With its constant flickering, it was clear the bulb would pass out soon. The room was all cold and empty but full of surreal amounts of coffee tainted books and texts. it was an unpleasant place to be at. The tainted books arranged according to category on the pale shelves were of no help in producing heat. They were emitting coldness of their own. With a library broken down as such, students and other users stayed away.
Promises upon promises left unfulfilled by the politicians past and present dwindled the hope of the people. They refused to believe in them any longer. The politicians resulted into secretly threatening them to cast their votes for them
The petite frail looking girl without enough clothes to shield her from the cold was a sore to sight. The clattering of her teeth could be heard in other aisles in the broken building. All these the loving politicians pledged to repair and renovate but to no avail. Funds and donations have been collected in spite of that, a hammer was not seen on site.
Preparing for her bar exam, Amalia scanned through the old law texts available. The three legged table croaked whenever the load was too much. She adjusted her glasses as she turned to the next page ignoring the turbulence. It is a normal thing in Surador to frequently feel a turbulence. It indicated that a place somewhere in the country was going under the earth. She was surviving by a hair's breadth on the scholarship which she literally fought for. She must ace her exams. Close to being debunked, passing the exams paves way for her to acquire her Master of philosophy (MPhil) in political science.
In Surador, they engage in sexism indirectly. Women are classified as weaklings thus certain jobs are assigned for them only. A few such as Amalia strive to partake in the other businesses. Working undercover for her doctor of philosophy could take almost half of her life hence she resulted in mentorship. Under a skilled person, one could be able to pick up tips and tricks. She consulted the Bar association who gave her a week to figure out her mentor.
She indeed has people who love her but opposed her decision of being her lawyer. She worked her butt off to secure the scholarship. Her mother, a baker, wanted her to be like her better still a subject teacher. She strongly upholds the view of lawyers being apart of a cult. Her father was of no difference. He believed that the lawyers together with others were the masterminds behind major crime scenes such as the corruption, bribery and mass murders. With the job as a second honours accountant, he was able to provide for his family of six including his wife and himself.
The older siblings and younger came to her aid to support one sibling go through what she loved. They summed up their savings and managed to steal a few slacks from their obnoxious parents without their knowledge. They were able to pay for her bachelor of law course and her Juris doctor degree (JD). They couldn't be more proud of her for her efforts. She refused to take advantage again and opted for q scholarship when it came to her MPhil.
Full twenty-seven years of her life has being spent in books, audios and videos. She missed out on her life. Society was of no help. A fortune of being the third born was to be spared of much of society's criticism. Holidays were no special days to her as to others. A few helped in whatever way they could.
"My dear, care for a hot cup of tea? It could help with your shuddering." Mrs. Hespen, a widow in her early fifties, left in charge of the library after her husband's demise persisted. She was concerned of the young lady's health and worried she would succumb to be a victim.
"Yes please, black tea would do." Amalia gave up after been asked several since she got there mid morning. She thanked the Lady in her heart for her kind thoughts.
Mrs. Hespen went over to the cafe across the street. She brought back two hot black cups of tea filled with cream and engaged the lady in small talk before leaving her alone. Mostly to fond out what she was studying. She found the young lady intriguing upon meeting her in her pubescent days. She saw herself in her. She saw her love for her siblings and the look of craving for freedom at the sight of toddlers in the park. She was afraid she too would live her life in this crazy compelling part of the country. Time flew by quite fast after she left her to her books.
When the clock struck seven in the starless evening, a lanky man strode through the library. Mrs. Hespen gave a quick nod as of daily basis before returning to her writing. He took long strides to the governance section of the library. The heat emitting from his body contradicted that of the library's. A glance at the frail lady caused a pang in his thorax. He knew it was for the best. Heck! All of them knew that. He hanged his grey blazer on the lady's shoulder causing her to jerk in fright.
"It's me," he pats her shoulder. "Ready to go?"
"Sure, Hubert," she composes herself."let me record these for take outs. She goes about with what she wanted, bids Mrs Hespen farewell then head for his Tesla.
"Did you feel the turbulence today?" Hubert inquires from his sister as he ignites the engine.
"Yep, it was faint. Nothing to worry about." She assures.
"Faint?" He asks startled. "Where have you been all this time? It caused major chaos at the park! Hope the mayor doesn't fret 'bout the money."
"Oh no." is all she says.
"So far only two recorded victims,"he continues as he swerves to the right. " we hope that's all. Trude did a big thing this round." She gets lost in her candid thoughts as he accelerates on their parents driveway.
"Why did you wear this when you know it's going to be cold?" Hubert observes as they stood at the doorpost of their parent's house.
She sighs and press the bell button.
"Never thought it would be that cold besides it seems it was Trude's doing not the heater." She expounds. Her younger brother sees to the door as they assemble at the dining table after saying their greetings. They have chicken Alfredo's for dinner.
"Heard you're barely hanging on to that measly scholarship," her mother taunts. " About time they realize they're wasting their money."
Amalia frowns and ignores her comment.
"Don't worry kid. It's not too late to be a subject teacher." Her father improvises. Her phone vibrates with a ring in her dress pocket shutting down the gurgling retort in her throat. Her mother glares at her as she excuses herself for disrespecting her.
"Hello, is this Miss Amalia Sonolmes speaking?" A surly voice speaks from the other side of the line.
"Yes, she is. How may I assist you?"
"Miss Sonolmes, I call to congratulate you on your admission."
"Pardon? Who is speaking please?"
"Where are my manners, I am solicitor Ransford James under barrister Cosby. I have been instructed to inform you about the result of your proposal. We have found you a mentor." She tries to hide the upcoming smile.
"Really? Who is it then?"
She returns to the dining table beaming. She ignores the stare down of her family as she munches on her food. After brief moments of silence of working cutlery, she snaps.
"Why are you all staring at me?"
"I believe you know the answer to that question yourself." Her mother sneers.
"What is the matter?" Hubert asks calmly.
"Nothing, dear." She replies. Her elder sister Judie scoffs muttering
"Only lunatics smile without reason." Their parents enjoy their brawl.
Someone chuckles. "She is actually beaming not smiling. There's a difference." Her younger brother, Jean corrects. His second older sister ignores their remarks and waits for Monday.
She has to move to her own apartment on Saturday — which is tomorrow. She has a lot to pack and unpack. Not getting anything out of her throughout the evening, they disperse to their homes.
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It was unusual. So unusual. Amalia didn't expect internship to happen in a hospital when she was asked to report to on her first day. She debated on calling the solicitor for clarification. She concluded on going along with the instructions she was given on Saturday.
'Go to the city hospital, request for room four private ward, thus, your internship has began'
What kind of instructions are these? She mumbles to no one in particular.
She locates the reception nurse as she strides through the sliding doors of the city hospital.
"Room four private ward please." The nurse glances at her semi casual clothes.
"And who are you?" The nurse asks.
"Amalia Sonolmes. I have been asked by solicitor James for the room I mentioned earlier."
"Ah, you must be the wife of Mr. Levishay. I am envious." The nurse chirps as Amalia looks confused.
"Wife of Levishay? Me? Oh no! You've got it wrong. I am just an intern."
"Uh huh you two your secret is safe with me."
"Can you please direct me to the place?" She grits her teeth.
"Impatient I see. Fourth floor, fourth room."
Amalia punches the fourth floor button in the elevator as she mutters to herself. 'I didn't sign up for this and what was the nurse talking about.' She clenches her fist. 'Let's get over with this. It's the only way'
She expected the flaunting of wealth and she got it. The ward looked to be meant for the president of their country. The interior design itself glowed money. Her black pumps clucked the pristine tiles as she headed for the room at the far end of the hallway. Her resonating footsteps drew the disdain of the donna's in the floor. She passed by the sixth room containing a man with tubes in his system and came upon the fourth room opposite the eighth. Taking three deep breaths, she knocked lightly and poked her pale face inside. She noticed a man probably in his early thirties placed on oxygen lying in bed in the middle of the white room. He squeaked his eyes open ready to gnarl at the nosy lady.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" His voice croaks. Amalia enters the room fully.
"Well, I have been told I'll find one Xerxes Levishay here. Might you be that person?"Amalia enquires.
"You have found me now leave. I haven't got time to answer your questions media. How did they let you in actually?"
"Media? I am no media." She stares at the broken man. "I am Amalia Sonolmes, solicitor James informed me of you being my mentor and that I'll find you here. Are you not aware?"
"That son of a-" he stopped short when he saw her moving to make herself comfortable in a couch nearby. He glared at her relaxed figure.
"If you are Levishay, what happened to you?" She gestures to him in the hospital gowns.
He ignored her and began mumbling. 'I knew he was up to no good. But this? A nosy lass!'
"What is wrong with me?" Amalia stressed arcing an eyebrow. "Is it because I am a woman? Now that's insulting!"
"I never said anything based on your gender. You are nosy. That is my concern."
"Nosy? That's absurd! I am nothing but nosy. I simply needed to find out if my conclusions made sense."
"Whatever. You know your way out so leave." He recoiled back into the bed.
"Ah, Mrs Levishay you are here!" A doctor addresses Amalia as he entered the room oblivious to the tension." I must say your husband took quite a hit. Thankfully he will be better in a few days. It seems he has some people to return and it's you I presume and your daughter." Amalia glowered at the doctor whilst Xerxes had confusion etched in his brain.
"Wife? Daughter? What in the law's name are you all going on about?" He snapped.
Meanwhile back at Xerxes' bungalow, the workers were going on about their obligations and getting the place all set for his arrival. His accident was a scare to them all. His parents however didn't come down to check on him. The workers were even fascinated when they heard of his supposed wife and child.
'How had their master married without their knowledge?' Was their general thought.
They hoped she gets to stay so they could analyse whether she is a keeper.