The Man of Steel

Two years ago

I never gave it a thought that jogging in the moonlight can be so relaxing. As I ran on this bridge, I feel like, with every step I move on, a part of me forgets the traumatic experiences.

Usually, being a morning runner, I make it a habit to at least run for an hour or so before I begin my hectic day. But for some reason today morning, I felt myself laying in the bed rather than doing my chores.

Now, when the day got over and it was time for people to drift into the peaceful slumber, I decided to get rid of my worries. Not that it was something permanent but maybe for a while, I will get over the harsh memories. Or I should say my own past personality which was the sole reason for this loneliness and constant throbbing in my chest.

The wind slapped me hard on the face, and taking it as a cue, I pulled up my hoodie over my head, running faster and stronger. I didn't know what I was trying to achieve then. All I knew was that I was running away from the reality which was thrown at my face every day whenever I sat in the office watching families, lovers, and friends walking in the restaurant: The Price Inns.

The restaurant was a constant reminder to me of my father since he created it with his hard work and dedication. And indeed, when I saw it gaining popularity in Times Square, I couldn't help but feel guilt stricken. He wasn't here to see the fruits of his overtime, his extreme positive belief that one day his restaurant is going to be the most popular place of the entertainment spot of New York City. And there again his reminder brought back every memories of my parents, siblings and… A sigh escaped my lips as I feel sweat covering my forehead. Realization crawled up my mind that...

Now, all that I had were a few shreds of haunting recollections of my past which won't let me be in peace for even one night.

I didn't blame anyone because it was my own doing. I was the reason my family wasn't with me. If someone comes and puts me behind the bars for the rest of my life, I won't complain, yet I wasn't blessed enough to reach that stage.

In fact, I wasn't blessed to have anything.

I was cursed to die with this pain and loneliness.

I was reaching the end of the bridge when I felt the buzzing of my phone. Shifting my attention to the side pocket of the hoodie I started searching for my phone. My eyes fixated downwards in my pocket as I continued to run, trying to pull out my cell. Before I can halt or see the person running towards me, I felt myself bumping against someone making us fall back on our butts with a thud.

"Holy shit!" I cursed as my cell now lied on the ground, broken into pieces. Gritting my teeth, I turned my attention to the person in front of me. As soon as the person flipped their hair around now mumbling something under their breath, I got lost in the beauty that was scrunching up her nose in front of me.

"What the fuck are you? Man of Steel?" Her angry voice boomed bringing me back out of my trance.

Rubbing her head, she stood up while I kept on sitting there, perplexed.

After years, for the first time, I stared at a girl with some odd feelings. If that was not enough, then once again I found myself staring at her 5'7 figure. She was dusting her black tracks while glaring at me. She glared at me with her chocolate brown eyes, pushing away her long curls which were disturbing her view as well as mine.

"What the hell do you think you are staring at, Mr.?" She yelled at me again and this time I finally gathered myself up, towered over her, making her step back from me.

I stared at her deadpan. Her eyes roamed over my face in confusion. Having enough of my blank look, she burst again, angrier than ever. "Are you deaf, Man of Steel?"

I gave her a look which said that I-was-really-not -interested in her queries. I would rather be smelling a rotten egg instead of quarrelling with a female. Okay, that might be harsh. But I wasn't really fond of females anymore due to...

I couldn't dwell further in my perceptive world as I felt a strong punch right in my abdomen. In normal circumstances, I wouldn't have moved from my place. Since it was quite unexpected, I stumbled on my steps in utter disbelief.

'Did this woman just hit me?' That surely was another first. 'But why the hell did she just punch me? What did I do?'

"Ah," she cried holding her fist bringing me back from her daze.

I smirked. "Now you know what this Man of Steel is actually in real! And by the way, Man of Steel is too cliché phrase, why don't you try Metallic Man? Will help me boost my ego a little more than usual!" I sounded sarcastic to myself.

My brows raised at her as she was still caressing her fist. As soon as my words registered in her brains, she straightened her posture peering right through me. And all of a sudden, I felt exposed. It was like she was peeking a look at my soul through her captivating eyes which held so many emotions in them.

"First you stare at my cleavage like a shameless jerk, and then have the audacity to boast yourself and your worthless ego. You Wolf Face, I'll sue you for lusting over me!" Her angry outburst took me by surprise.

I was least bothered about her threats. They were empty as usual as any other girl does. She seemed harmless.

"Oh hello, get over your self-obsession, Ms. Cow Face! And if you are intelligent enough, then you would know that with a face as yours, a man like me won't ever be lusting over you or your assets but cringing with disgust.” On purpose I insulted her to rile her up more for some reason. Now I may sound creepy, but there was something about her that was fascinating as well as infuriating. The more she got irritated, the more her nose flared and her cheeks, were becoming red.

"You Wolf Face! How dare you?" She busted, grabbing my hair in her fist pulling them like a spoilt brat who couldn't handle one wrong word against her beauty.

'Did I just say beauty?' Oh yes, she was one hell of a beautiful girl. Man! Her hold was hurting my hair and I was so sure I might become bald if she did not stop her maddening activity anytime soon. "Hell woman, leave me.” I tried to push her away from me. It was like some ghost of a wrestler took over her body and she was shaking me up like an insane person. My scalp hurt.

"Dammit!! Leave me, You reincarnation of Satan!" Pissed, and tired, I yelled. In the heat of the moment, I grabbed her hair too. 'Wow, twenty-one-year-old Daniel Price is pulling a girl's hair to get rid of her! Kodak moment of the day!'

"You asshole, leave my hair. I swear I'll murder you and dump your body in this ocean!"

"Too bad you witch. First, you need to get a weapon to murder me, and then you might need some help to throw me down from here which I am sure you are not getting so your plan is a complete failure!" I boasted as we both went around in circles, glaring at the other.

Our hands were still in the other's hair, as the need to revenge was clouding our minds.

"Stop it!"

We heard chorus voices, yet we continued to fight.

"First, you walk like a blind mutt and bump into me making me fall and breaking my cell. Now you are after my hair, is there any end of your madness, Ms. Cow Face?" I ignore the voices coming from behind as she growled at me.

"I swear I will kill you the first thing if I get any weapon!" She threatened. I simpered, pulling her hair more. Just then a bullet was fired freezing us at our places, and the man behind me declared, "You both are under arrest for causing an unnecessary nuisance on the street!"

The color drained from our faces as we stared at each other enraged. 'Who called the cops?

And before anything could make sense, we both screamed, "I will kill you!"