Lil the Nile | mafia

The sun was burning at its zenith, breaking through the glare of the gym windows. The sole of new sneakers hits the rubber of the treadmill; a drop of sweat runs down your temple, and your heart beats in your ears, drowning out the long-familiar and beloved beats of the song. Your finger presses the button, the tape slowly stops until it finally stops. The locker room greets you with the smell of sweat mixed with a bouquet of various deodorant smells. After rinsing off and changing, you go out into the fresh air. Your calves ache a little from clogged muscles, but your body feels pleasantly tired, your head is quiet and calm. Stopping at a cafe on the way and grabbing a snack there, your legs themselves lead you home.

The familiar walls are filled with casual relaxation, you are always expected here, you are always needed here. The evening passes almost unnoticed while watching your favorite TV series, which flashes on the wall through a projector. The door slams discontentedly, it’s Neil who has arrived, and judging by everything, he is not very pleased. The husband passes by the living room, leaves a rough kiss on the top of your head and immediately disappears into the bathroom door, from behind which you can hear discontented groaning and cursing at inanimate objects.

During dinner, his movements are constrained, he doesn't turn his head much, and when he has to do so, he groans with discontent and pain. All your questions about his well-being are almost completely ignored, he just brushes them off, like an annoying fly. But you see how his hands are shaking, unable to hold the knife more firmly, and his eyebrows are constantly drawn together, expressing a grimace of pain.

Just before bed, when he had been tossing and turning for half an hour, unable to find a comfortable position, his fingers slid over your hand, lightly stroking it.

• Remember my back, please...

There is pain and discomfort in his grey-blue eyes, he clearly needs a massage, which he can only trust to you. He is already prepared for your grumbling, saying that it is because he does not exercise properly, and therefore unwarmed muscles are much easier to injure. He is ready for this reprimand, if only to take away this pain. Red hair spread out on the pillow like a halo, adding to the plaintive look.