hiding it from you but you should know that if he wants you to give him this privacy, give it to him. Not because you two are in a serious relationship, you need to know and see everything. And just because he didn't tell you what may have upset him, it doesn't mean that he is unfaithful to you."
"I do see that. I kind of feel bad because of it now," she has looked down. "I should've considered his feelings too. I was just thinking about me and what I wanted to happen without taking him into account. Thank you for making me realize it, you're a good friend, " she smiled timidly.
"You're welcome," Jim nodded at her. "I know that it is not your intention to disregard his feelings, just take it as a lesson. Stop your tears now and go back to work," he says in kind as he continues to work.
"I will," Kaley said standing up. "Thank you again."
After a few moments, he has soaked again at work. Right after he finished with the piece he was working on earlier, he brushed a layer of varnish to preserve the color of the restored painting. Right after that, he started with the one that had arrived today for him to finish within 2-3 days. He began his ministrations he didn't notice that a lot of time passed by and it was already noon. He grabbed his bag and pulled out sandwiches and gave one to Kaley and then went back to his space to continue working while taking bites of his lunch.
He was trying his best not to think about the recent dream he had. But when his head will lost focus on his work, his thoughts will think about the dream. He was even listening to music while working but he still is bothered by his dream. He wants to see the portrait once again. So he decided to drive by the museum before heading home after work just for him to collect his thoughts. He doesn't feel the need to share this information even if he should because it was quite disturbing. He sighs as he continued to work to finish what he can and leave to go to the museum since he doesn't have anything planned right after.
Mayim
She walked absentmindedly in the streets of Pasadena, her feet brought her back to the museum. It's her sense of calm and peace. But for an unknown reason, she just wants to see the portrait again. Truth be told that it looks so much like her, but that is not the reason why she wants to see it again. She just felt extremely sorry for the portrait especially when she read the background information about it. She just felt for whoever was Sheldon Cooper. There was this feeling of melancholy at the sight of the painting. With the chilly wind from the streets, she went inside the museum. There were some art pieces that she definitely didn't notice yesterday. Maybe because she was with her friends and her brain can't multitask from being chatty to keeping up with conversations and being keen with her observance around the museum. She took her time to marvel at the art pieces she missed until she came across the portrait again.
She stared at it long enough as she walked near the bench situated in front of it and sat there. Still marveling at the beauty of it. Although it kind of feels self-centered of her to marvel at a painting that looks exactly like her. She wondered what life would the woman have if she were to survive the plague. Wondering if the men during her time were like pricks just like she had. She hopes that wherever their souls are, they have met and continued. Her love life might be bad but it is not just everybody's, and that's what she chooses to believe. Walking up close to the portrait to see it closely, she began to talk to it.
"Your lover is so sweet aren't you?" she sniffed as she began. Her throat is still dry from crying previously. "Even when you already passed from tragedy, he didn't forget about you. You can even feel the love he can muster just by staring at you."
"I am sorry miss, but I don't think the portrait will reply to you," she jolted surprised by the voice of a man behind her. He quickly apologized as he saw her holding her chest from the shock. "I am so sorry miss. I don't mean to creep on you like that."
Looking up, she then met his gaze with genuine concern. Those damn blue eyes. She then realized who are those from, it was the man from that cafe. Being not able to talk, "I am sorry but I should g-" she quickly stopped him.
"N-no, it's fine. I was just surprised that's all. I was expecting to be alone in this exhibit. I didn't hear you coming and I am so sorry, you have to witness that," she admitted as she looked down. She couldn't bear to hold his stare. He smells so good, he smells masculine but not too overpowering. Subtle yet comforting. Not to mention his voice with a slight accent.
"Sorry for eavesdropping. I heard someone sobbing so I went there maybe I could be a bit of comfort. I shouldn't have disturbed your moment," he confessed earning a chuckle from her.
"I was having a moment. And thank you for getting me off the moment. I don't really want to cry anymore," she smiled sitting down on the bench near them because she could feel her knees give up anytime. He also sat down a few inches from her.
"I don't want to impose but can I be with your company tonight? I don't ask a stranger to come with them even if I just met them but I think it would be not a good idea for you to be alone in your state. But it is totally up to you if you'd prefer to be alone or accompanied by somebody," he asked.
He's so sweet and kind to ask her about this. It might be a good idea to talk to a stranger at this time. Not with her friends, she can't deal with their reaction if she would spill the truth. She looked up at his face and met his soft gaze. Even if he was just sitting near her, she was already comforted by his presence and the way he speaks to her with gentleness.
"Well, wouldn't be I an inconvenience to you?" she asked still sniffing not wanting to impose on his evening.
"No. Not at all. I am the one who asks you for your company, it would be weird to ask for a conversation if I have had thought you're an inconvenience," he smiled a toothy grin making her smile sheepishly. He is so cute"Oh wait, I haven't introduced myself. I am Sh-James. But you can call me Jim." he smiled as he offered his hand for a handshake.
Looking down at his hand being offered, she didn't know why she suddenly became kind of weak. She is not like this and she will school herself for acting like this to a person she just met. Accepting his warm welcoming hand, she shook it gently.
"Mayim. My name is Mayim. Nice to meet you, Jim."
Jim
Right after he was done for the day at work, he undressed his coat and told Kaley that he'll go out first since she started late with work. Kaley just nodded and bit him goodbye as she continues to work. He went ahead and exited their building and had a coffee to go before walking his way to the museum. There were significantly fewer people than yesterday as it was a Sunday evening. He had a quiet time as he walked through some of the paintings he had worked with a few days ago and other pieces that piqued his interest.
He was engrossed in everything he was seeing till he walked through the exhibit near Amy when he heard soft sobs nearby. He followed the sound quietly and he saw her once again. Remembering the last time he saw her, she was very happy yesterday with whoever she was with. And now as he can see and hear, she is deeply sorrowful. Her eyes are puffy and for sure she has been crying for some time now.What's with the girls today?. She was sitting at the bench in front of the painting when she stood and was muttering words to the painting. It was faint but he could hear some of them.
He wondered what may have upset her. He just wants to comfort her without thinking twice he stood behind her and talks to her. There was a look of shock and she even held her chest when she looked at his face. She stood there quietly as he apologized again for creeping on her like that. When he was about to leave, her gaze softened and avoided his gaze. Seeing her in this state made him want to accompany her through the night. No funny business, just to let her express what may have upset her. Her nose was red and puffy and so as her eyes because of her crying. He asked her if she would let him accompany her tonight.
He introduced himself, forgetting to do it first before asking her to go out. Which is very silly of him. Shaking at his thoughts, he offered his hand for a handshake smiling widely when she accepted it with a smile and stated her name in return. So her name is Mayim.
"Mayim...water in Hebrew," his mouth slipped and it was too late to realize. Mayim's eyes widened in surprise because of the reference.
"You speak Hebrew?" she wondered her eyes glimmered in a different shock.
"I am friends with a Jew during high school and I have picked some words here and there. Your name suits you by the way," he admits making Mayim blush. "Should we go?" he added avoiding her gaze.
She nodded in response as they stood up and walked together to exit the museum. They were both quiet since they do not know what topic they would talk about. Breaking the silence, Mayim spoke and...
"I think I saw you at a cafe a few days ago," she uttered as they continue to walk through the breezy night.
He stopped walking and looked at her with a questioning face. So she remembers me?
"Oh, I don't know. I was told that I look like a lot of people or animals. It may not be me," he lied while he continued to walk and looked straight ahead.
She chuckled and asked, "Like who and what?"
"Well, I was told that I look like Pee Wee Herman when I am dressed formally," he said casually, making Mayim laugh. He looked at her while acting like he was offended.
"Sorry. I don't mean to be rude," she said still chuckling at him. He joins her laughter.
"I do actually see it sometimes although I don't share that hairstyle as he does. And I have always been told that I look like a praying mantis. Sometimes by my friends, by my mother...a lot," he laughed making Mayim laugh even harder. "There, smile."
"Thanks. That's the first time today," she admitted as she wipes the tears from laughing. When her laughter died down, he had felt the urge to ask her.
"I don't mean to be nosy, but I am certain that you are not okay. May I ask what happened to you?" he asked looking down.
"I will only tell you once you'll tell me where we are going," with a stern look on her face but smiling a little.
"That's why I asked. We need to go to the appropriate place. If you are mourning, we can go somewhere that makes you forget about the sorrow. If you're upset, we can go somewhere to express your anger. If you're happy, and you know it...clap your hands," he joked making Mayim chortle.
"Well, I am enraged and hurt at the same time. What will be the place that is appropriate for what I am feeling?" she smiled at Jim.
Third Person's POV
Jim called an Uber and they both shared a ride. Mayim does not have any idea where he would bring her but she was not worried at all. All she felt was she was comfortable around him. When they bumped into each other at the museum, she didn't feel icky or uncomfortable. It was because of his voice that is ever so mellow and gentle almost caressing her. Sitting next to him in an Uber was not uncomfortable either. He gave her enough space inside the car and would glance at her from time to time to ask her if she was okay. She smiles in response because she got nothing else to say. How come a stranger like him treats me like this after meeting me a few minutes ago? She thought to herself while looking outside the car to know they were going.
Jim on the second hand was steadying his breath to keep his cool. He can't believe that talking her to come with him here was not difficult but he was still anxious because he can still mess up in the middle of the night. What if he blurts out that he is her lover from the past and would never want to see him again? Thoughts had run through his mind that he didn't even realize that the uber had stopped.
"This is our stop, thank you," Jim spoke to the rider once they arrive at their destination. He quickly then added, "Wait here, I'll open the door for you," Mayim was touched by this that she was left speechless and just let him open the door for her even if she could do it herself. When she came down from the car, she read the sign outside the establishment that says 'Rage Symposium'
"Rage Symposium? What is this place?" she wondered as they got nearer the main entrance of the building.
"I have a friend that is a girl but not my girlfriend who had introduced me to a lot of things she had done and yet to try. This was a place she had raved me for days after being here when she and her boyfriend got into a fight and she was also PMSing really hard. This is a rage room where you can throw plates to the wall while cussing, shoot a gun at a standee with the face that you hate, bash a television with a bat, and if that's not enough, you can also use an axe to throw it to the wall with a photo of the person you are angry at," he spoke casually as they went inside. "You have only told me that you are sad and enraged so maybe you're dealing with something and I wish you to express that here since keeping it all inside just makes the anger worst."
She just nodded smiling lightly. "Thank you," was all she could say. How can he be thoughtful, she was a stranger. Maybe he wants something in return? Or he wants to hook up? But he doesn't seem to be like that kind of person. He was very gentle for a guy who just wants a hookup and is more likely to be very frisky and audacious but that's not like him. He was quite shy but stern, light yet fun. A person that she never knew someone she'd enjoy.
After talking to the lady at the front desk, they were guided with the rules and regulations of the establishment. Each customer is given a private room with the objects they wish to destroy, they also have the option of letting the customer bring their own item to whack. They were told that they are not allowed to go inside the private room if their safety wear is not yet worn. They are monitored with a security camera inside the private room just to monitor how they are doing (since some customers had tried to hurt themselves inside when they were alone). And once they were clear about that, they were then asked what kind of object would she like to destroy. She was given some options which Jim mentioned earlier and she just chose to bash a television. She was asked if she wants for somebody to be inside the rage room with her and she politely declined and said that she wants to be alone. Jim stayed outside with the other staff just looking at the monitor. Before she walked inside, Jim told her to just release it. Just like how you would open a can of cinnamon rolls. She smiled at him before releasing a sigh as she went inside alone in the private room.
Mayim held the bat in her right hand. She was not one to be violent so she was hesitant to sway the bat to a television that was innocent. She hesitated at first but then the voice of Ryan echoed in her head again. "You're not the one I am losing Mayim, you're losing me. You're no prize.", "Why don't you get a real job for once?",
his voice echoed in her head.
Enraged she grunt unconsciously and swayed the bat at the television. It hit the upper part of the Television leaving a crack. It made her exhilarated making her hit the television again now at its side. She hit it again and again mindlessly as she remembered all of the red flags she ignored throughout their relationship. She made herself believe that because Ryan frequently told her that he loves her, and she thought it was enough to hear it than him acting on it. Not once was he ever a supporting boyfriend. He always had time for other kinds of stuff when she was the one who asks of him. But when he needs her at times, she would be there no questions asked. She couldn't believe how stupid she was that she actually stayed in that kind of relationship even if she knows too well that she was better alone than to be with him. But she didn't want to admit that she was wrong to choose to stay with him than listen to what her friends conveyed at the beginning. It was her pride. It was herself to blame.
"I have loved you and all I ask you is to do the same to me and mean whenever you tell me that you love me, and you just made me your sex doll all this time?!" she yelled as she got infuriated with the thought.
"I gave you everything. You manipulated my life according to your wants. I stayed with you even if my friends who have loved me more than you could even give had expressed their opposition towards you! Yet you still insult me like I am nothing to you! Fuck you, Ryan!" as yelled as she furiously hit the television while tears streamed through her eyes once again.
Jim can do nothing but only watch her through the monitor. He cannot imagine the amount of anger she was carrying looking at the poor Television that she was even hesitating to touch earlier. She still manage to laugh earlier when he was cracking jokes that made him clueless about this wrath. He winced each time she swayed the bat in front of her while yelling about what pains her. If he could only take the pain away from her, he'd do it in a heartbeat. This was the least he could do for her.
"I lost everything the love I had with my life because it revolved around you fucking nitwit!" she screamed last time as she fell to the ground crying.
Jim quickly ran to come to her inside the room. When he opened the door, Mayim was still bawling and screaming her eyes out. Without asking if he could enter, he kneeled near her caressing her back telling her that it was okay. He wasn't sure if she would allow him to touch her for comfort and it surprised him when she turned around and hugged him while still crying. She rested her face in the crook of his neck. They were in a very intimate position but he didn't mind. He just want to let her empty her eyes while he gently strokes her back and they stayed like that until she calmed a bit down.
Mayim then realized that she had held him for a very long time. She quickly let go of him and looked down and giggled as she sniffed from crying.
"Ugh...it's your first time meeting me and you heard all of those. And in this state. That's a great introduction to getting to know me," she admits giggling a bit.
Jim just smiled at her a little, "It's okay. For a 'getting to know me' introduction that was a bit too much. And intense," he made his eyes wide dramatically earning a giggle from Mayim. "I just kid. It's not what I do whenever I met someone new, but I just think that you need this tonight. I just hope that you feel better now. Are you?" he asked looking at her with concern on his face.
Mayim shook her head no. Jim gave her a quizzingly look, "Do you want to do it some more? But no offense girly, you look kind of run down. If you continued to do it, you'll lose your voice as if you were from Beyoncé's concert singing 'Break My Soul' out loud," he poked at her making her laugh again.
"I don't want to do it anymore but I really got hungry from doing this so I am not okay. Anger and hunger don't bode well. So do you know a place where I can go if I am famished and a bit run down?" she asked mocking him a bit.
"Hmmm... I usually know places because I have been there and experience them myself. I have never been famished after being run down...but let's see," he said pretending to think while rubbing his chin and looking up. Mayim slapped him gently as they stood up from the ground from all the crying and the shards from the smashed television.
They left the things they have rented through the therapy of Mayim's anger release. They thanked the people there before they walked again to go outside to go to their next destination.
"Come on, do you know a place we can go to? It's my treat!" Mayim exclaimed as they walked through the exit from the building. Jim slightly shook his head no making Mayim's face sad for a little bit. She worries that this will be the end of the night but she doesn't want to go home yet. She still wants to be around him.
"Haha, I am just kidding. Of course, I know a place. But would you be fine if there will be glitter in our food and there are naked people dancing on a pole in front of us?" he asked with a serious face making Mayim laugh again.
"Why would we go to a strip club?!" she asked while still laughing.
"Well, first it's just a suggestion so it is up to you if you consent and we go. Second, you are run down, don't you want to be entertained and stare at sexy masculine bodies that are glimmering in sweat and body oil?" he asked,
"If that's your definition of entertainment while eating then I don't know what's wrong with you. But I don't need any of those. I just want to shove food in my mouth. I haven't eaten anything today," she admits Jim just looked at her with a shock on his face.
"Why didn't you tell me?! Enough talking, let's go," he was about to grab Mayim's wrists when he stopped and looked at her. "Would it be okay for me to hold you?" he asks in kind.
"I already wrapped myself around you earlier, I don't see why not," she replied that making Jim chuckle and held her wrist while dragging her to a curb.
They continued to walk while poking a bit at each other. Just meeting someone for only a few hours, they became really comfortable with each other. Jim then dragged her to a diner not far from the rage room and let her order what she wanted. Since it was Mayim that will pay, he only ordered a shake and fries and nothing more. Mayim on the other hand was telling him to order more. But he was adamant that fries and a shake would be fine for him. She felt bad that it is all he got after ordering a lot for herself.
As they started to eat, Mayim told her all about the reason why he found her with puffy eyes talking to a portrait that looks like her. She told her all about how Ryan her now ex-boyfriend. How they met, how she fell in love, and how their relationship grew cold and distant. He listen intently to her as she told him how she ignored the toxicity he was bringing to the relationship thinking that it was a phase and that it will pass through time yet he was the one who doesn't want to communicate with her. She ignored the body language her friends threw at her about Ryan, she ignores the insult thinking that his insults were actually constructive criticism thinking that her writing will go nowhere after publishing the first one that became a hit. He did not comment on Mayim's love life as it were because he just want her to rant to him. To release all of that heat from her. It was rare for her to talk a lot about personal matters because she was not used to sharing this part of her life. But she feels like with him, she needs not to worry. He was just all ears at her. No judgment. No snicker. No insult. No disregard for her feelings. But whoever the hell Ryan was, he hopes that he could succumb somewhere. He does not deserve anything from this woman, not even a kiss from her foot.
"And that's why I am famished," she said as she took a big bite of her sandwich.
He just nodded to sympathize with her, "Breaking up is very hard especially if you are around that person for a very long time. It's not easy to just wake up and convince yourself that you are not with that person anymore."
"Yeah. But I actually don't care about him at all. I will spend these days being this free to focus on doing what I love," she says fondly as she took another bite and dances a little as she chews in them.
"And that is..."
"Writing. I love writing. I am an author," she admits nonchalantly as if it's not a big deal. When he looked at Jim, Jim just stared at her with a gap in his mouth.
"You're an author?! That's awesome!" he said with awe in his eyes. "Is there anything you wrote that I may have known?"
"I doubt that you know Tapped for Duty, The Secret of the Red-Headed Mistress, and uhm...Dangerous Thi-,"
"You're Amaya B?!" he exclaimed then covered his mouth with his hand. "You're the author, Amaya B," he repeated but now whispering. She nodded not looking at him, her cheeks reddened not expecting a fan to be here in front of her. It was the first time she introduced herself to another person about her occupation. Usually, when she was asked, she would just say that she is a freelancer.
"It's an honor to meet you, I have most of your book. I had all of them but Kaley borrowed them and had not returned them yet," he says as he looks at her fondly. Putting his hand in front of her and she took his hand and gently shook it while giggling. "Oh my God, I am in front of my favorite author next to James Patterson, J.K Rowling, Agatha Christie, and Ruth Rendell," he says as he shook his head in disbelief.
Her blush just got worst mentioning these authors that are world-renowned for their novels. She appreciated the compliment.
"Thank you," is all she could say.
"Why did you keep yourself anonymous? You should be popular for how well you write. And as a fan, I could really attest that you are passionate about writing. You deserve recognition," he says genuinely making her cheeks red even more.
"I don't know. I just want my books to be known, not me. I let my work speak for itself. I just want to express the passion and maybe the inspiration I got for why I wrote it in the first place. The recognition is only a bonus, I will still be Amaya," she chuckled. "How about you though, what do you do for a living?" she asked as she continued to eat her dinner.
"I am a conservator," he replied to her question. "And I have been for a decade and a half," he added as he also took some fries, dipped them in the shake, and ate them.
Returning the look he gave her after revealing that she was an author, Jim just laughed at her. "Stop!" he says as he continued to chuckle.
"I am quite fond of museums since was a kid. I like to go before with my grandfather and we continued to do that until he passed. It's not the same without him but museums are my peace of mind. And writing of course." she admitted making Jim's heart feel sad for her. Love from a grandparent is surely different from a parent-child relationship and hearing her speak fondly of her grandfather made him remember his grandmother. "Knowing someone whose job is to preserve my eye porn is also a privilege. Thank you for your service, kind sir," she chuckled offering her hand in a handshake. Somehow the last part seems familiar
"You're welcome," he blushed as he took her hand for a handshake. "When I was young, my mother and grandmother likes to paint. Besides cooking in the kitchen it is something they bond with. My grandfather died when my mom was still a teen and she swore that she will never make my grandmother feel that she was alone and that they had each other. It was through painting that my grandmother expressed her longing for my grandfather. And it is also how my mother expressed anything on her mind including her love for my grandma. I grew up in a household full of art pieces with different mediums and different motifs. Since I was a kid, I never want my mother to lose the happiness that painting made her and so as my grandma. So I figured out what can I do to help them preserve it, so I took a master's degree in chemistry to help me learn how to properly preserve paintings. And now, that's what I do for a living," he says fondly with a sense of pride.
"Wow...just wow. I bet your mom is proud of you," she says making Jim nod as he looks down at his plate. "Do you work in a museum or do you receive commissions from different people?"
"The second one," Jim says. "Last week I worked with the museum where we met earlier. And Epitome of Heaven was one of the paintings I restored," he admitted staring at Mayim.
Walking her to her apartment after their dinner was fun. They talked a lot. They both seem to know each other wherein fact it was not even a full day since they knew each other. Except for Jim who knew her past life with him, still they had a great time being Jim and Mayim.
"Hey..." he started making Mayim's eyes look at himThose green eyes, he thought to himself. "Would it be too much to ask you for an autograph? I don't have my books with me right now b-" Mayim cut him off.
"Of course! After all we've shared with each other tonight, we're acquaintances now. Or even a friend! I might need to get you killed because you already know too much. You even know where I live now," she scoffs making him giggle. That's a start says Jim to himself.
"And you too! But can I ask you for your number?" he asks shyly scratching the back of his head.
"Oh come on! Just follow me on social media, we are living in the 21st century grandpa! It's missmayim on all social media platforms," she tells him while giggling. "Just joking, give me your phone," she says as she types her number on his phone. She returned it to him making him smile.
"But seriously now, thank you for tonight. You're a good person, Jim," she admits looking at him genuinely.
"You are welcome, Mayim," he smiles back at her.
It was not his plan to meet her this way, but this turned out better than he was anticipating. Everything came very naturally to them. He just hopes that once he leaves her on her own vices she won't be thinking about her one dumbass of an ex. He hopes to see her again soon. The world is small so that's a possibility.