Adani Carter's POV
You know that feeling where you try to argue back at someone but you cannot because you know they are right? That is what I feel as I stand here listening to my landlady, Ms Mildred, give me reasons on why I cannot live in this apartment anymore,
"Adani dear, I'm really sorry but my other tenants are complaining way too much. You know I would talk back at them or when push comes to shove, even evict them, but their complaints are valid." She tried to reason with me with a defeated look on her face but I just did not get it.
"Ms Mildred can you please tell me what they are saying about me at least?" I said with my arms folded in my boyfriend jacket.
"Um, some said their kids are really scared of you because of your mask. They said their kids even get nightmares, which I don't believe."
"That's it?"
"Um they also said you make a lot of noise early in the morning. They say they hear screaming and they get really frightened but when you come out of the apartment, you act like nothing happened."
They definately had me there. Due to the nightmares I have been having, I wake up screaming as early as 4 or 5am and the walls are not soundproof. I wear the mask for their own peace of mind. If they saw my face, they would have nightmares way worse than what they were already having.
"Dani I know you are not a bad person. Your uncle would not have brought you here if you were. But they don't know that. Dani I'm really sorry but there is nothing I can do about this. Trust me when I say that I have tried to plead with them but it's to no avail." I was confused and hurt at this point. I immediately start to think of where I was to go and what would happen to me. "Dani I'm giving you up until Friday to find somewhere else. I'm really sorry once again." She said as she turned to leave.
I walked back to my apartment with my head low and my face covered with a medical face mask and a baseball cap that almost covered my eyes. I lay on my bed and with no time to cry, I start to look for cheap apartments online. The ones that seemed accomodating, were above my budget and the ones that were in my budget did not look accomodating.
*****
Honk Honk.
I stand at my bedroom window fully dressed and still shocked that Trevor actually picked me up. He was infront of my house looking handsome in a classic black suit and sunglasses. All he was missing was a coiled ear piece in his ear and he would look like a body guard. He was leaning on the passanger's door waiting for me. I took a deep breath to relax a bit and finally made my way out of the house."Good morning Trevor."
"Good morning Mask. How are you?" He was chirpy this morning. I guess he had a good night. Hopefully it was better than mine.
"I'm good."
He then opened the door for me and I sat inside after saying a thank you. He walked to the driver's side, sat down and soon, we were on our way.
"So how was your night?" He asked me trying to bring up a conversation.
"It was good. Yh." The lie succulently rolled off my tongue. The truth is that I barely slept the night before. I was up thinking about where I was going to lay my head for the next couple of days, how I lost contact with my uncle and looking for an apartment. At around 3:45am, my eyes bailed on me and decided to stop allowing light to enter them. My alarm did its job at 6am and I was ready by 7. So basically, I was sleep deprived. "How was your night?'
"It was good too yh." He replied with his eyes never leaving the road.
I do not know if the silence that followed was supposed to be awkward but it was. Both of us wanted to say something but we just did not know what to say.
"So um, how are rehearsals going?' He finally spoke up and glanced at me.
"O rehearsals are going well. Yh um, Jaime is a really good choreographer and I like how he makes us feel comfortable. Like that studio is a safe space." I think that was more information than needed.
"I'm glad it's going well. That boy loves to dance and he has a way of connecting with people but I can't even comprehend." With that, he chuckled lightly.
We arrived at JS Dance Studio a few minutes later and I said a goodbye and walked into the building.
*****
I spent the rest week going to apartments that were being rented out after rehearsal. None of them were livable or in my budget and that is the reason why I stand infront of Timaika on a Thursday afternoon in sweatpants, a t-shirt, Jordan Air Force and a blue and pink wooden mask to conceal my identity.
"Um Timaika, can I talk to you for a mintue?" I played with my fingers as anxiety and nerves took over me. She was my last option and I hoped with all my heart that she would not turn me down.
"Yh sure. What's up?
"Um so uh I-I uh"
"Is something wrong?" That look of concern on her face made me relax by 0.01 percent knowing that she cared.
I took in a deep breath and let the words run free.
"You see, I really need a place to stay right now becasue my landlady just kicked me out and I've been trying really hard all week to find an apartment but I haven't found any yet so if you don't mind, can I please crash at your place for a few days and I promise I will move out as soon as I find a place." I slowly opened my eyes that were shut the whole time and awaited her response.
"Yh sure why not. It would be nice to have a roommate. No problem. Are you moving in today? I thanked my lucky stars she did not turn me down. Or else, I would be sleeping in my car for a few days and I did not want that.
"O my God thank you so much. You have no idea how greatful I am. I promise you won't regret this. And no I'm moving in tomorrow if you don't mind."
"Sure no problem." I gave her a quick hug as Jaime reassembled us as our break was over.
"Ok guys let's go . 5 6 7 8..." We started dancing again and I felt a weight being lifted off of my heart knowing I have somewhere to stay for a while
*****
"Here you go Ms Mildred. I have cleared everything out. Thank you for everything. I know this decision wasn't easy for you." I handed Ms Mildred the keys to the apartment while holding my suitcase in my left hand."No it wasn't. I'm really sorry dear. Good luck ok?" She gave me a sympathetic look.
I gave her a little smile and drove to Timaika's house. I called her upon arriving and she opened the door for me even before I shut off the engine of my car.
"Hey Timaika. Thanks again for letting me stay here." I said as I gave her a hug.
"O it's no problem. Feel right at home."
She led me into the house. The apartment was cozy and comfortable enough for one person. She gave me a little tour of the apartment and now we sit on the ground with our legs crossed facing each other at the living room.
"Ok so I can crash on the couch. And I won't disturb you as you sleep and I'm usually a quiet person so you don't have to worry about noise." I tried to reassure her.
"That's alright."
"And um, please don't try to see my face. Please." I really hoped that what I said did not offend her.
"O that's no problem."
"Well on that note, good night roomie. She smiled at me, got up and left the living room.
I was definately worried about the screaming early in the morning thing but I had a plan for that. I got up from the floor and looked at my surroundings.
"Dani, don't screw this up." I said to myself before sitting on the couch.
YOU ARE READING
The Wooden Mask
General FictionTwo individuals facing trauma have to allow themselves to love and be loved. One, a dancer whose identity has never been seen. The other, a business man with a rough past. Where will this journey of love lead them? Just know that, everyone wears a...