My sufferings had just begun, I didn't take my purse else I would board a taxi off but I just don't know where to go really. It's the hardest mistake of my life to assault Edmund, tears start streaming down my face as I think of this. If I didn't do this, I'd still be working there. Now, I can't go back, I'll meet with the worst punishment.
I wander off into the road, trodding on the pedestrian lane till I discover that I've traveled far, about a hundred meters. Would I continue walking like this without any destination? I need to sit and think of where next I'll go, where I'd be staying. I hadn't even picked up my phone, nor my purse either. What a foolish mistake!
Venla's Plaza is near, I'm going to stroll down there and rest for a while, then think of where I'm heading to. The park is filled with very many people, some sitting on the benches, others on the ground, some alone, others with friends or family. I feel alone once again, I have no one to share my experiences with right now. I wished I had. My poor aunt is the only one I can go home to but I would be an additional burden to her, she's the one I assisted while I was working. Thought of going to manage life with her sets into my mind strongly, if I don't then I'll have to live in the streets because there's no other place.
I'll go to my aunt's place though it's many kilometers away and I have no transport. I sat down there lost in thought for about a long time when an elderly man approached me, his eyes full of concern as he walked closer and sat beside me, staring into my eyes.
"What's wrong with you, you've been here for a while sitting all alone and looking depressed. Is there any problem, I just care to know."
I look into his eyes, tears are about to drop from my eyes but I just have to control my emotions. It wouldn't be right either to pour out my recent ordeal of running away from work, having nowhere to go and all that. "I lack money to pay my way to my aunt's place," I simply said to cut everything short.
"Where's it located?"
"At Dillingham Avenue."
"I think that should be about five hundred dollars?" This kind stranger asks about digging his hand into his pocket to bring out some cash. I nodded in agreement, it's exactly that but I never expected that someone I hardly knew would volunteer to help me.
"Take it!" He stretches out his hand with a note on it, I stare intensely and it's a thousand dollars.
"Arrgh!" I scream jumping up to hug him, my joy knows no bounds now. "I never hoped for any help, talkless of the transport fare but you give me double. Thanks so much." Smiles beam on my face, it was hard for me to smile, smiling now indicates that I'm extremely happy. I think this' the first time a stranger has really cared to do something about my wellbeing. I recall Edmund, he had actually intended doing this in his own way but I failed on my part. I wish I could turn back the tide of time.
My new friend escorts me out of the park and waves at me as I board a taxi, off to my aunt's place. I throw him a kiss as the taxi is about moving. Good people really still exist in the world.
The drive took about forty minutes and some seconds to be accurate. My aunt's apartment stood at the edge of the family plot of land her late husband inherited; he died four years ago. Since then my aunt has been living alone with her dog, Casey. Casey and I have been her only source of inspiration and joy for the past years, she has no kid to call her own. Though she wasn't able to produce an heir to her husband, he still loved her and wanted to be with her. He was such a kind and loving husband that when he died after a brief illness, my aunt really felt the pains. She's in her early sixties and suffering from breast cancer, my salary has been helping her a lot for treatment. Now my heart is in sorrows at how she'd do as I've lost my only source of survival.
I hate being a carrier of bad news. My aunt always knew that each time I came to visit her, it was for good. She'd be thinking the same now only to be disillusioned soon. She rushes towards me with her Casey running after her. We catch each other in a passionate embrace, she can't hold her joy and I can't tell her the truth too soon, I'd be spoiling her joy. Let me reserve that till I'm settled inside the house.
"It's been long, so glad to see you again Lucy. How is work, how is the city?" I feel tempted to voice out at these questions, I have to hold back a bit longer. 'Not too soon,' my mind warns me.
"Everything is fine, aunt." I fake a smile.
Inside her apartment, she entertains me with the little food she had left in the refrigerator. "This' the last food I have my dear, just enjoy it. I know you'll surely drop some good news as you've always done before you leave." She blushed widely while Casey stands in front of me wagging its tail in joy.
I'm always a carrier of good news, sorry for today's difference. "I'm no longer working aunt." I lowered my head in shame. "I have no work right now, I'm sorry to disappoint you, so sorry." Tears stream down my face.
"Are you kidding, what do you mean darling?" Her eyes widened in shock, she's really dumbfounded.
Oh God, I wish this didn't happen. I'm so sad right now. "I don't know how we're gonna survive with me joining your household? I have nowhere to go."
"Do you think I'll be able to take care of you?" Aunt Beatrice said with a broken voice, tears streaming down her eyes, even Casey was heartbroken. My soul is shattered to pieces right now, I never believed I'd be in such a condition.