White heart

White Heart Chapter Two: Life Outside Home 1

"Turn left,at east avenue street......yes here, stop". The cab Alisha was in made a stop. "

Who do I know here? Was leaving home the right idea? What next now?" All questions that ran through Alisha's mind.

"How much?".... "Three dollars ma'am"

It was as quiet as a grave yard. Alisha stared,she looked round "Now I'm not home, what was I thinking, what am I going to do?" She was thirty kilometers from home and just over ten kilometers from school. Alisha walked towards the nearest streetlight, her heels clicking on the deserted pavement.

Feeling She has made a terrible decision She wanted to go back home. She pulled out her phone to order a ride. "Huh, I can only get one bar" the network was slow. she waited for some minutes but the ride didn't connect.

"I can just be kidnapped." She thought of more possible risks. Alisha put her phone back. She paced to and fro unsure of what to do next. She suddenly remembered a friend, "I'm sure she'll come pick me up"

She pulled out her phone and dialed a number, waiting anxiously for an answer but it went straight to voicemail.

"Hey, Sarah? It's me, Alisha. I need a favor... I'm stranded at East Avenue Street, about.....thirty kilometers from home. Can you come pick me up? Please?"

Alisha paced back and forth, her eyes scanning the dark street, feeling vulnerable and alone. She had never been in this part of town before, and the eerie silence was unsettling.

As she waited for Sarah's response, she noticed a small diner across the street, its neon sign reading "Open 24/7". Without hesitation, Alisha hurried towards the diner, seeking refuge from the darkness and her own uncertainty.

As she pushed open the diner's door, a warm light enveloped her, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled her senses. The diner was cozy, with a few patrons scattered at the counter and in booths. Alisha slid into a booth in the back, hoping to go unnoticed.

A friendly waitress, with a big smile and a bouffant hairdo, came over to take her order. "Hey, sweetie, what can I get for you? Coffee, tea, or something stronger?"

Alisha hesitated, unsure of what she wanted. "Just water, please," she said finally.

As the waitress walked away, Alisha noticed a strange-looking man sitting at the counter, eyeing her with interest. He had a shaggy beard and had on a vintage shirt. He was a fine looking man, around his late twenties. His tall dark stature was what Alisha found attractive about him.

The waitress returned with a glass of water and a menu. "You okay, hon? You look like you've lost your last friend."

Alisha forced a smile. "Just a little lost, that's all."

The waitress nodded sympathetically. "Well, you're in luck. This diner's got a special kind of magic. People come here when they're lost, and they always find what they're looking for."

Alisha raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really?"

The waitress winked. "Yeah, really. Now, what'll it be? Food, advice, or a little bit of both?" "Ermm excuse me, I'll be back" Alisha said as she went to the restroom. Pacing back and forth worriedly "Come on come on pick up" she still hasn't gotten feedback from Sarah. She couldn't imagine staying in a place that's not home. Two hours passed,yet not a call or text from Sarah. She thought of calling her parents but she didn't want their scolding. "Let me just call" She said to herself. She dialed her Dad's number, it didn't go through. Then her mum but it was switched off. "I guess I'm stranded,I'm stuck,I caused this nonsense.....". "Ma'am, can I stay here for a few days?" Alisha said calmly. The waitress smiled...." Sure hon, for as long as you want. Come and keep your things here" she said. Alisha followed her to the back of the kitchen where two small rooms were situated. Meanwhile,the weird man kept staring.

Alisha felt a sense of relief wash over her as she followed the waitress to one of the small rooms. It was simple, with a single bed, a nightstand, and a small closet, but it was clean and cozy. She set her bag down and turned to the waitress, who was watching her with a kind smile.

"Thank you so much," Alisha said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'll be out of your way as soon as I can."

The waitress waved her hand dismissively. "Don't you worry, hon. You're welcome to stay as long as you need. Just make yourself at home."

As Alisha nodded her thanks, she noticed the same man still watching her from the counter. She felt a shiver run down her spine, but the waitress seemed to sense her unease and stepped in.

"Don't mind him, sweetie," she said with a wink. "He's just our usual customer,everyone knows Kamil. Harmless, but a bit...interesting."

Alisha smiled weakly, still feeling uneasy under the man's gaze. The waitress walked out of the room and waved Alisha goodbye "Be comfortable" she said. "I will. Good night". Alisha made the bed. She sat at the edge feeling so stupid about the situation she's made. Her mind went to her parents who she knew would be worried sick. "I'll be back,I'll just go to school from here and probably get a part-time job or a loan.....I'll need to work extra hard and I need peace, home won't give me this". She laid on the bed facing the ceiling and for a while she stayed like that staring at it as if she was counting the stars. She slept off.

"Morning dear", Alisha was woken by the sweet voice of the friendly waitress. "Good morning ma'am" she replied still stretching. "Ooh shoot, classes must have started" Alisha sat for a minute to think "I've got just four dollars with me,it won't be enough to take me home,I don't even think home's the best place for me right now. I'm old enough to stay on my own. Hmm, okay I'll just take my bath and head to school. When I'm back I'll talk with the fine waitress, I'm sure she knows where a college student like me can find a part-time job". Alisha did just this.

At around 7 pm she was back to the diner. She freshened up and went to meet the waitress as she planned earlier. "Ma'am, can I have a word with you?" ,"Sure dear, what's it?" the waitress replied with sincere concern shown on her face. "I'm in college but I'm short on funds. This is my last year and semester in school. I'm studying Biochemistry and my school is about fifteen kilometers from here. Let's say like a twenty minute drive. Do you know where a girl like me can find a part time job?" The waitress smiled "aww sweetie, that's not a problem, what kind of job are you looking for?", "Any one,any kind,I don't really have a choice" The waitress smiled again this time more excitedly " Great! How about here,you can help in cleaning the diner, you'll be paid Thirty five dollars every month,free food too". "Really? Thank you ma'am, "anytime dear, we've been looking for some help. let me talk to the manager,you start immediately". Basically, all she has to do is clean the diner, just the diner.............. "that's simple right?" She tried convincing her self. As She made her way to the room, again the strange man was around. He sighted Alisha and kept staring. She felt irritated. Alisha gave a firm look, steupes and walked past him. His countenance changed. He stopped staring. Alisha looked back "oops,I think I've hurt his feelings" but she couldn't go back.

The next day,she woke up earlier than usual. She read from 5 am to 6:30 am. Then went outside. she stood by the diner door for a while then noticed the same man who usually stares at her sitting on a bench not far from where she stood. She walked up to him. "Hey there,I'm Alisha,you can call me isha" she said as she reached for a hand shake. The man ignored her. Alisha felt bad. "I'm sorry for how I reacted the other day, I was rude, I'm sorry I didn't mean it. I just wasn't in a good mood" "naah it's fine,I was being weird. You are very beautiful.I guess I couldn't help but stare..... I'm Kamil by the way, have a sit". Alisha sat beside him. "So, what's a fine girl like you doing working in the diner?" Kamil asked. His gaze not leaving her face. He looked into her eyes for almost a minute as Alisha spoke

"it's a long story but you'll get to know later". There was a moment of silence "well this is awkward" Alisha said. Kamil gave a slight smile still looking at her firmly. "Yh I have to go,I don't want to be late for classes" Alisha said just trying to escape the weird situation as her classes wouldn't start for another hour. "You're in college?" "Yesss. I'm in my final year. Off campus" "Niceee", Kamil said as she walked back to the diner. "What school?" He shouted, "Din international college of science" she replied.

Alisha was back from school. She changed into something comfortable and headed to the diner kitchen. Alisha grabbed a mop and broom from near the waste bin and grabbed a rag from just the counter top. She began cleaning. She swept the diner, moped the floor, cleaned the tables and chairs. When she was done she took a cup of tea and an unfamiliar pastry. It tasted nice. It was her first time having it. Alisha sighted Kamil for the third time in the diner. She walked up to him. She was more comfortable with him now. They exchanged pleasantries and he left for home. Alisha went back to the room. She laid on the bed facing the ceiling. She began to think of everything that has happened in the diner so far. "It's not so bad here". She thought about Kamil and she smiled "He's unusual. Why is he being so nice to me? He must want something in return"

They became like best friends. Three months passed and Alisha had made a little over a hundred dollars. She saved this. She didn't need to eat from it. She got free food from the diner neither did she use it for transport to school, Kamil gave her this. He was a real gentleman. In four months time,Alisha would be done with school. All that will be left is her project and graduation.