A wish upon a falling star

Chapter 3 : Violet

This is so embarassing. Oh God, I never felt so useless. I knew it already that the last date to pay my tution fee in college is less than a month away. Still I couldn't gather my courage to inform this to my father. He must be too tired of everything. We don't have enough money to afford medical school but my father told me chase my dreams. I was completely aware of the situation we are in. But he didn't let me choose another option. Since then I feel like a burden to my entire family. It was so embarassing to stand infront of my friends for not paying the tuition fee. Eventhough it was hard for me to process, the fact that my dad might get few more days to arrange the money calmed my heart.

Cafe seems a bit crowded today. Jack was waiting for me. He was signalling me to hurry up because he was struggling to manage the cafe alone. I put my apron on and started to work. Many orders were pending. So I picked up from where Jack left. He went to upstairs. Somehow I managed to pick up all the orders and started to make coffee one by one. Jack left some orders from upstairs too. I caught my breath after completing all the orders.

I might have forgotten about all the incidents I have gone through this morning for a few minutes but it never left me. The thought of going to college tomorrow terrifies me. But I cannot let my parents know about this incident. It will break their heart for sure.

"Hey Violet. What happened to you? Is everything alright? I've been calling you. But you seem lost. Are you okay?"

I was completly out of my mind while Jack patted on my shoulder. I didn't even notice Abel standing next to the counter.

"I am okay Jack."

I turned around to face Abel to tell him that I am sorry.

"It's okay Violet. I forgive you."

It made me smile. He has been coming here for a few days. So we are quite familiar with each other now.

"Iced latte, right?"

"Yeah. I'll be in the balcony."

"I know I know"

While he went upstairs, I made his latte and took it upstairs. He is drawing something on a paper. I placed the latte on his table. He asked me without even looking at me.

"Would you like to sit here for a moment?"

"Isn't better to be alone while you are concentrating on something?"

"I like the other way. I am more focused when I have someone nearby."

I sat infront of him. I was always fascinated by artists and art. To be honest colours makes me dream. So I go to museums and art galleries in free time. I chose this cafe because of that art gallery infront of this. On somedays when customers are less I go there and let my heart wander around the colours. Abel kind of gives me the same exact feeling. I watch him draw every lines and creating beauty out of it. It is so elegant when someone does that. Creating art.

He was silent. Suddenly he asked.

"Are you really okay? I know I am not the one to ask you but if you want someone to share, I am here. I am a good listner by the way."

Okay. It was sudden. But I felt a relief. He is just a stranger I've known for a few days. Still he asked me. Eventhough I wanted to pour everything out of my mind to someone, I chose silence. I don't want anyone to have the power to destroy me. I am an emotional fool. So I know how much a person can do to destroy me in every possible way if I told him my story. I don't want that to happen. There is this wall around me which protects me from others. For the time being I want to be in that safe zone. So I chose silence.

"Nothing. I was exhausted due to my ongoing exams in college actually. You kniw, it is really hard to manage everything at the same time"

"I really hope that the reason behind those drooping eyes and fading smile is your exams. And not anything else"

I nodded slowly. He is still focused on his drawing. How could someone do two things at a time? That is really fascinating.

"What do you paint? I mean from where do you get the inspiration to paint?"

I asked him out of curiosity.

"People"

I am confused. Most of the artists would say something life nature or colours or dreams. But this is different. So I asked him.

"What do you mean?"

"People inspires me to paint. Isn't it quite interesting to note that these tiny little creatures with two legs and two arms create wonders in the world? Okay. Let me tell you something. You see that bench over there, right?"

He pointed towards a bench made of wood under the tree infront of the cafe.

"Yeah"

"Try to sit there for an hour without doing anything particularly. Just sit there and observe people. Their smile, laugh, postures, actions, emotions, everything. Then you'll get the answer for your question"

He sounds more like me. But I had to change because of the circumstances I was in. I had to abandon the old me. His words shook me from inside. I wanted to try that once. I took his empty cup and left his table. He was still focused on drawing. He motivates me to do the things I once forgot to do.

I wanted to sleep so badly while I reached home. Tiredness has been seeping into my eyes while I was walking on the street. Phone is ringing. I knew that it is my mom. But I didn't answer the call. She will find out that something is wrong with me if I talk to her now. Maybe tomorrow I'll talk to her. Not about college though.