Come What May

THE FIRST MEETING

That night Nelsee was tired and wanted to pamper herself for having taken the boldest decision of leaving her past behind. 

Her room had a cozy bed and a small television, a tiny multipurpose table beside the bed with drawers. Nelsee had stocked up a pack of cigarettes for herself in it. 

She needed beer and decided to go but a couple of bottles. Nelsee put on her hoodie over her bra less top and slacks, she slid into her flip flops, grabbed her purse and left. 

Nelsee always had an insecurity in her. She always thought she was being followed, it was probably the past that she was trying to leave behind, the only way she felt safe outdoors was with the hoodie on. 

Nelsee stepped into the wine shop and looked behind her. Nothing but normalcy. Then she turned around and looked at the collection of alcohol. 

She heard sudden commotion near the fridge and rushed there to see what was wrong, she noticed the caretakers of the wine shop reprimand a young boy with a backpack while a broken bottle of beer lay on the ground. She could smell the spilled alcohol but could not see the boy’s face who spilled it because he too had a hoodie on. 

Nelsee did not want to be a part of any commotion, she walked to the fridge, lifted two bottles and walked to the billing counter without even bothering to hear the discussion. 

Just as she slid her card out for payment, she heard a boy with a not so mature voice speak, “Hey, excuse me?”

Nelsee looked up, “Yes?”

The boy pulled his hoodie down and said,“Actually, I accidentally broke a bottle of beer, it slipped from my hand, now I do not have extra money to pay for the damage.”

“Uh huh, I see..”

“It would be great if you could pay the amount now and I could return it to you once I have the chance. I am sorry for asking you to do this.”

Nelsee did not mind helping the boy, but she was reluctant only because he looked absolutely careless. 

“Okay, I will cover the cost of your beer as well.”

“I can’t thank you enough, I will pay you back as soon as I have the money.” 

He took out a pen and slid out a bookmark from a thick book out of his backpack and scribbled something on to it.

“Here, take my email id, this way you will know how to reach me. I live just a street away from here, behind the shop, just in case..”

Nelsee looked at him skeptically, she was not sure if she could reach him on his email or his address. She wanted to make sure she would get her money back but there was no way she could get herself to trust a random stranger who looked no lesser than a nonchalant, irresponsible kid. 

She snatched the book from him and said looked sternly into his eyes, “This book is your mortgage, it stays with me till I get my money back”

She thought to herself, if this kid is real I could make a new friend, if not I will ensure I get my money back. 

“Okay, you can keep the book, but let me just tell you, this book is important for me, I WILL pay you back soon.”

It started drizzling. 

The boy pulled his hoodie back up and turned around to leave, that’s when Nelsee saw his face clearly and said, “Join me for beer tonight Boy! It is going to pour badly tonight.”

Levi thought, any place to drink would be better than his own home,“Umm.. Are you sure you want to drink with a stranger, because we just met..”

“Let’s get to know each other while we walk and also you owe me this boy!”

“Alright, I am Levi by the way”, he said, a bit embarrassed by the whole situation.

Nelsee said with a smile, “My name is Nelsee” and shook hands.

“Let’s walk fast, or we will get drenched.”