December 12th, the Worst day in my career. I stand in solemn as cars and people flood by, tears spitting my eyes. Nothing to look at but a lonely stop sign. Cobblestone surrounds the area, sparking the feel of richness. The vehicle slows its pace.
Warmth and spirit, stepping onto the bus. "yes! there is indeed free wifi", the driver reassures a passenger. He acknowledges and assists me. "hello, Love". I pass him my day trip pass as he responds. "thank you", lightning up.
The fluffiness of the chairs and the smoothness of its frame calms me. After that horrendous shift: the last thing I need is an old filthy bus to ride home. Like I did many previous nights. I search for an empty space. My eyes wander the bus as my legs follow. I plop myself beside a young woman. "hello", she smiles whilst gripping her phone, rotating to her side.
A bump of the bus and I'm back to the horrors. It flashes before my eyes, echoing in my head...repeating in my mind. I watch as the joy in her eyes sink...until she slowly fades, free from the world.
It happened so fast, I could not battle it.
The uneasy feeling fades.
We move into a pitch-black tunnel. Thud after thud...the memory gains power. "Tell mommy, I love her.", the little girl says, in and out of consciousness. Too many times for me to count. She falls into a deep sleep, never to wait up again,safe with the angels.
Solemn reins over me as her mother rushes in. "oh my goodness! my sweet girl", she screams, tears pricking her eyes. "I should have left my meeting early! this is all my fault.", she glances at me for support, clinging onto her lifeless child. "her last words were for you, she loved you deeply", I stroke her shoulder firmly, Fighting off the ocean I'd been holding back. "thank you doctor Choi...for looking after my baby, in her very last moments".
My eyes squint, hovering along the window ledge of the bus. I begin to dream of how Chloe's life could have been.
10-year-olds should be giggling at the park...not spending late nights in hospital beds. I turn to the stars, praying she's found peace.
Specks of white tint tap the window, quickening each second. Tap after tap...it's clear it won't leave. "snow! snow!", the toddler at the back squeals. Her heartwarming giggle lightens the atmosphere. A gush of wind appears as the snow falls vigorously. "what a beautiful night",an elderly man declares. And with that, the memory fades. Nothing but the past.
People begin to step off. Snow angels all around, children giggling with joy. This day was no longer the worst. Only a reminder of our harsh reality. But despite all the evil, there is goodness too. You just need to remember where to look.