The Smothery Clouds

With my shaky hands, I was trying to find the lock of a door, by touching it through senses, just like a blind person does. I was not feeling good, like__ as if some bad vibes were approaching me. I could feel it.

My hand finally reached for the door handle as I let out a small sigh of relief. I curled my fingers tightly around the handle as if I knew my survival was dependent on it. I attempted to open the door. It didn't open. I again pulled down the handle several times, simultaneously pulling it but sadly, the same thing happened that I always fear about it.

The handle let loose and fell to the floor with a resonating clang. That voice made my heart thud against the chest. It throbbed intensely against the chest but more forcefully. It was precisely paralleling that voice of what just happened between the time of my heartthrob and the handle that I was holding.

"Amanda?"

I called out her name as I realized that I was stuck inside. She had told me she would be outside the washroom, waiting for me, that I needn't worry. She was not my friend; instead, she became just by today.

I called out her name again with hope. But, no response.

"Amanda, are you there?" I shouted, banging loudly on the door this time.

I found myself breathing with extreme fear. There were violent shivers in my fearful breath. But still, no one was there outside—pin drop silence. My mind constantly reminded me that I had to believe that I was trapped.

"Is anybody there!?" I yelled. And then I heard the mall's announcement in a female's voice.

"Customers, please leave this area as the mall will close by 8:30 PM..Thank you."

Hearing this, I felt terrified. I started screaming at the top of my lungs, knocking hard on the door. I began to cry, my throat going dry from shouting for help. I let out a loud gasp as I heard the lights suddenly getting switched off. Now I was taking long and deep breaths, but loudly.

"Anyone-"

I struggled to breathe and clawed at the wall, desperately attempting to get air into my lungs, but I ended up slowly crumbling to the floor. I labored to breathe. And it felt like the kind of breath, which was near to death.

1

Waitress

Working as a waitress drained the energy out of me, leaving me super tired by the time I reached home after my shift. As soon as college hours ended, I immediately had to run for the job. I'm not fond of it at all, but at least it's the most normal thing in my life. If it weren't for that day, I would still have enjoyed my time with my family. Instead of spending quality time and hitting beautiful spots for picnics with family, I gained a lot of stress due to my load as a waiter.

I let out a small sigh of awe as I gazed up at the split sunset, drowning beneath the sea, leaving a trail of silky, orange clouds in the sky. I smiled as the summer breeze slithered through my hair. I shifted my focus to what I was doing: getting the tables ready and in top shape before the restaurant opened for the evening customers.

My workplace was somewhat new: the infrastructure was significant and state-of-the-art, with half of it built over the sea, which was one of the reasons for its popularity. The waves from the mighty ocean hit against the massive wooden beams that supported the more significant part of the restaurant. The cool breeze from the sea would make the foundations shudder and creak, adding to the thrill of the whole dining experience. The restaurant gave the feel of one sailing on an ancient ship. The actual dining area was out in the open space, under the sky, with tiny lights dimly lighting the whole place up and further adding to the aesthetics. It looked spectacular at night, giving off a dim, amber glow to the sea. No wonder celebrities and elite class people came here.

Most of the time, it was hustling and bustling with customers. It was slowly getting dark, and the customers steadily trickled in.

I was always nervous working there. But it was growing on me now. I was gradually getting used to it.

I noticed some people standing beside the railing, enjoying the view, while some were busy with their conversations. There were others taking pictures of the seagulls and the dolphins that would jump from the sea from time to time.

The only thing I liked about my job was the beautiful view of the sea, and luckily today, my task was to serve and take orders from the customers in the outdoor dining area. Since our manager was all about taking care of the customer's needs, they trained us to ask them if they needed anything every five minutes. It was so annoying because we always had to plaster a smile on our faces and BE POLITE-my God, what a hectic life.

However, to my surprise, the customers were giving back good responses. Some of them were pretty friendly, cracking jokes, which lifted the restaurant's mood in general.

At 9:00 pm, it was almost time for customers to leave. People were going while talking and laughing as if they had a great time there. The workload for me was getting reduced. I was feeling relieved.

I was standing away from the Terris, where I could look at the dark sea, a reflection of the sky. The bright moon glistened down the sea. Its white light reflected on it, making a picturesque scene; the burbling of water was an ASMR for me.

I was looking ahead with a slight smile on my face, holding hands behind my back. My brown-haired pony dangled as the light and cool breeze passed through it.

At one table in the outdoor area, in the corner of the left side, I saw a large family sitting near the sea; their laughter after every second drew my attention.

A bald man was entertaining them, who I assumed to be the father. They were all enjoying the food, and their loud laughter could be heard from the indoor dining area. They seemed to be an elite class family. As they looked like egoistic people. I guess so. As I could gauge them from their faces along with their gestures. I smiled at them.

It's because the bald man seemed sweet and jolly observing from the way he talked, and he reminded me of my dad before marrying another woman and leaving us without saying anything. To this day, mom and I have no idea of his whereabouts. I was only 8 years old.

I walked gracefully towards them, to which I later realized that it was not right for me to ask. I bent down a little as a manner of courtesy, "Is everything alright, Sir?" I asked, but I didn't get a reply. Maybe he didn't hear me or if he had deliberately ignored me. I felt a bit embarrassed as not even the family members said anything to him or responded to me. Except few members of that family were looking at me. As they have sensed my feelings.

"Um… Sir, is everything alright?" I asked again. And I found my voice getting trailed off when he stopped chewing and turned his head towards me, giving me an intense glare, making me realize that I've messed up, and now everyone at the table was looking at me.

Great! My luck! I mentally threw my hands in the air.

"I guess we are eating if you can see with your eyes." He insulted me.

I quickly forced an apology before the matter got worse. At that table, an infant threw up, and her mother quickly grabbed a napkin and started to clean it up with it.

"Give that to me." The man ordered while looking at me with that same intense glare. The woman looked up and slowly handed it to him, confused. He snatched that napkin rudely from her hand.

"Yes, we need your help." He threw the napkin at me, which landed on my white uniform, leaving a barf stain. "Wash this!" He spat in disgust. Rolling his eyes, he resumed his conversation and laughter while eating, which the rest of the family could not do, stunned by his behavior.

That is why they say; you should not judge a book by its cover. Some people may look kind and sweet from their faces, but eventually, they turn into heartless jerks out of nowhere.

I slowly turned back and walked straight into the kitchen, feeling utmostly embarrassed. I entered the kitchen as I stood in front of the basin and sighed, looking ahead, feeling awe-full, as I wiped off my tears. I turned up the basin handle and began to wash off the stain. Another waitress came with a stack of square-shaped plates, kept it near me, and went away. I then took those square-shaped plates one by one and began washing them.

From the parallel vision, I noticed that someone was slowly walking towards me as if they wanted to say something or say other pathetic things for me. I didn't bother to look at them. I just want to avoid them. I kept on washing plates.

"I am sorry.." A kind and polite voice with an apologetic tone shifted into my ear through the water gushing down from the basin. That voice was only meant for my ears. I turned my face and saw them. A mother in a black full sleeve dress with brown silky straightened hair. She looks young. She was holding the infant as well. "No, it's okay.." I replied as I smiled at her and then continued washing it. "Actually, my husband is like that," She said, but I didn't say anything, which later allowed her to speak a bit more, which was connected to reality as well. "But, don't worry, time will make him realize." At this, we both chuckled. "Right.." I smiled while nodding.

And then she stood there for a little while. "Um...This girl had to say something." "Yes, what is it?" I replied politely. She then took a slight step closer towards me. And then I felt that someone had kissed my cheeks.

"You are so pretty." That little girl said after kissing me.

I looked at her, "Thank you, cutie pie." I smiled, "She does it to those who she finds pretty or beautiful. So.. out of habit." Her mother jokes, and at this, we both laughed a little. "Okay, so I am going, otherwise my husband will get mad at me; basically, I made an excuse that I forgot my essentials . Otherwise, I am not like that."

I chuckled, to which she accompanied me. "Okay, by, take care."

"By," I said, and then they left. That little girl's sweet kiss and that woman's behavior of kindness slightly lifted my mood. "Seems like she became your friend." One waitress said to me while cleaning the counter. She smiled approvingly.

"Yeah, I think so." I said to her,

But, as soon as I said this, it reminded me of something. I immediately bent down the basin and wiped off my cheeks with plenty of water because I remembered that the infant had puked earlier.