The Strangers' Matrimony

CHAPTER 5: Midnight Occurrence

“The night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.” - Vincent Van Gogh

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Kyle Kreger look at the woman who is wearing her brown strapped sandals at their doorstep. “Are you sure you can go on your own? I can drive you home”, he asked in concern.

Sophia smiled at the man. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m really fine, Senior. You’re also drunk so you cannot drive. Don’t worry, I already called a cab and it will be here in a minute”, she stated as she stands properly after putting her footwear. 

Standing beside her husband, Tiffany looked worriedly to her best friend. “But, it’s too late already! You can sleep here if you want! Let’s sleep together in one bed!”, she offered.

Sophia smirked teasingly at her best friend. “Then what? You want me to sleep between you and Senior? Listen, I have no plans to become a third party, okay”, she bantered.

Tiffany blinked her eyes, startled. “Oh! Right! You have a point! SHOO! GO AWAY NOW, WOMAN! HE’S ONLY MINE! GET LOST!”, she retorted that made them both laugh hard in their own antics.

Kyle expressionlessly looks at the best friends and shakes his head in their weirdness, having a thought of why he can’t understand women sometimes.

“You two go inside now. The twins might be waiting for both of you.”

“They’re already sleeping as I checked them a while ago. Don’t worry”, Tiffany shrugged. “We’ll accompany you here until the cab arrives.”

All of the sudden, their attention was caught by a yellow cab that appeared in front of the Kreger’s Residence.

“Oh! Speaking of!”, Tiffany stated in amazement.

Sophia chuckled in the timing of the cab, too. “Well then, I’ll go ahead”, she announced, fixing the golden chain strap of her LV 2017 Malle mini bag on her shoulder. “Thank you again for the delicious dinner. I really enjoy it”, she added walking out of the black gate.

The couple followed behind her and watched as she opened the cab’s passenger door.

“Send me a message once you get home, okay.”

“Okay-“

“Make sure you will really do it or else LET’S END TONIGHT OUR DECADE OF FRIENDSHIP HERE!”, Tiffany reminded, being familiar with how lazy her best friend to make a call and even send SMS.

“Alright! Alright!”, Sophia assured as she hugged her best friend. She knew that Tiffany was just worried about her. “Goodnight! Bye-bye!”

The two release each other then Sophia hop inside the cab. She waved her hand towards them.

“Sir, please take care when driving!”, Tiffany said politely to the driver which made the man in his 40’s smile and started to go.

Sophia continues to wave at the couple and signal them to go inside their house. She sees Tiffany wave her hand and Kyle smiles at her until they’re out of her sight after the cab turns in one corner.

“You have a very amazing friend, Miss”, the driver commented.

Sophia smiles gratefully. “Yes, and I’m thankful of it”, she stated.

Silence engulfed between them as the Driver focused on the road and Sophia looked outside the window. 

Sophia and the Kreger couple only noticed that it’s already 12 midnight after being occupied by a long chat and drinking session. It’s been a while since she last drank a beer, and really misses the spirit of the alcohol within her. 

She remembered her first booze was during her College days. Tiffany and her sneaked two cans of beer inside the university’s library and drank it while hiding in one of the book shelves that was out of the librarians’ roaming eyes. The most nerve-wrecking part is to experience having a fear of being caught on their rebellious act which surprisingly added on the effect of the beer.

As soon as they finished, they put back their empty cans inside their school bags and the two calmly walked out of the library, acting as if nothing happened. When they were already far away, the two started to giggle and jumped zealously as if they won a lottery, having no care for their schoolmates looking at them confused.

Sophia grown-up in a conservative family so she’s afraid to disobey her Grandma and Parents. However, she realized being rebellious even for a short time can help her grow, be aware and responsible in handling her life. She’s thankful that Tiffany let her experience those kinds of things while they’re young. She also appreciates that her best friend makes sure they are safe whenever they’re trying to do something new. Sophia smiles remembering those nostalgic memories. 

‘I don’t regret anything’, she thought.

The cab passed by in one street which is the busiest part of the capital every midnight where bars and few restaurants are located. There are also people who are already drunk and smoking outside of some bars and chilling as if having a great time of their lives. 

However, every time Sophia sees people like them, she can’t help having a thought that some of these people might want to stop their habits of drinking, smoking and even taking drugs. But, they can’t because of some personal issues in their life such as stress, anxiety, fears, heartaches and problems that lead them to have this kind of addiction.

The addiction of escaping Reality.

“They’re still awake”, said the driver after noticing Sophia’s observing outside..

Sophia smiles, not averting her gaze. 

“Those people are trying to have a temporary enjoyment, yet not being wise in spending. If they only knew how hard it is to earn money and spend it on the things that may longer their life instead of those things that are slowly killing them”, he commented, hinting a bitterness in his tone.

Sophia looked at the driver who’s still focused ahead on the road. “Until what time are you working, Sir? If you don’t mind me asking”, she inquired.

“Well, I always start from five in the morning until midnight. Actually after this trip, I will go straight home”. 

Sophia nods her head in understanding. “Oh, I see”, she said, not knowing how to continue the chat.

“If only I can work 24/7, I’ll do it. But, I also need to take a rest. I can’t be sick, not at this time. I need to earn money as me and my wife’s salary is not enough for our needs and my son’s hospital bills”, he sighed for a pause. “You know, he was diagnosed with Leukemia and is doing his best to heal so we can’t give up now”, the driver shared.

Sophia attentively listens to the man’s dilemma who didn’t hesitate to tell his personal issue with a stranger like her. She can feel the sadness and load of pain from him.

For sure, everyone is dealing with their own problem. The only option is to find a solution and face it with courage and strong faith so they can get out of that temporary situation.

“Let’s believe in him. He will be fine”, she whispered which made the man look at her through the rear view mirror and smile.

As the cab halts when the traffic light turns red, a silver Ferrari Roma that was in front of them suddenly opens its door from the right side. A tanned-skin bombshell pretty woman, wearing provocative red lingerie, hops out of the car with a frown in her face. She seems like talking to the person inside the car but what surprises them the most is when a small pouch flies from inside and hits the shoulder of the woman.

The woman looked in disbelief at the person inside and continued to argue. She even hardly knocks on the window that might be close after throwing the small pouch. As the traffic light turns green, the woman stops knocking on the window but paper money is then next thrown to her that hits straight to her face. The car goes off and the woman was left standing in the middle of the road, cursing and pointing her middle finger at the car that was already far away. 

“Tsk! Tsk! What a scene in the middle of the night”, the driver said stunningly.

The most ironic part is when the woman sits down and picks up the paper money that was left on the road and puts it inside her pouch. She stands up shamelessly and walks away. 

The cab started to move again and Sophia was left astound while looking at the woman who received cat-calls from the by-standers that also witnessed them.

“That woman decided to forget her dignity just for the sake of money? Tsk! Tsk! People these days”, commented by the driver shaking his head in disbelief. “It is still much better if you earn your own money in a more decent way”, he added.

Sophia didn’t say a word and just heaved a sigh after seeing that unexpected incident.

As they drove on the main road, their cab coincidentally ran side by side of the sports car and Sophia curiously looked at its driver’s window which was open widely. Her surprise was evident after recognizing the person inside who’s nonchalantly driving his car. 

‘Wait! It’s him!’, she thought.

The man turned his gaze from the road to the cab which made their eyes meet. He just looks at her unconcerned then turns his attention back to the road ahead of him. The cab now turns in the other direction while the Ferrari still drives straight on the main road. 

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Sophia finally arrives in front of her apartment and pays a fare to the driver. She got out of the cab excitedly and was looking forward to get home as soon as possible.

“Wait, Miss!”, the driver called from inside the cab. “You paid too much!”, he said.

Sophia looks back and smiles. “Please take it, Sir. That’s for your son. I hope it will helps”, she replied humbly. 

The driver stares in shock but later smiles in gratitude. “Thank you, Miss! Thank you for your kindness. This is a big help!”, he stated.

“Goodnight, Sir! Rest well”, she reminded, bidding farewell and started walking inside the apartment.  

Sophia beams in contentment while climbing the apartment’s stairs. She really hopes that the Driver’s son will be healed soon. 

'This is a wonderful night after all', she thought while feeling grateful that she can able to help other people.

She now arrives on the buildings’ 3rd floor and walks in the dim-lighted corridor until she reaches room 303. She started fishing for the apartment’s keys inside her mini bag when suddenly her phone rings. She picks out her phone first and checks the caller. She pressed the answer button then continued getting the keys.

“Hello Grandma! What’s wrong? Why are you still awake?”, she answered confusedly while putting the key on the keyhole and turning it to open.

“Nothing. I’m just finishing some stuff here. Anyway, Tiffany sent me a message a while ago and mentioned you guys have dinner. Have you already reached home?”, Grandma Susan asked.

“I just arrived, Grandma”, she replied, getting inside her apartment and tiredly walking towards the kitchen to get a glass of water.

“That’s good! Oh right! Come here today by afternoon.”

Sophia paused and put away the mobile in her ear to look dumbly at the screen as if checking if she’s really talking to her Grandmother or just hearing things because of being tipsy. She returned the phone in her ear again. “Grandma, are you sure you’re okay? Why do I need to go home today? Afternoon but it’s Sunday night now.”

“Unless you forgot it’s already Monday dawn.”

“Oh!” Sophia tapped her forehead realizing how foolish she is. “Why? What’s wrong? ”, she asked worriedly.

“Nah! I’m fine-“

“-Are you sick?”, she continued knowing it is very unusual for Grandma Susan asking her to go home especially during weekdays!

“Calm down, Dear. I’m just going to discuss something important and you need to be here.”

“Ah… Oookaaaayy?... well, if you say so uhm I’ll be there then”, she hesitantly responded.

“Well then I’ll hang up now so you can take a rest. Goodnight Dear!”

“You too, Grandma. Goodnight! I love you!”

“I love you, too”, said Grandma before ending the call.

Sophia stares on her phone for a while and wonders what’s going on. She looked around her apartment and sighed after realizing she wasn't able to stay in her haven for the whole day again. She then opened her mini refrigerator to get a pitcher of water and pour it in a glass. After that, she gulps the cold water in contentment. 

“Haaa~ I think Grandma is really okay” she said to no one as she brought down her glass. “But, why do I feel restless?” she added.

+++ To be continued +++