The extra-ordinary life

Chapter 2

( Present Day)

It is marvelous how time passes- good times passes by in a blink of an eye, but dark times? Dark times flow painstakingly slow. It refuses to go away until your every pore feels the sorrow, the pain. She often thinks, why can't this be interchanged? Life would be so much brighter, if only bad times flew past at a supersonic speed.

Angelina was sitting on her swing seat reminiscing her past. Albums containing photographs are like mines of old memories. You can always re-visit them, flip it's pages over and over, you can experience nostalgia, wondering how good and golden those days were; but you can never re-live those moments. Time is a really funny thing. You will never know when it runs out.

Just look at her life. She remembers everything about her past love. The very first time she set her eyes on Aaron wondering who that handsome guy was; the first time they talked she kept thinking why was his smile this charming; the first time they held hands, it literally set butterflies free in her stomach... She remembers everything..

But alas, their time has run out too. She believed in destiny. She believed it was in her destiny to meet Aaron. But she wasn't sure as to why she had to go through that painful experience. Maybe the universe was trying to teach her about the sweetest poison named "love". No, she is not going to think about love again.

Love is not meant for her. She can only focus on her career and provide her mother all the happiness that she deserves.

It has been a year since she graduated as a Civil Engineer. She has been working as a site engineer since then.

Everyday she wakes up early-ish. She needs to finish all chores before heading out for job. It takes nearly an hour long journey to south of the city to reach her job site. She was extremely hard working, working mostly overtime. By the time she reaches back home, she barely has any energy left.

She has chosen the locality where she is currently staying because of its cheap rent. It is an one bedroom apartment with all essential facilities nearby. The only issue is the distance to her office. But, it's ok , money is what matters the most now. She knows her hard work will pay off someday.

Today, was also not an exception. As soon as she reached the construction site, she kept her backpack under the table, and made her way to the 3rd floor. It was the day scheduled to start the construction of roof slab of lift room. She instructed the labour  supervisor and handed the structural drawing, clearly mentioning to follow the drawing to tie the reinforcement bars to the tee.

It was when she returned back to her chamber, and started verifying the bills to be paid that her phone rang, distracting her from what she was originally doing.

"Hello?" answered Angelina.

"Hello, Miss Ray. You are required to report to the head office with the current work progress report." , said Mr. Steven, the Quality manager of the company.

Feeling helpless, Angelina rested her head on the table with a slight bang.

"Ahhhhh" she sighed deeply. But what else could be done, she took the report in her backpack and trotted vigorously towards the bus stop.

After 15 mins of waiting under the scorching sun, finally the bus arrived. She boarded on the bus, but was slightly disappointed to see no seat available to sit.
She stood holding a pole, since she was too short to hold one of those holders hanging overhead. The bus driver might be auditioning for the next movie of "fast and furious" series- she could barely keep her balance.

Angelina was trying hard to not fall, when she felt someone touching her
butt. All of a sudden, her vision blurred, she was struggling to keep her hold on the pole. She was gasping for breath, sweating profusely. And then, everything went black.

**********************************
She found herself staring at the white ceiling. Not sure where she was,Angelina tried to sit up. Almost immediately she regretted her decision! She felt so dizzy that she had to lay back down again.

"Don't try to get up. You need rest, my child", said Mrs. Ray while entering the room, "you would never listen me. See what you landed yourself into! How many times did I say you should take proper care of your body?? But no, to you work is everything!"

"Why am I here?", Asked Angelina.

"Because you fainted while traveling. A gentleman sent you to the hospital."

"Then, how did you know I was here?"

"You! You didn't call me in three days. So I thought of taking the initiative. Hah!! Thank God I did, or else how would I find out what on earth had happened to you?"

"What are you talking about? I don't remember picking up your call."

"Did you loose your brain cells from fainting? Of course, you didn't pick up. But it was the same guy who brought you to the hospital. Alas! When I came, he was gone. Or else I could've thanked him for saving your life."

Angelina stayed quiet. She knew her it was PTSD- no, it's better not to think much about it.

"Mom, are you alright? Did I give you a fright?" She hugged her mom and continued saying "I missed you."

"Ok, ok. It's enough. Just take rest. I am here with you."

Mrs. Ray was feeling low. As if it was just the other day when Angelina ran towards her and was laughing like a hyperventilating hyenah at her own jokes which she (mother) didn't even understand, because Angelina wouldn't stop laughing. But now, her daughter rarely smiles.

Mrs. Ray asked her so many times why she was so changed, all Angelina said was "Maa, I am a grown up now. Not a child." But deep down, Mrs. Ray felt , her child must have suffered something terrible. Sigh! Only if she would share her troubles with her...

***********************************
Here is the second chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. Love you all, mwah mwah. See you in my next chapter!