At the shores, sound as breeze, Mrs. Simpson stood, waiting. Looking at the beautiful afternoon sky, the surrounding, peaceful as a sleeping baby.
" Hope you arrive safe and sound," she said to herself, smoothly and carefully touching the bottom of her belly, with a soft smile.
" Ms. Simpson, the ferry should be here in about thirty." the port supervisor reported.
" And how long before break-off?" she asked plainly, her smile slowly fading.
" That's in about forty. The captain said you need not worry, they'll be here safe and sound. So be at ease." he exclaimed, with a comforting smile.
" I understand!" she answered, trying to regenerate her smile.
" You see,the captain has always told me that the mind is like an ocean, the wind will always blow, but only the waves will move. It's so peaceful here today, yet my heart dies of worry." she added, turning to face where the other ships and ferries had stationed.
" And he once told me too, a broken glass saves no class. It's a great afternoon, appreciate it with a smile, and maybe a smoothing. Have a seat?" the port supervisor answered, letting out his hand to her, with a wider smile. Mrs. Simpson, gently took the gentleman's hand, as he helped her take up a seat under the shade.
" There are a lot of breath taking drinks at the port teens. So tell me, are we all the up? Should I shout out for one?" he asked, rising steadily as if he was getting ready to run.
" Sorry, but I don't drink!"
" Hahahaha.....what? No. Am sorry about that, it's not what I meant at all. We don't actually sell alcoholics here. It's not allowed." he answered apologetically.
" Oh....then I have misunderstood. Am sorry." she replied, touching inside her coat pockets.
" Oh no no no Miss! I don't plan on taking any money from you, not even a coin."
" And why not? I have to pay for my expenses right?"
" That's true but the captain already did that, so there's no need!" he pleaded.
" So shall I just wait then?"
" Sure, just a minute!", he said, running to the counter. In a few minutes, he was already back with a pair of glasses, filled with cold drinks.
" That was fast!" Mrs. Simpson exclaimed, holding out her hand to receive the glasses.
" When you work at the port, you learn all kinds of things." he replied with a pleasant smile and taking up his seat.
" Thank you for everything though, I feel better. Only if the port was filled with people like you."
" There's are many people out there, some are be..."
Before he could complete, their conversation was cut short by a siren, which was followed by the sound of q ferry arriving at the port.
" That must be him!" the supervisor exclaimed, taking out his last sip of the glass. They both stood patiently, watching as the ferry slowly approached the shore. Immediately it was there, Mrs. Simpson ran over quickly through the waiting crowd as the supervisor followed closely behind her. In a few, she was at the frontline of the mob. Many people had been waiting for their loved ones to return.
" He's finally here...." one said, " Now I'll breathe....." another said with a sigh. But she was rather calm, though not fully settled. All her eyes wanted was to see him, the captain of the ferry that had arrived. Different people came from the ferry as the port staff helped them with their luggage. But he wasn't part. She touched her chest, as her heartbeat increased, rapidly. With each minute that passed, seeing different people to what she wanted, made her heart beat even faster. Now all the passengers were off, including the support team, but not the Captain.
" Where is he, why can't I see him?" she asked, attempting to go past the port staff.
" Hey, Miss look. He's over there!". the supervisor shouted, pointing towards the entrance of the ferry. Miss Simpson turned to the direction and at the entrance, a medium sized young man, aged in his late twenties, stood holding a cap between his arms. He smiled as though he had taken long without seeing the sunlight. Miss Simpson watched him as he carefully came down from the ferry. The crowd stood as it clapped and shouted his name. "All great to the Captain" is all that came from them. Some of the people ran over to him, to welcome him back. He held out his hands to them, hugging and holding their hands, with a big smile on his face. Seeing all this, Miss Simpson felt so relieved and all kinds of emotions filled her heart. Emotions of joy and peace.
" He sure is a real big deal. For his age and he is loved like that, absolutely incredible!" the supervisor spoke, taking off his cap.
" Why do you take it off?" she asked curiously.
" As a supervisor, I was incharge of his route. I provide the assistance and he provides the reward. He's my superior and that's the rule. It's protocol!"
" Is all that respect for one man?"
" It has to be. He risks a lot, including his own route out. He has managed to bring back over 200000 people safely in his last four routes, something that no other can do. With all the commotion out there, he does deserve his respect. Life out there is not easy to maintain as the Captain. Any mistakes and it shall all be on him. At his age, he is ranked above the oldies in the game....so he's done a lot." he explained to her, with little gestures.
" How old are you, mind me asking?"
" Am thirty one, only three years older than the captain!" he answered with a wild smile.
" And yet you respect him so much?" she said.
" Why, shouldn't he? We're both remarkable right?" a voice spoke behind her. A deep but gentle voice. Her heart suddenly arose, ilas though it had skipped a beat. When she turned to look, her eyes landed on those of the captain. His eyes shone with a lot of care and his dimples displayed majestically on the side of his cheeks. Her body became numb, as though she had just seen her childhood crush.
" Oh come on, my body hurts, and I think I have bruises from the coldness out there. Shall I survive with all this look, so cute I might....." he said but before he could complete, Miss Simpson hugged him tight, tip toed with her hands over his shoulders and around his neck.
" You talk too much!" she said, burying her face into the side of his neck and letting out little tears.
" I know. Sorry for the delay. But I won't be leaving again anytime soon, so am here with you!"
He said, putting his arms around her, one to the waist and the other to her back, caressing her with care as though she was a little child. She then raised her eyes to look at him, with her nose touching his.
" You promise?" she asked softly, her voice almost fading with the tears.
" I promise!" he replied, wiping her tears and pecking her forehead. He looked at her gently and carefully rested her head to his chest. She held him tight around the waist with no intention of letting go.
Holding her, the Captain raised his eyes to the Supervisor.
" Put that back on, no need to be so formal. You did a great job. I appreciate that!" he said with a pleasant smile.
" Thank you for the compliment. It was rather tricky but easy at the same time Sir! " the supervisor answered proudly.
The Captain then gently loosened himself from Miss Simpson, and raised her head softly by the chin.
" Mind if I take you out today, huh, my lady?" he asked in a gentle voice.
" I thought of cooking something special for you tonight. But if it's on my bill then yeah!" she replied, looking up at him and placing his hands on her chest.