An ordinary day

5:35 PM

On the side of a small tea shop, a middle-aged-man around his 40's sat hunched on a weathered wooden bench. His face was pale and dark circles under his eyes.

The shop boy, a teenager with an apron dusted in tea stains walked over him handing him a newspaper – clearly, a daily routine, unfold and reading.

"Excuse me sir, would you mind shifting a little, so I can sit?"

The-mid-aged man glanced at him briefly – a well dressed man- crisp suit, neatly knotted tie, polished leather shoe and carrying an office bag. Then he wordlessly scotted to the side, making space.

"Thank you" Reyan said with a slight smile.

The mid-aged-man merely nodded and returned to his newspaper.

Reyan signaled the shop boy for tea. Then out of curiosity, he turned to the mid-aged-man beside him.

"You read the newspaper every evening?"

The mid-aged-man turned a page and gave a slow nod.

A faint smile played on Reyan's lips.

"Then, once you're done, may I read it? I prefer reading in the evening too – mornings are always too rushed."

The mid-aged-man gave another nod.

"Of-course. You can read it after me."

Just then, the shop boy arrived with Reyan's tea.

"Oh, thank you"

The shop boy nodded– "You're welcome"

After taking 1-2- sips, Reyan noticed the mid-aged-man observing him with a quick, darting glances.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, a little amused.

The mid-aged-man blinked, then shook his head.

"You must be doing well for yourself." mid-aged-man said suddenly.

"Huh? Sorry?"

"You seem to be earning well." The mid-aged-man clarified his voice low, almost testing.

Reyan let out a small chuckle.

"Oh, no, not at all. You must be saying that because of my clothes. Honestly my company isn't that generous with salaries. I just moved here recently, so everything I own is still new."

The mid-aged-man raised an eyebrow.

"I see. No wonder you're shining so much."

Reyan scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly.

"Yeah... So, what do you do?"

"Well... I'm a novelist"

"A novelist? That's amazing!" His eyes gleamed with genuine curiosity.

"So, what kind of stories do you write? Action? Fantasy? Historical?"

"Hmm... Yeah, sometimes" a pause then "Lately, I've been writing about time loops."

"Time loops?"

The mid-aged-man folded the newspaper and handed it to Reyan.

"Hmm... Anyway, here's your newspaper. I should get going."

As he stood up he added– "Be careful. A lot of people have been going missing lately."

Reyan frowned, confused. "Eh?"

Watching the mid-aged-man disappear into the evening crowd.

But he shrugged it off.

As soon as he gave money, to the shop boy. A familiar, strong pat landed on his back.

"Oww..." He turned back

"Prince? What the hell man?"

His childhood friend grinned.

"Finally, I found you! Heard you landed a great job. Where's the party?"

"But... Wait...!! What are you doing here?"

"I live nearby, dumbass! And you? You didn't even call me once. Too busy these days... Huh?"

Their conversation drifted into casual banter. Fading into the noise of the city.

9:15 PM

Reyan checked his wristwatch, realising how late it had gotten. Hugging his office bag close, he hurried through the empty street.

"Damn, I didn't expect Prince to drag me to a bar... THAT IDIOT... My apartment is still empty– I should grab some groceries. Hope the supermarket's still open."

He reached a 24/7 Supermarket and stepped inside around 9:30PM. After picking up a few essentials, he headed to the counter, only to find the billing machine malfunctioning.

"Whaaa...? Seriously? If it's broken, why even keep it?" he muttered, irritated.

—"Sorry sir." The cashier said nervously. "We'll replace it soon"

Reyan exhaled sharply, tapping his fingers against the counter. He checked his mobile.

"Hey, listen, what's your store's Wi-Fi password?"

—"Sorry, sir, our WiFi router is broken."

"Huh?? What the hell, man? I swear, is there anything in this shop that actually works? Why don't you just sell it off?"

—"We would… but no one's willing to buy it."

"Well, of course! I bet even your shop documents are messed up too, huh?"

—The cashier looks at Reyan, shocked. "Wait… how do you know our documents are unclear?"

Reyan raises an eyebrow, equally surprised. "Wait, what? Your documents are actually unclear? You guys aren't running some shady business, are you?"

—The cashier chuckles nervously. "No, no, not at all! You won't find anyone more honest and hardworking than us!"

"Yeah, yeah, I can see how 'honest' your business is."

—"Sometimes, mistakes just happen, sir…"

"Oh really? So, how long will it take to fix this particular 'mistake'?"

—"Just five more minutes, sir."

"Okay!!!" a little pause then "This day is just getting worse. I should've just gone home."

After some time.

—"ALMOST done, sir. Just five more minutes."

"You know? You've been saying 'FIVE MINUTES' for the past 'FORTY MINUTES'!!! Forget it, I don't need this stuff."

—"Wait, sir! Just a little more!"

"Tsk.. just hurry up."

Finally at 10:40PM, he left the store with his groceries. As he walked away, the cashier called out behind him.

"PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN SIRRR!"

Reyan grumbled under his breath.

"Yeah, right. OVER MY DEAD BODY."

The weight of the bag dug into his fingers as he muttered to himself.

"Ugh... I really need to get a bike... But my savings... Are a joke... Damn, life's a mess"

As he's walking down the road, he sees a few guys passed out drunk by the roadside. He smirks, "Wow, they've got life figured out—just drink and sleep, no worries about home, no stress about a career."

Just then, some stray dogs start barking at him. Well, of course they'll bark if someone's roaming around this late at night carrying two big bags in their hands.

He mutters to himself. Annoyed, he yells at them, "Ahhhh, shut up, you idiots! Go find yourselves a mate or something.

He looks up at the sky and sighs, "When will I finally get home?"

And finally...

Reaching his apartment at 10:58PM. With a tired sigh, he sat the bags down and unlocked the door.

"Inside, his room was simple– one bed, a small study table with a lamp, a bathroom straight a head, and a kitchenette to the left.

A long breath. "Ahh... Home"

He changed out of his suit, freshened up, and finally settled at his desk.

11:18 PM

Glasses on. Lamp on.

He opened a novel and started reading.

A few minutes later, he frowned, something felt off and tired.

Closing the book, he removed his glasses and leaned back in his chair, streching his arms.

He glanced at his phone. 11:34PM.

"Guess I should sleep."

Switching off the lamp, he got up, fixed his bed, and turned off the lights.

Lying down, he let out a tired sigh. Closing his eyes, just as he was about to drift off—

'BANG!!!'

A violent jolt. Air crackled. His breath hitched.

And suddenly, he was standing outside his appartment door... Again.

Just like before.

10:58 PM

"Huh?"

"... What the hell...was that?"