A MAZE OF GREED

There is this thing about poverty. It does not discriminate among people based on their gender, caste, religion or appearance. And this beauty that had lost her sense of surrounding as she was engrossed in her work was no exception to this rule. That woman's straight brows were knitted in the middle of her large forehead as she lost in her world. Her long pale hands were moving with precise skills, sewing the expensive red fabric to transform the piece of cloth into a beautiful dress for a madam living on the west side of the town of Vincardine.

Her gentle face had a different charisma that enhanced her innocence. But her enchanting large, closely set hazel coloured eyes were giving testimony of her wariness. Her dress was a little warned out but was clean and neat.

Her round face looked tired. Her bulbous tipped nose scrunched occasionally when her eyes stung due to working in dim light. She glided her tongue over her pink lips, which were cupid bow's shape while sewing a delicate, and intricate pattern on the cloth.

Ruth Moore was an orphan. She had no clue about her family or relatives except her deceased mother. And the cruel game of life never let her make any friends. All that she remembered was working laboriously to survive this game of survival of the fittest.

It was easier when her mother, Bertha Moore, was with her. The mother and daughter worked hard to live every day while taking care of each other. But after her mother died when Ruth was only thirteen years old, the mountain of responsibilities and bad fortune came crashing down upon her.

It was not like she never experienced any selfish and momentary fascinations that called out to her, but she knew better than to fall victim to them. Even though the way of malfeasance looked pleasurable outwardly, it ultimately leads to nothing but destruction and Ruth knew that very well.

It was the one thing that her mother lived by and instigated the same virtue in her beautiful and innocent daughter. Hence, it took every ounce of Ruth's self-control to not fall prey to such treacherous things.

She had to finish her task before sunrise. Her hands and legs were frozen due to the cold. Her back ached because of hours of working while sitting in a chair. She thought about sitting on the cold floor, but the light that reached there was not enough for her to work with perfection.

Lack of sleep caused her headache and itching of eyes. But she had to endure this physical pain and complete the work as then only she would get some money to satisfy her hunger. At some point, the sweet sleep began to descend on her tired eyes, but she woke up startled when she realised the shortage of time in hand. There was yet to do more work, and thus her hands picked up the pace again.

After spending hours and splashing water on her face three times during the night, her face started blooming with satisfaction as the end of the task neared. The dress she was working on was very expensive and designed in detail. Ruth had put all her experience and efforts to make the dress fascinating. Soon she finished the last bit of her work and kept the dress aside after folding it neatly.

"Finally, it's done." The words came as a whisper from her mouth that held relief.

She stretched her limbs to loosen up the sore muscles and stood up from the chair. It took her some moments to gain the balance and let the cramp in her long slender yet strong leg fade away. She cast a glance of satisfaction at her hard work again with a small, proud smile and turned to get to the bed.

As soon as her back hit the mattress, her body relaxed in the bliss of the warmth of her blanket. Her heavy eyes closed on their own after a yawn escaped her lips.

Two hours flew in a flash since Ruth closed her eyes and it was already time to start her day. She sat up in the bed and glanced through the window to see everyone hurrying to their work. Her eyes were still heavy, and her body strained, but she knew that her time for rest was over. She could easily spend the whole day sleeping in her bed, away from the daily tensions, but she didn't.

She sighed deeply and pulled her long toffee brown hair in a messy bun on top of her head. She made her bed and went into the small bathroom to do her business.

Within an hour, Ruth was ready to start her day. Her stomach rumbled violently, as it demanded some food, but unfortunately, Ruth had nothing to satisfy it. All groceries finished a day before. She hadn't had anything to eat since the previous afternoon. Emptied stomach was not something that she was not accustomed to.

She had spent many nights without food, tossing from side to side in a cold bed. That was how her life was, and she was determined to make it better for herself with hard work. She had faith in God that he had a good plan for her future. It was all about the right time, and she was willing to wait until then.

Ruth packed the red dress that she had spent her half-day and full night working upon it in a bag carefully. After making sure that her appearance was presentable enough, she left her room with the bag of a dress.. She locked the door with a large metal lock though there was nothing to steal in her room.