She smiled

The Next Step

   A few months after Chloe's encounter with David, the owner of the chemist, died. Heartbroken, she still had to work to sustain herself and her mother.

Her Papa Joe had finally cut Mama Joe out of the family business. Being disowned by a father is not the most natural path to life for a teenager.

She fought the temptation to get what she needed from other means, like Mr Williams. But love still surrounded her, especially from Mama Joe.

Chloe sold snacks and drinks to make ends meet. On one occasion, she served a quiet, exhausted young man called Akin.

Though Chloe had forgotten her first encounter with him, this time, Chloe met him again at the local library where studying for her exams.

Chloe observed him better from the corner seat where she pretended to be studying.

Akin had a well-pronounced gap in his teeth. The feature daily announced itself with every smile that radiated from his face. His soft-spoken voice rang in Chloe's ears like the sound of quiet waters.

Even though she longed to chat with him, she never considered it her place to approach him. Instead, she waited well enough for an encounter to bring them together once more.

Having done two hours reading, she stepped out of the library to stretch her legs.

Chloe walked over to buy groundnuts from a vendor beside the library. Without prior notice, she heard Akin's soft voice behind her saying,

"I know you. I have met you before."

Pretending she couldn't recollect, she responded:

"Don't you men say that to every girl you meet?"

Laughing at ease, he said,

"I am not men; from the bottom of my heart. I have met you before. Were you not the girl that served drinks at the Student Union building? What was a beautiful girl like you doing there? And what are you doing in the library? My name is Akin."

He, like greased lightning, realised he'd thrown a barrage of questions at her. Akin chuckled as he told Chloe his name.

Chloe broke the silence with her captivating smile. Her dimples were giving away her great delight. She replied Akin,

"Which of your questions do you want me to answer first?"

Akin laughed and said, "Anyone of them."

"Alright, I am reading for my university entrance examination. I am working to take care of my mother and myself."

Chloe could sense his shock from his changed countenance.

"How can a girl like you choose the hard choices?"

Reading his thoughts, she continued.

"Sometimes, life teaches lessons, and you have to learn the lessons to become a better person."

Akin smiled in a slurred voice.

"Don't you want to know me?"

Hiding her eagerness, she replied cheekily

"You tell me? Do you want me to know you?"

Akin with a peal of flirtatious laughter once again showing the gap in his teeth. Responded,

"I have gained admission to the Polytechnic. I was in the library to revise before heading for lectures."

Chloe continued to ask him questions. They shared jokes and talked for the remaining time they spent in the library.