Best Gift of God

First encounter

Maya POV

"Take good care of yourself. Don't miss your meals. Don't miss your meds, okay?" The elderly voice came over the phone. It's annoying to hear the same words again and again.

"You have said those words thousands of times, grandpa. Aren't you tired yet?" I screeched in a bored and annoyed tone. I knew he was worried for me, but I am tired... tired of hearing the same words over and over again. I am tired of myself.

"No, I am not tired. And I will say those words again until you listen," Grandpa told me softly.

"Okay. I hear you. I will take care of myself. I won't miss my meals, and I won't miss my medications as well. Now please stop nagging me," I said in frustration.

"Alright then. By the way, you haven't forgotten the date, have you?" There, he started nagging again. I am so sick of it.

"No, I haven't. Now, please stop! I am tired of it!" I screamed over the phone. And suddenly the air grew thicker around me. I started taking deep breaths. I hate it.

"Maya... Maya, are you listening? Calm down, sweetheart, please. Don't exhaust yourself," Grandpa's worried voice came over the phone. I gripped the table beside me.

"Don't worry, I am alright. I don't want this life, grandpa. I just want to live, even if it's for one day where no one will nag me for taking meds or taking care of myself," I mumbled, wiping away the drop of tears that fell down my cheek. "Umm... Grandpa, I have some work to do. I will talk to you later. Have a safe trip." I hang up the call to ignore further discussion on this topic.

Taking deep breaths, I went to the kitchen to make something for my hungry stomach. But alas! I ran out of ingredients. I need to go to the supermarket to buy groceries. I grabbed my purse and headed there. I bought some groceries, which I needed. I want to go home as soon as possible. I went inside the lift and pressed the ground button. Just as the door was about to close, a girl rushed in. She was about two or three years younger than me and the same height as me. I wasn't able to see her face, though. Her back was facing me.

I leaned my head against the elevator and closed my eyes. I am tired. I just want to sleep. Suddenly, the lift stops with a jerk. It stopped working, and I am stuck in the elevator. The light inside began to flicker. I heard her pressing the emergency button. A loud voice boomed through the elevator, saying, 'The elevator stops working. Don't panic. We will fix it in an hour.'

An hour. I am going to be stuck in the elevator for an hour. My heart began to race miles per second. Memories... memories of the past come rushing back to me. The images of that day flushed back into my mind. Pain surged through my heart. I felt suffocated. It's so hard to breathe. My entire body started to tremble. My legs wobbled, and I slumped down on the floor. My vision started to blur. At that moment, I felt a gentle, warm hand caressing my cheek, and her voice smoothed my ear.

"Hey, relax. It's alright. You aren't alone here. So, don't worry." Her voice was as warm as her touch. "Shush. It's fine. I am here with you. Look at me, please." I blinked several times to clear my vision and focus my eyes on her. This is the first time I've looked at her face. She was beautiful with her dark gray eyes, like mine, and her dark brown hair. She has a radiant smile on her face. "Good. Now, breathe with me." She took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, then exhaled and told me to do the same.

Bingo! I felt oddly relaxed. "Are you okay now?" she asked me, still caressing my cheek softly.

"Better. Thank you," I said after finding my voice back. She smiled back at me.

"Let me introduce myself then. I am Neeya. Neeya Parker and you?" She asked me, extending her hand towards me.

"Maya Stanley," I answered, taking her hand. We started talking to each other. Mostly, she was engaging me in a talk and diverting my mind from wild thoughts. I didn't realize it when time passed and the door finally opened.