Page 38 - Digital Cornice Grade 10

The Second Chance -Preissa Shrestha

“Excuse me Ma’am, is this the residence of Mr. Joseph Cooper?”

“Yes. How may I help you?”

“This is the local police. I am sorry to inform you, but, Mr Cooper met with a severe car accident and is no more.
We recovered his wallet and found this number. I humbly request you to arrive at Himmel Street to identify the
body”, enunciated the flat voice.

Numbness consumed every bit of me. I stood by the telephone unmoving, unblinking and unable to process
what i had just heard. My heart skipped a beat. I was no longer conscious of my surroundings neither did i feel
anything. My wide eyes restrained to be shut as though the entire world was crumbling apart in front of my eyes.
Losing grip of the telephone, it slipped from my hand and fell, clattering heavily to the polished wooden floor.
The loud thud received my pounding heartbeat as my knees sank to the floor.

The thunder growled fiercely across the brumous sky which was now swamped with thick profuse grey clouds

that huddled together bracing themselves for the forthcoing of the violent thunderstorm. A pitch black figure
ambled towards the transparent glass window. Its gleaming green eyes stared directly into my soul. Hissing, the
black cat sprinted out of my sight fleetly. A the wind howled ad the trees swayed helplessly, amurder of crows
patrolled the entire area ushering the misfortune that was yet to come.

Growing up in a religious household, i knew for a fact that these omens must not be ignored. The shrill of the
telephone ring was all it took to prove me right. It was our 13th anniversary but, we hadnt uttered a single word
to one another. Since the past few days. Our relationship had grown bittersweet overtime. Even during the
sparse time we found for one another would eventually end with unnecessary arguments. In reality, both of us
were equally wounded and exhausted but, were tied by the undetachable thread of the profound and the mutual
love we shared.

As I lay in disbelief, on the cold wooden floor, every moment i had spend with Joseph flashed before my eyes.
Every laughter we shareed and every hurdle we overcame together, i reminisced it all. I culd feel the heavy tears
escaping hastily as it poured down my cheeks. Excruciating anguish took over me as I relieved every argument
where I could have simply annihilated my ego and apologized to Joseph. The heavy baggage of regret was
becoming arduous to carry.

Head buried in my arms I perceived the evident footsteps that grew closer to me every second. Lifting my head

meticulously, I could not discern the tall figure that stood feet away from me, given the incessant tears that
managed to obscure my vision. A bouquet of freshly picked red roses brushed the wooden floor as it dropped
softly from the amicable stranger’s hand.

A face with blue eyes and a strand of curly hazel-coloured hair dangling down the forehead, wore a cordial smile.
It was undoubtedly him. Devoured by heightened elation, I hurled myself into his arms, nearly knocking him to
the floor. I clasped him tightly as though we were nearly one person. As I removed my buried head from his
shoulders- that was now soaked with my unabating tears- to contemplate his yearned visage, Joseph exclaimed,
“I lost my wallet at the train station on my way back from buying you these roses! It is the reason for my delay as
well. I am so sorry for yesterday. Happy anniversary, love!”