You?

Chantel was home working on her designs when her mother walked into her room. She was busily drawing on her workbook when her mother walked in on her. Without raising her head to acknowledge her mother's presence, she continued to draw in her book. Someone might think Chantel has no respect because of what she did. But, that is not the case. Chantel is very passionate about what she does. So, whenever she picks up her book to start drawing, she puts all her concentration on her work. Her parents and friends know this, that is why they do not bother her when she starts working on her designs. 

But today was different. They needed provisions in the house. Mrs Asare would have gone to the shop herself but she was not feeling well. So, she had no option than to ask her busy daughter for help. Her husband had already left for work and the maid in the house was busy with other chores and Mrs Asare did not want to bother her. 

Truthfully, Mrs Asare did not like the maids buying provisions for the house. She always did the shopping herself. And it had always been that way. But since today she did not feel well, she wanted Chantel to do it for her. 

"Baby girl," her mother called her. 

"Hm? What's up?" Chantel responded, still not looking up. 

"Can you please do me this favor? I want you to help me to do some shopping for the house. Can you please do that for me?" her mother asked her. 

"Sure. I will be done very soon then I will go to the shopping mall and get you whatever you want," she said and continued with her work. 

Mrs Asare smiled and got up. Her daughter had just agreed to go shopping for her. Something she has not done in a long time because she was not living with her, her mother. 

"Thank you so much, honey."

"No problem, mother."

Ever since Chantel returned to the country with her son, all she has been doing is working on her designs and looking for a place to start her fashion house. Her parents thought that now that she had found a place where she could work, all the stress will go down. But no. Chantel kept on pressing on and pressing on. She was working harder now and sometimes even forgot to take breakfast. She even did not go out with her friends anymore. Everything she did was for her fashion house, and nothing more. 

Chantel was already done with her designs. She only wanted to add a few things to it. When she was finally done, she was happy with her work. She smiled to herself and kept her book inside her drawer, where she always kept all her design books. 

She ran downstairs and picked up her purse from the center table in the living room on her way out. Her mother had already written down the things she wanted to buy  for the house and had placed them in the kitchen. Chantel walked into the kitchen where she picked up the list written on a piece of paper. She looked at the list and memorised everything in her head then walked out the door without taking the list with her.

Chantel walked into the shopping mall and picked up a basket. Then she moved from aisle to aisle, looking for the things her mother wanted her to buy. The shopping mall was huge, and she seem lost. So, she decided to ask for help. That is when she saw one of the shop attendants, arranging some glasses on a shelf. She approached her, in hopes that she would help her find some of the things she wanted to buy. 

"Excuse me. Hello," she smiled and waved at the young lady who smiled back at her. 

"Hello," the young woman replied. 

"I am sorry to bother you. It's been a long time since I last came here. So, I seem to have lost my way. Anyway, can you please show me where I can get rice and oil? I am really lost here," Chantel admitted shyly. 

"Don't worry, madam. It is the next aisle behind you. You will see all the types and kilos of rice you need," the lady smiled at her and pointed to the aisle behind Chantel.

Chantel chuckled, feeling quite embarrassed. "Thank you so much dear. I don't know what I would have done if I had not met you."

"You are welcome, Miss."

Chantel turned and walked towards the aisle the lady attendant had  pointed to. She kept looking around to make sure that she was at the right place. When she saw the aisle she was looking for, she sighed triumphantly. She should start coming here more. This way, she would be able to move around with ease, without having to depend on others for help, she thought. 

She walked a few steps towards the aisle and suddenly bumped into someone. She dropped her basket and her purse as a result. The person who bumped into her began to apologise to her profusely and bent down to pick her purse and basket for her. 

"I am so sorry, Miss. I was not looking. Hope you are okay," the man said. 

"It's okay. Don't worry about it. Just be careful the next time, okay? Not everyone will be this nice to you when you bump into them like this," Chantel replied and smiled. 

The man handed the purse and basket over to Chantel, and that is when their eyes met. Then suddenly, the time seemed to have stopped between them. They both stared at each other for a while. They were both in shock with what they were seeing. 

"Chantel? Is this really you?" the man said, his eyes wide with shock. 

"You? Why are you here?" she asked the man, looking suddenly irritated. 

"I can't believe you are here before me. After fifteen long years, I finally get to see you," Kevin smiled. 

"I wish I could say the same. I can't believe I had to see you today of all days. Why do you have to be the first person I see after I stepped out of my house today?" she rolled her eyes and began to walk away from Kevin who ran towards her and grabbed her arm. 

"Chantel, wait! Can we talk? We really need to talk," Kevin said. 

"Talk? Now you want to talk? Kevin, you and I don't have anything to say to each other and don't ever touch me ever again," she brushed his hand off away from her. 

"Chantel, please at least hear me out... "

"Tell that to whoever who cares to listen. I don't have anything to say to you and neither do I want to listen to whatever you have to say. So, have a nice day," she smiled at him, even though it was not sincere and walked away from Kevin who just watched her helplessly.