C1 The Wish!

It was a usual dull day in Alexander city. Another day of misery and pain. Yesterday was the worst day of my life but I had no idea how today was going to be.

The sky was cloudy as the rain drizzled on everything under the sky. My white blouse and brown skirt was dripping wet. I was drenched in the rain.

As I ran into the company, the secretary walked towards me.

"Finally! You're here. The director wants to see you" she said to me.

"The director" why does it seem like there's something wrong with him calling me?

"What does he want?" I asked her as if she knows.

"How do I know? I overheard them talking about a document they handed to you" she said.

"Document... Oh f*ck!" I mumbled under my breath and opened my bag. My hand trembled as I brought out the document from my bag. It was torn already, all thanks to the rain. Seem like today was going to be the worse day of my life.

"Um... Don't tell me that's the document they are waiting for? Oh no, girl, you're in a lot of trouble. The shareholders are waiting for that document"

I sighed deeply and sniffed in.

"Where are they?" I asked.

"Meeting room" she replied. With my soaked body, I head to the meeting room. My teeth gnashed, my lips were as dried as dried stake. Now I was hungry for stake. I bit my lower lips and snapped out of the thought. The elevator dinged and I walked out.

A warm smile appeared on the director's face as he saw me. He heaved a sigh of relief, so did the shareholders.

Only if they knew what happened to the document they were waiting for.

"There she is our Irene, come in" he said to me.

I slowly walked towards the director. He was a short pulpy man with bald hair. His stomach was a big as a pregnant woman's own which reminds me of my annoying aunt at home. His face looked pale. Of course, he was an old man.

"Good morning" I said to him in a shaky voice.

"I'm happy you made it, even under the rain. So, where is the document I gave to you yesterday? These men are waiting for it" he said, smiling at me. I didn't return the smile. My face was filled with sadness and worry.

When he saw that I didn't move a muscle, his smile slowly fade away.

"Irene, where is the document?" He asked again. This time, no smile on his face.

I lowered my gaze and raised the wet document. His body stiffened when he saw it. His face was turning red as he boiled with anger.

"Irene!!! What the hell did you do?!" He yelled at me, grabbing the wet document from my hand. He tried to open it but it got worse. The ink on the paper has washed away already.

The shareholders started to murmur among themselves.

"Mr Jay, I can explain"

"Explain what?" He asked me and grabbed an empty glass cup. He squeezed the paper over the glass cup. I watched as the water almost filled the cup halfway. I was embarrassed and disappointed with myself.

"Explain this? You just ruined everything Irene. I've been working on this for three months and your ruined it within twelve hours" He yelled at me. I staggered and blinked repeatedly.

"I'm sorry sir"

He exhaled deeply and moved closer to me. He drew his lips towards my ear.

"You're fired"

My eyes widened. It felt like there was something blocking my throat. Words couldn't come out from my mouth. Hot tears just rolled down my cheek.

"Mr Jay..."

He turned his back at me.

"Leave! Now!" He yelled. The shareholders stared at me as I left. They had pity and mockery in their eyes. I cursed under my breath. I couldn't blame myself nor Mr Jay. I blame the rainmaker and the stupid rain itself.

.

I walked out of the company and head towards God knows where. I can't go back home. My aunt would make my life a living hell.

I walked into a cafeteria and head to the counter. It was filled up with people since it was cold. Everyone wants to drink something hot.

"What should I help you... argh! It's you Irene" my friend, Rachel said to me. She was also part of the annoying people in my life.

"Yes, it's me" I replied and sat on the chair opposite the counter. She turned and fetched me a cup of hot coffee.

"Why are you off work? Is it your day off?" She asked me. I sipped from the coffee and shook my head.

"I got fired" I replied. She gasped loudly and drew her face close to me.

"Seriously?" She asked. I could sense the excitement in her voice.

"Yes, seriously" I rolled my eyes away from her, travelling it to the door. That was when a man walked in. I turned my face away from him and gazed at Rachel.

"Jeez! Why is he here?" I asked silently.

"Who are you hiding from? That hot guy that just walked in?" She asked me.

"Shh!" I tried to shut her up but Rachel wasn't the kind of person that would keep her mouth shut.

"Hi! Over here!" She waved at him.

"F*ck! Rachel! Argh!" I groaned in frustration and grabbed my cup of coffee. I tried covering my face as I walked to the door.

I didn't know when I bumped into him. My coffee splashed on my body, burning my skin and ruining my blouse.

"I'm so.. you! I've gotten you, you thief!" He grabbed my arm.

"Do I know you?" I blinked repeatedly, trying to deny the fact that I knew him.

"You think you can run away with my money huh? I've gotten you, you're going to get arrested today"

"You won't do that" I shot at him. He frowned and glared at me.

I thought he was just blabbing until I found myself in the station.

I had no idea that he would really get me arrested. I was just owing him money for rent till I moved to my aunt's house. I didn't pay him. He finally caught me, all thanks to Rachel.

I stayed behind bars for the whole day till aunt came to bail me out.

"Thanks" I said to her as she walked hastily in front of me.

She turned and shot a hard glare at me. Her hand was on her huge stomach.

"I don't want to know how you ended up here and I don't care to know. Make sure you don't come home tonight" she said and walked away from me. I walked towards her and grabbed her arm.

"I'm sorry" I said. She looked away from me, not wanting to look at me.

"I said I'm sorry" I apologized again.

"Will you keep shut Irene? Your life has been a mess, what's the need of you living? Just go commit suicide already and meet God in heaven. At least, life is better up there than down here" she yelled at me.

"What are you saying aunt? You very well know I'm trying my best" I said, biting my lower lips.

She released herself from my grip and brought out a coin from her purse.

She grabbed my hand and placed it on my palm.

"What's this?" I asked.

"That's a coin. Go to the center of the city where the water sprinkler is. Throw this coin inside and wish for your death Irene. That's only what I can do for you" she said and walked away.

"Aunt! Aunt!" I called out but she didn't even stop to stare at me. I stared at my palm and tried to throw the coin away but I stopped myself. Aunt was right, I should just go there and wish death for myself.

.

I walked pass the gate and head to the sprinkler. There were some couples, wishing that their relationship last long, some wishing that their businesses enlarge. They made different positive wishes but I was here to wish for my death. It was said that once you wish here, it would come to pass. Here was an opportunity to give it a try.

"Hello ma'am" someone called from behind. I turned and faced the security man.

"How can I help you? I asked with a frown on my face. I didn't want anyone ruining this moment for me.

"Please, hurry! The park will close in ten minutes" he said and walked away. I wish I could stone him with my shoes but I wore a fake smile on my face.

"Sure, I'll be quick" I said. He nodded and walked away. The others started to leave already. I took few steps close to the water sprinkler and saw the coins that were inside it. Looking at the coin aunt gave to me, tears rolled down my cheek. I threw it into the water and exhaled deeply.

"I can't wish death for myself. But I request for one thing. I need a new life, please" I muttered, sobbing. I wiped the tears off my eyes and stepped away. I turned and head back home. I saw the way the security man was staring at me.

Aunt won't open the door for me so I decided to sleep outside the porch. It was so cold but I managed on my own. I had no idea when I shut my eyes and dozed off.

.

"Greetings!! Wake up lady! Are you lost?" I heard someone asking me that. I slowly opened my eyes and sat up, rubbing my eyes with the back of my palm.

"Greetings young lady, are you lost?" He asked again. I slowly raised my head and stared at him.

His dressing alone could tell that something was wrong. I stood up and looked round. I was on a field which was filled with horses.

Horses?

"Where am I?" I asked, staring at him.

"You are in Asturias young lady" he said in his weird accent.

"What?!" I screamed out my lungs. Where the f*ck is Asturias? What happened to Alexander city?