Chapter 5: Nostalgia

Chapter 6. Nostalgia

KENYA POV

The following morning came to with an empty house. A horrifying sense of Deja Vu raked over my whole body with cold fingers when I woke up staring at the ceiling of my past... It felt like I had just gotten into the wheel of time, and I was back to five years ago before things turned sour and unholy!

My room was exactly how I left it; a white ceiling, cream walls, a matching carpet, and cream bed sheets. Everything was just as minimal as it had been 4 years ago, and I hated how the whole place seemed to be untouched by the hands of the clock. Even the stuffed toys I left on the floor were still there, yet the place was as neat as it could get. There was no doubt Anna kept it clean, waiting for me to lick my wounds and finally come back home.

I hopped off the bed, took a small tour around the house, and let the forgotten memories wash over me like a Summer waterfall. My fingers grazed the walls, touched the shiny surfaces of our townhouse, sniffed the pillows, and absorbed it all in one go. It was nothing but a small walk down the nostalgia lane, but it felt like everything at that moment. Satisfaction and pure relaxation reign in me. 

After all those years in hiding, I was finally back. I know it was just day one of sleeping in this house again but it was all coming back to me. After my little tour around the place, I got into the shower and cleaned up nicely, loving the feeling of having my writer’s block completely gone. That thing was a demon from hell sent to torment me, and having it off my back for once felt like I nose-dived into holy water.  My whole body was less heavy on my feet, and my brain felt rejuvenated after that emotional talk with An. 

About an hour later, I left my bedroom clad in blue-washed jeans, a green tank top, and some white low-rise converses. My unruly curls were bundled in a messy bun on top of my head, and I was ready to hit the road, after making a small mental note to visit the hair salon. I couldn't go about looking like a witch who escaped training.

I stopped by the kitchen to grab a quick bite, then smiled to myself when I found a pink notepad attached to the fridge.

‘Out on a little son-mom affair de la cu. Will call you.’

I rolled the small paper between my fingers before throwing it into the trash bin. My mind reeling with all sorts of ideas of what the duo could be up to. For all I knew, Anna could have taken Lucious to skydiving or shark diving... She was so vibrant and hyperactive that I feared for her life. But fretting over the ideas wasn't going to be of any help, so I said a quick prayer for their safety and pushed them to the back of my mind. As long as they came back alive, and not hurt...

But the thought of a note on the fridge made me laugh a little. Even after all these years, she was still the one to write silly notes. I mean, there was something called a smartphone. But still, the thought alone was enough to brighten my day. And that over there is what made Anna even more special in my heart.

I made myself a quick cereal, then left the house and smiled at the late morning breeze. 

The safer option was to take a cab, but I decided to walk, for nostalgia's sake! 

The walk from our house to the nearest Starbucks was a good 15 minutes, and my eyes wandered about the place, taking in the smallest details of how everything had changed. 

The sidewalks were a little worn out; a maple tree on the side of the road was replaced by a brown wooden bench; the whole city layout seemed to be a little different, yet still the same nonetheless. Four years and everything felt so different. I thought to myself whether I was any different.

Did I really get over everything?

I rounded the corner, only to stop dead in my tracks when I came to one particular street. A rampage of emotions clogged my throat as I stood frozen a few feet from the reflective door, and the ghosts began to play before my eyes.

A memory of a young Kenya and Royal exiting the building hand in hand smiles on their faces and fresh tattoos on the skin behind their ears flashed before my eyes on a broken loop. 

It felt like it was just last night and I couldn't help but shudder at the effect it seemed to create on me. 

Just then, the potion of skin just behind my ear, where the tattoo had been etched on, started to itch. I fought hard the urge to touch it, only to give in when a burning sensation scorched the place. I know it was all in my head, but the tattoo scar felt so fresh at that second. 

Bitterness spread inside of me, and then I blocked every single thought about HIM. I couldn't wallow in that rabbit hole, not again. I was okay, I was healed. Or so I thought. But in that very moment, I craved assurance that I was not shaken by the happenstances.

Just when I was about to take a step onto the opposite street, the door burst open and out came out yet another couple. I watched them approaching with a brown paperback, their smiles just as broad as ours back then. I glanced at the door again, to see whether there was any sign. But no. So I called them;

“Hey…” My voice came out clipped, and the girl was the one who heard me and halted.

“Sorry to take up your time,” I said stepping closer to them. My eyes flitted to the door again before falling onto the paperback in their hands. 

“It’s totally alright. How can we help you?” She responded with a hearty smile, probably because she pitied the red-eyed woman who looked like she was on the verge of a serious break down!!

I was that woman!

“Oh… I just want to know… this store. What are they selling?” I didn't want to come off suspicious, lest I spooked them away.

“Oh. It’s an antique store. It used to be a tattoo parlor up until two years ago. It has a bunch of cool vintage stuff, I am sure you can get a little something for yourself.” Her words hit me like a whiplash. Something unfurled inside of me, and I hated how it seemed to be getting a hold of me. My nostrils flared as I struggled to ease a calming breath through.

“Right. Thank you.” I said plainly and dismissively, wanting to ride this wave of whatever shit that was going on inside of me. 

The couple nodded and walked away, and I remained there for a minute longer, letting everything sink in. 

Even the universe was doing its best to wipe the memory of Royal and I. 

With that thought in mind, I swallowed hard passed the lump in my throat, then crossed the street and walked away with one promise inside of me. 

Never set foot near that place, and never look back. 

I let every single thought of THAT night rot inside of me, swept away on the tides of time and fading with the ghosts of my past.

Royal and I were but a tale written in the history books! And not all tales have a happy ending.

It didn't take me long enough to find the Starbucks, and I put a small work set up before hopping onto the cue. 

My eyes wandered about the menu on the screens, my mind going about various options. I needed my morning fix, and something sweet to kickstart my day. And what better way than a cup of Caffe Mocha?

Just two more people in front of me, and I would enjoy my fix. 

Excitement blossomed in me, my veins pumping harder and my ears exploding under the assault of AirPods. My mind was elsewhere, in a safe space; a worry-free space, and an utterly Royal Free space. The Tattoo Parlor slash antique shop almost messed up with my feelings in ways I couldn't believe, but I wasn’t going to let that happen. Not even slightly. I was over Royal, and I was finally in my happy, healed-girl era, so I refused to be shaken.

A small grasp on my shoulder yanked me from my musings, and I spun around, taking off my AirPods. My eyes widened, and my stomach dropped into a bottomless pit as my gaze collided with a ghost from the past. My throat bobbed with a hard swallow, my tongue died in my mouth! 

“Oh my God, Kenya?”