Liyana paused, then turned to glance at the center table he pointed to. There was a food bag placed on it, though she couldn't tell what kind of meal was inside. She looked at him briefly, still reading his book, and shook her head, uninterested. "No, thanks," she said softly, and walked off to the kitchen.
She stood in the kitchen for more than three minutes, uncertain of what to do. The presence of her housemate in the living room made her too uncomfortable to cook. Eventually, she reached for a cereal box and a bowl, deciding to just have some cornflakes.
Then she heard her phone ringing in the living room. She had taken it off silent mode the day before, so the sound startled her. Without realizing it, she dropped both the cereal and the bowl and rushed out of the kitchen in a few seconds.
Her housemate watched as she hurried past to grab her phone. Her heart sank when she saw it was Yiming calling. Without hesitation, she answered the call, heart racing. "Hello," she said, trying to sound calm. When there was only silence, she checked the screen again and put the phone back to her ear, repeating, "Hello?"
Her housemate set his textbook aside, noticing how visibly distressed she was, and turned his full attention to her.
Liyana stared at the phone screen again, still met with silence from Yiming. But she could hear voices in the background. Desperate, she dropped to the floor of the living room, switched to speaker, and pleaded softly, "I know you can hear me. Please, I'm begging you. I promise this won't happen again. Please forgive me."
At last, he spoke, his voice cold and husky.
"Hold on to your promise, woman. This is the fifth time you've missed my call in just a short period. Are you out of your mind or is something wrong with your head?"
She quickly shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I was in the kitchen cooking, I didn't hear it..."
He cut her off sharply. "I don't want to hear anything from you. Your lies and excuses don't mean anything to me. You think I haven't noticed how you've been taking me for granted lately? Let me warn you, if you miss my call again, I swear, I'll surprise you. It won't take me anything to show up in America."
Tears spilled over her cheeks as she whispered, "But why can't you just understand me for once?"
"Understand you?" he snapped. "Who are you to ask for understanding? What makes you think you deserve it?"
She remained silent.
"What... are you too proud to apologize now?" he added.
Liyana didn't reply, because she'd been apologizing since she picked up the call. She had no idea what more he wanted from her.
Finally, he said flatly,
"Anyway, I called to warn you. Stop calling me unnecessarily. And tell your nosy friend to stay out of my DMs or I'll deal with her harshly. I'll call you when I feel like it... don't you dare call my number again."
With that, he hung up.
Liyana stared blankly at the screen, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. Her housemate had watched the entire scene quietly. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, more out of disbelief than amusement.
Liyana wiped her tears quickly and stood up, only then realizing he was still there in the living room. Their eyes met briefly before she quickly looked away. She had completely forgotten he was even there.
Then he asked, casually,
"Was that your father?"
She shot him a sharp look, then walked past him to her room, her tears flowing freely again. Once inside, she collapsed onto her bed, sobbing uncontrollably into her pillow. She stayed that way for nearly forty minutes before the crying finally faded. She closed her eyes.
A knock came at her door... followed immediately by the door opening. She sat up quickly, startled that she hadn't locked it. Her new housemate stepped inside, dropped a bag near the door, leaned casually against the frame with his arms crossed, and looked her over carefully.
"Seriously?" he said in a calm voice. "You're crying over a guy?"
She frowned and looked away, wondering how he even knew she understood Mandarin.
He turned the ring on his finger slowly, as if choosing his words.
"It's... funny."
She spun to face him, her expression hardened. "Excuse you? What gives you the right to barge into someone's bedroom like that?"
He shrugged. "Call it interference or advice, I don't care. Just... run for your life. You're dating a monster."
And with that, he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.
Liyana held her head in her hands....
it was spinning. She got up, locked the door properly this time, and entered the bathroom. By twelve noon, she had finished showering and was fully dressed.
She glanced at the bag her housemate had left earlier, then quickly looked away. Peeking out of her room, she noticed his door was locked and the living room empty. She walked slowly into the kitchen.
Her cereal and bowl from earlier had been neatly placed on the kitchen cabinet. She turned and left the kitchen again, returned to her room, and finally picked up the bag he'd left for her. Sitting down, she peeked inside.
It was a warm breakfast sandwich with a fresh fruit smoothie.
That evening, Liyana stepped into the living room, drawn by the hunger gnawing at her stomach. Her housemate still hadn't returned, and the entire day had felt off.... quiet and heavy.
Out of nowhere, a strange feeling washed over her: for the first time, she was genuinely tired of Yiming's attitude and the way he treated her. The thought that her housemate had overheard her phone conversation with Yiming, especially the controlling things he had said, filled her with embarrassment and frustration. She wished none of it had ever happened.
She sank into the couch, resting her head against the backrest, slipping into the silence of her thoughts.
After a while, she let out a deep sigh and got up slowly, heading to the kitchen. As she walked, she thought about what she could prepare for dinner. Absentmindedly, she started rinsing a few dirty dishes left in the sink... clearly used by her housemate... then turned on the stove and quickly cooked some stir-fried pasta. Once finished, she served herself a small portion and left the kitchen.
Just as she entered the corridor near their rooms, she nearly bumped into her housemate. Startled, she gasped and stepped back, then quickly frowned, hiding her surprise. He stood aside, silently watching her. A chill ran down her spine... she hadn't even realized he was home. But instead of reacting, she kept a cold expression, pretending to be unfazed. He gave a small shrug and walked past her.
She watched him from the corner of her eye as he headed toward the reading nook in the living room, collecting the papers he had left scattered on the table. She turned her face away and went straight into her room, locking the door behind her.
By 8:00 p.m., she had finished everything she needed to do. She changed into comfortable clothes and lay down early... she had class the next morning. It didn't take long before sleep crept in.
Sometime later, Liyana was woken by a knock at her door. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up groggily and checked her phone. 9:55 p.m. Her brows furrowed.... why would someone be knocking at this hour?
She raised her voice, slightly irritated. "Who is it?"
A male voice responded from the other side. "I could use your help, if you don't mind."
She blinked in disbelief. "Excuse me?"
"I misplaced my keys again," he said flatly.
For a moment, she was speechless. Her mind couldn't even form a response. Then he added, "Hello?"
Finally, she scowled and snapped, "I don't understand... how did you misplace your keys again?"
"Look, I'm heading out now. Just lock the door behind me after I leave."
"And why exactly are you asking me for the key?" she retorted. "Are our keys joined at the hip or something?"
There was a pause. Then he said, "How am I supposed to leave if I can't find the front door key?"
"But our keys are separate, aren't they?" she shot back.
"Well," he muttered, "I only realized that now thanks to you. Just come open the door. I'm waiting in the living room."
A deep wave of irritation bubbled inside her. He added, "I'll wait."
She didn't reply. Eventually, she sighed in frustration, got off the bed, grabbed her hijab and keys, and headed for the door. Her expression remained stony. When she reached the living room, she found him standing near the door, glued to his phone, not even bothering to look up.
She unlocked the door and muttered, "You weren't given a needle as a key, were you? One that keeps getting lost every single time? I'm not responsible for anyone else's carelessness."
He didn't say anything. He simply walked out and, without looking back, said, "I thought it was a needle I was given, Housemate."
She stared at him as he walked to his car. That's his idea of a thank-you? she thought bitterly. Shaking her head, she locked the door behind him and made a silent vow.... never again would she use her own key to help him out. If he got locked out next time, that would be his problem.
And really, why didn't he ever misplace his car keys....only the house key?
Still scowling, she turned to head back to her room but paused when she saw the dirty dishes and an empty drink container he had left in the living room. Her eyes widened slightly in disbelief. Seriously?
He had taken her food without permission, eaten it, and then left the dirty plate in plain view like she was expected to clean up after him. Well, she told herself, he didn't leave it for me. He left it for himself. If it sits there for a whole week, he'll come back and find it untouched....because I won't be moving it.
Still fuming, she walked back to her room and closed the door firmly behind her.
Early in the Morning
Liyana had just finished getting ready for school. She still hadn't picked up the plate her Housemate had left in the living room the previous night. Even though she tried to ignore it, her mind kept drifting...she couldn't stand seeing things out of place. As she took the teacup she had used to the kitchen, she accidentally stepped on a key lying on the plush carpet.
She bent down and picked it up....it was his. Just careless, she thought with a sigh, placing the key on the armrest of the couch. She glanced at the plate and empty soda and water bottles he'd left behind, rolled her eyes, and carried them to the kitchen along with her cup. A few minutes later, she returned to the living room, checked her phone, grabbed her handbag, and left after seeing the notification that the taxi she ordered was about to be here.
Around Noon
Liyana was sitting in the common area with Soraya, who had just arrived on campus. Liyana looked at her and said, "Had your birthday fun?"
Soraya grinned. "Well, since you didn't show up, that's your loss. What did you guys do in class today?"
"Nothing much," Liyana replied.
Soraya opened her handbag and pulled out a small slice of cake. "Here. I know how you are, but I brought this anyway."
Liyana smiled and accepted it. "Thanks."
Soraya tilted her head. "So... have you and Yiming talked lately?"
Liyana lowered her gaze. "Soraya… what exactly did you message him?"
Soraya unlocked her phone and pulled up the conversation, then handed it to Liyana. She scrolled through it quietly. Nothing Soraya said was offensive... just friendly chatter. Still, Liyana said nothing, staring at the phone.
"What did he say to you?" Soraya asked.
Liyana handed the phone back. "Nothing much. He just mentioned you messaged him."
Soraya scoffed. "Did you see the way he replied to me? Like he's some kind of prince or something. Honestly, Yiming doesn't deserve you. You're way too good for him. I hope one day you find someone better... someone who truly values you."
Liyana stood up slowly. "Let's go. We'll be late for class."
Soraya blinked. "Not even a thank-you or amen?"
Liyana gave a small smile. "What kind of change are we hoping for, Soraya? That he suddenly becomes a decent person?"
Soraya shook her head and stood. "Let's just go."
Later That Day
Liyana returned home in an Uber and headed toward her apartment. Her housemate came out of his parked car at the same time. She glanced at him once, then turned away without greeting him.
"I've been waiting all day," he said, following her. "I forgot some documents inside and needed them hours ago."
"Serves you right," she muttered, not breaking stride.
She unlocked the door, stepped inside, and went straight to her room, locking it behind her.
Later, after changing clothes, she stepped out to cook. He was nowhere to be seen. She checked the window overlooking the parking area... his car was gone. She checked the couch where she had left his key earlier....it was gone. He must've taken it. She sighed and went to the kitchen.
Around 9 PM
Liyana had just finished reviewing for a test when she picked up her phone to check if their neighbor, Aunt Shawa, had replied to her message. She hadn't. Liyana sighed, put the phone down, folded the mat she'd been sitting on, put on a light shawl, and went to the kitchen to dish out dinner.
Her housemate was sitting on the couch with his laptop. Without acknowledging him, she walked to the kitchen. When she returned with food, he looked up.
"Can I have some of your food, if you don't mind?" he asked.
She was startled but replied, "You've been sneaking bites before without asking. What's different now?"
He gave her a sheepish smile. "I know, but I figured I'd ask politely today."
Without answering, she went to her room. If she had to give him permission every time, he probably wouldn't eat at all.
The Next Morning
Liyana was in the kitchen preparing snacks to take to school... she had a long day of classes and a test that morning. Her housemate returned after having been out all night. As he passed through the living room, he noticed her handbag and keys resting beside it. He picked up the keys, left the apartment quietly, and locked the door from outside.
About fifteen minutes later, Liyana came out of the kitchen to leave.... but her keys were missing. She checked everywhere... her room, the kitchen, the living room. No sign of them. She tried to stay calm but was clearly panicked. She couldn't remember if she had brought the keys to the living room at all.
After tearing her room apart in frustration, she gave up and sat on the couch, trying to think. Then she heard the front door unlock.
Her housemate entered, holding some documents. Without even glancing at her, he walked in, placed the papers on the couch, greeted her casually...."Good morning, housemate"....and walked to his room, locking it behind him.
Liyana sat down heavily, her head throbbing. Where on earth could those keys be? She'd never misplaced them before...except that one time Soraya accidentally dropped one. After a few minutes, her housemate returned to the living room again, avoided looking in her direction, grabbed a water bottle from the kitchen, and retreated to his room.
Her phone rang. It was Soraya.
"You're still not here?" Soraya exclaimed. "I've already made it to class and you're not even on campus! Don't tell me you forgot we have a test today."
"I didn't forget," Liyana replied with a deep sigh.
"And you were supposed to give me a crash tutorial before we go in!"
"I'm coming," Liyana said quietly.
"Please hurry. You know I understand absolutely nothing in this course."
After ending the call, Liyana stared at the time. Then, after taking a deep breath, she stood, gathered her courage, and walked slowly toward his room. She paused in front of the door, raised her hand, and knocked...her lips slightly pouted.
Zhanxianyibo🌹🌹🌹