11 Decision

"Emily, it's me, Oscar."

Emily patted her chest and glared at him.

"You scared me."

"In my defense, I was sitting there right in front of you in broad daylight and you did not even notice me."

"What are you upto?" Emily squinted her eyes in suspicion.

"I want to make sure you reach your home safely. Besides, I could use some company."

"Fine." Emily rolled her eyes as they descended from the staircase. A peaceful silence descended between them. Oscar did not say anything further while Emily was engrossed in her own thoughts.

The night was beautiful. It was only 10 o' clock. The moon hung low in the sky, lightening up the dark world; even though it borrowed its light from the sun, it never shied away from sharing its light with the world.

There were fewer cabs in front of the hospital.

Oscar said, "We won't get any cab here. Maybe we can walk towards the main bus stop and wait for a cab there."

Emily nodded. They started walking. Oscar was neither too fast nor too slow, but Emily did not have to catch up to him. They walked at their own pace, both lost in thoughts.

As a doctor, he understood what any patient's family had on their minds. He let her think in peace. When he saw her walking absent-mindedly and almost being run over by the vehicle, he knew he had found a fellow broken person.

He only wanted to cheer her up. He also understood something happening at the restaurant. She was not herself. He understood that she needed some time and he was willing to give her that.

Sometimes, broken people attract people like them. It was a coincidence meeting Emily but he did not let go of this opportunity.

Oscar sighed. Whatever was bothering her was not just money. Sun Designers definitely paid her well. He knew Mr. Sun, a kind old man.

Lost in thoughts, they did not realize they had crossed the bus stop and came to a halt in front of a park.

"Ah, where are we?"

"I think this is the Eastern Hills Park. Why did you come here?" Oscar asked.

"I don't know. I-"

"It's okay. You don't have to explain but we should go back. This area doesn't look safe."

Emily nodded.

When they started walking towards the bus stop again, Emily saw Gerald's family again. That same girl was latching onto him like an octopus.

Emily's eyes widened. She stopped walking, forcing Oscar to almost bump into her.

"What the-" He couldn't finish when he saw her wide eyes. She stubbornly held her tears back. Turning her head, she noticed Oscar. She stood beside him and said, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Besides, it is getting late. I have asked my driver to drive my car here. He should be here soon. We won't get cabs this late."

"Wouldn't that be too troublesome?"

"Not at all."

"Emily?"

She turned her head. Oscar was looking at her, his eyes penetrating her soul. The scorching heat from the stare thawed her cold heart instead of creeping her out. Despite his creepy remarks earlier, she knew he would not harm her. She did not know why she trusted him, but she did.

They stared into each other's eyes and the whole world seemed to stop around them. They could not hear the noise around them, nor could they see what was going on.

"Emily, would you mind if I hug you?"

Emily did not answer. She threw herself in his arms. He smelled of mint and jasmine.

He hugged her. She only reached his shoulder. Pulling her closer, he hugged her and said slowly, "Emily, I don't know what you're going through, but I know that everything will be fine when you wake up tomorrow. I would've advised you to do what your heart tells you. But, I would say, do what your brain tells you, because in the war between heart and brain, you can never determine the winner."

"Thank you so much, Oscar." For the first time this evening Emily called him by his name.

Oscar smiled. He only hoped she would not lose her hope. When he saw her staring at someone across the street, he knew she was hurt yet again. She did not let her tears fall, but her eyes dimmed.

He did not know what he was trying to find in her. Maybe he was trying to find himself? Maybe the answer to his questions. But all he could do was to not let her break down further. He had seen someone just like this and he wished not to see the same thing happen to someone again.

"Oscar, may I ask you a question in return?"

He nodded.

"Why are you doing so much for me? You did not even know me before you saved me this morning. So, why?"

"Because… I was not able to save someone like you, years ago. And, I still regret it till this day."

The smile on his face was gone, replaced by the guilt that ate away his heart, little by little.

"Oscar, I-"

"Oh, it's here. Come." Oscar said, holding the door open for her to get it. The driver saluted and got in after they did.

"Emily, promise me one thing." He looked at her hopefully.

"What is it?"

"I dunno if you will remember me during your happy times, but promise to call me when you're sad. Promise me that you will come to me when you want to have a chat, whenever you want someone to talk to, whenever you're alone. Please?"

Oscar looked like a child. Emily almost teared up, but she nodded. "I promise I will, but I want the same promise in return. Deal?"

"Deal. I promise I will."

"Good." She smiled.

He had told her to listen to her brain and not her heart and she knew what to do. Sometimes a stranger could give you advice which could save you. It was incredible.

He dropped her at her home first before bidding her goodbye and leaving. He did not manage to get her number, but he knew she would call him soon or so he hoped.

"Hello, Mrs. Sun? Sorry for calling you this late. May I talk to Sir? It is something really urgent, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered you this late."

"Yes dear. Hold on," came the reply from the other end of the line.

"Hello?"

"Sir, I agree to work with… I mean, at Innovation. I will bring the sketch to you first thing in the morning and we can discuss. Is that okay with you?"

"Thank you, Miss Taylor."

"No Sir, thank you for having faith in me and for giving me a second chance despite facing objections from others. Thank you again, Mr. Sun."

Mr. Sun smiled. Hopefully now they wouldn't have to cancel their contract and he would be able to save his company further.