Meeting again (4)

Ava, a 23 year old business graduate inherited the Rainbow Cafe from her aunt who became her guardian after she lost both of parents in a car crash accident when she was still an infant. Her aunt was Ava's only family member left and since her aunt was also struggling, Ava grew up being independent niece who had to learn to manage herself at the age of 5. Because of that, she was so used to objectively reason everything rather than throwing tantrum whenever things didn't go the way she wanted as she knew that her aunt won't have time to care for her.

Inevitably she didn't have the emotional support that she needed as a child back then. When peope persistenly labelled her as cold-hearted and emotionless kid, she took it as it was. Neither did she blame her aunt nor trying to defend herself. Instead she even personally went to the doctors to get diagnosed. She had to take many tests and answer endless questions from the doctors before she was finally referred to psychiatrists.

It was naturally tiring and long process but she adamantly endured it because she wanted to get rid off those sticky thoughts inside her mind that kept telling her that something was wrong about her and she had been feeling this vague, heavy and stuffy around her chest area. Sometimes it got heavier and unbearable to the point she couldn't breathe well. Her psychatrist told her to take deep inhale and exhale few times whenever she felt that until 'that thing' went away.

Ding! Ava was checking the account book when she felt the wind rushed towards her together with the sound hurrying footsteps and soon her body lightly jerked backwards until it hit softly the cushion behind her. Then a pale face- a she, appeared in front of her. That person was panting heavily like she just finished 2km marathon and without any invitation, she took Ava's drink cup next to the account book and gulped everything till the last drop in one go. After that she turned to the staff at the counter and loudly ordered, "Get me another bottle. Hurry. I'm so thirsty,"

Next, she paced back and forth in front of Ava while talking to herself. Ava who sat very close to this mad woman heard repeatedly saying in a low voice, "It's not my fault...it's not my fault...it's not my fault."

This woman suddently turned up at Ava's cafe at lunch time and her action obviously attracted the customers there. Ava had no choice other than to pull this uninvited woman to the seat in front of her. As soon as this woman sat down, she urgently spoke to Ava, "Girl, I know we always keep things short and brief between us but you just have to listen to me for just 10 minutes okay? I really need to get this off my chess or else I feel like the grim reaper's scythe is just one inch away from snapping my neck."

She then continued without waiting for Ava's reply, "I know that my taste in men is exceptionally weird but never did I have to pinch myself because of this freaking dead beat pushover. Not only that, he also a victim to office bully! Men should be able to assert their dominance when necessary but this man...he...he...Nevermind that but you know what???!!! He must think that I'm like those selfish exploiters who love to steal people's efforts. What he didn't know that I was forced to takeover his proposal idea. Do I have other choice? NO! I'm also a victim in this case, okay!!"

Not caring for the customers staring at her, Sophie lashed out her frustration till she felt better. Who else have the audicity to act crazy in front of the ruthless Ava other than Sophie. Apparently Sophie rushed to Ava's cafe during the lunchtime because she couldn't hold it any longer.

Ava with blank expression patiently faced Sophie's burst without interupting Sophie. She waited for Sophie to finish talking and then gave the mineral bottle to Sophie which the staff delivered to their table while Sophie was still in her frantic state.

Sophie grabbed the bottle and drank it untill it was half empty. Although between them were not much words, once in a while, Sophie would burst out like this since Ava was her safe place. It was ironic for Sophie to actually expose her vulnerable state to cold-hearted Ava as if Ava could understand her feelings. Well, being friends didn't necessarily mean that you have to provide all kind of supports to each other. With just being a good listener would do.

Ava wasn't good with words so she didn't know how to comfort people. It was better for her to just lend her shoulders to Sophie rather than trying to be the problem-solver. That was what most friendships were lacking of. Most people rushed to offer their advice rather than to provide the safe space for the other party to confide the overwhelming emotions.

Although Ava couldn't emphatize with Sophie's situation but she was smart to pick up the important pieces throughout the whole emotional crack. Ava could see that Sophie was in a denial state. What Sophie did right now was imposing her own thoughts rather than confirming the misunderstanding with that guy because she was simply embarassed. That guy made her nervous which was so unlikely to happen. That guy managed to get into Sophie's few exceptions.

While Ava waited for Sophie to finally calm down, she noticed a man in officewear with beads of sweats on his forehead looking at both of them. He was standing a few metres away from them and recognising the lanyard around his neck, Ava whisperred to Sophie while gestured to the man behind them, "The guy you talk about...is it him?"

Sophie frowned when she heard that and twisted her body to see the man. Her jaw dropped afterwards. Today was really Sophie's cursed day.