Feelings

“I’m asking this for the last time, are you sure this is what you want? Because when I walk out that door, I am not coming back.”

Naeem dropped the box on the back of the truck as he turned to Indigo with a growing frustration. Her deep, russet brown eyes squinted and she nodded. Closing the back of the truck, Naeem walked around her and grabbed his last bags before tossing them in the backseat of the truck.

“It’s just something I feel like we shouldn’t continue when we’re both in different spaces in life.” She voiced quietly.

“That’s fine, I’m cool with that.” He agreed as he handed her a lock box.

“What’s this?” She inquired, curiously.

Turning to her completely, Naeem looked down at her. “That is your half of the rent from over the last four years of living together. I’ve been saving it for when you need extra money, since you know your half wasn’t even half of a half of the rent. I just wanted you to always have something in your pockets.” He explained.

Coming to a slow realization, Indigo’s mouth dropped. “H-How much is the rent here?” She questioned.

“Thirty-five hundred, so you might be a little light for next month rent.” He explained as he walked around to the driver’s side of the truck.

“Wait, Naeem,” her pleas were met with deaf ears as the pulled off.

Tightening his knuckles as he gripped the steering wheels, Naeem wasn’t sure if he wanted to be angry or sad. There were mixed emotions because ending a good relationship didn’t make sense to him. The only solace it brought him was that he saw Indigo’s true self after so long.

If that’s what she wanted then, that’s what he’d give her.

His phone rung, dragging him from his thoughts. It was just Indigo, instead of answering, Naeem ignored the call and blocked her number. His thoughts were now on his next destination which was far, far away from the city.

The only thing that he needed was the quiet of himself and nothing else around him. With the most rural part of town miles out, his family own properties that were turned into cabins near the mountains. It was one of his favorite places, so much that he pushed for his father to invest into the business.

He before turning off his phone, Naeem decided to call his sister to let her know that he’d be off the grid for a while. Hesitation paused his movement knowing the rapid questions that would be shot at him. He didn’t have to explain himself, but it’s better than her snooping around.

“I’m busy, make it fast.”

She answered with a tired and annoyed tone.

“I’m about to go off the grid for a while, let momma and pops know for me. I ain’t in the mood to explain shit, just know I’m no longer living in that apartment so don’t pop up there.” He informed her.

She hummed, “You finally left that girl? Alright, I’m too busy anyways to bother you about it. I’m just glad you left her ass.” She muttered.

“I bet. I just need some peace of mind for a bit.”

“Alright, I’ll let our folks know. At least check in every three days, you can do that, can’t you?” She questioned.

Naeem’s shoulders dropped and groaned, “I can try, but if I don’t, I’m fine.” He promised.

The call disconnected and on the long road, Naeem couldn’t help but to replay the last couple of weeks in his mind. He knew that things felt off, but he was busy and he didn’t think that Indigo was unhappy with how things were going. He paid for everything, bought her gifts and planned trips for her during on special occasions.

Of course he didn’t disclose his monetary income with her, neither she with him. But working a normal nine to five was enough for him, of course having extra money in the bank funded his lifestyle, even if it was below his means. She was never vocal if she was unhappy, but her attitude toward things did start to make sense and maybe she was cheating. Thinking of that pissed him off, Naeem didn’t play with his health.

As he drove, he started to notice the scenery change from buildings to greenery and open space. The air became fresher and the skies clearer. If he wanted to, he could’ve lived out here but the commute was not something he would enjoy.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

By the time that he arrived to the cabin, he parked in front of his favorite one with the best view before heading to the office to collect the key. As he gathered his things out of the backseat of the truck, he could hear a door opening and then close. Looking up, a woman was leaving the cabin and just as their eyes met the clatter of paint brushes and an easel hitting the wooden porch interrupted them.

“You good?” Naeem rushed over to help her collect her items.

“Thank you, I’m fine, it’s just a lot of thing I have to carry.” She flashed smile at him as she reached for the paint from his hand.

“Are you staying in this cabin?” He inquired.

“I am, are you trying to kill me? Good luck cause you’d have to catch me first.” She responded with a short snicker.

Caught off-guard, Naeem shook his head as he fumbled over his words. “No, no, it’s just that when I usually come here, I get this cabin here.” He explained.

“Ohh, sorry, the view is so amazing that I don’t think I can bring myself to trade.” She apologized, “Maybe next time,”

As she walked off down the trail, Naeem smiled to himself, happy that at least someone was enjoying it. There was nothing he could do about it and he wasn’t all that spoiled that he would kick a woman out of their cabin that they paid for. He walked to the main office and signed into the system to claim another cabin.

It was a little further away but the view of the waterfall was just as breathtaking as the view of the mountains. He filled the closet and dresser with his clothes, making himself at home. As he filled the the top drawer with his belongings, his eyes wandered to the window at the sight of the waterfall. The sound of rushing waters filling his room with an ambiance of nature.

Just a few feet away the woman from before stood at the edge of bank where the water gathered, barefoot and hair thrown in a high bun at the top of her head. She sat down and pulled a sketchbook onto her lap as she stared out at the sight in front of her. Naeem turned away, he closed the curtains and finished with straightening up his space.

Moving the kitchen area, the fridge was cleaned and ready to be filled with food. He unlocked his phone to see multiple messages from his brothers and his dad, ignoring them he opened the delivery app that was ran through their business. The cabins were further out and drivers are hired to pick up and deliver groceries and food to guests.

It would be two hours until his purchase would be delivered, enough time for Naeem to clear his mind with a run. He locked his cabin, putting his wireless headphone into his ear to listen to his playlist. Down the dirt trail, he took off in a sprint.

He couldn’t shake his confusion but there was just something that nagged at him in the back of his mind. The view of the greenery passing him by interrupted his thought, it was an amazing sight that he couldn’t ignore. Slowing down into a jog, he watched his surrounding to see birds and dragonflies flying away or overhead.

The sound of the waterfall grew louder, the fork in the trail, the left side led to the waterfall while the right side continued on the hiking trail. Naeem stood there, just listening to the rushing water for a while longer before taking the right side, he continued on his jog for another thirty minutes. Seeing a large boulder up ahead, he slowed and leaned against it as he caught his breath.

Being surrounded by the green, deep greens, Naeem began to feel at ease. It was almost relaxing being in nature, he couldn’t help but ground himself as he slid down the rough rock and settled on the ground. With his head in his hands he stared at the dirt as his mind start to wander once again.

“Hello, stranger.”

The greeting met his ears with a small giggle at the end, Naeem lifted his head to see the same woman from earlier. She was dragging the easel behind her as she walked the trail. He stood up and dusted off his pants.

“Hey, you need some help?” He offered.

“I’m good, thank you though, are you heading this way?” She responded.

Naeem didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, looking down the trail, he shook his head. “No, I’m heading back actually.” He told her.

“Oh, thought I’d have some company. Well, I’ll see you around.” She walked ahead, leaving him at the boulder.

Naeem cleared his throat, “I could go a little further, if you don’t mind me tagging along.” He suggested.

“That’s up to you,” she chuckled without a glance back.

Hesitating to take a step forward, Naeem turned and went the opposite direction, for his own safety. They were strangers, and his dad taught him not to be alone with a woman that he didn’t know well. Intentions could be innocent but court and lawyers were more annoying to deal with.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

As he returned to his cabin, he sat in the living room after starting the fireplace. The delivery tracker was cited that the shopper was still inside the store and would be checking out soon. The sheer boredom struck him and there seemed to be nothing that could suffice the need for something to keep him busy.

He scrolled his phone, realizing he still had some cleaning up to do. As he went through his contact, he blocked and deleted Indigo’s mother’s number from his phone. He enjoyed their weekly conversations catching up with one another but he felt like having anyone connected to her was just an opening for her to slither her way back into his life. Though he doesn’t use social media often, he don’t check his messages and restricted her from messaging him.

It was just the little things that brought him just a smidge of joy just to know that her struggle to get in contact with him would be in vain. Childish or not, it brought him happiness, just like knowing she’d be out of an apartment by the end of the month. But in the depth of his mind, he couldn’t help but worry about her.

Of course the break up hit him out of nowhere. It stung like hell that the woman he could see himself with long-term let him go so easily. It ate at him, wondering who else could’ve replaced him.

But begging and pleading was beneath him, clinging to the bitterness and cold attitude was the only way he could push on from the failed relationship. Maybe it’s his shallow nature but he wanted to move on quickly and the only way to do that was to find someone else. Sitting with himself and his feelings was only one way that he didn’t enjoy much of it.

His phone vibrated in his hand, a notification flashed across the screen, Naeem stood to meet the delivery person outside and collect his groceries. Upon opening the door, his delivery driver was setting his things in front of the door. He gathered what he could and brought them inside with just two trips.

“Thank you,” he smiled, tipping the driver a twenty.

“Thank you, have a good day.”

Kicking the door closed with his foot, he put everything away and returned to the bedroom for the rest of the evening. He opened his curtain to see the waterfall along with the mysterious woman again. Searching in the grass with anxiety and frustration etched on her face.

“You alright?” Naeem asked, lifting the window open.

“I lost something,” She tossed back as she sat up on her knees.

“Do you need help? It’ll be dark soon.” He offered.

“No,” she sighed, “no, it’s for the best that it stays lost.”

Her tone held defeat as she raised up from the ground, Naeem frowned as she turned around revealing red and puffy eyes. She smiled and approached the window leaning against the frame. Naeem stared at her, her dark, amber eyes held a sadness to it.

“We seem to meet each other a lot.” She said.

“We do,” Naeem agreed a small smile settling on his lips.

A beat of silence between them, Naeem cleared his throat. He was at a loss for words, that didn’t happen often. He was a smooth talker, taught by his father.

“You’re beautiful,” He chuckled.

The woman in front of him smiled wider, “Yeah? So, what should we do about it?” She questions.

Taken aback, Naeem blinked, “What do you mean?” He asked.

“You think I’m beautiful,” She repeated, her eyes moved from his face down his body, “You’re alright, so what you tryna do about it?” she clasped her hands behind her back.

Naeem took in the appeared of paint covered overalls with paintbrushes stuck into various pockets. Her hair more messier than it was before with curls sticking out of the bun. All while the lowering sun shining against her golden, tawny brown skin.

He wasn’t used to women being as bold in return, most were bashful, some ignored his advances. But wildly shocked that a woman has flipped the switch on him and now he was speechless. As his mouth opened and closed, he still couldn’t answer.

“You have some gorgeous deep green eyes,” she purred softly.

His eyes were mostly brown with specks of green, sometimes they were more green if the sun shone in the right way, or maybe they’re more brown.

“Would you like to join me for dinner?” He asked.

She stepped back, smiling, “Sure, my name’s Inez by the way.” she offered a hand to him.

Naeem took her slim hand into his own, “I’m Naeem,”

“I’m going to go get cleaned up, I’ll meet you back here later.” She told him, slipping her hand out of his.

“Alright, I’ll be waiting.”

Inez hummed and walked away, Naeem closed the window and sat on the edge of the bed staring out at the waterfall. He was awe-struck, thinking that he found the perfect distraction. It was all that he needed, a little fling to keep him occupied.

Her smile came to mind again, but so did her sad eyes. Even then, she was gorgeous and her personality interested him. It was evident that she was into him as well, at least, that’s what he assumed.