Illusions

I met her in August, on one of those cold rainy days when the rain won’t just stop pouring. She offered to share her umbrella as the rain suddenly broke out that evening after the clouds had been gathering and threatening all day. I was grateful to this kind stranger, more elated that she is female; women should support each other more like this, I had mused as we ran to the entrance of the hospital from the parking lot.

Finally, under the safety of the warm reception area, I got to take a good look at her and thank her for her unsolicited act of kindness. I was stunned. The only word that could effectively describe her was gorgeous.

She had beautiful caramel skin, perfect teeth, dimples, and a smile that would have melted Hitler’s heart if he had one. She also had a tall frame that made her move like a dancer. For a second, I felt a tinge of jealousy staring at this beautiful creature, who is also kind. How could one person be so perfect?

“Are you okay? Phew! That escalated pretty quickly” She laughed breathlessly, waving me off as I tried to profusely thank her.

“I’m sure you would have done the same thing if I was the one under the rain” She continued with a sweet smile that made her beauty radiate.

My insecurity doubled, and I was virtually having a physical duel with the green monster now. I desperately did not want that guy to win.

“Are you here to see someone?” She asked her eyes looking around the reception area for something.

“No. You?”

“Actually, I am just visiting an old friend, we were here together for a while before I got better and had to leave him behind.”

“Aww! You are indeed very kind!” I smiled back at her, 2 seconds before I gave the green monster a high kick in the face.

She was indeed kind. But, there was something about her that made me uneasy, she smelled funny. I was unable to place whether I found this smell unpleasant or good, it was just a smell that made me uneasy and uncomfortable in a strange way.

“You said you are not here to see anyone, you are a patient then?”

“Yes!” I responded a little too chirpily

“ What”s wrong?” She asked! as a look of genuine concern crossed her face.

“I don’t know yet, that is why I am here,” I said shrugging.

She smiled and placed her hand on my bare arm and I suddenly had goosebumps the size of goose eggs. Her hand was cold as ice.

“You will be fine love! Trust me, I can see these things” She said giggling.

“Run along now, you don't want to miss your check-up, I need to go find my friend fast, I have somewhere else to be soon”

“Really!” I asked, more out of impulse than the fact that I actually wanted her to furnish me with that information.

She smiled slowly and brightened up, and started walking in the direction of the private wards “Yeah… I need to hurry, it would be rude to be late for my funeral.”

I turned to see her amused face as she said this, but she was not there anymore. I stood there looking around me, perhaps she was playing tricks? But she was really gone. I refused to believe any of it. People have all sorts of stress-induced hallucinations these days.