ONE

Drake groaned as he hit his steering wheel angrily. Despite living in the country for five years, he still could not understand why its residents were so uncivilized.  

The small group of women who had been standing at the middle of the road, talking and laughing in reckless abandon, turned to look at him - brows furrowed in annoyance like he had just infringed on their rights - when he honked at them. They murmured words to one another as they parted for him to drive through.  

Rolling his eyes secretly, Drake reluctantly waved to them and drove past, glad to be free finally.

The road was clear and void of cars as he drove further. This was not surprising for it had always been that way; few people owned a car in Geodan: the country he lived in. Drake wondered if it was the same in town. He had often heard about the hustle and bustle of the town people and wished to see for himself one day.

Though he loved the peaceful and serene atmosphere the country gave, he preferred living in a place no one knew he existed. He hoped he would be given some basked pastries in town just like he had been given when he had just relocated to Geodan by his late neighbours.  He still couldn't believe they were dead. 

The chirping of birds flying from one branch to the other broke the silence of the street and Drake listened to the melodious tune their chirping had formed. Huge trees at each side of the road danced in sync with the morning wind and the sun shone lazily, radiating brightness and warmth; it all felt like nature was throwing a small party. It was beautiful and Drake envied the freedom of nature.  

Here he was, driving to a work he dreaded with passion.  Despite the fact people considered his job perfect, all he wanted was to quit and the only reason he was still working there was for the high salary he was receiving.  If only he could get such pay by sitting on his bed with novels by his side,  how happy he would have been. 

"Just hold on." He whispered as images of the money he had seen that morning when he had checked his box, flashed through his memory. He was almost there and with his next three months salaries, he would meet his target. He had read on the paper how much an apartment in town cost so if he wanted to leave, he had to raise a fortune.  

Smiling at the thought of being close to his target, he whistled a bit but his smile soon dropped just as quickly as it formed when he noticed a familiar figure standing by the side of the road. There was a bag at each side of her hand and when she noticed an oncoming car, she dropped one of the bags to wave. 

Dunking his head to the side,  Drake drove past the lady, pretending not to see her even when he could hear her yelling his name. He knew she would definitely bring this up when next they met but he could care less. He had other things to worry about than worry about the country's gossip.

He could still remember how he had almost died from her never ending chatter the last time he had given her a ride. Her loud voice and laughter alone made him sick. She was a living radio and Drake couldn't imagine going through such torment again - not when his mind was filled with seeing Jeremy again. 

If only Jeremy could quit or get a new job, how sweet life would be.  

Rubbing his palm over his face, he sighed heavily.  

"Just hold on." He repeated, placing a hand on his chest and nodding his head. The smile returned to his face and he began to hum a happy tune.

He would survive just as he had always done. His mother had always informed him he was a strong man - mentally and internally. It was time he believed her; after all,  it was not everyone that would take all that he had endured right from the very first day he stepped into that building called school.  Thinking about his middle and high school days made him shiver. College was worst.

Burying his fingers into his head, he resolved to focus on the happy memory of his savings through out the day - that way he would be able to bear whatsoever the day threw at him.

Halfway through his journey, Drake noticed a lady jogging ahead of him. It was quite strange to see a lady jogging alone at that time of the day. Adjusting his glasses,  he watched her.

She was in a knee length short and a sleeveless top. Her body glistened with sweat and she wiped rigorously at the sweat forming on her forehead. Her hair was tied up in a bun but some stubborn strands fell on her face. 

She suddenly came to a stop, gasping and panting heavily. She placed both palms on her knees as sweat dripped from her body. Looking at her, Drake knew she was new in the country for he had never seen her before. Geodan was quite small so he knew virtually everyone.  

Squinting his eyes to take in her view, he shivered when her eyes met with his - dark and piercing. A frown took over her feature and she stood up straight, folding her arms and staring at him like she wanted to pounce on him.  Bothered by her intense stare, Drake averted his eyes immediately; his cheeks heating up in embarrassment as he drove past her. 

His heart thudded in his chest and he watched her from his rearview mirror; she hadn't  moved an inch from the spot she stood, still glaring at his car. He kept looking at his mirror till he lost sight of her and only then did he relax.  He placed a hand on his chest, exhaling loudly. He had met so many scary people but none like her.  She was beyond scary. He had expected a smile or a wave of hand at least  - something far from a glare - for a new resident. He wondered why she was in the country and what house she stayed.  

Despite having most girls glare at him at every slightest opportunity, he still wasn't used to the feeling.  It was like mere sight of him irritated them as most of the female employees at the company shook their heads in disgust, each time he walked past. What made him think that lady would treat him better? She was nothing like Nicole -  no one was - so he should expect none of Nicole's attribute from her.    

Parking his car at the company's parking lot, he took a deep breath before picking his briefcase which was by the seat beside him. The familiar feeling of dread and anxiety consumed his entire being, threatening to suffocate him, as he stared  at the huge intimidating building.

Reminding himself it was the last day of the week, he smiled wearily, hoping this reminder would calm his raging heart which now thudded loudly; he could hear it. He had once read in the papers that one's office was one's abode but It was quite different in his case. His office was his hell. 

Taking deep breaths, he drafted plans upon plans on how he would walk right into the building with his head bowed until he had gotten to his chair; he would  bury his head in his computer then, till it was closing hour. That didn't seem so hard so he would do just that. 

Balling his hand into a fist,  he took a final  breath and began walking with his head bowed; all he could see were different shoes moving and standing in groups - he could tell from the way they were patterned.  As he walked, he heard loud laughters and excited chatters from various direction and for some strange reasons,  he felt they were talking about him.  He had often wondered how it felt to have words rolling nonstop from his mouth. If only he could talk like them but he was tongue tied.

His plan of moving quietly to his office was shattered when he heard the familiar voice of a lady, calling his name. He groaned inwardly for he was just a few feet from the entrance. Sighing, he turned slowly to see the smiling face of Nicole. 

"Drake!" She held his wrist and he blushed at the contact. Despite her doing this each time she saw him, he still wasn't used to her touch. He wasn't used to anyone touching him.

"How are you?" She peered at his face; her smile bright and beautiful as usual.  

Not being able to retain her gaze and  bright smile which had suddenly become too bright like the sun, he stared at his shoes.   "I am fine."

"Good! Let's go in." She tightened her grip on his wrist and dragged him into the building.