1 the meeting

The loud honking of the truck got me out of my stupor and I looked towards it coming to me in an uncontrollable speed. You are dead Mary I say it over and over in my head as my body is stiff. The truck getting closer by seconds and suddenly my hands go up to my face to bear with the impact. The truck passes by me at an humongous speed and I watch it with awe and confusion. It was suppose to hit me .. I'm suppose to die.

My body loosens a bit as the scene came crashing to my brain and my hand flies to my mouth to stop the cry. "Hey kid! " I look back to the source of the voice and my mouth hangs open as I take in the person before me. He is an old man maybe nearing his fifties. He had a frown on his face. His hair all black with hints of white in it. He had beard which were showing white hair. I can tell by looking at it that underneath that beard there is strong jawline. He has wrinkles on his forehead as he was looking something very irritated.

He is looking at you Mary

I shook myself from my musing as I look around to see there are Infact many people hissing about what just happened. My face is jerked by my jaw by his calloused yet strong fingers. "Hey what you think you were doin' kid?"

Oh my god just checked him out, didn't I ? Maryget yourself together

"I-I I was scared" I said it immediately looking down. I don't know why but I cannot look into his eyes as they held anger for me. He let go of my face and gets up with a loud sigh and extends his hand to me. I stare at the hand in front of me. The huge hand with bruises here and there. It made it look rugged. And my eyes travel from his hand to his face with a gulp. "Kid get up" and I take his hand in mine and he pulls me up to a standing position.

"What are you'll lookin at !?" he says irritated as he pushes the crowd aside to let us get through. He ceased his walking and cussing when we were a bit away from the crowd and let go of my hand. I felt chills at the loss of contact but didn't let it show. And he started walking off in other direction. I dismissed the thought of calling him and let my legs walk me to my work.

I work in a small café which was owned by my father. But after his death my mother had to pay a lot of bills on her own and she had to sell this café. And also my father was man in a deep debt so to pay his debt I have to work in this café.

I head inside the café and greet Martha my mate in café. She is a middle aged women working to pay her sons debt. "Good morning Martha" I beamed at her and started getting ready for today's work. I put on my apron with the name of The café on it. "Good morning Mary" Martha said back giving me a scribbled paper. "Here.. The guy from yesterday left his number for you." She said slyly. I laughed at this and rolled my eyes. "Ohh god horny boys I tell you." I laughed and took the paper from her and put it in my pocket. I remember the guy from yesterday. He was very handsome I must say but gave away too much and was constantly flirting with the girl next to his table. "Honey you need to let loose.. Its your time to enjoy have fun girl" she said winking. "Martha not you. " I laughed lauder as she suggested me to have fun. She was the closest to me after my mother. She treated me like her own daughter.

Our chitchat stopped as the customers started to barge in the café. It was a very peaceful place to just and have a cup of coffee over nothing or to just think about life in general. I used to sit at the last table before Martha joined here and brought me out of my sadness.

My shift ends at six and I am getting ready to leave when I hear Martha sniffing in the changing room. "Martha? Is everything okay?" I ask as I near the room and knock on it. She opens the door and let me in. "My son Simon is held in jail for selling illegal materials. " she said sadly. " Martha why you let him do this? Why don't you tell him that it is not acceptable for him to do this! " I say as my own tears starts to flow. I know Martha came from a very poor family. Her husband passed away when Simon her son was 3 years old and she did the household works to get her daily bread for her and Simon.

Simon on the other hand was left on his on when Martha used to go out for work and he got all the bad habits which he was not suppose to get into.

" I have to pay for his bail out and I'm afraid I don't have enough money." She said wiping her tears and got up to go home for the day. "Martha wait.." I said catching up to her at the door of the café. "I can help you if you need some money" I said fiddling with my purse.

"Ohh honey my dear, No, besides you have to save something for college. You are not spending for me, No" she huffed locking the door and leaving in other direction saying goodbye.

I didn't stop her because she was in distress so i kept walking in my direction.

Martha I pray to god that every problem of yours is solved.

With this I head to my own way, my mind drifting to mornings event. I have never seen someone with so much sorrow in their eyes. Will I ever see him again?

I hope so