Chapter 1: It is Now or Never

    I found her smiling at the bakery one day. She wasn't the prettiest girl I know. To be honest she was below average looking. But that smile was warm enough to melt the heart of an old man standing in front of me in the counter. That day, I didn't know I will actually mean something to her.

   The very same day, I went to saloon for a hair cut. Surprisingly I saw the same girl working as a shampoo girl. She smiled at me warmly as if she knew me for years. Couldn't resist smiling at her back. She carefully shampooed my hair and washed. Her hands were so flexible and played well with my hair and scalp. I went to the bakery again to buy some buns and of course to see if she works there, to my surprise she wasn't there. Guess she quit her job. I soon forgot her and my days went by pressured with work.

    It was a long day at office. I had to run to few places settling some stuffs and I was running out of energy but it was Friday. I didn't want to miss the excitement of Friday night. I went straight to town to fetch some drinks and buy good food to be eaten at home when im watching movie later on. Well, that's my kind of Friday night.

    The traffic to town was unbearable. It was a grid lock jammed everywhere. Just when i was about to scroll my phone while waiting for the lights to turn green, I saw her again. This time drenched. Her blouse and jeans was soaked. Water was dripping from every end of her hair. She was holding her backpack tight walking pass my car. I wondered where she was going drenched like that.
    I went to a cafe to buy some dinner when I saw a friend. I finally ended up chatting with him till 9p.m. It was time for me to rush to the mall to get some toiletries or else I will have to come again. I rushed into Watson's and there again I saw her!! She was wearing a black apron. Her hair was partially wet. She was a promoter for a cosmetic in there. It was almost closing time. I couldn't handle myself.

"Hey. How you doing?"
"Good. Do you want plastic bag sir?"
"Yeah sure."
"That would be extra 20 cents".
"No problem".

I smiled at her and cleared my throat. She knew i wanted something.
 "Do you want anything else sir?"
I let go of my ego and asked her, "Do you mind coming out for a drink with me?"
Her smile faded. She was now staring at me. She smiled again and said, "I am working now sir. I got to close the shop and go home".
"ermmm..if that's the case, maybe I should wait and walk you out of the mall until you get a bus back home? I am a gentleman. Dont worry".
She smiled shyly this time agreeing. I watched her as she shut the metal bars shut. She carried her bag and walked out. I accompanied her outside the mall. She had a funny walking style. She was carrying her backpack, her hair left loose, and her jelly footwear suited her well.

"So sir, do you often come here?"
"Do me a favor? Stop calling me sir."
"What do I call you then sir?"
"Call me Elvin."
"Okay Elvin. I am Bliss."
"So I saw you working at few places. What is your permanent job?"
"Ermmm. I am jobless Elvin. I work everywhere I can to save up some money to survive over the first semester of my degree education."
"So you are a college student?"
"Not yet. Soon to be when I have enough money to pay my fees."
"Why aren't your parents paying your fees?"
Bliss smiled at me. This time her smile was some sort dull.
"You come from a poor family Bliss?"
She turned around and looked at me.
"Poor family sounds good Elvin."
"What do you mean Bliss?"
"That means, we are not close enough for me to share anything further."
"I am sorry Bliss. I didn't mean to interrogate you."
Bliss laughed. She covered her mouth as she laughed.
"Don't panic Elvin. Anyways, I got to go. My bus is here".
"When and where do I get to see you again Bliss?"
"I work here everyday 3pm-10pm Elvin."
She walked away from me towards the bus. She looked at me and waved. I smiled. I walked back to the car thinking of the most insane thing I just did. It felt good.
I sat in my car thinking when will I get to see her again?