Pounding heart vs fatigue

A trail of liquid trickled down my face. The sun blazed hotly at the citizens of earth, namely me. My clothes clanged to me and were soaked. I wiped away my bead of sweat with the back of my hand. I felt like I would die from a heat stroke. There was no cloud in sight but the clear blue sky. The worst part was there was no cool breeze to chill me down. I fanned myself with my hand and continued wiping the tables.

I was currently in a restaurant working as a waitress. It was a part-time job that I needed to earn an extra income to pay for Mia's treatment. This job would not be so tiring if it weren't blazing hot. The heat during these past few days was unbearable. At the hotel, there was a ventilator, but not in this restaurant. I rubbed my aching shoulders and sighed with frustration. I never wanted to run down my body like this again, but I somehow am back to where I started.

I shook my thoughts away and continued with my work determined. I needed to do this for Mia.

***

"Thank you for the job well done," smiled my boss. He was ten years older than me with brown hair, brown eyes, and noticeable stubble.

I smiled, showing my straight white teeth. "No, thank you for taking me for this job," I replied politely.

He nodded and looked lost in thought. He regained his senses and scratched his stubble sheepishly, and then he asked if I would join him for dinner. My eyes trailed to the ring on his finger. He caught the direction of my eyes and looked alarmed.

"Wait-No! I mean would you like to join dinner with the other employees. I wanted to bond with all of you and for us to get to know each other," he explained and then gave an awkward cough. I nodded with understanding.

"Don't worry, I understand," I reassured him. I was glad for the confirmation. I didn't want to quit this job and struggle to find another one.

"I don't know if I'll be able to make it, but I might if I have time."

"Ok, I understand; make sure to not overwork. These days are not a good condition to overwork. You could faint because of a heat stroke. Goodness, it's hot!" he exclaimed and fanned himself with a paper.

"Here, your paycheck." He handed me the paycheck, and I sighed with relief. I would pay for my monthly expenses and use my hotel job income for Mia's hospital bills.

"Thank you very much, boss," I said with a smile. My boss, John, replied with a smile and watched as I left his office.

***

As I waited for the bus, I received a call from Alex.

"Hello, Alex?" I answered.

"Good day to you, Sasha. It's been a while since we've talked since we've been both so busy. I wish my work would stop piling up so that I could have time to support you,"

he said with a tint of frustration in his voice.

I giggled. "It's alright, Alex. You being there for me even a distance is more than enough. How is work doing, by the way?"

I heard the shuffling of paper and pen tapping wood. "It's going alright. I have unsolved cases that I must help investigate, so it got me working late shifts. Now, forget about me; how is Mia?"

I hummed and then replied. "Mia is in good condition. They must still test to see if her illness is a slow-growing or aggressive type. Other than that, she is alright, so don't worry."

"Nice, that's good to know. Anyway, I sent some money into your account for help with the hospital bills."

"Alex, you don't have to..."

"But I want to. It's my earned money, not my father's, so don't worry. I got to go now so I'll see you soon, okay?

"Thank you," I replied, and he hanged up. I looked at my phone for a moment and put it back in my pocket. I wiped the sweat forming in my neck. I breathed in and out and entered the bus heading to my next workplace.

***

"Thank you, bye!" I said and waved my hands to my coworker. I finished my shift, and it was now the late afternoon.

I covered my eyes as I looked up at the sky. The heat was still unbearable. This day is why I detest the summer and love winter. I took out my handkerchief from my handbag and dabbed my forehead.

I was sweating like a waterfall.

I began to walk but stopped due to an incoming call.

"Hello? Who's this?" I asked with caution.

"It's me, Miguel. Do you want a ride home?"

I turned around and saw Miguel a few feet away, leaning on his car with a phone in his hand. When our eyes met, he smiled and waved his hand.

For some reason, the pounding of my heart outweighed my fatigue.