The following morning, Ariella entered the shop with purposeful strides, though her heart felt anything but steady. The man's biting words echoed in her mind, cutting through her defenses as if she were fragile and insignificant.
She had hardly slept at all.
Each time she closed her eyes, the phrases replayed relentlessly:
"Small and confused."
"People like you don't know anything."
"Where did they find you?"
It took every ounce of strength she had to resist letting that voice pull her back into the darkness she was gradually emerging from.
Yet, she showed up for work.
She had to.
She needed to save for school.
She needed to rebuild her life.
"Ariella, could you please arrange the seasoning cubes?" Madam Tayo called out.
Her tone was unusually warm, perhaps sensing the weight Ariella carried today.
Ariella nodded quietly and moved toward the shelf.
She was midway through her task when the shop door swung open.
Not bothering to look up, she continued her work, accustomed to the steady stream of customers.
But then she noticed footsteps slowing down near her.
And then…
"Excuse me."
Her heart skipped a beat.
She recognized that voice.
Frozen with a pack of seasoning cubes in hand, breath caught in her throat, she slowly lifted her gaze.
It was him.
The same man from yesterday.
The loud one.
The one whose words had made her hands tremble and her heart ache.
Today, he appeared different—his shoulders were slumped, his expression uneasy, almost remorseful.
Madam Tayo, sensing the tension in the air, stepped forward.
"Yes, how can we assist you?" she inquired.
The man cleared his throat. "Actually… I came to speak with her."
Ariella's stomach tightened.
He approached cautiously, hands clasped behind his back like a child caught in mischief.
"Um… good afternoon," he said, his voice tentative.
She remained silent.
He swallowed hard, clearly grappling with his thoughts.
"Look, about yesterday…" he began, rubbing the back of his neck. "I… I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."
Ariella averted her gaze, unsure if she could trust her voice just yet.
"I had a really bad day," he continued softly. "Not that it excuses my behavior. I just want to acknowledge that I took my frustration out on you, and that wasn't fair."
She blinked in surprise. Apologies weren't something she often encountered—especially not from men like him.
"I actually double-checked the list when I got home," he added with an awkward cough. "You were right; I wrote 'small semo.' That was my mistake."
He exhaled deeply.
"I'm sorry."
The words were simple yet fell into the silence like pebbles dropped into water.
Finally, Ariella found her voice, calm yet steady:
"It's alright, sir."
"No," he shook his head firmly. "It's not alright. I embarrassed you in front of others. That wasn't right."
Taking a slow breath to center herself, she replied, "You didn't embarrass me. I'm just trying to learn."
He looked down, shame washing over him. "You're doing well—better than many girls your age I've seen in shops."
She glanced at him, uncertain if he truly meant it.
He then reached into his pocket and placed a small nylon bag on the counter.
"This is for you."
She frowned. "Sir, I don't—"
"It's not money," he interjected quickly, almost in a panic. "Just… a small pack of biscuits. I buy them for my daughter every day. She noticed you looked sad yesterday and insisted I buy one extra."
Ariella's eyes widened.
The little girl had seen her?
The man stepped back, hands raised in a gesture of peace.
"I mean no offense. I'm not trying anything. Just… consider it a peace offering."
She looked at the nylon bag. It was small, yet it felt significant.
It felt like dignity being restored.
Like someone recognizing that she deserved better than how she had been treated.
Like the universe affirming that she was worthy of respect.
Gently, she picked it up.
"Thank you," she whispered.
He nodded, visibly relieved. "You're a good girl. Don't let people like me bring you down."
With that, he turned and exited quietly—no shouting, no pride, no insults.
As the door closed, Madam Tayo raised her eyebrows at Ariella.
"You see? Some people do have sense; it just takes a while for them to realize it."
Ariella let out a shaky laugh, and for the first time since yesterday, her heart felt lighter.
She tucked the biscuits into her bag, not out of necessity, but as a reminder of something profound:
Even those who are broken can experience kindness sometimes.