Chapter 16:

Cafe, Rain and Umbrella

Short Stories


We met by chance when you joined our company. You were so different, and the desk that separated us felt like a shoreless sea. Why did you never care about your appearance, fashion, and chitchat during the lunch break? Why did you never tried to fit in?You made me angry when you sat alone, but deep inside, I admired your courage. I wished that just for once I could stop caring too, but I am a coward. I was so afraid of being alone. Even if all those people just fill the emptiness around me, I cannot imagine my world without them. It is a fair deal. We are "friends." With them, my phone and TV, I managed to push my loneliness away. And I knew they do the same... but you were different... and I hated it.I was busy that day, too busy for lunch. I let my "friends" go without me. I just had too much to do... You came to my desk with a cup of coffee, a sandwich, and a smile. For a long time, I wondered why you did this. I never believed your "you looked hungry." Why then? You never cared about those unspoken contracts that bound people to be nice. You weren't like this... then why?It was a rainy day. I took my courage and shared my umbrella with you. Now your daughter calls me "mom."
Mara
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