A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth was devastated at the thought that she would have to leave her room. She had spent many years of her life in that room after her mother,Bertha Moore, died. Her mother had some savings with her that she kept for Ruth. Bertha Moore didn't touch that money even when the daughter and mother had to suffer a lot. They worked hard, pushing their limits to earn two times' meal on the plate.

After some years, Ruth's mother fell ill. Eventually, she had to quit working as her body didn't let her. Even then also, her mother didn't touch that money. When she was on her death bed, she called Ruth one day. And put an envelope of money in her hand.

Ruth realised at that moment that this was the last time that her mother was giving her something. She also realised that the end of her mother was near. She cried her eyes out by sitting beside her mother's lying form.

Ruth was just thirteen at that time and couldn't understand what happens with a person when they die. But all that she knew was that, if her mother died, then she would never get to see her again. And that very thought broke that young girl's, fragile heart.

Ruth recalled her mother's last words when she gave that money to her. She told little Ruth to not stay in the village where they were living. Instead, she told her to go to this port town of the O'Dells to get more opportunities for a living. Bertha Moore was hopeful that sending her daughter to the Vincardine would change her life for the better. Alas! Not everything goes as per our plans.

But right now, when the landlord was about to throw her out of her room, Ruth wondered why her mother told her to come here. If she had stayed in her small village, then she wouldn't have to face this humiliation. Maybe destiny had some other plans for her, thought Ruth.

She begged to the landlord to give her a month's time to pay the rent, but he was not ready to listen to anything as he had already made up his mind. She didn't want to leave this room as this was the place where she had spent her days working for hours and hours to complete the orders. This was the place where she had dreamed of a better life. This was where she had spent uncountable sleepless nights while thinking about her mother.

-"That I don't know. Go to your friend's place or become a bedwarmer of any man. I don't care! But if you don't get out right now then I will throw your belongings out by myself. Don't make me throw you out by dragging you by your hand."-

When the landlord said those hurtful things to her, Ruth wished that the Earth part apart and swallow her whole. She was aware of what people thought about her. They thought that a young and beautiful woman like her shouldn't be spending her life in misery. Some even advised her to find a man with decent earning and marry him. Some people even thought that one day she would break and would end up being someone's harlot.

After all, that was the easiest way to earn money and live a life King sized.

But Ruth was a hard nut to crack. She was determined to show the world that she would write her own destiny. She didn't need a man to make her life better. But the incidences like this made her doubt her resolve.

The landlord extended his hand to touch Ruth when a voice stopped him.

"Stop!"

His hand remained stretched in Ruth's way but little away from her body. Every pair of an eye turned to look at the owner of the voice.

Ruth looked at the woman through her teary eyes. She blinked twice to clear her vision, and a look of surprise appeared on her face when she saw the unexpected but familiar face of a woman.

The landlord was taken aback as he was also not expected that woman to turn up. "It's not your business, Florence! Stay away from it." He said.

Florence cast a single glance at Ruth then turned her attention at the man. She took three steps ahead in his direction, and with a straight face, she said, " Ruth is my friend, and her business is my business!"

A murmur erupted in the eyewitnesses as it was unlikely that Florence came for some one's help. She was not a bad person, but she was not the ideal either. Everyone was aware of the fact that she was a prostitute and that was how she gained enough money and connection that no one could object when she bought the double rooms on the second floor of the same building.

She usually kept her distance from the neighbours and didn't bother anyone. Even when the people didn't respect her because of her lifestyle, they didn't cross her paths too. As they say, 'money speaks!'

Women envied her beauty and life of a higher standard than the rest of them. And men, one smile of Florence was enough to make their day. Some of the men were acquaintances of her in earlier days of her occupation. But as the praises of her beauty and skills spread through the town, the number of rich visitors rose.

Eventually, Florence stopped entertaining the men with average income as now she had wealthy admirers at her feet. So, there was no one to object or confront her for her doings.

The landlord huffed at Florence's words as he knew that an innocent woman like Ruth would never befriend a person like Florence. He ignored Florence and reached out for Ruth again.

"I said, DON'T TOUCH HER!" Florence emphasised her words. Her eyes hardened.

Now that made the man retreat his outstretched hand, and he stood up straight to his full height. He glared at her.

Florence approached Ruth, who was still on her knees while watching everything with a dumbfounded look. Florence stopped just right in front of Ruth as her cat-like, brown hazel eyes glared at the man. The man made a displeased voice at the back of his throat but stepped aside to give her space.

Florence crouched down and held Ruth with her shoulders. "Come on, get up." She made Ruth stood again, and Ruth followed her command. Florence wiped the trails of the tears that felt from Ruth's eyes.

She then turned again to the landlord as he waited impatiently and annoyed with the turn of events.

"What's the problem?" Florence asked him. Her plucked and dark eyebrows rose in an arch.

The man crossed his hands over his chest and said, "I want her out of my property."

Florence was not pleased with his short reply. "Why?"

"Because she can't pay the rent on time. I have been considerate enough to let her stay here for all these years, but now I can't do it anymore. I can't afford charity. I would rent this room to someone else who can afford to pay the whole rent every month." He elaborated.

Florence's full lips that, were painted in a lighter shade of orange thinned into a straight line. She looked at Ruth to hear her side.

Ruth gulped to wet her dry throat and said, "I accept that I couldn't pay the rent on time. And this happens frequently. But I don't have anyone to share my burden, and you know how little a needleworker like me earns. I told him to give me a month, and I will pay his money to him. But he is not ready to listen." Ruth was too ashamed to face the man so, she kept her head hung low.

Florence hummed as she heard both sides.. She didn't say a word for a minute as her brain started thinking about the situation.