Tobias

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In a world plagued with vanity, a story emerges from the hustle bustle of city life. A land full of hopes and dreams. A land where anybody can be anything, London they called it and in the midst of it all, lived a very lonely man named Tobias. A man who achieved those hopes and dreams but paid a heavy price. He was a very smart but quiet man, who had fought hell and survived. Unfortunately, it left him with deep scars that hindered him from fitting in to a cruel conceited world.

The journey began when he was just a little lad. Tobias loved helping people. He helped grand-mammas cross the road, helped a little girl when her cat got stuck on a tree and he always did it with a smile. The boy with chocolate brown eyes and contagious smile.

Unfortunately, Tobias didn't smile anymore. He became a very sad, lonely man after life put a curse on him. A curse for helping others selflessly. Whilst walking through Hyde Park, Tobias thought bitterly to himself.

Maybe I should move away so they can stop staring at me.

Tobias was right. They were staring, softly whispering among themselves without trying to hide their obviousness. He mentally sneered at them; at the couple who paused their make-out session to stare at him. Cursed the family with the little boy who reminded Tobias of his younger self and many others with mouths hidden behind their hands in shock.

Lowering the hood of his jacket, he walked faster through the warm summer afternoon in discomfort. Work was his sanctuary. No one judged him there, in fact, they applauded him for his bravery, awarded him even. Giant red trucks with tall folded ladders welcomed him. He remembered playing with similar ones as a child but in smaller scale. He missed his naivety and if he could go back in time, he'd tell the little boy to throw those truck engines away.

See, life is funny that way. It doesn't warn you about the drastic changes. They just happen.

When Tobias boarded the squad car that day, in full neon yellow gear, he didn't know his life was about to change. The fire burned bright, grey smoke reaching for the skies. Shouts and frantic cries attacked the atmosphere. Blood rushed to his ears when he ran inside the burning building. Fearless. The cries of people got thinner as they ascended the stairs. Angry growls of fire scorched the walls and ceilings, creating red to yellow gradient of waves. Tips of it brushed against his heat resistance gear.

Memories of the day when the fire broke through the barrier, swamped him. Not now. A high-pitched cry broke his daze. He ran towards it, pried the door open with his crowbar to reveal a scared long haired brunette wrapped in a semi-burnt blanket.

She coughed profusely as the fire grew. Running in, he covered her properly with the blanket and guided her out safely. The ground scorched their feet. She dropped on the concrete floor with a thud, heaving loudly. She held onto his jacket with all her might. A boom exploded through the air, knocking him to his knees. A window had exploded.

"ABORT." His chief repeated through their intercom. He complied, throwing his mask back as he picked up the shuddering woman in his arms and plopped her on an ambulance gurney.

"Thank you." She still held on even when the paramedics tried to roll her away. "Thank you."

Her reddish-brown eyes glowed under the gleaming sun. She didn't look at him with condemnation but with utter gratitude. Warm feeling seeped into his chest. He hadn't felt that in a long time. Little did he know, more was yet to come.

Tobias was cleaning the helmets one day when high heels clicked across the concrete yard. A girl in a yellow sundress came sauntering into the station. She held a bouquet of roses in her slender hands. The receptionist pointed towards Tobias making his heart stop. The girl beamed at him with pure joy.

"I wanted to thank you for saving my life." She held out the roses.

"You don't need to ma'am. It's my job." Poor Tobias looked around for help. His friends cheered, egging him on.

They spoke for a short period, exchanging pleasantries. Natasha filtered relentlessly, trying to make him smile. She was funny, smart and charismatic. A ray of sunshine in his dark life. She asked him out for lunch as a gratitude for what he had done. However, he politely declined, claiming it was White Knight syndrome. Saviour complex. To which she said,

"I don't think you saving me has anything to do with how attractive you are." She was bold and brave. Life threatening events would do that to you.

Tobias cracked a small smile. An action so foreign to him. He took the bouquet, brought it up to his nose and inhaled. Sweet smell of flowers engulfed him. She insisted once more, without caring for the burn marks that marred his left cheek and neck. Her eyes didn't linger there, not even once.

So, he finally agreed.

***

"Wait mum isn't Tobias daddy's name?" The young girl with chocolate brown eyes questioned sleepily.

"Yes, my dear." Nat patted the little girl's hair, when two familiar hands wrapped itself around her waist. She nearly squealed in fright but didn't want Erin to wake up. Once they exited the room, she hugged Tobias, grateful he made it back safely. She never cared much for the riches nor the vanity. She cared for the fearless man who put others before himself.

To her, he was the most handsome man in the world and she loved him with all her heart.

She saw beauty his bravery, his kindness and in the way, that he looked at her. Like she was his whole world.

Like, she was the love of his life and nothing could break them apart.

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