It was impossible to move an inch. I was famished. I was drained. I was completely drained. My skin brushed against the coarse sand and partly, wetness. I just lay there. Hopelessly. Helplessly. Praying in my mind that a Savior would find me.
Then, people came closer. Glancing at me in utmost confusion.
Is she alive? She isn't moving."
"s. She is unconscious." I coughed mildly managing to open my eyes and watching the curious faces around me.
". She just coughed."
I couldn't recall what occurred next as I lost consciousness again.
My nerves,senses grew active. It was sunset and the exiting rays of the sun glared into my face. I was more comfortable now. The bed was soft. I was tempted to sleep more. However, something seemed ominous.
I was in a strange place. This I could hear the sound of the sea waves rise,clap against one another.
I got up slowly examining my environment. It was exceptionally tidy. It was not richly furnished but it gad a good look. It was simply beautiful. I felt a little dizzy. Then my memory trailed back to the incident that had landed me in the present. The ship had capsized. It was a miracle that I had survived.
Then the door creaked open. A blonde hair lady let herself in. She had a tiny black mole at the top of her lips. Her waist was small and she had long legs. She had an intimidating look. She was gorgeous but had a sassy appearance. Without mincing words, I could opt that she was a gangster.
"bbaby girl, how do you feel now?" she came so close to me. I couldn't get myself to look into her eyes. " hmmm.."
". I'm good, thank you." I stared at a well designed box wondering it's content. There were lots of questions I needed to ask.
"y. You don't seem inquisitive." she stepped backwards.
I started to speak then I stopped. She turned to wardrobe and began her search while she had her back to me.
". The fishermen found you last night. You were almost lifeless so they thought you were dead and left you by the sea bank." she paused facing me at once. "it seems you have a lucky fate. Everyone were scared of taking care of you or bringing you to their homes because you are total stranger." Apart from her sassy looks, she was kind hearted, proof from the fact that she had treated me when others declined doing so. She deserved a great appreciation.
"". Don't thank me. I only helped because you looked so innocent to die like that."
". Thank you for helping me." I acknowledged.
" you are welcome, baby girl."
She was supposedly in her thirties. Then a car blared its horn from outside.
" give me a minute." she moved like the speed of light. It was dusk already and the sun had finally retired for the day. I could hear their distinct chattering through the window. In inquisitivity, I gazed to see what it was all about. Her shapely stature stood backing the spot I peered from. Opposite to her was an averagely tall man. Though he could have been mistaken for being brief if their heights were to be compared. Her guest wore thick sunshades that balanced comfortably at the top of his nose.
It took a few minutes before they drew a conclusion and he drove off. What was their conversation about? She didn't appear that monstrous to plot against me? Well not after she had rescued me. Still,, people could change. I had no idea where I was or how I had gotten there. How to leave and return to the orphanage. My trip to Rome had crashed. How to go about leaving from there.
". Oh God." I mumbled. I heard the door click open.
" have this." she passed a small bowl that contained greenish liquid to me. " it will aid your recovery."
Unsure of what it was or why I had to take it, I stared at her and the tea.
" you know…I don't expect you to trust me so easily." she placed the bowl at a corner. " No one in your situation would. But I would have harmed you while you were helpless if I choose to. So gubble it down, baby girl."
My hesitation lasted but for a while. As soon as I emptied the bowl, she patted my back playfully.
". Good girl. Now have a warm shower and change your clothes."
As though our thoughts went the same path(that I had no other clothes.)
". I will get you . Don't worry."
After I had bathed, I changed into the dress I assumed were for me as it was properly folded on the bed. I tied my hair into a bun. I stood before the giant sized mirror scanning myself over. Nothing much had changed. My complexion, my face…were still the same. The intuition that something was amiss kept ringing in my mind. I almost collided with her at the door.
". Let's have a meal." I dumbly nodded. I followed her to the dining room. Her home had a sort of peace it gave. It was spacious,airy and cool. From the balcony one could view the sea. The rise and fall of the tides. The breeze enveloped the entire surroundings. She had definitely and intentionally dwelt in that abode due to closeness to the sea, I guess.
My stomach grumbled. I was more than hungry. The meal was palatable and it gave off an appetizing aroma. I grabbed the cutlery digging into the food and stuffing it in my mouth impatiently. I did not want to allow myself think twice. Besides,it tasted nice.
"". Are you a Christian?"
I nodded in affirmation choosing not to talk while masticating. Then, I wiped the corners of my lips applying etiquette as though I was not the one wolfing down that amount of food few seconds ago.
I ate till I was satisfied. I reached for the next glass of water taking everything down in one shot.
" thank you for your the meal."
Before nightfall, I toured her abode and then I found myself sitting by the balcony observing the sea. Was there a possibility that I could return? On the contrary, was I beginning a new life here?
Amidst my thoughts, the blonde hair lady surfaced pulling a chair and balanced her weight on it."
" I just realized we had not yet introduced ourselves."
"Oh…." I stuttered. " my name is Stella Macpherson."
". I'm Melissa."
She took out a pack and held a lighter. Curiously, I watched her. She pulled a piece from the pack and lighted it. I grimaced in utter confusion. Then she brought it to her lips. Jesus, I thought. She smoked. She was a smoker. That was one of the illicit things Sister Theresa had warned us of. I was living under the same roof with a sinner.