FATE TO FACE

Chapter Two

Sometimes the slightest things change the directions of our lives, the merest breath of a circumstance, a random moment that connects like a meteorite striking the earth. Lives have swiveled and changed directions on the strength of a chance remark.
- Bryce Courtenay

Chapter Two

Men and their pride-filled talks! Did they take me for a fool, thinking I would easily fall for their bait. Never! I have long decided not to fall for their traps, and not even fate could make me do otherwise, thought Lia angrily.

After a long tiresome day, all she wanted to do was draw a long bath, wash away all the weariness along with her troubled thoughts in the soapy heaven. And that is exactly what she did.

Preparing herself for bed, having dined earlier at Starbuck, Lia willed herself to rest, wondering what fate had in store for her the next day.
          *****

Eyebrows furrowed, sweating profusely, Lia awoke yet from another nightmare that plagued her mind, since a few days back. She blamed it on having visited the unfortunate place- that changed her fate forever, be it good or bad she didn't know. That horrific day changed her life upside down. She lost her past, but it surely marked her future for the better, she believe.

Eyes squinting at the clock, she figured she could atleast start the day with something fresh. It was 5' a.m. She dressed herself in her jogging pants and a loose fitting blouse and took off to the nearby park for a run.

With her morning exercise, her troubled mind only focused on the fact that her stomach was demanding food. It was nearing 6.30 upon her second run and the sun was beginning to peak through the willowy trees surrounding the borders of the park.

Her mind focused only upon the coffee shop on the far right corner, she didn't realize someone was coming her way. Only when she bumped into a lean body and two strong arms wound it's way around her waist, did she notice him.

"What could I have possibly done to run into a fine creation like you, this early in the morning, My lady" came the smooth and all too familiar voice of Nathaniel Winston.

"God! What misfortune had befall on me to have met him early in the morning?!" Was the comeback Lia was able to counter.

Chuckling, Nate held a hand over his heart and dramatically whispered,
"You sure have a way with sarcasm babe, have pity on me and stop with hurting this poor soul"

"God! When will I ever get rid of this big pest?" , said she.

"You sure don't mean that, do you" said Nate with hurt crossing his face and Lia wondered if she truly crossed her limits. But his next words made her stumble and regret ever pitying him.
"What a disaster the world would be without a fine creature like me to worship?"

He caught her wrist, steading her and again whispered,
"And who would be there to rescue the damsels in distress?"

The playful mood vanished, Lia scowled at him and entered the coffee shop, Nate right behind. She was no damsel and there sure was no knight in shining armor. She's no more the naive little high school girl who believed in fantasies. She had gone through enough to know, she's the only rescuer of her own problems. She wouldn't depend upon men to rescue her, but rather rescue herself.

"Lia, I didn't mean to say that you're a damsel. You sure are not. Am.."
Nate quickly stopped himself when he realized what he was going to say. Lia hated pity or 'Sorry's. Her eyes said enough to make him realize he had evoked bad memories.

And that was what Lia hated. Men thought they were knights who could rescue damsels. They pitied her and thought she needed saving. That in itself was enough to show her, they thought she was weak. She didn't need rescuing, she was not to be pitied.