The Encounter

I am strolling leisurely as the gentle breeze lightly kissed my rosy cheeks.

The wind was blowing a few strands of my blond hair. It was already almost four o’ clock in the afternoon and the sun was about to set.

I looked up and I admired the beauty of the vivid shades of the mixed hues of pink, blue, and orange.

The atmosphere was kind of solemn despite the busy street, and loud horns of cars, motorcycles, and buses.

Exploring the few parts of the city and inhaling the scent of Earth made me feel relaxed and soothed. I definitely need a break from all the pressure and responsibilities given to me as the only heir of the large chains of businesses.

A stress reliever indeed.

I first went across the street to find a book store.

Books are my safe haven. It does not only expand my knowledge, but also it comforts me from loneliness. As I have mentioned before, I have no friends nor a family to hang out.

I spent almost 2 hours long just to pick up few good books that I will going to add to my collection, and I walked out of the well-lit, peaceful, cool air-conditioned comfort of the book shop.

Immediately, I was hit by a sudden blast of hot air from the street. Wow, the difference is so great. Out on the five-foot way, I break into a sweat.

I walk down the paved road.

Next to the book shop are two sundry shops.

 The smell coming from these shops left a tingling sensation on my olfactory senses. The mixture of onion, garlic, dried fish, pepper and spices make a potent combination. I held my breath for a moment as I walked quickly past the sundry shops. I always wonder how the people working inside the shops can stand the smell. Perhaps they are used to it.

There are many people walking along the five-foot ways on both sides of the street.

It was almost six o’clock in the evening and many people are already in a hurry to go home, while some are leisurely taking their time strolling with their companions.

I even saw a happy complete family passed by, and hurrying towards the eating places further down the street.

The three children were super thrilled for the food that they will going to eat while their parents are happily chatting.

I kind of felt a little jealousy as I was not given a chance to experience such luxury. My parents passed away too early. I shook away my nonsense thoughts, and continued walking.

The street has been made one-way some time ago to cater for the ever increasing traffic volume. Rush hour finds the street uncrossable. I want to cross to the other side. I looked at the traffic. One look tells me that it is too dangerous to do so. The cars and motorcycles are moving at considerable speeds and they do not seem to be in the mood to make way for any pedestrian. I decide to cross the street via the lights-controlled crossing down the street.

On my way towards the crossing I passed by many other shops.

They were mainly shops selling pastries, a fashion store, and an ice cream parlor. Near the crossing is a supermarket. A mass of people can be seen at the entrance. Some beggar sat on the steps and cold stone ground, arms outstretched, eyes leading for alms. They also reeked a smell of cheap liquor.

I felt pity towards them. I wanted to share my blessings so I dropped few dollar bills into their unwashed palm.

“Thank you so much, Miss,” one of the beggars happily said and his eyes filled with joy.

“You’re welcome, sire. I’m happy to help,” I replied with a genuine smile and slowly walked away.

I reach the crossing. The lights are red, so I wait with a group of people. Cars speed by sending their obnoxious fumes into the waiting people. I covered my nose with my small handkerchief.

The lights transitioned from yellow to green. I was about to cross when suddenly, I saw a man who suddenly appeared in the middle of  the busy road.

I squinted and rubbed my eyes just to check if I was not hallucinating.

He was a little bit far from where I was standing so I was not able to catch a glimpse of his face. He was staring intensely at the approaching black car and strode nearer to it.

Is he going to commit suicide? Oh my god.

I thought that maybe he really lose his mind  as he snapped his finger and increased his pace in approaching the car

I was about to shout at him, but suddenly it felt like time froze for few seconds, people around me stopped moving and in his snap of finger defreezes time as the black car in front of him lose control and crashed with the nearby truck.

After the vehicles crashed, he looked back on my side and I can clearly see his full features.

Jet black hair and crimson eyes…

My eyes widened, and I was stupefied. I can’t believe that it was actually happening in front of my eyes, and aside from that, he really looks so familiar.

I was left dazed on what had just happened in front of me.

I could not move my feet. The scene shocked me and my head throbbed painfully as vivid flashbacks of familiar scenes kept playing over and over again in my brain like a broken tape.

Realization hit me.

It was him.

 “The guy who saved me was no human,” I murmured staring blankly, as the flashbacks of the scenes became clearer on our uncanny encounter a decade ago.

I jolted back to my senses with a very loud horn from the car on my right.

“If you want to die, don’t involve me! I almost caught up in an accident too!” a man shouted from the car and averted his gaze to the nearby car accident between the black car earlier and the truck.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized as I fastened my pace towards the other side of the street and ran as fast as I could.

It’s getting late already, I need to go home.

I reached the small alley towards another high end street and grabbed a  cab.

I must hurry home and drink my meds.

I’m glad I met again my savior even though I encountered him again in a strange way.

However, my trauma on that day also came back. I doubt if I could get any sleep tonight.

I heaved a sigh as my brain was hurting like crazy and overloaded with the sudden memories resurfacing after the incident.