Here For A Raincoat

Mila

Not even a day and I already hated this place. There was too much cold and too much rain. Sun was like a guest from another country, only giving glimpses once in awhile. After changing into my new clothes in a public washroom I spent fifteen roubles on food, because going from place to place on foot was too much energy consuming. And no place was ready to give me a job. The first small café I had tried in for a job had told me there was no vacancy.

 Another had asked for valid address, I didn’t have any presently. Another had just looked at me, asked me a question in a rapid Russian and then shook their head at me.

Now I was once again back at the place from where I had started. To my right was the station and to my left was what looked like a motel. I dragged myself to the motel and grimaced when the smell of oil and fish and meat hit my nose. When I entered the building I immediately regretted it as every eye there turned to look at me at the way the door made loud creaking noise when I had opened it. Thinking to leave before I found myself in more problem, I took a step back but a man came forward, stopping me.

 “How can I help you, birdy?”

Keeping my expression tension free, I said, “I was just… looking for a room to stay for a day.”

His eyes came back to me from how he was leering at me. “Of course, Birdy. Here…” I felt my skin stretched taut at the way all the men were still looking at me as if tracking my every step. “I have the one, that will be just right for you.”

 When he saw that I was just standing there and not following him, he stepped toward me. “Is there any problem?”

I shook my head. “No. No. My luggage is just outside, let me grab it.” I said, praying he wouldn’t point out the bag I was holding.

I turned to make my escape but he grabbed my hand and pulled me short. His teeth bared, he smiled, “Don’t worry. The men will help.”

And immediately two men stood up to go outside. Fuck. I twisted my hand subtly to get myself free of his hold. “It’s okay. I can do it.”

“You don’t have to.” The man said.

“Just forget it. I think I’ll look somewhere.” I said as I jerked my hand free and started to walk away as fast as I could.

The two men came back and blocked my exit. They both came forward ready to grab me. I ducked, escaping their hands but the man behind me grabbed my hair, pulling me back with a jerk. “Now, birdy. I forgot to tell you. No bird leaves this cage.” He laughed maniacally.

My heart hammered inside my chest with fear. But my mind reminded me what I have to do. It wasn’t like it was the first time something like that had happened since I ran from home. Breathing a long, deep breath, I slammed my head back and got the satisfied pained groan from the man as I hit his nose. I whirled around and smiled as I saw the blood trickling from his nose. My audience was momentarily stunned, I avoided the grasping hands as I ran to the door. But before I could open it, someone else did.

I came to a standstill but it didn’t matter because the man wasn’t looking at me or the other men that followed him. It felt like I was invisible as the men filed inside. I was barely aware of the other men shuffling and trying to make their own escape from the newcomers as my eyes followed the one who seemed like someone I should be more afraid of than the one who had grabbed me earlier.

But thankfully common sense kicked in and I ran out of that hellhole. Not knowing where to go and not wanting to check my luck in the alleyway, I made my way back to the shop I had left in the morning. To the old man who had been the only person to show me warmth in this cold city.

Halfway to the shop, the sky opened up and I was drenched in seconds before I reached the shop. It was dark and the door was closed, I stood there contemplating my choices but then the door opened and the kind, old man was standing in front of me. “Here for a raincoat, Kiddo?”

I bit the smile back and said, “No. I was wondering if the offer from the morning, for renting a room is still available or not?”

He stepped back, allowing me entry and said, “Come inside before you melt in that rain.” He flipped a light switch on, muttering something in Russian that I couldn’t catch. “Here, take this…” He gave me a small hand towel from somewhere and then walked to shut the door to keep the rain out. “Now, Kiddo, let’s get a few things straight.” Oh.. fuck. Is that where he tells me to earn my rent by sleeping with him. “No. You are getting wrong ideas, Kiddo.” He said as if reading my mind.

I winced and met his eyes. “What things?”

“First, you tell me whom you’re running from? Second, you’ll not reject my offers for help? Third, if you stay here then you’d have to eat more.”

A laugh, mixed of relief escaped me. “Thank you?” I questioned.

“Your welcome.” He stepped forward and taking my hand, he said, “My name is Jaha.”

I didn’t even realise that this whole time, even after meeting in the morning I didn’t know his name. “My name is… Mila.” I engulfed his age weathered hand between both of mine. “I am really thankful for your help and kindness.”

He nodded. “There’s only one thing you have to do…” My hold loosened on his hand a little, but he smiled and winked as he said, “You’ll have to learn better Russian than that half arsed way you tried it before.”

I smiled and nodded. After that, it was easy to talk to him. He told me about his wife and his family that scattered after his wife died. Now, he lived alone not wanting to go away from the place that has so many memories of his wife. He opened the back door and as expected it was his house. It was small. One bedroom and small living room with a kitchen. After insisting that I eat something, he showed me the attic room, which was much bigger than I had expected.

 Providing me with blankets and pillows, he finally bid me good night. “You can lock the door, I don’t expect you to trust me.” He said as I started to climb the narrow set of wooden stairs.

“Thank you for everything.” I said and as I went upstairs I saw that indeed there was a lock on the small door to the attic.

 

But as tired as I was from the day I’d had and not to mention the near attack I had survived I still couldn’t sleep. As soon as I closed my eyes, his face appeared in my mind. Grey eyes, shinning from within. Stoic face as if carved from marble. Square jaw and those pink lips. He had looked like he had just walked out of TV show, a vampire fiction that teen girls so fancied. Because as much as his beauty still stunned me, I couldn’t forget the way he had filled the room with this dangerous awareness that even now I felt goosebumps rising on my arms.

I could just picture him like he was standing in front of me. The big heavy black coat he was wearing had given him extra height and bulk, but the way it was clinging to him I knew there was much more beneath that mere fabric. And then there were his hair, blonde, so much bold that it looked almost golden, reflecting light, looking as fine as rare silk. My fingers curled as if stopping themselves from reaching out. It was stupid I knew, but I couldn’t help it.

He had looked scary, whoever he was. His grey eyes had been mesmerizing, even now. I can’t even pinpoint the exact shade and that was what had me thinking about those grey eyes. Steel. Thunder. And dark.

To Be Continued...

 

Hope you all will like the story... (Fingers crossed)