"Rufus, I am begging you, I saw that you were cheating."
"My dear, you didn't see anything. BINGO BINGO BINGO!" He yells and continues to say he has won this round. He did not win.
"You stupid senile, you heard Naomi, you cheat, you didn't win. For bloody hell, don't you even dare reach for the winner's prize."
"I am an senile? Says who? Granny, you better go dye your hair because your gray hair is sticking out again." Rufus definitely took offense at Nelle's words, they always argue like an old couple. I adore them.
"At least I have hair, you bald pric-"
"We keep playing! Rufus, you are waiting for the next round. Let's play fair and square, no room for cheating in our club." I broke this argument quickly, the rest of the group chuckling softly at the little quarrel between Rufus and Nell.
As Rufus and Nell bantered over their Bingo win, I couldn't help but smile. Their arguments and playful exchanges were a constant source of amusement for me and the rest of the group at the retirement home. The tension between them was palpable, and while they claimed to dislike each other, I had a feeling there was more to their relationship than met the eye.
The group shared a soft chuckle at their ongoing quarrel, but it was clear that Rufus and Nell's bickering was all in good fun. They may have claimed to hate each other, but their actions spoke otherwise, and I adored watching their interactions.
Volunteering at the retirement home had become a cherished part of my routine. Whether it was playing games, or simply spending time with the residents, I felt a genuine connection with these older folks.
Every now and then, I go to the seniors club, we are at the retirement home. It is so pastel here, or more precisely pink, that it feels like in a candy. Some time ago I signed up for volunteering and I spend an amazing time here. Jesus, I play games with pensioners - I'm literally like an old grandmother.
Our activities varied from day to day, but one thing remained constant—my commitment to brightening their days. We played board games, strolled through the park, recited poetry, and sometimes just reminisced about the past while sharing stories about some of the more challenging nurses.
During Bingo games like these, the two old people, Rufus and Nell, were always at the center of attention. Their playful rivalry added a dose of humor and excitement to our afternoons. Nell would often come out victorious, and she had developed a reputation for choosing my baked goods as her prizes, which she graciously shared with the group.
They say they don't like each other, but they always eat lunch together, and of course, they always run into each other 'by accident' on walks in the park. Who are they trying to fool?
Since from my young age, my main friends were the elderly - Oscar and Anastasia, sometimes it is easier for me to connect with such older people. And here in the retirement home there are so many wonderful people that my time flies fast by with them.
"Okay guys. 12,31,22,.." I started listing the numbers again, and the rest of the group were happy to come back to the game.
After a few moments, Nell stood up and shouted "BINGO!" then she turned towards Rufus, seated a few places from her, stuck out her tongue and tossed a board with numbers at him proudly.
"Give me the rewards, quick quick, Nell can't wait long."
"Okay, what does lovely Nell want? We have a blue lagoon bath set, a sewing kit with gorgeous flower buttons, a Shakespeare book set, or banana bread made by me." I spoke calmly, showing and presenting everything in sequence.
"Easy- banana bread." The rest of the old ladies were suddenly happy because Nell always picks my baked goods when she wins and shares with them later.
"I don't play anymore, I wanted that goddamn banana bread." Rufus got up from his seat and threw his hands in the air, which made Nell giggle. Everyone always wants my baked goods, which makes me happy. Nell is always the first to win the prizes.
"Yeah, go cry about it." Nell sighed as she moved from where she stood on the way for the award.
"Why didn't you pick the Shakespeare books set?"
"I know his tragedies, I read them once. Now I want Naomi's banana bread. It's not your business bald man." She stretched her hands out to the prize, but Rufus stepped between her and the bread.
"Come on, wouldn't you like to read one more time about how Juliet drank poison?" Rufus raised an eyebrow and smiled gently, hoping he could convince Nell to change his mind.
"I advise you to choose a set with Shakespeare you old idiot. Juliet stabs herself with dagger and it was Romeo who drank the poison. To be honest you could take an example from him. Now, get your butt, I want my banana bread."
He relentlessly stood in front of her and looked down on her because he was taller. His smirk did not leave his face, he only tried to take her hands away when she tried to move him as much as possible. Their dynamic was endearing, and I secretly hoped that they'd eventually admit their feelings for each other.
Jesus, just kiss already.
To my horror, both Rufus and Nell turned their surprised gazes toward me, their faces flushed with embarrassment.
"Did I say it out loud?" I stammered, my cheeks reddening as I tried to backtrack.
Rufus and Nell exchanged glances before Rufus cleared his throat and created a diversion, allowing Nell to claim her banana bread without further awkwardness. The moment passed, and we moved on, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I had unintentionally unveiled their unspoken feelings.
Fortunately, an awkward moment was interrupted by one of the carer announcing that it was dinner time and we could not play any more.
Nell softly said with flushed cheeks, "Okay oldie you can get a piece of Naomi's banana bread, but after dinner, come on."
They are the sweetest.
The whole group started getting ready to go to the cafeteria and I started putting on my coat because every day was getting colder. I noticed that one of the ladies was waving her hand gently suggesting that I should come over to her.
"Wilfred told me that Rufus once told him he wanted to ask Nell on a date." She said with a soft chuckle. "Bernadette told me about your bet, I think you will win any time soon." The sweet old lady grinned and approached my ear "but you don't know this from me and don't tell Nell, Rufus will ask her himself."
"I knew he would finally dare to make this move and ask her, I swear I've been waiting forever." I took my purse and hung it over my shoulder and started walking old lady to the cafeteria.
She looked out the corridor window and sighed, "Did you come by car or did you come on foot?"
"I came by car, why?"
"It's getting dark now, it's October and I don't want you to go home alone. I'm always worried about you when you go alone."She muttered with obvious worry on her face.
"You don't have to worry, I'll go by car." I tried to soothe her as we approached the cafeteria.
"Don't be surprised. It's a dangerous city, you can hear so much about robbery or attacs on the street. Recently I heard that a man was beaten up at a nearby small gas station and then robbed and ransacked. It was supposedly his own small business, he probably won't recover from this. And the perpetrator is unknown.."
What?
"At what gas station?"
"Here, not so far away, this station apparently is run by such an unpleasant man, but to attack and beat him like that? The degenerates had to do it because he had to go to the hospital. I read in the newspaper."
Oops.
I said goodbye to everyone and started going to my car, then turned on my favorite playlist as always.
Maybe it's stupid of me, but I decided to drive my car to that fucking gas station. I am a very curious person sometimes, it will lead me to my grave one day.
I was starting to stress because of the last time I was in this place. But I locked the car door from the inside for safety, I figured I just could see through the windows if anyone was inside or not.
After a few minutes I was at the gas station and drove as close as possible. The light was off and there was a huge notice on the door that said this place was closed until further notice.
Shit.
The events at the gas station two weeks ago still lingered in my mind like a dark cloud. That unsettling encounter with the perverted cashier, and Harry coming to my rescue, had left a mark. But as grateful as I was for his timely intervention, it hadn't done much to improve our strained relationship.
As soon as we returned to the apartment after that unsettling incident, Harry reverted to his usual cold demeanor. It was as if his act of heroism had never happened, and we were back to being two strangers sharing the same living space. For several days, it seemed like we couldn't exchange a single word without it escalating into a full-blown argument.
Our quarrels were absurd, centering on the tiniest and most insignificant things. It was infuriating how easily we could trigger each other's tempers, and I couldn't help but be exasperated by the realization that this had become my life now.
I had hoped that our near miss at the gas station might have prompted a change in Harry, a softening of his edges, but it seemed that nothing could penetrate the armor he had built around himself. The chasm between us continued to widen, and it left me feeling frustrated and isolated.
I couldn't help but wonder if Harry's indifference was my fault, if there was something inherently wrong with me that made him treat me this way. The uncertainty gnawed at me, and I found myself longing for the days when life was simpler, when I didn't have to navigate this complex and tumultuous relationship with my enigmatic roommate.
It was a stark reminder that sometimes, even in the face of adversity, people's true colors could remain unchanged. And as the days passed, I couldn't help but question whether Harry and I were destined to remain as distant and disconnected as ever.
꧁꧂
I hope you are doing well! I'm going on a short trip tomorrow with my friends and I can't wait <3
I remember the first time I wrote these chapters and Oscar was named Erin then I realized Erin is a mostly female name lmao.
mel