Fate's cruel embrace

A deep voice came out of the phone, '' it's impossible. Good bye!''

The phone dropped with a splash as Samuel's grip on the phone loosened and the screen shattered into pieces like his fate amidst the road which then had less vehicles passing by due to torrential rain. He stood there stunned for awhile and then knelled down grieving and whining about life which then took such a sharp turn that left him dumbstruck.

What happened to him? Which circumstances compelled him to lament like this?

Fifteen years ago, Samuel's mother passed away due to cancer. They were financially worse off as a great deal of money went into his mother's treatment. Soon, they became bankrupt as a consequence of heavy losses faced by his father in his business. In order to repay the loan, his father took more debt from usurers and the whole race of lenders by making ruinous promises. Every week, some usurer used to drop in with a gang of goons to abuse and harass violently in order to get the money back. Moreover, they threatened his father to seize all his property and kill Samuel. His father couldn't tolerate that anymore and decided to commit suicide after five long years of torture. Samuel's childhood was filled with toxicity and misery but he never gave in.

He stood strong and hustled doing odd jobs with less salary for a coon's age and eventually ended up being an entrepreneur at twenty five. His standard of living raised when his old second hand scooter turned into a luxury car. He was finally at ease after long-standing hardships.

One fine day, beside the gate of his office, he saw a girl who seemed an year or two younger to him. She stood against the wall covering her face with her hands trying to hold back her tears in which she failed miserably.

Being moved by the pitiful scene, Samuel couldn't restrain himself from consoling that girl as it aroused the very emotion of compassion and kindness which he had inherited from his mother.

Samuel went to the girl and said, ''May I know what's the issue? I might try to help you in case you need.''

''I don't know what to say. I just feel helpless.''

''It's OK. Things don't go our way sometimes but it doesn't mean that we end up being desperate.''

''I lost both my parents in an accident a couple of years ago. Now, the company in which I was working fired me as it has been running in losses. I don't know what I will do and how I will survive. Everything seems to come to an end. I dddon't kknow.''

''Don't worry. I will give you a job in my company.''

''Really, I mean are you serious? Are you not kidding me? Oh my god! I am on cloud nine. I don't know how to thank you. By the way, where's your office?''

''It's here. See. This is my office..''

''Oh my goodness! How ignorant of me!''

''Anyway, What's your name?'

''I am Emma.''

''Wow! That's a nice name.''

''OK then, I will see you later.''

''Bye!''

Emma joined the company without a second thought. Gradually, they became good friends and started spending hours talking to each other. Their bond got stronger and stronger and soon they tied the knot.

On a fine summer evening, Emma decided to buy herself some new dresses to adorn herself with. She said to Samuel, ''I wanna buy some new outfits so I will be going to the malls and I will perhaps come back by seven o' clock. Would you like to accompany me?''

''I won't be able to go along with you as I have got some urgent work today but anyway, enjoy your day. If you feel the need of some more money, here is my card. Take it.''

''No, I have enough money. Keep the card with yourself.''

''It's month end and that's why I know you are gonna need it.''

''Since you are insisting so much, I'll take it but I won't use. OK then, I am leaving.''

''Bye! Have fun.''

''I won't have fun since you are not gonna accompany me. Bye!''

Emma ensured that she'll be back by seven but it was already half past seven and she wasn't home. out of concern, Samuel called her up but she didn't pick up. He solaced himself by assuming that she would have put her phone on silent or she would be busy in the billing counter. He tried after an interval of 15 minutes but it was again busy. He kept on calling over and over again but received disappointment every time he ringed.

He started feeling anxious as he frowned predicting the unfortunate possibilities. It was getting dusky and he couldn't sit back anymore and see the clock tick-tock. He stepped out, wandered about the streets, searched as many malls as he could looking for the girl in which his soul resided. The welkin started weeping like Samuel deep inside. The tears of sky seemed to drench him with the anxiety and apprehension of parting his soulmate.

He stood dazed amid the road as if he couldn't sense anything but despondency. The sound of thunder and lightening seemed to make no difference in his state. The images of Emma ran through his mind and the recollections of her memories woven into a dreamland occurred to him every now and then.

Suddenly, he sensed that his phone was ringing. He cried out with joy as he anticipated that it was Emma who was trying to contact him with an unknown number. He received the call and drew the phone near to him with his shivering hands. He got disappointed as a deep masculine voice came out of the phone,

''Did you recognize me? Well, I am the one from whom your father had lent money fifteen years back. He died without repaying it but it's the money that belongs to me. How can I ever let that go this easily? So, I got it back myself and that too with interest. Check your bank balance, Samuel. The girl whom you trusted so much, the one who you though is your whole life is actually my crime partner. She helped me to get it back. And one more thing, don't ever try to search for me as no police of any state has ever caught me and will never be able to catch me. It's impossible. Good bye!''