The Unexpected Turn is a three part fictional series meant to give you a break from the stress of the day. Boggle up, sit tight and enjoy…
There is an almost magical quality to the way certain individuals enter our lives. They suddenly emerge, quickly capturing a place in your mind, pulling you in with an irresistible power. That’s how it all began with her.
 Every workday morning, on my commute to the office, I would catch sight of her. Always present near the café corner, she illuminated the street with her constant presence. There was a certain quality about her – perhaps her smile or the way she exuded self-assurance in a subdued manner. I eagerly anticipated those brief moments when our paths crossed, whatever they may be.
A basic greeting made my day so much better. Initially, it was simply a benign attraction, a casual appreciation of beauty. Nevertheless, as time went by, I started to feel a deeper emotion. I began noticing the small details – such as the gleam in her eyes when she smiled, how she tucked her hair behind her ear, and her laughter that stayed with me even after she departed. I wished to understand her better, to unravel the story behind that captivating smile.
However, even though I wanted to establish a stronger connection with her, I restrained myself. Perhaps it was fear, or maybe it was the hesitation of not knowing how to approach her without seeming like another man attempting to hit on her. Therefore, I accepted those short meetings, the casual conversations that never extended beyond polite hellos. I convinced myself I was satisfied with just watching her from afar, telling myself it was sufficient. In the end, what could I possibly provide for her as a man like myself? She appeared to be beyond my reach.
And suddenly, one day, she was no longer present. The spot where she typically stood seemed more vacant, as though her missing presence had diminished the street’s allure. I dismissed it, convincing myself that she probably had the day off or was simply running behind schedule. However, as time went by, her absence persisted. A week passed, followed by another.
Every day, I searched the street, eager to see her, but she never showed up. The void that came after her vanishing took me by surprise. I noticed how accustomed I had become to her presence, and how I longed for those short moments of connection. I couldn’t continue to overlook it – I needed to discover what had happened to her. Summoning my bravery, I made the choice to go to her place of work. I was aware of her workplace as I had observed her in the uniform of the nearby boutique on multiple occasions.
As I neared the store, I experienced a blend of nervousness and resolve. What if she had departed permanently? What if I were to never lay eyes on her once more? I entered the boutique and was welcomed by her boss, a woman with a friendly smile. I inquired about her, attempting to appear nonchalant, but my worry was difficult to conceal in my tone. She hesitated for a moment before responding to her boss. “She’s not feeling well,” she whispered gently, her smile disappearing. “She has been unable to attend work.”
The news had a greater impact on me than I had anticipated. Feeling under the weather? I was unsure of the meaning, yet it made me feel anxious. I expressed gratitude to her superior and exited the store, my mind filled with racing thoughts. What type of sickness could have prevented her from being around for such a prolonged period of time? I understood I couldn’t simply walk away from the situation like that. I needed to find out more.
A couple of days after, I went back to the store, anticipating some positive updates. On this occasion, her boss appeared to be more receptive, possibly detecting the genuineness of my worry. She gave me a tiny piece of paper containing a telephone number. “Come closer,” she said, “check on her yourself.” I grabbed the document, experiencing a peculiar blend of comfort and anxiety.
I finally found a means to contact her, to show her that someone was concerned. What could I possibly say? What would be her response if a stranger suddenly contacted her? In the evening, I walked back and forth in my apartment practicing my words before finally calling the number. As the phone rang, my heart throbbed in my chest.
What if she failed to recall who I am? What if she considered this intrusion unwanted? I was surprised when she picked up the call on the third ring. I could still recognize her voice, even though it was quieter than before. I awkwardly presented myself, jogging her memory of the man she used to encounter every morning.
After a brief pause, she chuckled, a sound that immediately made me feel relaxed. “Surely, I recall you,” she stated. I always questioned why you never uttered anything beyond ‘hello’. Just that simple acknowledgment was enough for the conversation to start flowing. We chatted for what seemed like hours, covering all kinds of topics. She informed me about her sickness – a case of flu that had affected her greatly – and how she was gradually getting better. I disclosed some details about myself, being cautious not to burden her with an excessive amount of information.
As weeks passed by, we started to talk more often. We communicated through texts every day, and quickly, it seemed like we had been friends for much more than a couple of weeks. The exchanges provided a sense of comfort and ease that helped me overcome my initial nervousness.
Later that evening, she unexpectedly messaged me with a casual “Hey” in my DMs. Excitement filled me as I responded, curious to discover the outcome. I had no idea that this straightforward message would mark the start of a transformational journey.
