She s Taken Away

1

I AM SICK

When a woman gives her heart to a man, she loses the control over her own happiness. Everyone knows that and no one wants to be in that trap. But when the heart sees the person it takes a fancy to, everything breaks lose. A woman gives in to the man she loves, gives her heart and all of herself.

Carrie wasn’t any different. She fell in love. Gave her heart. Yes, they were happy for years. But sicne everything is ,indeed ,subject to change. The love she used to get from Rudy suddenly fell.

Since this morning, her mind has been occupied with the thought of her boyfriend. She never had a man before Rudy. She never loved anyone before him. She is the woman who doesn’t give her heart right away, but when she does … Love at first sight was not her thing. In fact, it took him quite some months to win her heart. And he did. That moment she said, yes. That was it. She is a one-man woman. For her he was the only man. But that might be disadvantageous in some ways. When something goes wrong, it won’t be that easy to bear.

She is currently readying herself to leave from work inside that office behind Apple Bean’s showroom. She put on her jacket and picked up her bag she kept below the desk. Like usual, she checked herself in the mirror on the wall. In her face, it shows how tired she gets after a day’s work. She slightly brushed her hair. She looked okay. She is now ready to go. She looked around to check for her colleagues. Three ladies are busy chatting, showing no signs of leaving anytime soon.

“Bye, ladies! See you tomorrow,”she waved her hand when they turned their attention to her after hearing her. They simultaneously waved back and continued talking.

“Wait! “She stopped when one of the girls called out her name.

“What?”

“Um, would you like to come with us tonight? At seven ,let’s say?” Donna glanced at her watch and then looked at her again.

She thought for a while and then said, “I’ll skip this time..”She is not in any mood for anything. Occasionally, she joins the ladies for a bottle of beer or two but today is just not the day.

“By the way, you seem to be even more dull than yesterday, huh?”Donna momentarily forgot her conversation with her friend and gave her full attention to Carrie. “Are you okay?” Her eyes became even more curious.

“I’m okay, Don. This is nothing. I just didn’t sleep till late last night.” She smiled tepidly. “Have a good time.” She tried to look as causal as she can. But her voice didn’t sound lively at all.

“Sure?” The other one asked her.

“Of course!” She turned and walked away from them.

“Maybe she is having her period, leave her alone..”The other lady remarked.

She had to walk from the end of the huge store to the exit at the other end. She passed by two other offices before she reached the exit. She left the store which is becoming crowded and noisy. Costumers usually start flocking at this time. Everybody come to shop after work buying things before heading home. Fifty meters away from the exit is where the public transportations parked waiting for passengers. Luckily she didn’t have to walk too far.

At five thirty in the afternoon, the sun has already sat. The darkness begins to take over, she feels even more dim.

She is not going anywhere that afternoon. She is not in the mood for anything. She just wants to reach home, take a shower and watch TV until dinner.

Carrie’s boyfriend hasn’t called the whole week. And that is what she started resenting since few days ago. Of course, she can understand he gets occupied with work sometimes but what is sending her a message to let her know he hasn’t forgotten her. Or what is a three minute call just to talk with her? She had become dependent on him emotionally. And who should she blame?

Rudy was the man who showered her with love constantly. That is why she’s gotten used to that. In return she gave him all her love. What is more sensible thing to do than that, anyway? Like an addict who gets suddenly deprived of her supply, she is now feeling so lethargic without him around. It gets worse when she thinks that Rudy’s love is going down. And the worst, the thought that he might eventually say goodbye. God forbid.

She wanted to spend the weekend with Rudy but the last time she called him, he was busy in his work. She sent few more messages after that but there was no reply.

Carrie has never felt more ignored.

For the tenth time after leaving work, she checked her phone to see for any sign of Rudy. But each time, there was none. For anyone who wanted to hear badly from another person but hears nothing after each attempt, worries will grow worse. That is what she is exactly feeling. Anxiety.

Still, Carrie would just let it go. But she is becoming desperate.

She sent another message. She is now angry and worried. The feeling when the person never answers no matter how you try.. but she decided to not let him feel it.

-hi. Is anything wrong? –She sent again thinking maybe this time he will lift his phone and reply.

Minutes later, still nothing came. ‘This couldn’t be happening.’ She told herself. ‘Maybe his phone is just out of charge or something. Maybe he is in a situation where he cannot receive or send messages. Maybe..

-Rudy,Please say something..- was her next message.

But her pleading didn’t do anything. He anxiety peaked.

He must be in something she still doesn’t know but whatever it was , ‘ don’t I deserve to know?’

At home, Minda is with her two friends who live in the same neighborhood. They are Sarah and Linda.The three cannot stay without seeing each other and spending time together at least every other day. Their houses are just five to seven minute walk away. And that makes it even easier for them. Her backyard garden is their favorite place to hang out during afternoons sipping coffee or sometimes small amount of alcohol. It is the shade of the tree they mostly love while enjoying the weather. ‘What else could old ( a little bit) people like them who retired early from work do? ‘ That’s how they rationalize their habit. Sarah retired at fifty to enjoy life before she gets too old. Linda was running a small bakery but she turned that over to her daughter to manage, that rendered her even more freedom.