OIZYS

SOLACE

ENID

I felt embarrassed, I ran after him to apologize but I could only see Mrs. Spencer heading towards me with an umbrella in her hand.

Mrs. Spencer loved me which I knew and I felt burdened because she loved me way too much. She and her husband never had a child which was one reason she loved me like her own daughter. She cried when I refused to stay in her sister’s house. Although the house was spare as her sister was married and left the country but how could I accept a full furnished house without paying any rent, so I started working in her café for which she was delighted.

“What happened child? Why are you outside, its cold and where is your jacket? You will catch cold, Enid.” I smiled and hugged her, “Hello to you too.” She kissed my forehead. Both of us headed inside the café. I took the pink umbrella from her hand and kept it in the corner of the café near the curtain as it was still wet.

“What were you doing outside, Enid?” I turned around to look at Mrs. Spencer and I could tell that she was worried. “It was just this customer.. By the way did you see a tall man pass by on your way?” She shook her head. I sighed and walked towards the kitchen. “Why is there cheesecake and hot milk kept here?” I looked at her pointing finger and to my surprise the guy did not even touch anything. It was untouched, aligned perfectly with the tissues kept separately as I had left them for him. ‘Was he so angry that I lied? He didn’t touch anything?’

“Enid” Mrs. Spencer called. I looked at her and smiled, “I don’t know Mrs. Spencer, the customer he.. nevermind. My mistake.”

She walked towards me and pointed at the chair in front of her indicating for me to sit. I sat in front of her and smiled. “You know that I love you right?” I nodded my head. She smiled, “You can tell me anything.” “I know Mrs. Spencer and please don’t worry about me I am completely fine.”

‘Mrs. Spencer knew me well. Just working in her café will never repay what she feels for me. She always treated me like her daughter. Not to mention Mr. Spencer, he texts me every hour asking if I was fine. I love them.’

She hummed in response and said nonchalantly, “ You can leave, I will handle it from here.” Before I could refuse her she gestured for me to remove the apron. I knew refusing Mrs. Spencer is of no use, so I obliged and removed the apron.

“Good night Mrs. Spencer, meet you tomorrow.” She mouthed, “I love you.” I smiled and replied back.

Finally I was out and free. It was drizzling outside. I deliberately walked slowly to enjoy the beautiful yet dark and intimidating weather. It was only a 15 minute walk from the café to my house. Our café was located near my college, so most of our customers were students but that man was certainly not a student, he seemed mature, maybe he was a professor. But he was young to be a professor. As I was walking thinking about the man I saw earlier today. I noticed a group of students in front of the college entrance circling around someone and kicking his stomach I could hear the guy screaming in agony.

REN

It was raining outside. I sighed and walked outside the hospital whilst stretching my arms. I certainly liked rain but not the traffic jam that is caused because of it. Well I had no choice but to take my car back home.

“Dr. Ren” I turned around and saw Mrs. Smith walking towards me. “Yes” I replied. She smiled brightly and said, “Thank you, you really did a great job today.” “Oh come-on Mrs. Smith without you this hospital is nothing.” She cleared her throat probably embarrassed and said, “Goodbye, have a nice weekend.”

I sat in the car and without wasting any time started driving. Today was Friday and it was a ritual at my place that every Friday all three of us would have dinner together and I am already late.

Suddenly my phone started ringing, it read ‘Head nurse’ “Yes Mrs. Smith?” She replied quickly, “We need your help.” “Yes I am listening.” “Dr. our ambulance is stuck in the traffic jam because of the weather and there is an emergency, can you drive and check the situation there?” “Sure Mrs. Smith, send me the address” I quickly hung up and waited for the address. After a few seconds Mrs. Smith sent me the location, it read Silver Canoe way, Wiley.

It was just a 10 minute drive.

As I reached the location, I saw a few people surrounded by a young boy probably a college student lying on the road unconscious. I ran towards him. “ Please give him space, I request all of you to step back.” Everyone surrounding the boys stepped back except a girl, her face was pale with tears flowing down her cheeks, her eyes were on the boy lying unconscious.

‘Maybe she knows him.’ I thought.

“The ambulance is here, thank you doctor Dr. Ren.” I heard Mrs. Smith. I stepped back from the unconscious body and looked for the girl.

‘She looked familiar.’

The girl was nowhere in my sight. I looked around once more and saw the girl standing near my car with a hand on her heart. I ran towards her worried and stood in front of her, but her eyes were on the ambulance.

“ Do you know that boy?” Suddenly she started hyperventilating and fainted, thankfully I caught her in my arms before she would hit the ground. As I held her, she slightly opened her eyes and whispered “ You?”