Flash Fiction

The Cleaning Lady

It was already 12.15 am when Sheila checked her phone. But she gave it another go, flipping the pages and skimming through neon highlighted notes for the third time.

The midterms were just around the corner, and getting anything but an A was the last thing on her mind.

Her eyes felt heavy, and she caught herself reading the same line when her phone vibrated.

It was a text from her roommate.

She looked at the time again, and it was 12.35 am.

I should go back now. She finally made up her mind.

So she collected her stuff, then switched off the lights and ACs before leaving.

On her way back, she yawned loudly without a care in the world. It wasn’t like there were any other students there anyway. But then, she flinched when a patrol guard pointed a flashlight at her.

“I was studying in the study hall just now. But I’m going back to the dorm now.” Sheila blocked the blinding ray with her pencil case.

Students should be in their dorms by 11 pm. But Sheila often got away because the patrol guard knew she was a late-night regular at the study hall.

“Okay then.” He lowered his flashlight. “But it’s late, so you should hurry and get back.”

Sheila continued her brief walk to the dorm. As soon as she got into the elevator, she pressed nine.

She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, almost drifting away…

Ding!

But was soon awoken when the elevator reached the third floor.

She held the door for a cleaning lady struggling to push her cart of sanitation supplies into the elevator.

“Thank you.” The cleaning lady said softly when Sheila moved aside to give her more space.

“You’re welcome.” She leaned against the wall, resting her tired eyes.

All Sheila wanted was to snuggle in a soft blanket and rest her head on a cozy pillow. But she also couldn’t help feeling anxious for tomorrow’s morning lecture.

Dr. Lee’s class is the worse in the morning! I should’ve gone back earlier. It’s so late that I won’t have enough…

Sheila opened her eyes, then recited the same thought.

It’s so late that I won’t have…

It’s so late…

She held her breath.

So… late?

Sheila jolted and immediately pressed the open button urgently with her cold, trembling finger.

Then, a sudden shiver reached her ear. “Took you long enough!” The voice faded.

She dropped everything, fell onto the floor, and screamed hysterically. Everyone ran out of their dorm rooms to find Sheila crying and screaming, shaking on the ground in the elevator all by herself.

This story is inspired by my brother’s dormitory experience.