"No matter what happens in life, always get up, dress up and show up."
***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***
Jay's POV
As I was talking to Mr Johnson, my eyes caught a girl crossing the hospital road while a black car speeded towards her. Unknowingly I rushed to her and pulled her back to the pavement sighing heavily while sweat brimmed my forehead.
"What were you thinking? Don't you have eyes?" I yelled unintentionally.
"Oh my goodness! I didn't event realise what was happening. Thank you so much!" She blurted out with a prolonged exhale.
Following a brief conversation, I led her across the street to a ice-cream stand as she wanted. She said she will order an ice-cream while I received a call from office. When I was done, she forcefully handed me a ice-cream cone.
"What's your name and what are you doing here?" I enquired.
"Lilly. I come here often to visit my consultant. What about you?"
"I'm Jay. I came to here to visit a client."
"I can't find words to thank you. Why don't you come to our home? It's just two streets away from here. My sister will be delighted to treat you."
"Thanks. Maybe some other time. You can keep my card though. Call me if you need any help."
As she nodded I jumped into my car and drove back to my office where Mr Johnson was waiting.
*
*
*
*
I offered Mr Johnson a cuppa as soon as I reached my chair to which he refused politely.
"May I know the issues that are of concern right now?" I enquired while screening his file.
"None right now. But we have a number of events waiting down the line." He replied.
"Alright. Thanks for the file. I'll get back to you soon."
"You are most welcome. Let me know if you need anything else. I'll be online."
"Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I'm not feeling well today."
"What happened? Shall I call the doc?"
"No, please don't bother. I'll be fine if I go home and rest for a while."
"Yes, you should. Why don't you take a break for a week? Maybe this will help you to revive? You have worked hard enough to deserve a break."
"You just read my mind. Thanks a bunch Jay. You sure are a generous gentleman. Love you. Take care. Knock me if you need anything. I'll be right back."
"Alright, please go home and rest now for a week. We can be in touch online."
He hugged me and left the room. His face expressed sorrow today. I wondered what was disturbing him. Maybe I should take him on a trip.
*********************************
Lilly's POV
Just as I slammed the door shut, June yelled "Lilly, did you bring milk and honey?"
"Oh no!" I muttered.
"You forgot as usual. Right?"
"Umm...sis I got you something better than that. Guess what?"
"I knew it. Now don't try to distract me saying those..."
"Here have a bite!" I blocked her mouth as I pushed an ice-cream cone inside.
"Wh-wh-wfy..." As she was trying to speak with the giant ice-cream scoop filling her mouth, I said "Can you relax for a while? I encountered a really cool and generous man today while returning home. Maybe I should go to the hospital more often."
"Oh Really?" She asked playfully.
"Yes, but nothing special. He just saved me from a car then helped me across the street."
"Wait! You almost had an accident today? Lilly, why do you cross the road without following traffic signal?"
"Relax. Nothing happened. The car breached the signal. So the driver was fined."
*
*
*
*
*
At Maria & Mike's house
"Hi Mar!"
"Lilly!"
Maria opened the door and gave me a bear hug as usual.
"You are just in time!" She beamed.
"For what?" My eyebrows raised unconsciously.
"Our father suggested a trip to the Indian Ocean Bay. He will buy us tickets today. You should come too! Allow me to book your ticket."
"Wait! A trip to the Indian Ocean Bay? No way! I mean, I would love that but you know I can't."
"Of course you can. You only need to say YES. I'll handle the rest. Why fear when Maria is here?"
"Fear? What sort of fear?" Mike entered while bouncing his basketball.
"Mikey! What's up?" I hugged him as he approached me.
"Don't tell me you can't go to the trip with us because of June." He said sternly.
"Hikzz...how do you read my mind Mikey?"
He crossed his arms at me to release his speech in a fake female voice, "Two things. Number one, don't call me Mikey. It's Mike. Number two, June will say yes if you earn her sympathy which is the easiest task for you."
Maria and I broke into laughter especially due to his number one statement and hilarious facial expression.
Mike always has plans that aided me to earn June's approval on the trip to Indian ocean. So everything was fixed sooner than I expected.
*
*
*
*
At the Indian Ocean Bay
Maria and I were sunbathing on the beach beds while drinking fresh coconut water.
"Hi ladies! What's up?" Mike said with a surf board below his left underarm. Black goggles that were hanging from his beach shirt's pocket reflected the sunlight on my eyes.
"Oh my goodness Mikey! Move man! You are reflecting light on my eyes."
He grinned while standing still infront of me, reluctant to move.
"Mike!" I screamed so that he feels my irritation.
As he didn't budge, I placed the coconut on the table beside my bed and started chasing him. He kept running in a circular motion until both of us started panting with our palms on our knees as we crouched down to catch breath.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Are you enjoying it?
YOU ARE READING
An Illusion
Mystery / ThrillerIt was strange how Lilly didn't speak to me since she returned from school.It never happens that the chatter box is not being herself. "Damn! I hate it!" She didn't even respond when I knocked her door....Will June, Lilly's elder sister ever be able...
