On a bustling Saturday afternoon, the Maxmart supermarket thrummed with activity as shoppers navigated the aisles, their carts filled with various goods. Outside, the sky loomed with heavy clouds, hinting at a possible downpour, yet inside, the atmosphere was vibrant and lively. David stood among the towering shelves, a shopping basket in hand, contemplating the best choices for his fridge. The soft hum of chatter and the occasional beep of the checkout scanners filled the air as he perused the endless rows of products.

With a grocery list clutched tightly, he pondered over the different milk options, holding both a bottle of whole milk and a carton of skimmed milk. After a moment's deliberation, he opted for the richer, creamier whole milk, placing it confidently in his basket. He moved on, navigating from one shelf to the next, carefully selecting items to fulfil his needs.

As the clock approached 4:30 PM, he found himself standing in line at the checkout, the queue inching forward. Just then, the entrance swung open dramatically, and a woman burst through the doors, her face strained with urgency as she rushed toward the pharmacy section. David, caught off guard, caught only a glimpse of her as she hurried past; her demeanour conveyed a pressing matter that he could only speculate about.

Returning his attention to the line ahead, he arranged his groceries on the counter as he overheard an escalating argument nearby. The exchange between the frantic woman and the pharmacist was filled with anxiety. David could sense her desperation and worry, fueled by the urgent need for medication for her son, who was presumably in distress. Yet, the pharmacist remained firm, bound by policies that left him unable to hand over the medicine without upfront payment.

Feeling compelled to help, David approached the scene, his heart quickening with the gravity of the situation. He interjected softly but firmly, "Sir, I will cover the cost of the medication. Please, give it to her so she can attend to her son," as he extended his ATM card towards the pharmacist.

The woman turned to him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and disbelief, and that's when David recognized her-it was Mabel, a friend of Shelley's. The realization hit him hard, and Mabel, noticing the familiarity, seized the opportunity to express her gratitude. "David, it's you! Thank God you're here. I left my purse at home, and I need this medication for my son, who is in the car and having trouble breathing..."

Before she could finish elaborating on her plight, David gently interjected, sensing the urgency of her situation. "There's no need to explain, Mabel. What matters most is getting that medication to your son right now."

"Of course, you're right," she responded quickly, her voice trembling with urgency. "I promise I'll pay you back." Without wasting another moment, she snatched the medication from the pharmacist and rushed out the door, her focus solely on her child's well-being.

A moment later, David stepped out of the brightly lit supermarket, the automatic doors sliding shut behind him with a soft whoosh. He squinted against the afternoon sun, now the cloud was clear, his eyes scanning the bustling parking lot, but Mabel was nowhere in sight. His heart sank a little; he had truly wanted to offer her more help. With a sigh of resignation, he turned away from the throng of shoppers and made his way back to his car, the weight of his concern for both Mabel and his son pressing heavily on his mind. As he climbed into the driver's seat, he couldn't shake the nagging question: was Mabel able to get the vital medication to his son in time?

***

As the clock struck 6:00 PM, the golden hues of the setting sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over Sarah's cluttered workspace. She sat at the centre table, which was a chaotic tableau of sketches and fabric swatches, each one reflecting her vision for the boutique she had always dreamed of. The perfect building was finally secured, its quaint facade promising a welcoming atmosphere for potential customers, and now it was time to propel her aspirations forward.

Her mind buzzed with excitement and nervous anticipation as she considered the next crucial steps: sourcing the clothing and accessories that would fill her racks, alongside overseeing the production of her own unique designs. One nagging task remained-choosing the right name for her boutique. Despite having scribbled down several options, the perfect name still eluded her, leaving her feeling both frustrated and eager.

As she chewed on the end of her pen, a thought struck her like a bolt of lightning. "Why not swing by Shelley's place tomorrow morning for her opinion?" she mused. Shelley might not possess the same passion for fashion, but her keen insight and understanding of Sarah's personal style were invaluable. The idea brought a sense of relief, and Sarah nodded to herself, a smile creeping onto her face. "It is decided then. I'll visit her tomorrow."

With resolve, she turned her attention back to the disarray of papers in front of her, gathering her contacts for the necessary shipments of items she wished to sell. The evening air was filled with potential, and Sarah felt a surge of determination as she prepared to make her dreams a tangible reality.

As David returned to his apartment, the familiar chill of the fridge greeted him. He methodically unloaded the groceries, but his thoughts were far from the task at hand. Images of Mabel's worried face played in his mind-a mask of anxiety etched with deep concern and fear. He could only imagine the tumultuous whirlpool of emotions she felt, watching her son struggle to gasp for air, the reality of their situation settling like a heavy weight on her chest. Each second without a solution was a reminder of the fragility of life.

As he placed a carton of milk on the shelf, David's gaze flickered back to Mabel's absence of a wedding ring. It sparked a troubling curiosity in him: where was the father of her child? The idea of a man who would abandon Mabel in such a harrowing moment left a bitter taste in his mouth. How could someone be so callous, leaving her to navigate this treacherous ordeal all by herself? "What kind of irresponsible man is he?" David mused, a mix of anger and pity swirling within him as he contemplated her plight.