Hey
POV - Samantha Smith (Present)
My moon ray when darkness seems near
A burst of energy exploded into my cozy little reception area as Freya practically flew through the door. Her radiant smile hit me like a physical force, illuminating the space like pure sunshine. Behind her, the doorbell chimed its irritating little tune, but honestly, I barely registered it. Freya’s presence was instantly captivating, pulling my attention even as I stood there, mid-transaction, with a customer. Still clutching the pen I’d been using, I couldn’t help but let a sheepish grin spread across my face as I gave her a quick wave of acknowledgment.
Finally, I handed the customer his car keys. “That will be R150 for the wash. Will that be all for you today?” I kept my voice friendly and professional, a standard I maintained even when my mind was already halfway across the room. His hand, perfectly manicured and dark against the worn counter, reached out for the keys. “Niyabonga sissy, that will be all for me today,” he said graciously, and then he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
“God, I despise that doorbell,” I muttered under my breath, the sudden quiet a welcome relief. At last, I was free to join Freya. She was already settled at our usual corner table, completely absorbed by her laptop screen, her face glowing with an anticipation that was almost tangible. The low hum of scattered conversations and the comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air around us, a familiar atmosphere that always felt a little like home.
I walked over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Leaning in slightly, my smile feeling genuinely warm, I asked, “And then? What has got you grinning like that?” Her excitement was too ecstatic to stay contained. She jumped up, pulling me into one of her signature affectionate embraces. For a moment, I felt that familiar wave of euphoria that only Freya seemed capable of creating, her arms tight around me. When she pulled back, her piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a beat, I felt like she could see right through me, deep into my soul.
“Seriously, why are you smiling like a fool glued to your laptop screen?” I asked again, unable to rein in my curiosity. A mischievous glint sparked in her eyes. Without a word, she picked up a white disposable coffee cup from the table and held it out to me. Steam curled lazily from the rim, carrying the rich, deep aroma of extra-strong dark roast. “Here’s your coffee, Sam,” she said, her voice soft with affection. “Strong, no milk or sugar, just the way you love it.” She gestured to the chair opposite her. “Sit down before I reveal anything.”
I couldn’t help but giggle as I took my seat, the warmth of the coffee cup a comforting weight in my palms. The invigorating aroma wrapped around me, a jolt of pure bliss that awakened my senses and soothed something deep within my chest. “You always know how to brighten a woman’s morning, Fay,” I said, taking my first savouring sip, the anticipation for her news bubbling inside me.
“Oh, and by the way,” she added, leaning in conspiratorially, her voice dropping to a whisper. “That peach blouse you’re wearing? It complements your dark hair incredibly.” Her fingers lightly brushed against my sleeve as she spoke, and a ridiculous shiver danced down my spine. Blushing uncontrollably, I quickly glanced down at my coffee cup, incredibly grateful for the warmth it provided, hoping it somehow hid the flush I felt creeping up my neck and cheeks.
Freya chuckled softly, that playful glint still in her eyes. “Aww, I see a little tomato forming there,” she teased, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Stop being a tease!” I retorted, a flash of irritation cutting through my shyness. “Now, tell me why you were smiling like a lunatic at your laptop screen, or did you come here solely to compliment my outfit?” I took another sip of the bittersweet liquid. The robust flavour and warmth offered a welcomed sensation, helping to calm the persistent hum of anxiety that always seemed to vibrate just beneath the surface of my thoughts.
She took a moment, composing herself, coughing once or twice. “Alright, alright, I’m sorry,” she said sincerely, holding her hands up in a gesture of peace. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Sam. I just... I genuinely think you look absolutely extraordinary in that blouse.” She paused, then plunged forward. “You remember ′The Calling′ that I published six months ago? My book?”
I nodded immediately, a smile filled with obvious admiration forming on my lips. “Yes,” I replied. “I’ve read it three times, Fay. And with every word, I was transported to a world of pure magic. It’s beautiful.” Freya’s grin widened, stretching from ear to ear, radiating a contagious happiness that reached deep into my soul, warming places I didn’t even know were cold. Her delicate fingers intertwined with mine across the table. As her warmth enveloped my hand, a delightful cascade of tingles danced through my abdomen, leaving me feeling breathless and overwhelmed in her presence. “Well, guess what,” she exclaimed, her voice thick with passion and excitement, before abruptly pulling her hand away and throwing them up in the air. “I received an email from my publisher! ′The Calling′ has been recognized as an international bestseller!”
“Wow, Fay!” The words burst out of me, pure excitement making it impossible to contain myself. I rose from my chair, reaching out to hold her close, breathing in the intoxicating, familiar scent of sandalwood that always clung to her. “You truly deserve this success,” I said softly, my voice thick with pride. “I’ve witnessed your relentless dedication, all those countless sleepless nights since forever.” As a single tear escaped Freya’s eye, I felt that familiar tightness, a lump forming in my own throat, overwhelmed by the depth of her emotions mirroring my own. “Now you’re going to make me emotional too,” I chuckled, brushing away the tear with my thumb. “Come, let’s sit before we both dissolve into a puddle,” I insisted gently, guiding her back to our seats.
“Anyway!” I said, my voice still feeling a little tinged with that raw emotion as we settled back down. The sun’s rays slanted through the large windows, catching Freya’s ash-blond pixie cut and making it shimmer like a halo around her head. She delicately sipped at her cappuccino, the small sound mingling with the gentle hum of conversation around us. “I have good news too,” I added, unable to hold onto my own excitement any longer.
Freya’s eyes sparkled, her radiant smile urging me on. “Come then! Don’t leave me hanging...” she prodded playfully.
“Well, Fay,” I began, running my fingers through my hair, an old habit born of exasperation. “Rick finally collected the last of his belongings from the house this morning.” I took a breath. “He even returned the key within an hour. I was utterly surprised, honestly.” A strange mix of relief and disbelief coloured my words, even to my own ears.
A mischievous grin spread across Freya’s face, a reflection of my own mixed feelings. “It’s about time that asshole removed his shit!” she exclaimed. “I mean, the divorce has been going on for three months, and he moved out five months ago. I swear he deliberately took his sweet time just to aggravate you,” she vented, throwing her hands up in the air, her frustration a mirror of mine from weeks past. I just nodded, knowing she was probably right.
“Anyway,” I said, taking a deep, steadying breath. “Now I can finally move on with my life. For the first time in fifteen years, I don’t feel like these massive weights are holding me down.” A profound sense of liberation washed over me, lighter than I’d felt in what felt like an age, as I emptied the last drop of my dark roast.
“Yeah, I know,” Freya whispered, her voice laced with that unwavering support I’d always relied on. Suddenly, she jumped up from the wooden chair, her jet-black boots hitting the tiles with a resounding thud that startled me a little. “Sam! I just had an amazing idea!” she exclaimed, her eyes shining with that familiar, slightly terrifying excitement.
Instinctively, without even thinking, I responded, “No.” It was an automatic reflex, born from the countless misadventures that had inevitably followed her ’amazing ideas’ throughout the years.
“But why not?” she questioned, her voice filled with perplexity, looking quite hurt. “We have to celebrate! We both had a breakthrough today.”
I sighed, a familiar weariness settling in. Deep down, I knew resistance was futile when Freya got like this. “You know why, Fay,” I replied, my voice tinged with resignation. “There’s always some sort of misfortune that befalls us when you have one of your amazing ideas.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief for a moment, a flicker of hurt crossing her face. “That’s not fair, Sam! It’s never my fault, and you know it!” she protested, sinking back into her seat with a huff.
Ugh, she’s playing you, and you know it, I thought, battling my own instincts, the small voice of anxiety urging me to just say no and stay safely inside. But then I saw the hopeful, infectious beam of joy starting to spread across her face again, and my resolve began to crumble. “Alright, Fay,” I said, finally surrendering to her infectious energy. “Indulge me.”
She beamed, that smile transforming her into a radiant force of nature, melting away my remaining resistance like a warm summer breeze. “So?” I prompted, unable to resist that enthusiasm. “You gonna keep me waiting the whole day? Let it out!”
“Let’s go to the shanty,” she said, the excitement palpable in her voice.
My stomach clenched instantly, a familiar twinge of anxiety creeping up my spine. “Fay, you know I hate that place,” I protested, the words coming out faster than I intended. “It’s filled with testosterone-fueled, alcohol-induced dickheads.” As I saw the disappointment settle on her face, my heart sank a little, a wave of frustration at my own reaction, at her suggestion, seeping into my thoughts. Why did she always want to go places that made me feel so exposed and on edge?
But I knew that look. I knew she wouldn’t back down. “Alright,” I conceded, making one non-negotiable demand. “But I’m driving!” I pointed in her direction, determined to ensure that at least some semblance of safety and control existed amidst the inevitable chaos of a night out with Freya, especially in a place like that.
“You know I love you, right?” she said, a sudden burst of affection making her launch herself at me, nearly toppling me off the chair in her exuberance.
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” I replied, wrapping my arms around her, the comforting scent of sandalwood enveloping us once more. In that moment, holding her close, I felt that familiar reassurance settle over me, reminding me that no matter what misadventures awaited us out there, together, somehow, we could conquer anything.
