Her Hope

Chapter 15

The feeling of the cold rain droplets pelting against my skin seemed to finally wake me up from the temporary coma that I went into after sitting on the bench. I looked up at the sky only to find angry grey sky looming darkly above me. It seemed as if the weather was reflecting my mood because I remember it being sunny in the morning when I was going to the restaurant.

I halted my thoughts at the word restaurant, for it was my only chance. Now, it was official, I no longer have a source of income, and I would never be able to achieve my goal in life. Not to mention that in one week, I would return to the state of being homeless once again. However, this time, I don't think I would be as lucky as I was last time, I mean who else would be willing to hire me without a degree or a home? Without a doubt, I would just be extra baggage to anyone.

Shivering and soaking wet, I stood up and started to make my way towards the place I've considered home for the past few weeks. The walk towards the apartment seemed to pass by in a blur since one moment I was walking out of the park and the next, I was standing in front of the apartment with the key in my hand. But, putting it in the key hole seemed like a huge mission, as my hands weren't still enough to allow me to use my key to open the door.

However,  before I could try opening it agin for the fifth time, the door was suddenly opened by Maya who stood there frozen in her position, probably because she was horrified by how I looked, for a few seconds. Then, she started talking rapidly.

"What happened? Why are you shivering? Iris told me you will be coming home around six in the afternoon, but it's only twelve now. Did something happen at your work? Wait, I'm talking a lot, just come in first and take a warm shower, and then we can talk properly." She said before tugging me inside the apartment.

Wow, did I spend fours hours in the park? I felt as if I stayed there only half an hour, but I guess that when you are feeling miserable, time passes by tremendously quickly. I took a towel and a pair of pajamas that originally belong to Iris since I didn't have the chance to buy my own, and now, I won't buy one at all, and then, I entered the bathroom where I let my thoughts drown me while I stood under the shower allowing the water soak my already wet body.

What will I do now? I am sure that Iris and Maya won't mind me staying for one extra week while I try sorting out something. But, I need to go back to the process of searching for a new job quickly, and with all the money I have managed to save during those three weeks at the restaurant, I could pay the rent for one more month; however, I won't have any money left to do anything at all if I don't manage to find a job.

Suddenly, all those overwhelming thoughts seemed to bring me a really strong headache which made me quickly shut down the water, wear the pajamas hurriedly and head off to my room where I instantly dived under the blankets, as the room was very cold. I was starting to drift off to sleep when the sound of a knock on the door echoed throughout the room making me mumble a quiet almost incoherent 'come in' causing Maya to enter the room.

"Are you feeling better now after taking a shower? Would you like me to bring you anything?" She asked softly.

"Yes, I do feel better, and no, I just really want to sleep." I was honestly surprised by how drowsy my words sounded.

"Okay, but first, would you like to tell me what happened? I know that we just met today and that we're practically strangers, but trust me, telling me what happened would definitely your mind at ease. But, I'm not trying to pressure you, so if you don't want to then I'll leave and let you go to sleep." She said nervously as if she was afraid she would offend me or something.

I thought about it for a second. Should I tell her and get the weight of what happened off my shoulders? And, as soon as that thought crossed my minded, it seemed ideal. That's what I need to do. I must get her opinion on what happened.

So, I told her everything that happened today from how Mr Smith accused me of stealing to how I spent nearly four hours just sitting in the park staring at nothing in particular. And, by the end of my story, she was livid that I got fired, but then when I told her about me being jobless, she started assuring me that we'll find a solution. After telling her everything, I felt a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders, and I also discovered how good it would be if I had only one friend like Maya, for she's really understanding.

After our long talk that ended with Maya promising me that we'll figure something out, she left me to sleep because of how sluggish I suddenly turned. Luckily, I quickly dozed off to a deep dreamless sleep. I honestly remember coming into and out of consciousness whenever I heard someone talking outside my room, but I was too tired to actually get up and see who it was.

The next time I woke up, I was still feeling exhausted even though I have done anything that could use up my energy. So, I just decided to stare up at the ceiling blankly under the warm blankets until I heard the quiet creak of the door opening, and in walked Iris.

"Hey, I wasn't sure you'd be awake, but maya told me you had a rough day, so I thought I'd check up on you. You look so pale, are you okay?" She said quietly.

"Let's just say that I definitely didn't have the best day. But yes, I'm fine." I was truly surprised by how hoarse my voice was.

"Well, I got you a painkiller you can take. I came to give it to you, and I'll leave you to rest a little."

She handed me a small pill along with a cup of water which made me aware of how thirsty I am, so I took the pill, swallowed it and then gulped greedily. I heard Iris mumbling 'good night' before leaving the room.

However, I was already drifting off to the faraway land where I had absolutely no worries at all.