By her second week at the shop, Ariella had seamlessly blended into the daily flow. She had learned which cartons were heavy, which customers enjoyed a good debate, and when Madam Tayo was in a good mood—or when it was best to stay quiet.
People were beginning to notice her—not in the uncomfortable way she had dreaded, but as "that new girl in Tayo's shop, the one who works quickly."
It felt uplifting.
"Ariella, bring me the change," Madam Tayo called out.
She moved swiftly, handing over the notes just before another customer walked in.
"Ah, new girl, you're doing a great job!" an older woman smiled as she purchased garri.
Ariella offered a shy nod. Compliments still felt a bit foreign to her, but she was learning to accept them without retreating.
Everything was going smoothly…
Until he arrived.
A man in his mid-thirties, dressed in a clean shirt with a neatly trimmed beard and a loud voice—clearly someone who believed he was entitled to respect.
"Good afternoon, sir," she greeted him politely.
He disregarded her greeting, dropping a list onto the counter instead.
"Get me everything on this list. And be quick about it. I'm in a hurry."
She glanced at the list—rice, beans, semo, oil, milk, seasoning cubes. Quite a lot.
"No problem, sir," she responded, reaching for the bags.
She lifted the rice first, struggling slightly with the weight. The man chuckled under his breath.
"So this small girl is the one working here now? Madam Tayo couldn't hire someone better?"
She paused for just a moment.
Then she continued working.
She had promised herself to remain unbothered by people's words. She couldn't afford any trouble.
She packed the items neatly and pushed them toward him.
"That's everything on the list, sir."
His frown was immediate.
"Where's the semo?"
She pointed at it. "Right here."
"That one? That small one?" he snapped. "Are you trying to give me nonsense? Didn't you read the list properly?"
She took the paper again, checking carefully.
"Sir, this is the exact size written—one small semo."
"Don't tell me what I wrote!" he shouted, his voice loud enough to turn heads. "You think just because you're small and confused, you can cheat me?"
Her throat tightened.
Her hands trembled.
Her ears rang with embarrassment.
She swallowed hard. "Sir, I'm not cheating you—"
"Oh, just be quiet," he retorted. "People like you don't know anything. That's why customers don't like coming here anymore."
Nearby patrons began to whisper.
Her eyes burned.
She glanced toward Madam Tayo, but the woman was busy assisting another customer.
Ariella stood there, frozen, the list quivering in her hand.
The man continued.
"You better change that semo before I lose my temper. And next time, use your brain. Or go back to wherever they picked you from and learn how to work first!"
A sharp ache pierced her chest.
Where they picked you from.
Learn how to work first.
Small and confused.
The same insults she had encountered before.
The same tone that echoed the words of the boy who had hurt her.
Her breath caught in her throat.
But she didn't cry.
Not a single tear fell.
With as much composure as she could muster, she slowly lifted her chin and said, "I will bring the larger size, sir."
She walked to the shelf, blinking rapidly to keep her vision clear. She selected the larger semo and placed it on the counter.
He examined it as if it were still inadequate, then waved his hand dismissively.
"Better. Next time, don't waste my time."
He paid, snatched his bag, and walked out—without so much as a thank you.
Once he left, Ariella exhaled the breath she had been holding.
Her entire body trembled.
She had been doing so well.
Trying so hard.
Why was kindness so elusive for some people?
Turning away from the counter, she leaned her weight against a shelf to steady herself.
Finally, Madam Tayo emerged and noticed her shaking.
"What happened?" she asked sharply.
Ariella opened her mouth… but no words came out.
Only one thought echoed in her mind:
"Why do people speak to me as if I am nothing?"