My Husband's Secret Affairs With My Step Sister novel Chapter 15

The crowd has a life of its own, the vibrant clothes shine in the morning light and the people move like enchanting shoals of fish. There is chatter between sellers and buyers, old friends catching up, and new friends made. It's busy for sure, but the hustle and bustle brings life to this city one wouldn't want to be without.

Each person in the crowd moves as if unseeing hands drag them this way and that, pulling their eyes to one thing and then another. They respond in predictable ways, each of them with a goal to achieve for the day. But underneath that is free will, the ability to truly choose their own path. Sometimes one engages them in a conversation just to wake up the part of themselves that is capable of taking charge, making choices. Then they're off, back on auto-pilot, the most dangerous mode a human being can slip into.

In that place one could be anyone, or perhaps no-one at all. The people flowed like rivers, never stopping for obstacles but swirling around them. On those wide avenues with wilted trees, their leaves curled and blackened in the August heat, the buildings towered on each side. A hundred years ago it was pretty, the golden light on the sandstone architecture, built in the days when curves and design weren't considered superfluous. Even the street-lamps were dreamt of by an artist, and built by an engineer following the teachings of a scientist.

From early morning, traffic starts building up. Crowds of pedestrians, shoppers, and others can be seen walking along the pavements outside the shops or trying to cross the road.

The noise of cars and taxis hooting, or of scooters, flying past is deafening. Anyone who stops by to watch the scene is amazed at the number of vehicles zooming past or crawling along when caught at the traffic lights.

The people, mainly lady shoppers with children, line the street as they await an opportunity to cross the road. It is a bright and gay scene.

In the afternoon, the crowds grow bigger as office workers join the throngs of people.

A lady walks out of a well-lit, peaceful, cool air-conditioned comfort of a book shop to be hit immediately by a blast of hot air from the street.

Wow, the difference was so great. Out on the five-foot way she breaks into a sweat.

She strolls down the five-foot path.

Next to the book shop are two sundry shops. The smell emanating from these shops tingles her nose. The mixture of onion, garlic, dried fish, pepper, and spices makes a potent variety. She held her breath for a moment as she saunters quickly past the sundry shops.

She wondered how the people working inside those shops could stand the smell. Perhaps they were used to it.

There are many people walking along the five-foot ways on both sides of the street. It is about one o’clock in the afternoon and many office workers are out for their lunch break.

Smartly dressed men and women hurried towards the eating places further down the street.

As it was lunchtime.

The street had been made one-way some time ago to cater to the ever increasing traffic volume.

Lunch hour leads the street to an uncrossable hour.

The cars and motorcycles are moving at considerable speeds and they do not seem to be in the mood to make way for any pedestrian.

The lady decides to cross the street via the lights-controls.

She sights the Cafe she had a meeting a few blocks away.

On her way towards crossing the bustling road, she passes many other shops. They were mainly shops selling clothes, shoes, and watches.

Near the crossing is a supermarket. Throngs of people can be seen at the entrance. A beggar sits on the steps, arms outstretched, eyes leading for alms. She drops 20 cents into his unwashed palm out of sympathy, he also stinks of cheap liquor.

Finally, she reaches the crossing

The lights are red, so she waits with a group of people. Cars speed by sending their obnoxious fumes into the waiting people. However, no one flinches. A bit of smoke is not going to prevent anyone from crossing the street.

Presently the cars screech to a halt behind the white lines across the road except for one that makes a dash past even though the lights have changed to red for him. Some pedestrians shake their fists, but no one is hit. The pedestrians are too seasoned to trust the traffic lights completely.

She crosses briskly with her group to the other side. The group from the other side crosses over to her previous side.

Once across she makes a bee-line for the Cafe, she was damn late.

The smell of food wafts over her nostrils, as she approached the café.

The doorbell dinged as another customer walked into the cafe.

Sitting by the window side of the cafe was Amelia and her new helper, likewise friend, Lucas.

"Thank you so much for all the help you've given me, I can't believe you helped me get an apartment and also an admission I'm really so grateful" Amelia said very thankful.

"You don't really have to thank me, you looked stranded and I offered to help you" Lucas Net said, holding her hand as he rubbed her palm softly.

"But—"

" No Buts Lia"

"The nickname sounds cheeky" Amelia said with a blush on her face.