IN QUEST OF A SOULMATE

A BLESSED DAY

I went to bed contemplating my life; in just a few weeks, I will turn twenty-eight, and I have accomplished nothing, I thought to myself with a sorrowful sigh.

Everything is wrong in my life, and my romantic relationship is even worse.

I turned and turned on the bed, angry with myself, hoping that my twenty-eighth birthday would bring an end to the misery in my life.

I was startled out of sleep when my alarm went off because I knew my sister would be upset. I hastily turned off the loud alarm clock.

I put on my glasses and wait for my sister's usual ranting because I'm sure she would be unhappy and pissed off already. Well, I was right; she turned on her side of the bed and glare at me in anger ready to throw insulting words at me as usual

“You don't have to disturb the whole community with that thing before you get ready for work” she snapped at me and I stood up ignoring her.

I went to the bathroom, followed my daily routine of washing my hair and clean the toilet before getting dressed in my usual baggy clothes, picked up my bag and put my glasses back on.

I came downstairs and the table is already set for breakfast, Mum always made it her duty to make breakfast for everyone every morning without asking for help.

Let me quickly introduce myself, my name is Rhoda Brown, I am the first child of Mr. Morris and Mrs. Judith Brown with two sibling, Sarah and Damian.

I am a nerd, an introvert and physically ugly, I receive a lot of attention from my parent because of my physical state which becomes one of the reasons my immediate sister hates me and she never fail to tell it to my face reminding me about how ugly I look

Coupled with the fact that her marriage with her long time boyfriend, Smart is being delayed because I am yet to get a spouse, she takes out her anger on me anytime she has the chance…

I had a quick breakfast of sandwich and a glass of milkshake, pecked mum on the cheek and hastened to meet up with dad so I can get a ride with him to work.

I got to the building where I work as an attendant and rushed down the stairs after finding out that the elevator is down, in an hurry to get the door, I bumped into someone and my bag fell to the ground.

I lifted up my head and my eyes met with his dazzling and beautiful eyes, the annoyed look on his face after bumping into her seems to make him more attractive and I couldn't help but stare at him dazed.

"Hmm" he cleared his throat obviously embarrassed by my ogling and I quickly stood up to apologize but he beats me to it and mouthed a sorry in a calm and deep voice, I stared done at him plump pink lips and noticed that his beautiful blue eyes are still staring at me.

"Will you get your butt here?" The manager of the library tells at me as she approaches us and that jolt me back from the fantasy world i already created in my head.

"I am so sorry" I also apologized to him and pick my stuffs from the floor then hurried through the stairs inside the library.

My only friend and best girl, Leah walks up to me and inform me on the mountain of work pending for us. I quickly changed into my vest and get to work.

~

Work was really hectic that day because we have to arrange the new books on the shelves and some people need to borrow and also return books.

Despite being the receptionist, I sometime help in the main library if the workload is too much and today is not an exception

During our lunch break, we head to the office cafeteria and order our usual.

"There's a new manager in the library" Leah spoke after a while

"His name is Jake Smith, a handsome man in his thirties, he's the dream man of all ladies here, I'm sure you will like him" she said her eyes beaming with excitement.

Leah and I did practically everything together from high school until now, we became seatmate after our sitting was arranged based on our grades and end up becoming best of friends since then but Leah is a total man lover.

Her beautiful face and figure didn't help things as she is always surrounded by men and has a long line of boyfriends

"I can wait to see him I hope he hasn’t asked about the receptionist yet? I can't afford to lose my job" I emphasized

This is the only job that keeps me sane at home, because staying at home and seeing my sister will be hell for me. That is why I hardly go on leave.

"Rhoda, don't look at your right side someone is coming here" Leah said hitting my shoulder slightly, looking smitten

"Hello ladies, may I share this table with you?"

I rise up my head to look at whoever it is that offered to sit with us and I am stunned by his looks again, I wondered what luck I have today to be able to come in contact with two handsome faces in just a day and giggled silently to myself .

Leah was quick to regain her composure

"Yes, you may sit here" she answered him and I quickly adjusted my chair to give him space to seat.

" My name is Jake Smith and I am the new manager here" he said.

"I met with you already, I was at the formal introduction meeting this morning" Leah told him flashing her seductive smile at him but he is not taking the hint.

He smiled politely at Leah and turned his face to look at me, I was busy with my hamburger when I noticed the silence at the table and raise up my head to see four eyes looking at me intently.

He asked for my name and I quickly introduced myself, he stretched his hand towards me and I was so nervous to touch him, he smiled at me and I gently stretched my hand to touch his...

"Can we be friends Rhoda?" He asked still grinning at me and I blushed

This is the first man asking to be my friend aside my younger brother, I couldn't contain my joy. Not because I was expecting more, but because I am even getting a male friend, another friend other than Leah.

I was sat there shocked when Leah tapped me gently on the lap; I jerked back to life and quickly said yes trying not to sound too nervous.

He smiled at me and I saw the most beautiful set of teeth ever.

"Since we are officially friends, can I have your number?" He asked again causing me to choke on my drink at the unexpected request.

I coughed so hard and only calmed down after drinking a cup of water on the table then dropped the cup.

"You want me to give you my phone number?" I asked to be sure I didn't just imagined that and he answered positively

I quickly nod my head like a lizard. I gave him my contact and he saved it as Cute Rhoda, he smiled at me again and I tried so hard to give the most beautiful smile I have.

He asked if Leah can be his friend too since he's new in the state he will be needing company. She quickly agreed and she put her line on his phone too.

He saved her contact as Leah and I noticed my friend's face dropped. He stood up, took his plate and promised to see us later. We returned to the office and continued the day job.

Settling down on my chair, I saw the guy at the staircase walking directly to my table.

"Good afternoon" he greeted me and I quickly replied him.

"You work here right? Can you suggest books on crime and romance?" He asked

I gave him the names of four interesting novels on crime and romance that I know and he also asked if I know some about laws, I suggested two and he took six out of my recommendation promising to return them as soon as possible.

Leah rushed to my table asking me if the guy who just left dropped his phone number and I said yes, she begged me to give it to her and I blatantly refused. We attended to other customers and we closed for the day.