It was a rainy day. Susan was already running late for work. She needs to be at the train station in the next twenty minutes, otherwise she will miss her scheduled take off time and that will mean turning up late for work. She hurried her chores and zoomed off.
Luckily for Susan she got to the train station well ahead of time. She sat on the metal bench to await the arrival of her train. Just opposite where she was sitting was an old woman also sitting on the metal bench with a small brown bag. She looked haggard. Each time, the old woman will glance at her wristwatch. Susan was watching her intently untill the train arrived. Everyone stood up and queued up to enter the train. The old woman did not stand up from her seat. Instead she adjusted her sitting position. Susan felt she had missed her way or something.
When the train finally left the station the woman was still sitting very comfortably on her seat. At the close of work, Susan also arrived at the same train station to board another one to take her home. Surprisingly, she also saw the old lady still sitting there. Susan was shocked. This time, she had concluded that the old lady had missed her way or something. She looked hungry and in need of attention. Nobody was looking her way, let alone finding out what her problem is.
Susan decided to pay a close attention to the old woman. She looked worried where she was sitting. Having observed her for a long time Susan decided to approach the woman.
"Goodevening ma", Susan politely greeted.
The old lady wearily looked up and saw a smiling Susan.
"My daughter, goodevening". "How are you doing?".
"I am fine ma'am". "And you?"
"My daughter, I won't say that I am all that fine."
"You see, I have been sitting down here since morning. People will think that I am mad or something".
At this time Susan realized that she was indeed talking to a sane woman. The lady continued her story.
"My daughter, my name is Agnes. I arrived from the northern part of the country early this morning and misplaced my phone. I think someone may have stolen it. My son is expected to come and pick me up with his vehicle from this train station but there is no way I can contact him".
Susan became touched by her story. She felt sorry for the old woman's plight.
"Alot of people have been passing through here thinking that I am not sane or that I have lost my way".
"You know how the county is these days. Everyone is afraid of strangers these days".
"Yes, that's true ma'am". "But that should not be the reason why we should shy away from helping people", Susan said.
"You are right my daughter. God even sent you now to me. Am even glad you came on your own to find out what my problem is. I have tried to call the attention of many people here passing me by to see if they can help me out but everyone seems to be disinterested".
"It's alright ma'am. Let me see if we can get in touch with your son so that you can go home and rest", Susan said.
At that point, Susan collected her ticket and went to the station booking booth. She explained the old lady's plight to the attendant who promptly brought out a duplicate copy of the manifest containing the names, addresses and contacts of next of kin of all the passengers that boarded the train from the north and arrived the station that morning.
From there, Susan was able to find the old lady's name, address and phone number of her next of kin which turns out to be that of the son. She then called the lady's son who expressed surprised because he has been trying to call her mum's number since morning but to no avail.
He equally said that he had been to the train station but could not also see his mum there. Susan then went back to where the old lady was seated and informed her that she has been able to get in touch with the son who promised to arrive the train station in a jiffy.
"Wow, thank you my daughter for this wonderful effort of yours. I appreciate really".
"You are welcome ma'am", a much relieved Susan answered.
And in a short while the son arrived in his SUV and called Susan on her mobile handset who then waved at him to draw his attention to where she and the mother was sitting.
When the man came, he was full of praises for Susan. He thanked her profusely and offered her some cash but Susan politely said no. That she was touched by the lady's predicament having seen her in the morning in that state till now she was heading home.
The old lady too thanked Susan for her God-sent efforts in making her contact the son. Both talked for awhile before the lady was driven out of the train station by the son.
This is my participation in the @theinkwell weekly prompt: "A stranger's view."
To take part in the Writing Prompt from The Ink Well, please visit the LINK.
