C1

Have you met angels in real life? Feeling as if your life is only focused on someone. Shebecomes the center of your world as if gravity keeps you drawn towards her. Someone you deserve to wait no matter how long. Someone who makes you forget all your sadness just by looking at her. Someone who can make you happy just by seeing her smile even though you are not the reason for that smile.

It might sound a little exaggerated, but I've found the angel. A very beautiful angel with a sweet sincere smile, her eyes are also very beautiful makes everyone like her. It's not an exaggeration but the angel really came to me, her name was Precious.

I am a weak person and always get bullied every day. I am short and unattractive, I also don't have any advantages like other cool kids because of that no one wants to be friends with me. I was used to being ignored and standing alone in the corner of the playground while watching other kids play happily ever since I was 5 years old so as usual I was standing in the corner watching other kids playing while imagining being one of them.

I never imagined or even expected anything, but that day the miracle happened to me. A girl came over to me and stretched out her hand asking me to be her friend. I can only be silent and open my eyes wide because it is very difficult for me to believe a beautiful girl whom everyone likes reached out to me and asked me to be her friend.

"Do you really want to be my friend?" I asked stupidly

But She smiled and said she really wanted to be my friend. It was a simple little act but in fact it was what made Precious an angel to me. I, as a child, really admired her and that admiration grew into love over time. Even when we entered high school my feelings towards Precious were the same

School may be a fun place for cool, smart kids or those who are very sociable but it's not for me. Surely you also have people who are very lousy and not easy to get along with. People who have a bad appearance with glasses and always hold a book. Someone who is always the target of other people's anger. If you ask him what school is like, I'm sure he will say like hell because that's how I feel.

Every morning I had to be mentally prepared every time I went to school because a bunch of bully brats would catch me and make me their vehicle to vent their anger if they saw me. That's why I have to be very careful when entering school so they don't find me.

I thought I had managed to avoid them by passing through the entrance gate while covering my face with a bag but I was wrong. As soon as I passed through the gate and started to feel relieved, one of them grabbed my uniform by the back and dragged me behind the school.

I don't know why they always do this to me every morning, maybe it's just their instinct as a predator to attack their weak prey like me because as far as I remember I have never wronged them. Even so they would force me to kneel down like a dog then take all the punches and kicks they gave me.

It hurts a lot but I have to endure all of it every day without being able to do anything. Maybe for you I look stupid because I just accept all that so I think so too, but there is nothing I can do because if I fight I know I will lose to them then they will start to repay me by beating me even worse.

Even though school feels like hell there is one thing that keeps me going and that is my angel Precious. Every time I was beaten she would come and the people hitting me would stop. She would chase away the bullies and then she would take me to the school garden to treat my wounds. It was a happy time that made me forget all my pain. I am happy that my angel is sitting near me.

“Why do you always let them beat you like this? You should fight and beat them. ” Precious said and I could see the concern in the look in her eyes

"How can I fight them? They are in groups while I am alone, if I fight I will lose then they will treat me even worse than this. ” I said

"This is why they beat you, you fool." Said Precious

Even though she calls me stupid somehow I like it when she calls me stupid. Maybe it's because I feel like she really cares about me every time she calls me stupid. However, I am very happy to be able to sit near Precious and talk casually like this with her because I have feelings that I hide from her.

Precious never knew I was secretly having feelings for her. She is the most beautiful and most popular girl in school because of that she is always liked by boys. Compared to the cool guy who approached her I was happy enough to be a messenger who always stood by her side and did whatever she asked.

Seeaskeder shining from afar became my own happiness. Seeing her smile and listening to what she says also makes me very happy. And what makes me most happy is doing what she asks because it makes me feel that I'm useful and maybe she needs me.

At first I thought that was enough for me. I thought I could just look at it from afar and save my feelings for me but as soon as I realized we might not see each other again after graduation, I started getting restless and scared.

My love for her grew so big and deep than a one-sided love without me knowing it. My fear of being separated from her prompted me to muster up the courage to confess my feelings to her and I decided I would express my love for her at our graduation.

I also bought flowers and chocolates to give to her after graduation. My head kept thinking how I would express my feelings to her. My heart was beating fast because I was so excited even though I became very restless.

But all was in vain because Precious didn't show up at the graduation ceremony, someone told me that Precious had moved in with her mother because her parents were gonna to divorce. I was broken and heartbroken because of my love whose story has not even started.II live my days hoping to meet my angel again. The next time we meet, will I have a chance to start this untold love story?

Monday morning is always a busy morning for everyone who works in an office. Especially for the customer service division at AD(Adepoju olaoluwa) Group of companies engaged in exports and imports and so many other business. Some are busy answering the phone while some are busy dealing with consumers who come in .

Suddenly the sound of a loud desk bang on one of the tables made all eyes on the table. The sound of customers' thunder booming made everyone feel disturbed.

A customer urges to return the package in the form of a bag that he has received. Arguing that the bag arrived when his wife was at home and because of that, his wife was furious with him.

"Are you looking down on me? Why can't I ask for the goods to be returned ?! I paid you not to create trouble for me! I told you that bag was for Grace, why did you send it to my house ?! ” the middle-aged consumer snapped

"Sorry, but it's not our fault, sir. We only ship items according to the address given to us by you sir . " The employee replied with a forced smile

"Then, do you mean it's my fault ?! Anyway I want to return it and you have to apologize to my wife. Because of you my wife is furious and wants to kill me! ”

" But that..."

The employee stopped talking when a man wearing a suit gave a signal with his hand and approached the customer who was complaining.

" Sorry, Sir. I'm Alex and the manager here. Can I help you?" said Alex politely

"Good you came, I want to return the bag I ordered for Grace. You sent it when my wife was at home and now my wife is furious. " Said the customer

"Sorry, sir, but the package that was received cannot be returned. What about this sir, you send us a new address to send the package ?. So we will take the package from your wife and apologize stating we are mistaken sending the package to a wrong address . " Said Alex giving a solution

After thinking for a short time the customer finally agreed and gave a new address. The problem was resolved well in the hands of competent Alex.

" Thank you sir. For helping me deal with those fierce customers. " Said Liza who was previously overwhelmed by the fussy customers.

"It's okay, it's not a big problem. Just keep up the hard work. " Said Alex

Alex returned to his office. He immediately start working on the documents that are piled up on his desk.

After completing his work, Alex then raised his head and lean his back on the chair. The sound of incoming messages from his smartphone caught his attention. Alex also reads incoming messages from his high school classmate chat group.

A reunion invitation from a classmate was the topic of conversation in the group chat. At first Alex was not too interested and just slide down the screen of his smartphone lazily. Until finally a name appeared and caught his attention.

"Precious is coming!" Sent by one of his friends

That short sentence makes Alex immediately stood up while holding his smartphone with both hands. Alex also smiled broadly and his eyes shone brightly as if something amazing had happened.

Precious , she is the main character in Alex's life. A girl whose every step is always followed by light.

Like everyone, Alex also has a secret love story that is stored beautifully in his heart.

An unspeakable love.

Like a secret admirer.

***

At that time Alex sat in class 2 high school. Alex who used to have a geeky look exactly like a bookworm. Someone who is not stylish and wears tacky glasses and always brings books wherever he goes.

People like this always crave peaceful school life and graduate without problems, but they never get that peaceful environment they want .Because there will always be school thugs who like to disturb the peace.

Alex's day always start with the annoyance of sulaimon the school thug who is always waiting for him at the school gate. Alex also always received a warm welcome from Sulaimon which he called a brief physical training.

And when he had such difficulties precious would come with her graceful steps like a Goddess. Precious will always help Alex escape from the clutches of Sulaimon. Sulaimon would not dare to make Precious angry because he likes precious just the same way other men likes her .

Sulaimon will smile while scratching his head which is not even itchy but to this is his way of showing how shy he is . And every time precious asks if he hit alex, sulaimon will give a silly excuse like he was just playing with Alex even though precious would never believe that kind of silly lies.

Then precious will take alex to the school park. With a first aid kit, precious helps treat the corner of Alex's injured lips.

"Hold a little, don't be so whiny." Said Precious as Alex grimaced in pain when he was going to treat his wound.

"But it hurts ..." said Alex, grimacing in pain

"Because you're like this, Sulaimon likes to bother you. Why don't you fight back and make him stop bothering you? " said precious, asking

"I just don't want to make the problem bigger." Alex answered

"Precisely if you stay quiet he will be more and more offhand, you idiot." Said precious, shaking her head

Precious closed her first aid kit and put it back in the bag. They also walk together to their class, and they were having some random brief discussion in their way to the class to kill silent mood

"Today I have volleyball training after school." Said precious telling her activities

"I know, I'll buy your favorite drink." Alex answered

Like a waiter, Alex waited on the sidelines while watching precious who was practicing volleyball. He was standing with a small towel in his left hand and a bottle of soft drink in his right hand, Alex might look pitiful in the eyes of others. But that is a happy thing for Alex.

For a secret admirer, watching someone you like is always fun. Moreover, Precious who is practicing volleyball looks more charismatic and beautiful in his eyes. Giving towels and drinks to Precious who was tired after practicing will make him really happy .

The love that Alex felt continued to develop over time. Until the day of graduation Alex ventured and planned to express his feelings to precious . But unfortunately precious did not attend the graduation ceremony and just disappeared.

This made Alex never get chance to express his feelings.

***

After a few years Alex's love hasn't faded. In fact, his longing for Precious always fill his day. After seeing the message that said precious would come to the reunion arouse alex’s hope. Alex is increasingly hoping he will be able to meet precious.

His hope that shines again makes the view of the highway behind the window feel amazing. Maybe because he kept imagining that he would meet precious whom he had longed for.

***

The moon illuminates the night sky along with the stars. Alex is choosing the best suit he has to wear at the reunion he will attend. One by one he wore his jacket while watching his appearance in the mirror.

After changing suits several times, Alex finally decided to wear a navy suit. Alex t sprayed perfume on his body, and he looked at himself in the mirror.

His eyes trembled and his chest moved up and down. Maybe it's because he was nervous about meeting the girl he had assessed since high school.

Alex also sighed and tried to reduce the nervousness he felt. He held his chest beating fast while looking at himself in the mirror.

"Calm down, you have to calm down Alex ,The day you've been waiting for has finally arrived, you can't ruin this day. Relax, you can do it. " Alex said to himself

Alex attended the reunion held at a five-star restaurant. Many people came but Alex did not see precious . Alex thinks precious might not be here yet. Alex sat in the corner of the restaurant directly facing the entrance so he could immediately see the person who entered.

Over time, more people came, but precious was still invisible. The program continues and many talk about work problems. There are those who boast of their position at their place of works, there are also those who made complaints about their boss and even those who are married discuss their household problems.

Alex felt so bored that he did not even want to touch the food and drinks served on the table. His eyes could not be separated from the entrance in front of him. Maybe because he really hoped that precious would enter from that door which he absolutely really did .

However, suddenly someone approached him and sat next to him. That person is Sulaimon , yes that Sulaimon who always bother him back then when they are still in high school. But sulaimon's appearance was far different from what alex remembered. Sulaimon in high school looks strong and has a strong intimidating aura while Sulaimon who is currently sitting next to him looks withered and has a grim aura.