Chapter 3 The Union 2

At the Suburb

It was a few weeks for her to leave for her internship, yet, she was undecided about her shop. Locking it up until further notice would not have been a problem if she had other means of meeting her needs.

"Life! How will I cope?" She bewailed. Nevertheless, destiny gave her the answer to the question at once. Instantly, Mrs. Owen walked in contentedly, and called out, "Hello, young girl."

Now, the moody Rose looked up and cheered up when her eyes fell on the visitor.

"Good day, ma'am. I'm delighted to see you again," she greeted.

"Good day, my dear. I'm delighted to see you, too. Thank you so much for your gift the other day."

"You are welcome. I hope you love it?"

"Certainly, and that is why I have come for more."

"That won't be a problem, but you would give me days to put it together."

"You don't need to worry about that. I will need it three days from now."

"That's good," Rose accepted merrily. Nevertheless, she cast a concerned look at Sarah, who was trying to make payment for the stuff with her phone, and inquired, "How do you feel now? I hope your blood sugar levels stabilized?"

"The flour was for my mother. Yes, she was relieved. Thank you, once again."

"It is my pleasure, ma'am."

"Can I have your account details for the transfer? How much will it cost you to prepare ten kilograms?"

"It wouldn't cost much because this is the season."

"You are correct. Give me your details," she requested while her attention was on her phone. Howbeit, she transferred a reasonable sum after she made her details available.

"Wow! This is much," Rose exclaimed when she got the payment. Mrs. Owens gave her a warm smile and changed the discussion.

"You are a nice girl, Rose," she pointed out. Subsequently, Rose smiled bashfully, and appreciated, "Thank you for the compliment ma'am. You have been standing, kindly take a seat," she offered, and pulled her reading chair to the entrance for her.

"Thank you, dear," she greeted and sat on the funny-looking chair. Suddenly, two shoppers walked in, she attended to them happily. Thereafter, Sarah inquired, "If I may ask, are you an attendant, or is this your family business?"

"It is my family business, ma'am."

Now, she looked at the store and imagined how the scanty shop could support a family. All the same, she was expressionless, and commended, "That is good. How about your parents? I can't remember seeing them."

Now, she observed that her countenance failed, and wondered why. Meanwhile, tears had gathered in her eyes, and she could not pretend about it.

"You are in pain, my dear. What is the matter?" Mrs. Owens requested with concern. Then, Rose composed, and explained, "I lost my mother two months ago. She died exactly a year after my father died."

"My goodness! Was she ill?"

"Yes ma'am. She had sugar disease, and died as a result of improper health care."

"Oh dear, accept my condolences, my dear," she sympathized.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Permit me to ask what about the other members of your family? I mean your siblings?"

Now, Rose bit her lower lip hard and allowed her tears to flow freely.

"I need vanilla sweet," a mother with a baby requested. Without a second thought, Sarah, who felt disturbed, dismissed her, "Sorry, it's not available."

The disappointed woman left at once with her baby for another store. Then, she faced Rose, and consoled, "Kindly stop crying. It's not good for your health."

"Thank you, ma'am. I have a sibling, but she was abducted by people we are yet to discover. I found her body by the roadside a few days after her disappearance."

Now, Sarah showed anger when she discovered that she must be under attack and resolved to help her get justice.

"Your family must be under attack," she pointed out.

"I thought as much, ma'am. That is why I relocated to this suburb to enable me to complete my school."

"School? Are you a student?"

"Yes, ma'am. At the Unity University."

"I see. How do you cope with your school?" Sarah asked and surveyed her shop again.

"That's a long story. I had to change to this environment where I couldn't be traced. Besides, I had to make ends meet to ensure that I fulfill my parents' dream."

"It's a pity. You must have gone through a lot. How do you cope with the store and your school?"

"It has not been easy, but I have been coping. I will leave for my summer internship in a couple of days. That is where I have a challenge."

"I see. So, what happens to the shop when you leave for your internship?" Sarah asked with concern.

"I don't have any choice than to lock up pending when I return."

"Or get a sales girl. Otherwise, the perishable goods will go bad while some may expire."

Now, Rose showed disapproval, and Sarah declared, "I know your fears. The Shop Attendant may not be committed. Am I right?"

"You got it."

"It's okay. I will help you monitor the shop. Will that make you happy?"

"Yes. Ma'am, you have made my day," she pointed out with relief. Now, her sorrowful eyes brightened up, and she appreciated, "Thank you so much."

Mrs. Owens cheered up too, and promised, "Never mind. If you permit me, from now on, you can count on me. I will try as much as possible to fill the vacuum that your late mother left behind."

"I can't wait to see that happen. Thank you so much, ma'am."

"Think nothing about it. I will run along. I will see you again for my mother's flour."

"It is all right. Goodbye," the relieved Sarah walked to the car and joined her driver. Rose, who could not contain her joy, stood at the door and waved happily until her car vanished.

"Wow! Fortune had smiled on me after all," she chuckled.

4 The Union 3