Destiny's big joke

Maya’s story

11.07.2019, 10:30 AM, London hospital

- Good morning, Miss Maya!

- Good morning, doctor!

- How are you today?

- Better than yesterday, so it must count for something…

- It does Miss Maya. There is a person here to see you…

- Too bad, I cannot see him…

- So you realized it is a man…

- Musk…

- Right!

I was waiting for that man to come closer. My heart was not on my command anymore. It has its own thinking right now. Irregular beats followed by hyperventilation. I guess the doctor saw the problem.

- Are you all right, Miss? I can ask him to return another day if that is what you wish!

- No, it’s ok! I feel fine; it is just… This is so familiar…

- It is nice to meet you, Miss Sinclair!

His voice, his husky low deep voice was a comfort to my ears. I felt so relaxed with his melodious and gentle speaking.

- The pleasure is all mine, believe me!

He reaches his hand to shake mine. Touching him meant reviving all my feelings and senses that were for a long time with no reaction. I don’t know why I have these feelings for someone I don’t know. When I placed my hand into his palm, I felt small wounds. I know very well what they were. They were burnt. I haven’t delayed my reaction knowing that those burns were because of me.

- Oh my God, sir, I am so sorry for this…

- Miss Sinclair, it’s fine… I am fine, it is nothing, really!

- I shall introduce myself, Miss Sinclair. My name is Phillip Smith.

Only on hearing his name, Phillip Smith, with its big meaning and resonance, I started a frantic laugh. I can only imagine the look on their faces.

- Did I say something wrong, Miss?

- Excuse me, please, for not believing you, but Phillip Smith, as in the maestro Phillip Smith?

- Him in person!

- Oh, no! Doctor, tell me that this is a destiny’s joke.

- No, it is not; he is Mr. Phillip Smith.

- Ok, and I am the princess of Egypt!

Again, I laughed, but this time not so loud.

- I wish I could believe you, but in what mind does it fit that the great trombone maestro saved an ordinary woman like me?

- Therefore, you know me.

- Who doesn’t? You are here because…

- I will take you home with me!

I moved on the bed, barely refraining myself from laughing. I did not want to seem impolite, but who would believe me that not even he saved me but also Phillip Smith invited me to stay in his house.

- I am sorry but you know I am, at this very moment, a person with special needs. I can’t walk, I can’t see… damn it if I could just see you so I know you are telling me the truth.

- Well, I am sorry too that you don’t believe me, but who knows, in time you will. But the fact is that you are going home with me because you need help and I can provide that help.

- What about my family?

When I asked this, the room filled with a heavy silence. Frankly, I didn’t like it. I could hear the doctor trying to explain.

- Miss Sinclair, right now you suffer from what we call it selective amnesia.

- What is that?

- That means that there are certain moments in your life, mostly painful, that you don’t remember. Your mind is selecting your memories to protect you.

- Protect me from what?

- If you remember all the bad things all at once, maybe your mind couldn’t cope and collapses. In medical terms…

- I’ll go crazy…

- Kind of… I am sorry to give you such awful news

That is the most important thing. And the next step is to accept this man’s help that claims to be Phillip Smith.

What if he is not who he says he is and I am going to a strange man’s house? What then? Who am I going to call for help? I will be helpless and can’t defend myself against this man. He seemed very tall when he came shaking hands with me. I felt his palm so big in mine. But also a gentleman. He was talking to me. Now, what should I do?

- When do you want us to leave?

Again, that silence.

- Doctor?

- Mr. Smith, I shall do the papers and let Miss Sinclair go. Will you remain here helping her pack?

- It would be my pleasure.

He will leave me alone with this “Mr. Smith”. Still don’t believe him.

- Miss Sinclair, do you allow me to help you prepare?

- Maya, you can call me Maya. And you can start by giving me the dress near me on the bed.

- Done, Miss Maya, shall we?

- Just a second, please.

- Of course…

- Will you help me?

I signaled to my wheelchair so he could understand that I need help to get into it. In that very second, I felt his arms embrace me and holding me. My cheek slightly touched his sculpted chest. I rest my face there. It is warm and welcoming.

After placing me in my chair, I was heading towards the window, the only place where I could imagine the sunlight and that I could pray to the only God I know, hoping He will not leave me on hard times.

- You know, this is the place where I used to pray to God that one day He will bring me the one who saved my life… and He did!

- But you still don’t trust me…

He is kind of right. Who would off?

- Just give me time… sir!

- I could ask you to call me Phillip, just as I call you Maya, but you don’t believe that this is my name.

- Phillip Smith wouldn’t be in England at the same time I had the accident and stopped the car, burnt his hands to pull me out of the car. What are the odds?

- Phillip Smith could have had an event before and maybe he has a house in England and wanted to use it being so far from his country.

- If we play this game, I might not win.

- So you believe me?

- Actually no, for now,… this coincidence is just too… I don’t know…

- Do you believe in destiny, Miss Maya?

- Before the accident I did, but now, it feels like destiny is playing tricks on me.

- Or maybe you are playing the destiny. Think about it… you had a terrible car crash, but somehow you beat the odds and survive.

- With your help, you mean.

- I was just a pawn well positioned on the destiny’s board. The right person at the wrong time. Just think of it like this. It does not matter who saved you; it matters that someone did. Destiny brought me there.

- However, it was I really thank you. Phillip Smith or not, I will be grateful for eternity and I will make it up to you. Because you know that your life will never be the same. Take care of a blind invalid woman.

- Let me worry about that. And if you really have to make it up to me, recover yourself. First, have faith that you will.

- Done!

- Let’s go then, I have my car parked outside. One of these days I want to take you some place.

- Where?

- It is a surprise!

He took my hand, bringing our fingers together. Suddenly, this joyful gesture gives millions of chills. He took me in his arms again, to his car. When I shivered, he felt I was a little scared to go in, but his calm, protective voice restored my confidence.

- Don’t worry, I am here with you! You don’t have to be scared, ok?

- Ok…

He reached for me with his hands, feeling their warmth. They were large, protective, inviting, quite sinful.

 Phillip’s story

I was doing my best to be a gentleman around this woman. I felt a consuming desire that is burning me from inside out. I was not happy she was blind, but if she could have seen she would have witnessed the lust in my eyes. I barely know her, but it was I feel like I have known her for a lifetime.

After we settled in my house, I definitely should call one of my best female friends to move in with us under the pretext of helping me with the chores. I will have to call Annabelle in. I am sure Belle can be of much help. It is inappropriate to remain alone with Miss Maya, feeling the way I do. It is not like I am going to be disrespectful with her, but God helped me if one of these days she wanted me I will no longer be responsible for my actions.

- Make yourself at home, Miss Maya. I will be right back.

- Where are you going?

This time I pushed her far enough where she could be safe from me. The tension was so high that if I stayed longer in this embrace, I would have kissed her.

- It’s ok Miss Maya, I will be in the kitchen. It is at the end of the hall. So not far, ok?

- Ok…

I had to put some distance between us. This is too much. I should call Annabelle.

- Hello, Belle?

- Hey, maestro, how are you doing? Do you want me to come to your next concert and you don’t know how to ask me? Just shoot, ok.

- Belle, listen to me. I need you to come to my place, and I need you now!

- Oh, honey, I have said that from the start. Just…

- Belle, please, not that kind of help. I’ll make this short. Three months ago I found an injured woman when I came back from my event from London. She had a car accident and now she cannot walk or see.

- And the meaning of all this…

- She is at my house!

- What? Why?

- Because I wanted to. Because she had no one and because her little sister died in that car crash and she is alone now.

When I realize she could hear me, I lowered my voice. Now was not the time to know about her sister.

- Oh God, you are in deep trouble, mister!

- You can say that again!

- You are falling for her!

And then there was silence. Am I? Am I really falling in love with Maya Sinclair? Or is it just the fact that seeing me as her savior and the only help she’s got made me irreplaceable?

- Phillip, are you still there? I am right, aren’t I?

- I am here, Belle…

- I will come today!

- Thank you, you are a lifesaver.

It seemed like forever until Belle got here.

- Welcome, Annabelle! Let me introduce someone to you. This is Miss Maya Sinclair.

Maya’s story

- Nice to meet you, Miss Maya! I am Phillip’s best female friend, as he likes to say.

- Nice to meet you too, Annabelle.

- You can call me Belle.

- Well, ladies, I have some work to do so I am going to have to leave you two.

- Nice, very nice maestro. When help arrives, you escape!

- Excuse me?

 I still don’t understand what is going on here and who this Annabelle is. I am still under this man’s spell and cannot think on my own right now. But by the tone of her voice, she is a gracious lady and I understand why Phillip is very fond of her.

- Pretty face, I am one of Phillip’s alter ego, his inner voice, and whatever you like to call me. He called me here because he thinks he cannot handle you.

My wonder was so great that if I could see, I could have witnessed Annabelle’s grimace. Because I bet she is smiling right about now.

- My dear, he likes you and doesn’t know what to do about it. So he calls for help.

- What do you mean likes me?

- I mean, get fond of you, think you are beautiful, and fell in love with you, these usual things.

- How could he fall in love with me if he’s only met me today?

- Today you say? Knowing Phillip in these three months, he made a habit of coming to visit you at the hospital.

- You think so?

- I know so!

- So he is Phillip Smith…

- My God, you did not believe who he was?

- Even now I don’t believe him…

- Dollface, he has no reason to lie to you. But I also cannot force you to believe what you cannot see. You will figure this out and convince yourself that he is who he says he is. Give time to time.

Another person being certain this is the great Phillip Smith.

- Want some coffee, Miss Maya?

- Yes please, thank you.

- Cream?

- Always.

- Nice way of drinking your coffee. Phillip likes his espresso with just a little milk. Remember that!

- Ok… I will.

- So, what do you do for a living?

A trace of sadness covered my face as I used to know things I liked and disliked. I used to have a job. I wonder what I was doing before the accident.

- He did not tell you?

- Tell me what?

- I have amnesia. I don’t remember certain things.

- I am so sorry doll face. Be patient and it will all come back to you.

- That is what the doctor said. Little by little, I will get better.

- So, if I am looking at you, of how beautiful you are, I would say you used to model.

Her statement made me smile. This time it was a genuine one. I can’t remember when the last time I smiled was.

-Do this more often! And show Phillip that perfect smile of yours.

I think I was blushing. To only the thought that this man could stare at me while smiling makes my cheeks caught fire. 

- You blush again, see?

- Literary no, but what?

- That every time you talk about Phillip, your face turns like your hair. I mean red.

- I don’t …

- Honey, I am twice your age so I know these things. Don’t rush things, just wait for the right moment.