Elites In Conundrum

In shadows

She sat on the sofa sipping her coffee and occasionally peeping at the half drawn curtains across which he always seemed to sit, with his back facing her. His existence was shrouded in mystery and his face hidden in the shadows.

All she had to do was sit here exactly, 35 minutes, and stay quite, and so did he.

She had tried to interact with him before but he never said a word, not even once.

As why she came here? she herself didn't know. Just one day, a letter to her desk, asking her to be the personal physiotherapist for a handicapped man, and in return get to enjoy a seven figure salary. No sane person could let go of such an amazing offer, so she said yes.

Yet sitting like this, being unable to do her job, and just enjoying her salary didn't sit right with her.

She might not be a psychologist, but even a blind could see that the man's silence screamed off of his pain.

Having no idea of how to help the man, she had finally decided to quit.

Clearing her throat she said, "Uhm.. Mr. urr.." and with a start she realized with utter misery, that the man she was supposed be the personal physiotherapist of, was an utter mystery. She didn't even knw his name. 

Her pathetic attempt of addressing him didn't produce any changes. He still sat still in his wheelchair, gazing off of at something yet nothing. The red curtains stayed still, and so did the environment inside that room.

Summoning her courage she said, "This is my last visit to you." Clutching at her handbag with both hands, she stood up and placed a check on the table. "The past three months salary, you can take it back, sir."

She stood up, and with a heavy heart walked with a snail's pace towards the closed doors that lead her out of this man's chambers.

His silence always made her sad, but today, the farther she went away from him, the harder was it to control her tears.

She expected him to stop her, just as it happened in the movies and he did stop her.

"Wait" His voice was raspy.

she turned expectantly towards him, to find him still hidden, in layers of darkness.

"Sir?" she questioned tentatively.

"Keep the money"

Her expectations turned into disappointment.

"I don't deserve it sir, throughout my stay I did nothing but drink expensive coffee."

"It was a local brand miss"

"You-" she was speechless. 

"My name is Angela, and you are?"

He once again fell silent.

"Miss Angela, Do you know why you are here?"

"Isn't it to help you walk on your own feet again sir?"

The man gave a humorless laugh, "Walk on my feet? I am afraid that won't be possible, at least not in this life time"

"I don't need you Angela, I need the angel inside you."

A breath left through her parted lips, and she asked, "How?"

'How did you know?'

 "How?"  "That's a story for another time Angela, for now, if you are interested in lending Angel to me then... I have a story for her."

"Angel only works for those who listen to Angela." said Angela.

 "Angel will listen to your story, but" she said this and paused, lifting her lashes to meet the man's stoic back and continued, " will you listen to Angela sir?"