DAYS IN THE SUN

Chapter one

The world we are living in is full of tests and travails. Sometimes we may feel that our troubles, hardships, ordeals and pains never end. The constant streams of challenges and hurdles could be over bearing and hard to control. Every stage of life is pertinent and as Miley park walked down oxburn street, she couldn't help but feel the same way too.
    She walked down the lane, claded in her raincoat, her bag full of mails strapped to her side. The rain had fallen steadily without let up since before she woke. Outside, the summer flowers and leaves droop under the weight of the droplet. It was the type of rain that got the streams running with pristine water from the hills. Miley pulled down her hood and shook her hair to gain some life back into her blonde braids.
    The sky still maintained it's gloominess as gusts of wind blew now and then. Her stomach growled as she left for work on an empty stomach– a phenomenon that was now becoming a norm. Her first stop was house 7. If flaunted a small yet dainty garden at the entrance. Miley rung the doorbell on the arched door and waited. One second. Three seconds. Five seconds. She rang harder and heard shuffling of papers, a clang and then a man with a pockmarked face and prominent nose with light brown hair and angry brown eyes stuck his head out.
'Yes?'. He said gruffly.
' Good day sir. Your papers have arrived'.
' It's about time! Do you know how people long I have been waiting?! Two minutes! That's how long!'. He screamed at the top of his voice.
    Miley was taken aback by his response but quickly regained her composure. She was accustomed to this sort of behavior from customers. It was just another one of those psycho citizens. She brought out three letters and handed them older. He snatched them and quickly gave her the money. He slammed the door in her face. She kept on posting mails, going from one house to another. It was tiring job and she hated every aspect of I. She glanced at her watch and it was five thirty in the evening– you one to return to the post office.
                                ***
   Entering the post office was like stepping into the abode of confusion. Even though it was evening and work would soon be over, staff were hurrying and scurrying to carry out tasks given by the boss. Mrs Bianca also known as boss 'B' for business was a haughty woman who never cared for anything other than her business. She never gave her employees a sufficient break and gave orders like they were her source of life.
     Miley strolled in and her imposing figure stood on the plateau of the staircase, overseeing the affairs. She stopped dead in her tracks as Mrs. Bianca set eyes on her. It was soulpiercing. Miley's heart raced faster at every growing moment as her feet moved involuntarily towards Mrs Bianca. She stopped at the foot of the staircase.
' Hello Ma'am'.
' Did you post all the papers?' Mrs Bianca asked loudly and coldly.
' No Ma'am '.
Mrs Bianca began to see red.
' Why?'
' The rains...'
' I don't mind the rains! How dare you come back here with those papers!'. She screamed in rage. All the employees stopped and gawked. Some felt pity for Miley, others championed it but most were indifferent. This was typical around here.
    ' Well, I don't care. As punishment you'll stamp out all the two hundred and fifty envelopes and post them. Get going!'. She then looked around and realized all eyes were on them.
' Back to work everyday!'.
    As if once put on hold, all the employees resumed their work and the commotion returned. Miley went to the room where the letters were kept and five huge cartons were spread out, filled with mails. Miley let out a heavy sigh. It was going to be a long night.
                               ***
   Esther Reeves watched in uninterest as yet another contestant introduced herself. She was a tall girl with a trail frame and bright red hair. Esther only nodded with skepticism while taking notes. The last fifty five contestants were a total mess, what would make this one before her any better?
    As the head of the performing team of Eva Lee's theatre LTD, she was sent to recruit five talented dance artists for the company's new trailer. Word had been spread and swarms of people trooped in. After a series of interrogations, the music began. When the girl began to dance, Esther thought it was a put on but as the girl continued, she had to reshuffle her thoughts. Her dance moves were so badly oriented that one would think she was only walking around in a confused state. Esther could take it no longer.
' stop!'.
The music suddenly ended.
' well, that was very nice. Thank you! Next!'. Esther said trying to hide her feelings ad best she could. She was cognizant at the fact that she wasn't making any progress here and was certain that she needed to do something. Fast.
                                 ***

    Johanna sat by the hospital bed staring sorrowfully at her mother who lay feet crossed and arms by her facade. For two months, she lay unable to walk, paralyzed by stroke. Johanna's eyes had come to be red from crying. Everyday she would sit by her mother anticipating and trusting but to know avail. The doctors remained defiant to help her because a huge amount of money had to be paid before treatment could commence.
      Her father was dead and her mother was a widow with no property or asset to call her own save for her two children. They could only afford to stay in the hospital. The only people she had left were her mother and her older sister, Miley. She was the one catering for all their needs.
     She would come occasionally to visit and bring food, water and other amenities. Johanna, just sixteen, longed for the good days with her father, sister and mother but now with so much responsibilities, all these would forever remain in her memories.
    A jerk from get mother yanked her out of her thoughts. Mrs Tracy jerked violently and Johanna screamed so loud,it alerted a nurse. The nurse rushed to a nearby doctor who hurried in as well.
' Please. Please! Doctor what's wrong?' Johanna asked sobbing profusely.
' I'm not sure'. The Doctor said nervous.
' Doctor, I'll call my sister and she'll send some money but please save my mother'.
  'Alright then '. The Doctor said and Mrs Tracy was being carried out of the room by a stretcher. Johanna felt her world crumbling into bits as her mother was being led away.