Malia, who was so happy after listening to her friend's voice about returning home in the evening, felt less lonely. However, it was awkward for her to stay in Amber's apartment alone and still move around without the owner's permission. The feeling was weird; she constantly thought twice before using certain things.
The Amber Malia had spoken to earlier sounded more cheerful and full of energy; she sounded like the old one. Malia, who could not contain her joy, promised her friend a sumptuous meal on her return. It was a way of celebrating her friend's good health and gratitude for a roof over her head. After that, she decided to head downtown to the fresh goods market. Unfortunately, her money was limited, so she could only go to the local market since things were expensive at the supermarkets. However, the weather was excellent, and she was so happy to be free to do anything that she wanted to do. As she walked on the streets, she thought back to how she had lived through the twenty-four years without suffocating, wondering why it took her forever to break free from her aunt and uncle.
If she could make it through childhood, where nothing made sense, then this was her living her best. In a blink of an eye, her mood was down, but she shook her head as if to get rid of all the negative thoughts and bad energy that was trying to embrace her. Her childhood was such a sore spot for her. Each time she tried to find the good memories, her mind was like a maze that always brought her to the same place, one filled with pain. That is why her memory carried so little joy. Having Amber with her is the happiest she has been in forever.
'I will not let the past hold me, especially now when I try to be happy and the weather is so beautiful,' She thought. Then, adjusting her mood, she smiles.
She checked her jeans pocket and affirmed her little shopping list because she didn't want to forget anything. While in the market, Malia bought a lot of foodstuff and ingredients. She hoped to outdo herself with a delicious meal for her friend, who was back to her former self. Being a polite and beautiful young lady, she got favored by most of the vendors who gave her discounts and even added more foodstuff. She thanked all of them and left the market in good spirits.
As she left the market, she was somehow thankful for the fact that her aunt and uncle let her do all those chores. Yes, it was hard, but she was grateful because she could survive the cruel world at this point in her life. She wasn't some princess, for she had to learn and endure the hard way. This explains why the friendly little gestures from anyone warmed her heart, and she was always thankful.
As Malia joined the crowded market streets, she was bumped into by a man who was running past her. She was so angry because he bumped into her and never seemed to apologize or even help pick some of her fruits that had fallen due to the impact he had caused. As a result, her shopping bag that contained the fruits was torn apart, causing the apples to fall on the ground. 'What kind of luck is this?'
Picking up what she could from the ground, Malia tried to pack them up in the other bags that contained other foodstuffs. She wasn't going to allow anyone to spoil the day for her. She had spoken a lot of positivity into her day to let just anyone bring the mood down for her.
When she stood up to get back on her journey towards Amber's apartment, she turned to see where the man had runoff. There stood the man, and he looked so scared. He was looking around frantically to check if anyone was following him. Malia decided that it was none of her business; she had enough of her problems to mind that of others. Balancing her shopping bags in her hands, she walked off slowly since the things were a little heavy. She didn't have that much for a taxi. She planned to walk a little to reduce the journey, and she could board a taxi on the roadside. After all, Amber's apartment was on the high-class side of the city, and it was a forty-five drive from the market.
As Malia was about to cross to the less busy side of the streets, she felt like someone was following her. She turned, and, true to her instincts, the man that had bumped into her earlier was following her. Now that she looked at him carefully, he looked strange; on a sunny day, why would anyone be wrapped up in a thick hoody and a scarf. He looked weird. Was he following her? The question bugged Malia's mind but calling herself stupid to think that, she walked on. The road was for everyone. Maybe he was heading in the same direction as she was.
"Don't try to run, or I might slit your throat," someone whispered in Malia's ears.
It took her a long time to register until she felt something cold on her skin. She shivered in fear. What was happening? She should have known that someone dressed like that was indeed a criminal. "Sir, why are you doing this" the word trembled out of Malia. Out of everyone on the streets, she had to be the only one with ugly luck for the man to hold hostage.
"She up if you don't want me to slit off your beautiful throat." Came a threatening voice from the man. He was looking frantically all around him as he used Malia as a shield from whatever she didn't know he was running from.