The doctors gave no hope. She was like a sister to me, because we grew up together and shared the most beautiful and the most difficult moments. Now ... My chest tightened, tears welled up in my eyes. I knew that at any moment her husband would call me, and I dreaded that call.
I parked my car near the shopping centre, where there was an ATM. I had to pay the mechanic to repair the car, so I withdrew 700 euros. I automatically took the banknotes, but my mind was elsewhere. I slowly made my way towards the shops without any real destination, not caring about the shop windows that lined up next to me. The world around me was a blur, people became like shadows to me.
Suddenly, I felt a light touch on my sleeve. I flinched and turned around. In front of me stood a woman my age with a kind face. "Have you forgotten something?" she asked with warmth in her voice.
I looked at her confused. "I don't know...", I mumbled, completely lost in my thoughts.
"Have you withdrawn money from an ATM?"
Then it hit me. I quickly grabbed my wallet and opened it. Just change! My heart dropped into my heels, panic overwhelmed me. I frantically started rummaging through my purse, even though I knew it was all for nothing.
"Don't worry," the woman smiled and handed me the notes. "You left them in the ATM slot. When I saw that, I immediately ran after you."
I was stunned. Who else does something like that today? Gratitude flooded my eyes. "Oh, I don't know how to thank you! I have to give you at least 50 euros!" I insisted.
She nodded resolutely. "No, no, I'm a pensioner like you. Money doesn't fall from the sky."
"At least I can invite you for coffee," I offered, full of gratitude.
"I'd love that," she said, and we sat down together in a nearby café.
The conversation flowed as if we had known each other for years. She told me that she was from Ruse and that she was waiting for her daughter-in-law, who was shopping. She too had already lost a loved one and she understood my sadness. In the warmth of the conversation, I felt a relief that I had not felt for a long time.
We exchanged phone numbers and invited each other to visit. That day, the illusion that my cousin would recover was shattered, but I also learnt something precious - that in moments of the greatest sadness, life often gives us the most unexpected and sincere bonds.
Justina Strašek, 27. 4. 2025
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