12 (Unt)Rusty Legs

"I'm always late on principle, my principle being that punctuality is the thief of time."

- Oscar Wilde

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Gauhar's POV

Bloody hell, why do your legs refuse to walk faster when you need them to work fast? Is it some defect especially prevalent in my system, or is it some annoying reality that all mortals experience?

Either way, I freaking hated it. I was getting late for work and my feet were absolutely refusing to carry me at the ideal speed of a hundred kilometers per minute.

I felt my heart threaten to burst out of my chest due to overexertion. But then, it was my choice to live life on the edge, perhaps I was addicted to the thrill the rush of epinephrine gave me. Whatever it was, it was hardly a good idea. If the way I was frantically gasping for breath is anything to go by.

No matter how much I deluded myself, by talking about the thrill of doing things barely on time. I had to accept that it absolutely sucked to have to run at this godforsaken speed when my body felt like it would auto shutdown anytime soon.

And then there was the fact that my inability to run fast enough was a testament to the fact that I lacked another crucial ability for becoming a ninja….and that thought hurt. Which is why I would rather not think about it, and concentrate on running fast enough to reach work on time.

What on earth made me think that it was a good idea to decide to help Wilhelmina with her report, and think that I could make it to work in time? Oh yes, my dumbass had actually thought that my running abilities were exceptional enough to take me to place that takes thirty to reach at normal human speed in fifteen minutes.

Way to overestimate your abilities, and then fall flat on your face.

Not only was the excruciating pain of the cramps on my legs making me wasn't to kill someone, preferably myself. But the happy chirping of the birds in the distance also seemed to mock me, reminding me of how I wasn't able to enjoy the glorious weather that nature had chanced to grace us with today.

Way to go nature! Mothers were supposed to be amazing teachers, and Mother Nature seemed determined to teach me that the consequences of bad life decisions is never good.

Why was it that on the one day that the sun chose not to suck my brain out, I had decided to procrastinate and enjoy the run-till-you-die-cause-you-can't-afford being-late lifestyle.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees around me and I could hear the distant laugh of some children playing in the distance. I grit my teeth and tried to block the sounds from my brain. Though this power was something I had mastered, this time it wasn't working.

Which is why I nearly jumped in happiness as the familiar building of the café came into view. Never in my life was I as happy to see the quaint little building that made you think of warm hugs and hot chocolate by the fire. As the wind blew through the leaves, I felt as if the oak tree flanking it was waving me in welcome.

I pinched the bridge of my nose as I realised what I was thinking. I looked up at the sky that had been darkened by the innumerable clouds blocking the sun, and shook my head to myself.

Darn it, this time I couldn't even blame my insane thoughts on a heatstroke. But the weather seemed promising, the darkness of the clouds indicated that it might rain soon. And though it wasn't rare to see rain in England, having the country partially submerged rains nearly all the time. I was glad that at least it would be respite against that the scorching heat that threatened to fry away the last of my remaining brain cells.

The familiar tinkling of bells greeted me as I entered the little café. My senses instantly going into overdrive as the strong smell of bitter coffee and the comforting odour of freshly baked bread embraced me.

"Welcome to-"a cheerful voice suddenly broke my trance, discreetly wiping the drool on my face I looked up.

"Ah Gauhar you are here" the tinkling voice asked as her chubby face split into a smile. I usually didn't believe in premonitions, I was quite a level headed individual. (Or so I always chose to believe) but the smile on her face seemed to spell my doom.

"Good afternoon Mrs. Abercrombie, I hope this Monday has graced you with happiness and good cheer." I smiled at her, which felt as foreign to me as sticking a pencil inside your mouth to try to pronounce the 'R' in French.

Not that I had done it.

"Never mind how this Monday was for me dear. It sure does seem to not be kind on you. By the way, just a little notice… it is not afternoon now dear, it is very soon going to be evening. Must be a slight oversight on your part, no worries." I swallowed thickly as what she said registered in my mind. Her words sent a chill down my spine that scared me more than had she said that that you are going to die by having hot coffee poured down your throat.

I scratched the back of my neck as I shifted uneasily on my feet "Eh, I don't know about that actually, Mrs. Abercrombie."

"Oh how would you know? You were not the one who had to handle the café all alone while waiting for their only employee to show up. Especially during rush hour." The smile on her face seemed to have grown wider, and the tone of her voice had become so sweet that it's saccharine made me feel I'd get diabetes.

I looked outside at the oak tree for help, but all it did was to unhelpfully wave at me. Tch, did it not understand the delicate situation I was in, and here I was told trees are supposed to be the wise ones.

Since the tree seemed to be of no use, I turned towards my employer who had her hands on her hips, her green eyes seemed to exude a chill that had me shivering in my shoes. Never in my entire life of twenty two years had I expected a woman who was as short as her to look so menacing.

"Um, so your day has been quite busy I presume. Very irresponsible of your employee to leave it all on you, I must say." I sagely nodded at her.

That seemed to have pushed some kind of switch in her "Gauhar Siddique, how irresponsible of you to come to the shop fifteen minutes late! How do you think I am supposed to handle the customers without your help?" she nearly screamed at me, her already pink cheeks transcending red and going on to maroon.

Bad move Gauhar, I internally admonished myself.