Aileen
In front of the ice cream parlor, Rosalia stood next to the Principal with her arm wrapped around his shoulder.
She was chatting happily, and he listened to her carefully with an endearing smile.
Huh? What’s going on here? What’s…. Rosalia doing here together with him? Do they….. also hang out outside of college?
What is their relationship anyway?
He carried the ice cream cone for the two of them and searched for a place to sit down. I immediately hid behind the bushes in response.
Did they see me? I guess not.
But, why am I hiding from them anyway? And why on earth do I have to hide anyway? I am not usually the one that handles it they are…. together, nor should I care about it.
I peeked out my head, and my eyes wandered all around the sitting area. I saw Rosalia sitting at the back together with the Principal.
She was feeding him playfully and he didn’t seem to hate it.
Why do I bump into them everywhere I go?
But, they don’t seem to be leaving any minute. And I need to get the ice pack. What should I do?
I sat there for ten minutes, but they weren’t moving.
I’ll just get the ice pack and leave. It’s not that hard. And it’s not like they know I’m here. They probably won’t be able to notice me. Yeah.
Just act natural and it’ll be okay.
I got out of the bush and headed towards the parlor. Two people before me arrived at the counter and I had to wait behind them.
I glanced at them from where I stood, but carefully. He was helping her fix her hair and she was on her phone.
No matter what anyone might think, from the outside, they look really close, almost like a couple.
But, I may be jumping to conclusions. I mean, they can be distant family or relatives as well, right?
And in the first place, the principal is of the same age as Dave. Does she like to date people outside of her age range? Or is this her way of getting back at Skylar who no longer pays any attention to her?
But, out, of all guys out there she had to date the principal in her college? Isn’t that going too far?
Rosalia is really something.
“Who’s next in line?” the woman at the counter yelled, drawing my attention.
“Uh, me!”
I got the ice pack and brought two drinks for both of us. Then proceeded to leave ignoring the love birds.
It took me quite a while to come back. I hope Mom isn’t upset. When I arrived, I couldn’t see Mom anywhere.
Huh? Where is she at?
“Mom! Mom!” I yelled, looking around. But, there was no sign of her anywhere.
I took out my phone and called her, but she didn’t answer. I kept dialing her number while looking around to search for her.
Why’s she not answering my phone? She was feeling sick when I saw her, I hope she’s fine to move around.
After a few minutes of searching, among the crowd, I heard her voice.
I searched for the source of the voice and found a group of people gathered in a circle.
The voice is, from here!
No one was moving so I had to squeeze myself inside somehow. Inside I saw a woman unconscious on the floor and a young boy was sitting beside her, holding her hand with a crying face.
And my mom was close to her face, rubbing her palm while talking to the unconscious woman.
Mom? What’s she doing there?
“Please, Ma’am, can you hear me?” she yelled and checked her pulse. She looked quite distressed.
“Mom! Wake up Mommy!” the boy yelled, weeping heavily.
“Please stay with me!” she stated, before giving her CPR. When it wasn’t working she pressed on her heart with enough force.
And after a few pumps, the unconscious woman propped open her eyes and took a deep breath.
Mom helped her sit up.
The people around her started clapping for her success.
“Mommy!” her son hugged her tightly, sobbing hard. “You are awake! I missed you.”
Mom smiled in relief.
The woman looked at Mom puzzled. “What…happened to me? Were you the one who saved me?”
Mom gave a nod. “Uh, hm. You had a panic attack and went into a minor cardiac arrest. I was nearby so I managed to save you in time. If too late, I can’t ensure your survival.”
“Cardiac arrest? How did that happen?” she gasped.
“I…don’t know. But, maybe you were stressed about something?”
“Uh…. that’s true.”
“Anyway, I’ve done my job. But make sure to get a check-up tomorrow or as fast as possible.” Mom suggested.
“Thank you. Thank you very much for saving me,” the woman held her hands and thanked her.
“Are you a doctor?” one woman in the crowd asked.
“Uh, no. I’m a nurse. I work in the….. hospital.”
“A nurse? No wonder you saved my life. Ron, thank Aunty.”
The boy turned to Mom, bowing her head a little.
“Thank you, aunty. Thanks for saving Mommy.”
“Um, it’s okay little guy. I’ve only done my job. Take care of your mommy so she won’t fall sick again, alright?”
He nodded. “I will!”
“Good.”
“Please let me treat you to something for your help,” the woman pleaded, getting up on her feet. “I can’t let you go like thisNompty-handed.”
“No. no. I don’t need any compensation. I’m glad to help. You take care of your health, that’ll be great. You’d need some rest for a few days. If you’d like to see me again, you can just find me at the hospital any day.”
“What’s your name, may I know?”
“It’s Emilia McGarten,” I replied, stepping forward.
Mom and the woman looked up at me.
“Oh, Aileen, you are here? How did you manage to find me?” she asked.
“Uh, I don’t know. My intuition perhaps?”
“Who’s she?” the lady asked.
“Uh, she’s my daughter, Aileen,” Mom introduced, wrapping her arm around me. “We both came to the theme park together.”
“I see, like us Ron, right?”
Her son nodded.
“Your, mom is a great person Miss Aileen,” the lady said, smiling. “I wouldn’t be in such a good condition if not for her. I owe her my life.”
“She always helps the one in need. It’s her job, you don’t need to thank her,” I replied. “You should go back home early if you feel unwell. Your son alone won’t be able to help you then, considering how little he is.”
The woman agreed with me. “Yeah, I’m leaving right away. Thank you, once again.”
“You’re welcome, bye!” Mom waved at them as they walked away.
“Bye!” the boy waved together with his mom.
“Sorry for abandoning you. You must’ve been worried when you couldn’t find me?” Mom asked.
“Yeah, a lot. But, at least you weren’t being passed out somewhere else. So, I’m not mad.”
“I was waiting for you. Then, a boy was crying around asking for help. He came over to me and I asked what was wrong. He told me about his mom so I went to help. Did you call me by any chance?”
“Yeah.”
“My phone was in my purse. I couldn’t pick up. Sorry.”
“It’s fine, you don’t have to say sorry,” I replied. “You were helping out someone. So, that’s good. I would’ve done the same in your place. But, I couldn’t bring her to life.”
“You are so understanding Aileen,” Mom hugged me, patting my head.
“Shall we ride something else again?”
“Sure.”
“What are you carrying in your hand though?”
“UhTheur ice pack and” the ice had melted completely turning into ice. “It won’t be useful anymore. Take the drink.”
“Ooh, lemon-flavored coke. My favorite. Thanks, Aileen.”
“I also love it.”
While drinking we were walking around. And then decided to get on the teacup ride which was moving quite slowly.
“This is a bit better compared to the previous ride, don’t you think?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, but don’t pass out when we go to the next one.”
“Why? What’s in there?”
“It’s a haunted house jet-coaster. It’ll go through a dark tunnel, I heard.”
Her face goes pale the very second. “That…sounds a bit scary. Shall we skip that and ride something else?”
“I don’t mind. But, let’s grab some lunch before that.”
“Yeah, I was starting to get hungry as well. What shall we get?”
“I want a cheeseburger. And fries and nuggets with a side of ranch or honey mustard,” I replied. “And yeah, with a coke.”
“Woah, that’s a lot of fried stuff. Are you sure you really want to order that?”
I nodded, “Yeah why not? And I want some churros as well, and the candy apple too.”
“You want to try all that?” she was a bit surprised by my response.
“Yeah, and you are going to eat all that with me.”
“But”
“I said some rude things regarding what food you should eat considering your health. And I realized later, that it wasn’t alright at all. Sorry for saying all that before. I’m really sorry,” I apologized, lowering my head.
She was all silent, so I thought maybe she didn’t like my apology.
“Oh, Aileen! You don’t have to say sorry,” she replied, holding onto my hand. “I’m not angry nor did I take your words to heart. So, don’t worry.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
After the ride, we found a spot to eat. While waiting for the order to arrive, I recalled seeing Mom earlier.
“Mom,” I called, making her turn to me.
“What? Do you want to eat something else while waiting for food?”
I shook my head. “No. I just wanted to say, that you looked so cool when you were rescuing that woman. I was a bit impressed to see your professional side, actually.”