The following week was a very busy one. Chantel and the girls have already started their classes and they had been given the subjects they will be taking in their respective classes. When Chantel had her timetable, she realised she will have to choose between catering and sewing and she chose sewing with much delight. Her mother promised to bring her sewing supplies to her over the weekend, so she was much more excited.
The weekend came with much swiftness. Every girl in the dormitory were at the back of the building, in the open space, washing their dirty clothes. One would have expected Chantel to stay indoors, but, Chantel was not like the other rich spoilt girls. She had the beauty, and she had the skills as well. She knew how to do everything for herself because her mother taught her well.
She packed all the dirty clothes she wore over the week and went outside with the others to wash. Washing her clothes was not a big chore for her, in fact, she always had fun doing it. And moreover, her parents loved her for it. They basically loved her for everything she could do.
She and the girls, brought out their big pans, and started washing together. Chantel washed, Cynthia washed it again for the second time while Adiepena rinsed and dried them. They had a hearty chat as they continued washing. They were almost done when a girl came to inform Chantel that her mother had arrived.
"My mother is here?" she asked, with a big smile on her face.
"Yes, she is at the parking lot waiting for you," the girl answered.
Chantel quickly cleaned her hands with one of her dirty clothes. Adiepena and Cynthia offered to help her carry whatever her mother had brought, but she politely refused and told them it won't be much and that she would not take long. She followed the girl to the parking lot.
As soon as she spotted her mother, she ran to her and hugged her.
"Mother, I missed you so much. How was your trip and how is father?"
"Your father is fine and my trip went well. It's been just a week you left the house and you already miss me? I wonder what will happen if you don't see me in six months?" Her mother joked, letting go of her.
Chantel smiled. Her mother's visit made her happy. She wished her father was here with her, holding her tight and telling her how much he missed her. Chantel loved her mother to death, but she was a daddy's girl. Her mother was her friend and companion but her father was her partner in crime. And her father loved her very much too.
Her father, Mr Asare was on a business trip. He was in Canada, overseeing his branches there and meeting new investors. She was really happy that her father's new business was picking up but due to the distance, she would not be able to see him like she used to.
"I know you miss him. Don't worry, he will be home and will come to see you by the time you open your eyes and close them," her mother said, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"I know, mom. I know he will be here to see me. But, I can't help it. I miss him so much. It's been a month since he left, and it has been lonely without him," Chantel confessed.
Her mother nodded knowingly. She had gone to meet up with Chantel's father and bought few things Chantel would need for her class. While she was there, Mr Asare did not stop talking about how much he missed his only daughter. Not being able to see her bothered him so much, yet there was nothing he could do about it.
"He did not stop telling me how much he misses you. He really wishes he was here too. Believe me. As I said, don't worry, he will be here to see you when he comes back."
Chantel only smiled and nodded at her mother. She knew her father will come to see her and he always kept his promises so, it did not bother her one bit.
Mrs Asare opened the car door and Chantel peeked in. Her eyes widened at what she saw. Her mother had bought a lot of things for her. She bought her a sewing machine, a new sketch book, sewing supplies and some text books. She got her another back pack and two new pairs of shoes.
"Oh Ma, you did not need to bring me all these. I only needed my machine and books, that's it."
"I know. But I just felt I should get you new shoes and the bag."
"But I already have five pairs of shoes which I have worn just one. I don't think I need extra ones. And my back pack is absolutely fine. No need to buy me a new one," Chantel complained.
Her mother just laughed. "Oh my child. You are still so modest. Just accept these ones and I promise I will not buy another one till you ask for it."
Chantel knew her mother will still buy new things for her anyway because there was no where Chantel will ask for them on her own. She smiled and shook her head. She was beginning to regret not allowing the girls help her. Now, she will have to carry all those things by herself, all the way to the dormitory.
Uncle Roger had not come with her mother which meant her mother drove all the way there by herself. Roger was a driver assigned to her because her mother did not want anyone driving her around town. She always said it was a waste of time and money, yet she did not hesitate to buy things Chantel never really needed.
Chantel decided to pack the books to the dorm first. They were very heavy books but she still insisted on carrying them. Mrs Asare stood by the car and waited for her to come back. She made two turns as she made her way to her dorm. As she was about to make the final turn, she bumped into someone, making some of the books fall on the floor.
"I am so sorry. I did not mean to bump into you. Please let me help you pack them," the person offered.
"No-No, it's okay. I should not have carried all these books at a goal. I nearly crashed you with my books. I should be the one apologising," she stared at the boy who was already bending down to pick the rest of the books from the ground.
The boy stood up straight and stared Chantel right in the eyes. Chantel stared right back, enchanted with the boy's eyes and looks. She had never seen such beautiful brown eyes ever in her life. So, seeing one, up close like this, almost brought her to her knees.
The boy also stared at the beautiful girl in front of him. He was so mesmerized by her beauty. He thought he would get lost in it forever till he was able to find his voice again.
"Do you want me to help you? I bet those books you are carrying weigh a lot," the boy offered.
"Thank you very much. But, I am fine. I am almost at my dorm, so don't worry about it," she smiled affectionately at him, making him smile back.
"Well, at least, why don't you tell me your name?" the boy asked, still smiling.
"Chantel. My name is Chantel."
"Nice to meet you, Chantel. I am Kevin Owusu. I am from the kings high school and I came to see a friend here," Kevin introduced himself.
Chantel could not stop staring at Kevin. She began to wonder what was going on with her. Why was Kevin's presence suddenly make her heart beat faster? She tried as much as she could not to stare into his eyes, to no avail. The boy before her had the most gorgeous eyes and she had fallen into them deeply.