The girl was late for her job interview because she assisted an old man. She almost fainted from what she saw when she finally arrived at the workplace.
Anna was in route to a job interview. The opportunity to change her life and escape the never-ending cycle of side gigs was more than simply a job; it was the profession she had always dreamed of.
She heard a car squealing and a yell just as she was about to reach the junction. On the opposite side of the street, an elderly guy staggered, clutched his chest, and slid to the tarmac slowly. People were hurrying by, avoiding eye contact, as if they believed the emergency would simply disappear if they didn’t notice it, while drivers were honking and someone shouted from a window.
Anna hesitated. “You’re running late!” Her mind was yelling. Hurry! But then she ran across the street and knelt by him.
She placed her hand on his shoulder and asked, “Are you okay?” in a tremulous voice.
The old man was breathing heavily and had half-closed eyes. He made a weak motion toward his pocket:
My wallet contains medications.
Holding her breath, Anna started to rummage through his ancient leather bag with trembling fingers. Finally, she touched a tiny bottle. Quickly taking out a tablet, she placed it in the man’s lips and helped him drink it.
– Breathe deeply. Repressing her feelings and fear, she assured him, “You’ll be fine.”
Two or three minutes passed. The color of the man’s face returned as his breathing gradually evened out. He looked at Anna appreciatively as he opened his eyes.
“You saved my life,” he remarked. — How can I ever be able to thank you?
Anna smiled, then leaped to her feet as if she had just awoken from a hypnotic state:
— Oh no. I’m going to be late.
She whispered an apology and sprinted for the metro, feeling devastated and hopeless. That was it. Her opportunity was gone. No other opportunity would present itself.
She nevertheless went to the office to confirm that she had done everything that needed to be done. When Anna eventually arrived at the office, she nearly fainted from what she saw.
When she reached the welcome counter, the secretary smiled warmly at her and said:
I’m sorry, but management is running a little late. Please take a seat.
Anna almost sighed with relief. As she sat down and clutched her briefcase, the tension slowly eased.
After thirty minutes, the door opened. The same elderly man entered. Clean-shaven, in a smart suit, confidently resting on his cane. Anna paused.
“Good morning,” he said to all of them. — I am the owner of the company. I’m sorry you had to wait. I had a very important matter to attend to.
He turned to Anna, smiled, and nodded:
She is the one who stopped without hesitation while others had given up. The person who truly understands what it is to be brave, responsible, and human. Anna, we want you to start working with us right away. You’ve proven yourself worthy already.
What Anna heard startled her. She started crying. Not only had she saved a life, but she had, quite unexpectedly, saved her own.
