The man from the future (a wish and a curse)

Chapter 2 (A gift from a stranger)

He shuddered at who his eyes found. It was an old woman whose eyes were barely awake. This young man found her incredible due to her fast pace. How could such an old woman be faster than her shadow?

The woman repeated the same lines to jerk him back to reality, and he nodded.

“Oh yes…your purse, it slip off…” He haven't even completed his statement when the old woman snatched it from his hand.

The rain had subsided now, and only trickles fell from the sky, possibly, the rain had decided to travel to another country who appreciated its downpour unlike this divorced young man.

“How rude” he thought and studied the old woman. She was so full of energy and had an angry look.

Possibly, someone had pissed her off and might be venting it on him.

The old woman handed over her umbrella to the young man to hold for a moment, while she scrutinizes her purse.

Was this woman being serious, can't she see he wasn't in the mood to assist? Why couldn't she scan the purse somewhere else? If she thinks he was a thief, would he have even returned it?

He collected the umbrella with a frown and stared at her, confused and tired. Certainly, she must want to confirm if her items in it were complete.

“Thank you” she said at last when she was done and stretched her hand to collect the umbrella.

Once the young man handed over the umbrella, he turned immediately to take his leave, but then she stopped him.

“Well son, if you don't mind, I'm out of money and I need a token to find my way home”

This old woman was something else, first she made him follow her all the way to this isolated place pretending not to hear him call, then she behaved rudely to him and now, she was indirectly asking for money.

The only money he had on him was 30 dollar, and he felt he couldn't turn down her request. After all, he wouldn't be needing the money anymore because he had thoughts of committing suicide.

“Today must be your lucky day” he mused, and brought out the money to hand over to the old lady.

She snickered, collected and said;

“It's your lucky day, I guess I have to sell it cheap to you”

The young man was puzzled over what she said. Didn't she request for money? She didn't mention she was selling anything to him and if she was, he wasn't interested in buying it.

He only sighed sadly and wish her well, he didn't want to get involve in a chat with this woman and thought it wise to leave.

“Hey, young man, don't you think it's rude to walk out of an old lady?” She snarled with a silent hiss.

The depressed man returned a scoff at her, if she wasn't an old woman, he might have cuss at her. Everything annoyed him, and this woman was adding up to that.

He had more important things to do, and so wasting time here would hinder him. This young man was backing her.

His legs took a pause and then intended to take a glimpse at the old woman, but then found out she wasn't behind him, but in front of him.

He was startled, and almost fell limply to the ground because of the manner in which the old woman appeared.

Those scorching eyes of her made her look like a ghost with the intent of haunting him.

She frowned at him, and didn't want to waste much time either. All that rang in her mind was hand someone the silver spoon in her hand, and this man would suffice. Besides, he was the only one who offer to give her some cash.

“Here, you can have this, be grateful I sold it cheap”

The young man was still trying to get a hold of himself due to the fright this old woman gave him.

His eyes met her hand and found a sliver spoon pointing at him.

“What?” He mused, rejecting what she was offering this man.

If only this old woman knew how he felt, she wouldn't be speaking to him right now, neither handing over a spoon. What would he need a spoon for when, a few minutes from now, he was going to die? How was the spoon relating to his present situation?

The old woman chuckled and gaze at the spoon in her hand.

“You're not the only one with a burden at heart… consider this as a break through”

Immediately she said those words, the thunder roared with a lightening, and it sent chills into his bones.

This woman was creepy and causing his to have goosebumps.

“A spoon? I don't want this… I just gave you the cash because I won't be needing it, I don't want anything in return” he explained politely, but this old woman didn't let him go.

“It's a magic spoon, you witty man” she scolded, forcing it into his hand, but he dropped it on the ground still dumbstruck.

Why would this old woman hand him over a silver spoon even though she wishes to show her gratitude, couldn't it be something else?

He wasn't a kid anymore to believe in fantasies and magic because it doesn't exist.

“Please, I'm sorry, but I can't accept it…”

“How disrespectful, even though you don't like it, can't you keep it for an old woman like me?” She snarled, not wanting to yell at the doubtful man.

The young man sigh, pissed off and thought of a way to avoid this woman. He was forced to pick up the silver spoon. His intentions were to dump it when she goes away.

The old woman studies him and scoffed in a crook manner. Her instinct tells her that this man was up to something that could claim his life.

“What you lack is believe, son”

He was speechless and couldn't wait for this woman to leave so that he could further in his initial plans.

“Do you believe in magic”

Seriously? Was this old woman a fan of fantasy when she was in her younger age? Who believes in magic if not kids? It was a no for him.

He still didn't give a reply and tugged the spoon in his pocket.

At least, she made his day, he wasn't intending to speak for the day, but she made him talk.

“Everyone wishes to be wealthy, but life is not always a bed of rose”

It felt he was in a lecture with this old woman. She spoke of wealth, but earlier she had requested for money. Who in the world doesn't want to be rich.

Nothing of what she was saying register in his brains, as the thought of his family rang in his head. It made him sniff as hot tears brew up in eyes. He fought them hard to fall in the presence of this woman.

“Three wishes son, but chose wisely, it could be your luck and also your destruction, stay true to yourself”

He ridiculed her words, perhaps because she was old, she might be saying some gibberish words without thinking.

“Protect that spoon, your life has just begun” she added.

The young man didn't see a need to ask her what she was saying because it was obvious he wasn't listening to her, neither was he interested.

All he knew was that she was talking about the worthless spoon she handed over as a token of her gratitude to him.

“If you're in trouble, eat thrice with that spoon…”

“Madam, it's really late, why don't you get going, you spent so much time talking, your legs must be aching” he interrupted in a sober tone, as though was concerned over her when deep in his heart, he wished they never crossed path again.

The old woman gasped briefly and nodded, she glanced at her purse with grief in her eyes.

She then moved those eyes up gently to meet the man she was talking to, but he had already walked away from her.

“I forgot to tell him the most important part about that spoon, ...oh no” she panicked and then felt something strange walking in her body.

Her eyes gazed at her wrinkled legs which had suddenly began to look younger and fresh, her body began to change into a rather refined skin, and within seconds, she transformed into a young elegant woman.

She inhaled the air and smiled, then she snapped her fingers and two shadows appeared out of nowhere.

They were shapeless, but one could predict they had the features of dragons.

“Would he be safe with it?” The first shadow asked, watching the young man until he was out of sight.

“Maybe, perhaps not, all that matters is that we are free”

The shadows screeched at her reply and an evil smile left her lips.