For nearly eight years, I rented out a flat to a coupleboth newcomers to the city. The man worked at a car garage, while the woman was a shop assistant. The rent covered the bills for both my own place and the one I let out, with a little left over for petrol. We had a straightforward, businesslike relationship, and over the years, Id never had any complaints. Then, last year, the woman rang me in tears. She explained theyd found a tumour in her breast. After struggling to get a doctors appointment and waiting ages for tests, she was diagnosed with stage three cancer. When her boyfriend found out, he left her. She had no one to turn tofriends, yes, but none close enough or well-off enough to help. With rent, she was stuck; hed been the main earner, and she couldnt manage alone. She asked for two weeks to move out, planning to return to her village where there was at least a small hospital. Theyd operate here, but shed recover there.
I knew she needed proper treatment, that she wouldnt survive back in the villageour hospital was far better. So, I told her she could stay rent-free while she got treatment. If she could cover the utilities, fine; if not, Id manage. She wept with gratitude. Her mum came from the countryside to help after the surgery. It all went wellshe made it through the operation, the chemo, and into remission.
While they stayed, they did pay toward the bills, not always in full, but something. They insisted they couldnt take it for free. The hardest part? Hearing from people who knewcolleagues, friends, even my own motherthat Id been a fool to lose income when I couldve rented to someone else. Had people really become so callous they couldnt understand helping someone dealt a cruel blow? Her ex never came back, even hurled insultsclaiming shed be a freak with only one breast. Shes lovely, and hearing that? Horrific.
Now, shes healthy, under regular check-ups, and thriving. She kept working, kept renting from me, then met a new chap. This summer, theyre marryingIm a guest of honour! By autumn, theyll get a mortgage and move on. Financially, those months were tighter, but I didnt go without. And Id do it againbecause helping someone keep their life and health? Thats worth more than money. Sometimes, humanity matters more than profit.
