My colleague Roberto

Chapter 2

The Present day

 London, 2022

 I am now 25. I graduated in 2018 and started working for a recruitment company through a graduate scheme straight away. I decided not to pursue teaching. I spent three years working my way up and building my portfolio and social connections, I eventually landed a position as a senior recruiter for Goldman and Sachs international in the city. I began going to the gym since after lockdown when I decided to change my life around and I am now in great physical shape. I now work meticulously around the clock balancing my work, health and social life, a true robot to society. Last year I moved out of my parents’ house in south London and got myself a mortgage of a two-bedroom flat in Holborn, Central London through a buying scheme with the company. Everyone told me it was a bad and risky move but I disagree with them. I love living in central London, I am able to afford this lifestyle, years ago this would have been an impossible dream but now I am happy with my life, where I live, how much I earn and what I am able to do with my earnings. Have I found love? No. But at least I have the freedom to have a sexual lifestyle freely in my own place.

 I received a text from an unknown UK number:

 Hey Zaher, long time no speak. I just thought I would let you know that I am back in London now, I am staying with a friend until I settle everything but I will be visiting our old friends at Donville Primary on Wednesday, would you like to join me? Roberto :)

 My heart skipped a beat seeing this message from Roberto, I wanted to call him straight away but was hesitant at first, eventually I did. After three rings he picked up:

 “You are in London and you never thought of telling me beforehand??” I went straight for it.

 “Hello to you too Zaher.”

 “Roberto, what’s happening, what do you mean you are back?”

 “Woah! Your voice has gone much deeper. I’m Back for good. I needed a change and want to come back to teach here.”

 “What about your family and boyfriend, is everything ok?”

 “My family are well and have supported my wishes, and me and Manuel, well we have been broken up for several months now.”

 “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”

 “It’s ok, I’m much happier now and so is he. We should catch up properly. Are you free this Wednesday to come to the school?”

 “Ermm well I have work, wait who are you staying with?”

 “Claudia, I’ve been here for a week, she’s been very kind to accommodate me but I need to find a place soon, but it’s hard.”

 “Why don’t you stay with me?”

 “Wh..what? I can’t impose like that Zaher, but thanks for the offer.”

 “IMPOSE!?” Roberto, I insist, I have my own place now and I have a spare bedroom, you can stay with me for as long as you like!”

 “Zaher...”

 “No, I’m not taking no for an answer.”

 *A short pause*

 “…..ok fine, but I’m genuinely trying to find a place around South, so it will only be for a short while.”

 “Yeah, that’s fine, I’ll tell you what - you start packing and bring your things with you to the school on Wednesday, I’ll try leave early but won’t be there until after 4pm, we can catch up over dinner and then head over to my place with your things.”

 “What do I tell Claudia?”

 “Tell her you will stay with me for a short while, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind getting you off of her sofa! HAHA.”

 “Hahaha ok, I’ll talk to her and keep you updated about Wednesday.”

 “Ok…. Roberto...”

 “Yeah?”

“I’m glad you are back!!”

 “So am I.”

 Wednesday:

 It has been drizzling rain the entire day. I got off work early and drove down to South London. As I parked up by the school my stomach began to sink. I was shaking my right leg aggressively and tapping on my steering wheel. I felt nervous. Nervous to see Roberto and nervous at seeing everyone else. Eventually I plucked up the courage and ran across the road into the main entrance. Upon entering the front reception, I noticed a bunch of teachers in the office area, many new faces and some familiar ones. Hannah was filling some documents. 

“How can I help you?” one of the new faces asked.

 “Erm is Roberto around?”

 Hannah immediately turned around. “Zaher?” Zaher is that you?”

 “Hello Choco-pie.” I said with a smile (a nickname we had for her).

 “Zaher, no way that is you!” a former colleague said.

 I now realise that I am unrecognisable to them now, no longer chubby, now with facial hair and bleached/toned blonde flicked back hair, some strands falling in front of my eyes from running through the rain.

“Look at you now with your fancy clothes!! Oh my gosh are you wearing an Armani suit underneath that overcoat??”

 “Hugo Boss.” I replied.

 “Ooooh look at you Mr Hugo Boss, I get now why you have forgotten us with your new fancy life.” Maria teased.

 Hannah came out from behind the desk and through the security door and gave me a big hug. “I missed you so much!” she said as she held me tight. 

“Me too, I’m sorry I have not been in touch.” I spoke softly.

 “It’s ok. These things happen, but let’s catch up soon?”

 “Of course.”

 “Roberto got here a few hours ago, he’s probably coming down now from seeing everyone. Would you like to go through?”

“Erm, no, I would wait here if that’s ok?”

 “Of course!”

 At that moment I could see Roberto approach the glass door, slightly wide eyed from seeing me. “Talk of the devil” Hannah said as she let him through.

We stood there for a moment just looking at each other and then he walked up to me and we embraced each other so tightly that I forgot where we were in that moment. Our silence and embrace said more than we could have ever said with words during that moment of reuniting, we spun around at first before stopping and hugging on the spot.

“Aww” Maria said.

 “Zaher… you look, you look amazing!” Roberto said.

 “Thanks.” I responded timidly. “So do you.”

 We continued speaking with our former colleagues. At around 4:40pm everyone had to either leave or go back to work so we decided to make a move, Roberto had two large suitcases along with his bag pack. I took both luggage’s and escorted him out to my car, as I took the bags towards the back of my boot Roberto continued walking near the Prius parked behind my car. I unlocked the boot of my China blue Porsche Macan and Roberto responded with a “WOAH!”

 I chuckled as a turned back to him. “You like it?”

 “I love it. wow you are doing really well, I’m happy for you Zaher.” He responded compassionately.

 “Thanks, although this is a company car.”

 “That’s still amazing!”

 We got in the car and I turned on the seat warmers as I began to go through my phone.

 “Where do you want to eat?”

 “Anywhere.” He responded.

 “No seriously, if you could eat anywhere right now where would it be?”

 “Well, there is no point mentioning this but I have always wanted to eat at Chiltern Firehouse, but getting a table there is impossible… ooh what about that ramen place we used to go to?”

 “it’s shut down ages ago.”

 “awh”

 I begin going through my contacts and start a phone call. The phone ringing in my ear fills the silent space.

 “Hello, could I speak to Paul please?... Yes, you can tell him its Zaher Calling, thank you.”

 “Who’s Paul?” Roberto whispers.

 “Hi Paul how are you?........Haha thank you I’m well thanks and I’m glad to hear it. Listen Paul, I’d like to call in a favour, I have a friend in town and I wa………Hahaha Paul you are too kind honestly…..We should be there in about half an hour? ... Ok thank you Paul, I really appreciate it, see you soon!”

 “Who was that?” Roberto asks.

 “That was our special connection to a table at the Firehouse.”

 “Oh, now you are just showing off!!” He says cheekily.

 “Haha maybe.”

 “Wait are you serious? Are we actually going to eat there?? Zaher that place is impossible to get into!!”

 “Haha, consider this my welcome home treat!” I say.

 *

Over dinner Roberto fills me in about the breakup between him and Manuel. He also shares with me the progression he has made in the teaching sector and I share with him the developments in my life.

On our way out of the restaurant it begins to rain heavily, we run into the car and laugh as we got caught in the rain, wet all over. I start the car and Roberto struggles to put his seatbelt on, I watch as he attempts to pull the belt across but after three attempts, I decide to help him. I lean across and grab the belt for him, he leans back firmly against his seat as I do this and we exchange a glance into each other’s eyes, I can feel his warmth so close to me. I pull down and click the belt into place.

 “Thanks.”

 “No problem.”

 **

 I enter the underground parking and Roberto is surprised at the location I live in. I escort him and his luggage via the lift, up to the fourth floor and into my apartment. (You can find a floorplan drawn in the comment section) the kitchen is open plan to the right as you enter with the main living space central to the entrance, at the back directly opposite the entrance are floor to ceiling windows which open up into a balcony. The left side of the space has three doors, the right one leads into my bedroom and the left one to the guest room, the centre door leads to a Jack and Jill bathroom.

 “The fridge is fully stocked and you can find the plates and cutlery here. The washer and dryer units are over there, but note that you have laundry bags in your closet, you can send out bedding, and anything else to the building laundry if you like. We get towels supplied by the building; I’m going to add additional one’s for you on the plan – they work out one towel per person a day. There is a gym on the first floor - oh and the building cleaner provides home cleaning, she visits us Tuesday and Friday mornings, so if you want your room clean you can let her know, otherwise just be wary as she has access to let herself into the front door. Oh, and the window cleaners come between 10am and 12pm on Wednesdays so if you want privacy keep the blinds and curtains drawn. I’ll show you how to use the TV later but you have access to Netflix, Disney, Prime and Hulu. If you need to use the address for parcels or letters go ahead, I’ll text you the address but you need to collect parcels at the front desk from the doorman. I will be out from Monday to Friday between 8am to 5:30pm at work …Erm that’s it for now I guess, I hope that’s all ok, I know it’s different from what we both knew...know... but its home.”

  Roberto remains silent.

 “Roberto, are you ok?”

 “Yeah... I’m ok”

 “Do you think you will be comfortable here?” I ask.

 “I’ll try my best.” He responds sarcastically.

 To be continued...