I’m Impressed

The Story Of The Deceitful Girl

Athens Lake Park, Greece

I first saw Maria 3 years ago. Standing on the crowded Lake Road next to my area, she was to raise donations for street children.

The time was around 5 pm, by which time I had completed two rounds of the whole lake. My body was drenched in sweat; I was bent down and rested from fatigue. I have to do one more round; my belly fat is increasing, so every day, I do at least three rounds in this lake. I stood up again and was getting ready for the 3rd round.

Suddenly a girl’s voice said from behind — Sir, can you donate something for the street children?

I looked back and saw the girl standing with a paper box, which was a donation box. The money of those who help is kept there. But at the moment I don’t have a wallet, what can I say.

- Sorry, I left my purse at home. I’m humiliated.

The girl is probably ashamed!

- All right, sir, you don’t know that today we will come to raise funds for street children. - Funds will surely benefit them. (I fell in love with the girl’s words, not with the street children, but with the girl’s sweet words) Well, my house is 5 minutes away. I brought some money from home. Can you wait for me to come back? - Yes, sir, we will raise money for funds from travelers here all afternoon.

I left to come back, came home with 10 dollars, and left in 10 minutes to that place on the lake. I did some searching and found the girl too. Seeing me, the girl came forward. - I’m impressed; you’re back to donate to the street children fund — really cool thing. I smiled and filled the box with dollars. Something should be said — ma’am, don’t call it charity, we have their rights over us, we should settle it.

- The girl smiles: I’m impressed again, sir, nowadays no one wants to donate. And you went home and brought the money. Your comments are also beautiful. Be well; I have to go that way, see if there is anyone as great as you. Bye

The girl smiled again and walked towards her team. Her smile and mannerisms impressed me, but I was not happy about her departure. I didn’t get a chance to say bye, so I went back to my home.

♦♦♦

That day was Monday; I was leaving the office at lunchtime. I have 1 hour for lunch every working day.

When I came downstairs, I saw some girls in white T-shirts standing with donation boxes, while others were trying to raise funds by stopping the moving cars.

I went out of my pocket, took out 5 euros and put it in the box. Suddenly a familiar voice - - Hey sir, you’re here too! I look back at that girl. - Oh, you, you’re on this team too. You like to do volunteer work, don’t you? Have fun working for the helpless! I’m really impressed. - (girl laughs) What did you say, sir, I’m really impressed with you. You love the helpless. It’s a big deal. — Oh no, try to help a little. I feel better, too, if my money is of little use to them. - Sir, you are generous. May I have your visiting card? A lot of times emergency help is needed, I think then donors like you will come forward. - Why not (I took out the visiting card from the purse), must be informed in case of an emergency. Sorry, I have to go now, have lunch and go to the office again. - Sorry, sir, I wasted your precious time. - No, I would offer a coffee chat if it wasn’t office hours. - Thanks, sir, you can go. Stay well. And yes, there must be a coffee hangout. I’m Maria (extends her hand) - I’m Miller, Thomas Miller. Will be chatting very soon ( I extended my hand, shook hands and smiled) Reaching out, I said goodbye. After going some distance and turning back, I met her eyes. With embarrassed eyes, I repeated goodbye and proceeded to my destination.

♦♦♦

I haven’t seen or talked to Maria anywhere for 11 days. But sometimes I think of her, I feel an attraction towards her.

I ate dinner and went to bed. Suddenly a text message came — “Sir, are you free, a helpless person needs an emergency help. I want to meet you.”

• “Okay, see you in my office at lunch time tomorrow, talk about having lunch.” - “Okay sir, goodnight.” - “Goodnight” The next day, we met at lunchtime. We went to have lunch at a restaurant near the office. The conversation started inside.

- (I) You came to talk about helping someone, tell me what I can do. - (Maria) Sir, this woman came to Greece from Syria. (Shows a picture of an Arabian woman from his mobile) She is very helpless! Our team got the news that she is sick, she has three children with her, she will not get an excellent job as a refugee, she will be a victim of harassment locally even if she does prostitution, we want to help her. - How can I help? - We want to give her 2,000 euros for now, so that she can continue treatment for now. You can provide whatever you want. - Well, I want to pay 500 or 1000 euros. - I’ll take you to her. - No need to go, let’s go to the office. I’ll give you cash. - You should go anyway, and she’ll be glad to see you. - She’ll be happier if she gets help. Let’s go.

I went to the office and gave her cash. As she left, she hugged me warmly and said again, “Sir, I’m really, really impressed.”

After exchanging some sweet words and smiles, I said goodbye to her. I don’t know what I should have said. However, after her hot hug, the feeling towards her increased a lot. I was getting the impression that new love was coming.

♦♦♦

She has not been in contact with Maria for some time; she has not been seen since taking that 1000 Euros.

I texted once, but I didn’t repeat it because I didn’t get a reply. I woke up in the morning and picked up my mobile phone, and I was shocked to enter social media.

My eyes twinkle, my mind is pierced. Pictures of 3 more girls, including Maria. Giving a big title — “Fraud in the name of street child fund, 4 cheaters seek the truth.” Though I was shocked, my thinking was still working. That means she was arrested a few more days ago, but I don’t understand. The news did not catch my eye.

I kept remembering one of Maria’s sentences — “Sir, I’m impressed.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought; to cheat, I have to be impressed. Maria is brilliant; she has trapped me in the net of Impressed.

The Greek media does not lie; she and her associates have pleaded guilty. She’s a cheater; the law won’t let her. I thank the superior; she was caught before he was more impressed.

From then on, if anyone says “I’m impressed” then Maria comes to mind. I liked this word in Maria’s sweet voice.. But now I don’t like the sentence anymore. Wants to reply — “I’m shocked.”

Love ends before it begins…