Our Chance

Laura's P.O.V  “Are you sure you will be alright going to work?” Stacy asked when she saw me preparing for work. “I'm fine Stacy, maybe going to work would distract me.” I said, putting on my shoes after which I carried my bag.  “If that's what you want, please take care of yourself and if anything happens, don’t hesitate to call me.” She said hugging me.  I bade her goodbye and left. When I got to the bus stop, I sat on a chair there, waiting for the bus to come. Beautiful memories I had with Mateo started flooding my head. “Laura, I have told you countless times not to bring yourself down in front of anyone, especially not in front of me.” Mateo said when the application to the university was rejected again. “What else, Mateo? Nobody wants me, and I can’t blame them. Even my biological parents left me when they realized how useless I was.” I said to him, crying. “You are not useless darling, you are unique, and you are a rare gem that is yet to be discovered.” He said, making me smile. A rare gem that I was to Mateo is now useless to him. I wipe the straying tears off my eyes with the back of my hand and entered the bus. “Everything is going to be alright Laura,” I reassured myself. When I got to work, I went inside to change into my uniform; I work as a waiter at a café. “Good morning Lizzy.” One of my colleagues here greeted me. “Good morning Laura, I am so sorry about what happened.” She moves closer to me and hugs me. “How are you doing now?” She asked with genuine concern. “I am fine now, thanks.” I replied to her. I went to the counter to start my day as usual, but no matter how I tried to forget, those straying tears always betrayed me. “Excuse me.” If you are here to cry, you better find someone to replace you." A female voice brought me out of my thinking reverie. “I am so sorry ma’am, please, what can I get for you?” I quickly wipe my tears. “So you did not hear what I was saying since, you useless Idiot.” She muttered the last words and walked away. I attend to the next customer and try to focus on my work till the time to go home. While at work, Stacy called me to ask how I was faring and I told her I was holding on fine. “Laura, Mr. Ben wants to see you when you finish today.” One of my colleagues said. “Ok, thanks. I'm about to get off work." I replied.  I went to the dressing room to change into my clothes and quickly went to see him. Mr. Ben is the manager of this café. I hoped he'd said something nice today. That silly old man wants a relationship with me. He always gives me a weird look. If looks could undress someone I would always be naked in front of him. “Sir, you sent for me?”  He sat on his desk smiling. “Yes, come closer.”  I obeyed.  “I am really sorry about your wedding.” He said staring at my body creepily. “Thank you, sir.” He stands up and rubs his thumb on my chin. “Don’t worry, I am always here for you if you need anything.” He said. “I am fine sir, thank you.” I said, gently removing his hand from my chin. I felt like breaking his stupid hand into pieces. “Just accept my offer and I will take care of you. I will give you lots of money, you won't have to come to work regularly and your salary will be completed at the end of the month.” He said roaming his hand on my body. Aish! It is irritating. This man disgusts me. He moves closer to me and puts his other hand on my waist pulling me closer to him. He gradually lifted my face and leans closer to kiss me. I hit him hard across his face. “You stupid bitch.” He said and grabs my neck wanting to kiss me forcefully. I grabbed his pinky finger and bends it backward. He yelled in pain. Then I pushed him with all the strength I could gather. I have had enough of his bullshit. “You're fired, you useless slut.” He said holding his pinky finger in pain. “I know I am useless, you are not the first person to say that. You know what you are?” I asked. He shook his head clumsily  “You are a disgusting, stinking old pig, to hell with you and your good-for-nothing job.” I move closer to him and kick him on his stupid member that made him feel like he has the right to chase every girl that comes around. I walked out of the café and headed straight to the bus stop where I sat down and let out all the tears I've been holding.  When I came down from the bus, I went to the supermarket and bought lots of foodstuffs and snacks. I entered my apartment and put all the groceries in the place; I lay all my snacks on the table at the center of my living room and turned on the TV. I started munching on my snacks. I started with chocolate, then cookies, candies, ice cream, and all. Halfway into the movie I ordered pizza and finished it all. Don’t mind me, that's what I do whenever I am sad, angry, or depressed but no matter how much food I eat I never gain weight.  After seeing all the movies I chose, I made my way to the bathroom, took a shower, and then went to bed. You may wonder what happened to me that makes me like this. Flashback The memorable day of an average girl would be her wedding day. Almost every girl has her own dream wedding planned in her head. But my wedding day became the worst day of my life. It's a day I would never forget in my life. A day before my wedding day my husband-to-be called off the wedding. He did not even say it to my face; he called me on the phone to call off the wedding. …………………………………….. “Mateo, you can’t do this to me.” I am on my knee as if he will see me. “Sorry, I need to move forward. I can’t just stay here with you for nothing. You have nothing to offer me.” He said on the other side of the phone. “What did you mean by I have nothing to offer you?” I asked him, crying profusely. “You've been a bad luck to me. After years of my graduation, I have nothing good to show, not even a job. But now that I'm mingling with a good person I secured a good job, not even in this country.” He said, with no sign of guilt in his voice. “No problem, I'll go with you. I'll leave everything behind and go with you.” I begged. “There will be no need for that because, as I'm talking to you, I am already on my way to the airport. He said. “Please Mateo, I will………………”  "Bye." He said with a tone of finality and hung up. I went to his house and his parents felt sad; they said Mateo really disappointed them, and he did not tell them where he was going. “Laura, we are so sorry for what our son has done to you, we know how much you've contributed to his life. Helping with his school fees, house rent, and other things.” His mother said crying while his father hugged her telling her to calm down. “We are sorry.” His father said looking remorseful. His parents also told me they found out from one of his friends that Mateo was cheating on me with another girl and it is that girl that helped him with the job in another country. Anyhow, I found my way to the bus stop from his parent’s house, I don’t know how I got there. I just sat down there crying, not minding the people walking by looking at me. When I saw the bus coming, I wiped my tears and entered the bus. I headed to my small and cozy apartment and undressed myself to take a shower. After taking a shower I slept maybe by the time I woke up I will be fine. “Hello." I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. “Where have you been since morning? I've been calling your phone and you've refused to pick my calls.” My best friend Stacy screamed on the other side of the phone. “I am sorry.” I tried to act normal. Maybe I will forget what happened, but my tears betrayed me. “Hey, Laura, what happened? Where are you?” She asked. “I'm home.” I said to her. “I'm coming over now.” She said and hung up. I went through my phone and saw a lot of messages and calls; I decided not to open them because they are pity and sorry messages.  I sent messages to all the people we invited to our wedding that we have canceled it. I stood up and went to the bathroom to wash my face, but I ended up crying more in the bathroom. I couldn't believe that our 5 years old relationship has ended just with a phone call.  It seemed like yesterday when I met Mateo.