Close-Knit

After a week long vacation at my hometown, I finally decided to strain every nerve and get my life together. I got a job in a new city with no kin out there to offer me a place to stay. With not much choice, I had to move into an apartment building which was five miles off my workplace. 

It was time to unpack and move in. My flat was medium-sized with coral pink coloured walls, cosy rooms, put together in modern decor. 

You meet a lot of interesting people when you live in an apartment. So, while moving in, a little girl in a lovely yellow dungaree capered to me and asked in broken sentences, "so- you-live-next-me-?"  

Leaning towards her and offering her a chocobar, I said "Yes, what's your name ?".She stayed silent and had a spark of perplexation in her eyes. She was polite to me, yet she was too alert to put herself at the risk of getting kidnapped. She was barely five years old !

Soon after, our conversation was cut short when a female in her mid thirties approached us. Her face bespoke calmness and strength. It appeared as if she worked in a business firm making good money. Upon introducing herself she filled me in that she was a single mother living with her daughter, trying to ameliorate things from her past.

Weeks passed by and the three of us started finding solace in each other. We used to hangout at our places. Her place had dingy yellow walls much in contrast with my coral pink walls. 

One afternoon, I was running late at work. It was pouring down heavily. The lashing down of raindrops against the window panel could rightly mirrror my inner turmoil. I felt that something was not right. 

Without thinking much, I rushed to my car and decided to drive back home. My pulse beat fast and my mouth became dry. The sky had turned dark and grey, overcast with clouds. There was no other life on the streets. A feeling of anxiety washed over me. With every mile I travelled, it increased. 

All at once, my cell chimed. I shuddered and picked it up. The voice from the other side sounded familiar. It was her. I hit the brakes when I heard the girl sobbing. She briefed me, I heard her. I alerted the emergency services while being with the girl on line; calming her down. The officers and the medical team led to our apartment with all possible haste. 

About fifteen minutes later, I reached there. The officers informed me that the mother had a history of trauma and seizure. She had fallen to the floor unconscious. But due to swift action, she seemed to be out of danger. That was pleasant to the ears, but my eyes searched for the girl.

I was all panicky and worried about my little friend, but then I received a hug from behind and heard " You are my hero...thank you!". 

Suddenly the surrounding started to fade and I realized I could see little. The rain had stopped and it was all pleasant outside yet again.