Lover

Hate The Cold

Rain poured down on the busy city of London. The clouds covered the sky, adding to the gloomy day. I hate the cold.

I focus my attention from out the window, back to my work. I've been stacking boxes on shelves the entire day. I have a few more left. My arms are tired of the stretching out and my legs became sore from trying to reach the top shelf too many times.
I hate work. The manager's always "Alia, do this. Alia, print this out. Where is my goddamn coffee, Alia!??!!"

But thankfully, it's 4:00pm, my shift's over. I grab my keys and coat, and greet some colleagues of mine on my way out. The girl that usually takes me home called in sick today so I was supposed to walk home.

As I step out the door, I feel the cold air taking over and feel the drops of water hitting onto my jacket. "Nope. I'm not doing this," I run back inside. I take out my phone and call my sister, Jazmin.

"Hey"
-"Hi. How are you?"
"I'm good, Jaz. You?"
-"I'm okay"
"Are you busy?"
-"Umm not really. Why?"
"I need you to pick me up"
-"What?? Alia! You do realise I'm at the mall right?"
"Yeah. I know you're gonna take a while but I'll wait for you if I have to. I'm not gonna walk home in this rain, Jaz! "
-"Okay fine. Where will you be?"
"At wor-" I remember the cafe down the road. I need a hot drink today.
-"Hello? Alia?"
"Umm, yeah, hey. I'll be at the coffee shop down in Hiddle Street. 'Coffee-Lovers'."
-"Okay, see u later. Bye."
"Thank you! Bye!"

And with those last words, I end the call and make a run for Coffee-Lovers.

The wind blows untouched raindrops onto my face. My hair is soaking up more every second. My attempts to dodge some rain fail miserably but I finally reach the cafe. I enter, trying to regain my normal breathing pattern again and walk up to the cashier. "Could I get a hot chocochino please, with some extra whipped cream at the top?" She offers a smile and obliges.
-"£2 please." I place the money on the counter and she gracefully takes it.

I look around searching for a vacant table. The cafe wasn't that busy, but there were a few people already occupying some tables. I spot an empty seat, next to the large window. I take a seat and stare out the window while waiting for my order and sister to arrive.

It's still raining. I see cars pass through the puddles on the roads and people who look like the have busy schedule, rushing with their umbrellas and briefcases. But what caught my attention now was the old lady on the street, opposite from me. She covered herself with a blanket which had brown stains probably from being on the floor all day. She wriggled in her raincoat to find a comfortable position. She wore a black scarf to keep her head and neck warm yet she still shivered slightly as she looked around with pleading eyes.

-"Miss? " a waitress calls out to me, breaking my attention from the lady. "Here's your chocochino with extra whipped cream," she says in a monotonous tone, offering me a forced smile. I thank her and she leaves me to myself again.