Meeting Ray

Alya sat in the train compartment a book in her hand. It is around 4 hours ride to old creak. The train had light grey wall and brown seats one after another. The seats around her was empty. The train came to a stop some people got in. A lady came in with two kids. The seat beside Alya was occupied but the elder one. She had two pigtails and a yellow cap. She was holding a doll in her lap. Alya offered a candy with a smile. The child grinned she reminded her of Cynthia. Her relationship with Cynthia improved in the last few days. She would greet her with a smile. In the meeting room Cynthia wanted to impress Brian by ordering black coffee with less sugar. She took a sip and almost gagged. She was not able to another sip. Alya shook her head at the childish behavior. She slowly walked and stood behind her. The lights went dim for the presentation. She quickly came close to her bend down in the pretense of giving the presentation summary and added three marshmallow drops in her coffee . Alya went around giving the paper to everyone and went back to standing beside Megan. The presentation ended and it was bright again. Cynthia looked at her cup of coffee she had a sad look and gave it a stir. She hoped to hold it in and finish it quickly. After taking a sip her eyes went big she looked around. When her eyes came to Alya. She gave her a smile and a quick wink. Cynthia looked down. Alya was not sure maybe there was a smile. ‘Silly kid’ Alya thought. The train finally came to a stop. She bid farewell to the kid. The green scenery greeted her outside the station. She took a deep breath “ I am finally back”. She halted a taxi and set for home. Upon arrival she hugged her sister in law Elise. Her brother Lucas patted her head and took her bag in She felt excited her to meet her nephews and niece. Lucas and Elise were blessed with a daughter Emma four years old and twin baby boys they were only a month old they spent most of the time in cradles. Alya ran inside and bend down to the boys. “ Awe you guys are cute” she made faces to try make them laugh. Marcus and Vien had white colored onesies on with blue and the other one green teddy bears printed on them. She felt a small hand tug her jeans. She looked over to see Emma stretching her hand towards her and said “up”. This meant she want a hug from her aunt. Alya patted her head “Oh my gosh are you such a cute” and picked her up in her lap. She kissed her cheek and pinch it a bit. Emma stick out her tongue. Alya stick out her tongue to tease Emma. She used her small hand to pull her chubby cheeks and grinned and made a face again. They both made faces at the twins competing with each other who can make them laugh. “What are you teaching my daughter?” Lucas stood in front of them with hands on his hip. Emma jumped off from her lap and ran towards him and hugged him. Alya grinned at her brother. She felt a bit jealous. He meet Elise in college, and they have been together ever since. Some people are lucky she smiled. “ You are hungry right?” Elsie called her to the dining table. She set the table for lunch. Alya drooled at the smell of the curry and rice. She munched down on the food and praised the cooking skills of Elsie. “ How is everything in your job?” Lucas took the plate from her to pass it to the kitchen. “ It is alright just at times it can be stressful.” Alya replied she was helping Emma wash her hands. Lucas, “ You are staying for only three days. If you stayed for more you would be able to meet Baba and Ma.” Alya smiled she has been avoiding a full family meet up. She still remembers her fathers disappointed face when she failed to get admitted to Mandau. The frustration made her want to stay solo and work harder to leave quickly. She only attends the family get togethers. “ I can not take too many leave now when it is this busy at the office.” Lucas, “ I did not think you would turn out to be this workaholic I thought that is the job of James” James the eldest of the three. Their parents shifted to live with him. Alya was invited to live with them but she declined as she wanted to work in her own way. She does talk to them every other Sunday in the video call, but she feels a distance has been created between them. Lucas patted her head, “ You are spending too much time being a lone pup. You should talk to Baba more are you still angry with us?” Alya, “ I do talk to them it is just I get busy a bit. ” she looked away and helped clean the table. She felt a bit irritated with those words. She knew Lucas is just concerned about her but it still stringed her a bit. 4:00 pm She took a walk around the neighborhood it is still the same. She could see some familiar faces and moved forward to greet them and exchange a few words. The sky looked sunny no clouds in site. Her feet automatically took her to the road to Hope hospital. She went with her instincts and stood at the entrance. The hospital looked bigger than it was. There was an attached building. I guess it is a different section. Is the garden still there. Her feet did not take her further in the building. She turned around and left the place maybe it is not okay to just barge in and say ‘hiya’ anymore. She smiled at herself ‘I was a crazy person no wonder Nurse Joan would scream at me so much. I wonder whether they take volunteer workers anymore?’ “ Look who is back.” He was wearing a brown T-shirt and black pants. She came face to face with the very person she said goodbye to before leaving this place Ray. Ray had glasses on and grinned at her. “ Maybe I am dreaming this is not true right?” Alya pinched her cheek to check if she is not dreaming. “ How about I help you with that.” Ray punched her head on top. Alya, “Ouch that hurt.” Ray grabbed her by the neck with his arm and gave her a semi hug. “ Well that means it is not a dream.” Alya laughed and grinned at first. “ You did not change a bit Ray.” Ray, “ Says the one who did not contact for this long. Wait till you meet Joan.” “ No way she will skin me alive.” She tried to set herself free and run but Ray caught her by the back collar and dragged her back inside the hospital. They passed by the rose garden. Some of the petals were around the field close to the flowers. The red and pink roses are in bloom. She looked at the roses. She was reminded of the walks with Brian. ‘This guy just can’t leave my mind’ she looked away from the rose. She was dragged to the kids area. Alya smiled to herself this place is still the same as before. Nurse Joan came out of the room. She was wearing her light pink uniform and holding a brown board with some papers on it. She keeps looking at and muttering something. She had more white hair now and glasses she look stern. Maybe she screamed at someone. Ray, “ Joan look who I found.” Alya peaked behind Ray and waved towards her. Nurse Joan looked at her and sighed, she gestured her to come forward. Alya felt herself move towards her like a robot she was scared that she would get an earful of scolding. Joan surprised her with a hug. She looked around her for a bit. “ Am I really not dreaming?” Joan laughed and hit her lightly on her arm. “ It has been so long. You look all grown up.” Alya, “ No way I am still a kid. Should I get some gummy bears?.” Joan pulled her ears , “Don’t you even think about it young lady.” Alya laughed and hugged her back. “ I will be done early today let’s get some coffee and catch up after this.” Ray patted her head and left to change for his shift. Joan, “Are you moving back here?” Alya, “ Ah no I am here for three days I took a bit leave to visit Lucas. Is Dr Brown in today? I would like to say hi a bit.” Joan, “ He is in a surgery you can wait in his office. You remember the way?” She nodded and walked towards Dr. Brown’s office.