Too much to handle

A great deal of thoughts were rushing through my mind. Too many, that made me fail to remember simple things. This just made me even later. 

I glanced at the clock. This was insane! I could swear I had an extra 10 minutes! They flew away like wind! Greatly distressed, I seized my coat, grabbed my keys, and headed out the door clutching onto my handbag. 

As I drove, I tried to ignore the immense amount of pain I was feeling and just focus on the appointment I had with the doctor. I grew even more infuriated as the traffic jam line grew longer. I groaned and settled to wait until the light turned red. 

After about thirty minutes, I finally reached the hospital. I bolted in as soon as I managed to find a parking space. I wanted to get out as soon as I could. It had too many bad memories.

I reached the counter, and as I expected, it was extremely crowded. I moved quickly to the counter and asked for a ticket. When my number was called, I'd be allowed to see the doctor. That was how crowded the public hospital was. 

‘How can I help you ma’am?’ the lady at the counter asked. I felt a rush irritation. Everyone would only be asking for tickets. But still, I didn’t have the right to be mad at her. 

I was just sensitive at the moment. The place reminded me of horrible things. But I swallowed my resentment and requested for a ticket.

 A moment later, I was given a slip of paper which had four numbers. I gazed at the numbers: 5821. Then I gazed at the number they were showing: 5292. 

This was going to be a long wait. Exasperated, I went to sit at an empty seat I found and slumped back.

 Could the day get any worse? First, today turns out to be my anniversary with Paul whom I fortunately, had not seen for the last two years after the divorce.

 Then, my parents had headed over to New York for a conference so I was alone.

 Next, I was late for my appointment which had to be in St, Thompson Hospital which happened to be the place where I had decided to divorce. It just had too many heartbreaking memories. It always took me for a trip down the memory lane which I loathed. 

I closed my eyes and tried to shake off those thoughts and just go for my general check up and go home. To distract myself, I switched on my phone and started playing games on it. 

Even my favourite game: Candy Crush, was not appealing at the moment. Still, I continued playing, desperate for a distraction. 

Fifteen minutes later into the game, I heard a voice on my right.

‘Is this seat taken?’ he asked. His voice sounded gruff and he wasn’t the best smelling.  I shook my head indicating no. I did it without glancing up. This probably wasn’t the polite thing to do but I wasn’t in the mood to. 

After a few minutes, I had just completed another level of the game and looked up to see what ticket number they were showing now. 5480.  I groaned and went back to my game.

‘Having a bad day?’ the man asked.

‘Yeah, just not the be-’ I stopped midway of my sentence as I turned to look at him. He was the last person I would ever want to see in the universe. 

I closed my eyes and tears came fast. My heart just wanted to scream and my mind was bursting. No, this could not be happening. He had to come on our anniversary. The day just got worse then I thought it could.

I turned and gave the man one of my most furious looks. He was taken aback. 

‘Hey, I just came here for an appointment too.’ he said,  guessing that I was mad he came.

My first instinct was to get up and sit somewhere else. Anywhere was better than this. But if I got up, then I would lose my place, then I would have to wait all over again. 

I swallowed down the fear I was feeling and looked straight ahead. I was not going to let him come back. Ever again. I went back to my game, sort of indicating to him I wasn't going to talk.

‘Do you want to grab a bite while waiting?And I was hoping we could talk? I could reserve our seats.’ He asked nervously after ten minutes.

‘NO, Paul. Okay? I don’t want anything to do with you at all. I gave you a chance. You blew it. You don’t have a job and you were always gambling away my money. You went out all night, you drank. You let me take care of anything. You didn’t help me at all. You’ll never change. Stop trying to come back. Stay away from me! ’ I said, I sort of shouted out the last part. I just let out the emotions I was feeling. Tears were forming in my eyes once again. I had wanted this to work out but I knew it wasn’t the right thing. After I recollected myself, I glanced around anxiously wondering if people had noticed me shouting. 

I sighed in relief. They had not. I gathered up the courage to look at Paul again. I expected to see sadness and pity. But I got a shock.

There was an alarming look on his face. A petrifying one that made my blood run cold. This was one of the reasons I had chosen to go separate ways. He was angry And there was no stopping him. I panicked and looked around. This was a waiting room. 

‘ You are going to come back. You’re not going anywhere except my home.’ He gave me a nasty grin. He’s breath smelled and showed off several black teeth. He grabbed my hand ‘Come now.’ 

‘No! I have an appointment! I don’t want to be with you!’ I said. I thought I could handle Paul since I had last time. Also, I didn't want to make a scene.

‘I don’t have an appointment. Now come!’ he chuckled, then got serious again. 

I realized that he was faking the whole time about having an appointment just to get to me. The most terrifying thing was, that i had no idea how he knew I had an appointment.

I was terrified. He was stronger than me. I was desperate. Suddenly, I heard the hospital’s speaker: Number 5821, please proceed to Dr Cole’s clinic. 

That was my number! I glanced at Paul who was distracted by the speaker as well. I quickly snatched my hand back and scurried up front. Paul was enraged I got away. He would come back. But now, I just tried to focus on my appointment. I entered the clinic. The smell of perfume from the clinic filled my nose. I stepped in and forced myself to forget about Paul.

‘Hello Cathy, have come for your usual checkup?’ Dr Cole asked, smiling brightly.I took a deep breath. I nodded and took my seat.