Chapter 5 Troubles of love

We both started digging in our food and we were both silent for some minutes before Owen broke the silence "Do you enjoy the food?" He asked. "Yes, it's worth the money." I replied. Owen looked at me, smiled and said "You're beautiful Hazel" I smiled and said "so are you, you're handsome" He ignored my compliment and said "so you're from Ogun state? Where In Ogun?" "Abeokuta" I replied. "How many siblings do you have and does your family stay here in Lagos?" Owen asked. "Four, I have four siblings and yes, they stay in Lagos " I replied. "But you stay alone, don't you get lonely?" Owen asked.

"Well, I do sometimes. But I go Dey Okay" i said. "Are you still single?" Owen asked. I replied with "yes. Although I have been in a couple of relationships since that time but they all didn't work." "Why? Trust issues?" Owen asked. "Yes" I replied. Owen placed his palm on my hand and gave it a little squeeze before saying " Don't worry, everything is going to be okay." I smiled and nodded my head knowing that it might never be. I asked him to tell me about himself. He was quiet for a few seconds and then proceeded to say "my story is a little bit sad but motivating. Are you sure you want to hear this?" I looked at him and said "Absolutely." "My name is Owen Olayemi, I'm a medical doctor. My favorite food is the popular Nigerian rice. My favorite color is black. I grew up in the orphanage, I was told my family died in a ghastly motor accident and I was the only survivor" Anna interrupted him and said "Oh My God I'm so sorry" Owen looked at her with a sad face and said "It's okay" Owen continued "I was only 2years old, the government took me to an orphanage home where I spent my childhood. I was lucky to have been sponsored to primary and secondary school even though no one adopted me. After I completed my secondary education, I had no hope of furthering my education so I decided to take the bold step of escaping the orphanage home so as to hustle and make a better life for my self. I spent the first night under the bridge and many more nights. Sometimes I wouldn't have what to eat so I would have to beg. I hawked pure water before someone introduced me a brick laying job. Being a bricklayer, I was able to save up and sponsored myself to the university where I studied medicine and surgery. While I was in the university, I got a job as a sales boy and working and studying was so tough for me. At a point, I almost gave up but i had to do it because this was my only hope of getting a better life. It wasn't easy but I made it. I graduated, got a job and here I am. I've come a long way."