The Fool's Gold

Favour And Luck (2)

Sultan rushed to the main road and waved down a cab, knowing that the free bus service that was typically provided by one of the city's wealthiest families had ended at 8:00 a.m. He would have to find another way to get to work.

The free bus service was a lifesaver for commuters who needed to get to work quickly, but Sultan had missed his chance to use it today. He would have to pay for the cab ride, which he didn't want to do but right now he has no choice.

The cab driver pulled over to the curb and asked Sultan, “Do you know Light's Fill-up Restaurant? Just at the Bolivar street.”

“Opposite the Greg's pizza shop right?” the cab man asked politely and Sultan nodded in agreement. 

“Yes, that's the place,”he said. 

The cab driver responded, “I know where that is.”

Sultan was about to ask the cab driver about the cost of the fare, but before he could even get the words out, he realized that he had no dime. Empty! - he had no money.

 Sultan quicky apologized and said, “I'm so sorry to have wasted your time. I'll just walk from here.”

The cab driver became clearly annoyed. “You're the most foolish customer I've ever had,” he huffed. “You stop me without having any money. Young people these days don't know how to handle their money.”

Sultan: “....”

The cab driver continued to berate Sultan, his insults cutting deeper with each word. “You're a real fool! You don't even have the money to get a cab to the Light Fill-up Restaurant. What are you doing with your life? Get a job and earn some money!”

Sultan's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and shame. The cab driver's words stung Sultan deeply, but he didn't reply. He just sat there, listening to the barrage of insults. Even though he knew the cab driver was being cruel, he couldn't find the words to respond.

With a final disdainful utterance, the cab driver drove off, leaving Sultan feeling stung. "If you don't want to be judged, then make some money," the cab driver's words echoed in his mind as he watched the cab disappear down the road.

Sultan frowned, questioning the supposed luck promised by the tarot card. "Isn't that card supposed to bring me favour as it said?”

Suddenly, it hit him. He had left the tarot card in his apartment. Sultan's heart began to race. He had to go back and get it. Maybe it would prove to be more than just a meaningless piece of paper. 

Perhaps it truly held some kind of power that could change his life. He turned around and began the long walk back to his apartment.

When he arrived at his building, he saw the woman from before, still in her revealing clothing. She was leaning against the wall outside, smoking a cigarette now. But immediately she saw him, she threw it away.

Rolling his eyes, Sultan ignored the woman's presence and went inside. 

The woman watched him walk away, confused by his behavior. She didn't know why he was so cold towards her despite not recognizing her, but she chose not to dwell on it.

Once inside his cramped apartment, he immediately saw the tarot card lying on the bed. 

He picked it up, his breath catching in his throat. 'Oh my God,' he murmured, his heart pounding. 'Why do I suddenly feel like I'm holding onto something powerful? Something that might actually change my life?’

Sultan's lips turned up in a small smile as he carefully tucked the tarot card in his pocket. He locked the door behind him and headed back outside.

As Sultan walked out of the building, the woman in the revealing dress intercepted him. “We meet again,” she said, twirling a key around her finger. 

Sultan raised an eyebrow at her, unsure of what to make of her bold approach.

Despite the fact that he was in a rush, Sultan found himself surprisingly patient in dealing with the situation.

Again, despite being behind schedule, Sultan remained composed and calm, which was unusual for him. “What do you want?” he asked her sternly, his brow furrowed. 

She seemed undeterred by his impatience, and her lips curled into a mischievous smile. His directness also made her smile a bit. She burst into a peal of laughter, then said, “Shouldn't you be asking who I am, rather than what I want?”

Sultan rolled his eyes in frustration and retorted, "I don't need to know who you are; I just need to get to work.”

But, the lady was unperturbed by Sultan's irritation. She suggested straight up, “For old time's sake, I'll give you a ride.” She pointed to a car parked nearby, and Sultan looked at it. 

It was a decent vehicle, something average people would own—unlike him, as he was broke and struggling financially.

“Okay,” Sultan replied, accepting the offer without hesitation. It was exactly what he needed.

Sultan accepted the offer with relief. He'd get a free ride and avoid standing on the street corner waiting for a cab. Not to mention, he had no money to pay for the cab anyway. Maybe the tarot card was right after all.

The car ride to the restaurant was quiet, and Sultan was glad for it. He appreciated her professionalism and focus. Even though he found her attractive, he didn't want to dwell on those thoughts.

He just got out of a relationship with a stupid girl, Tiana, he shouldn't be looking at another girl. And plus, he had already promised that wizard man in that world that he was wiser now, no longer a fool.

The lady's melodic voice pulled Sultan out of his thoughts. “We're here,” she said, gesturing to the restaurant.

Sultan looked up, indeed she was right. She had pulled up in front of his workplace. ‘That was rather a fast ride,’ he thought to himself, getting down from the car.

The lady drove off before Sultan had a chance to thank her. 'What was that all about?' he wondered. Maybe she was bipolar or something?

Surprisingly, when he entered the restaurant, Jerry greeted him with a warm smile. “Hey, Sultan! Good morning,” he said. “I thought you were off work today. The boss isn't upset, though,” Jerry added.

Huh? Sultan was flabbergasted. Like, since when did his boss not mind him taking breaks and leaves? And since when did Jerry start smiling at him? 

Sultan mumbled, barely above a whisper as he stared dumbfounded at Jerry's smile, “Something is really off.” - Jerry's smile was so genuine and unwavering, it was downright unsettling.