The drive to the market felt like it took a lifetime. Usually, it's a quick twenty-minute trip, but today, every traffic light felt like an hour. When we finally pulled up in front of the store, I didn't even wait for the engine to stop. I jumped out of the car before my father could even turn the key.
"Hey, young girl! Be careful! What is with all the rush?" Dad called out, sounding startled.
"Rush?" I turned back, grinning. "Come on, Dad. Don't tell me you aren't anticipating meeting Auntie Sarah today."
"Wait, what?" Dad stepped out, leaning against the door. "Is that why you have been acting abnormal today, Madam? You nearly spoilt my car door by forcing your way out!"
I just sighed and looked down, pretending I hadn't heard him. I knew he was expecting her just as much as I was; he just didn't want to admit it. But that was just him—it had always been him, keeping his feelings locked behind his "Serious Businessman" face.
I went about my normal duties, helping to open the store after that I sat at my usual spot, but this time, I pulled my stool much closer to the roadside.
There was no way I was going to miss a single person walking by. I was monitoring everyone, my eyes darting back and forth like a hawk, even while I attended to customers. I nearly miscalculated a woman's change because I was so distracted, but I caught it just in time.
Dad was the same. He tried to look busy with the crates of milk and bags of sugar, but his eyes were glued to the road just like mine.
"Hey, Dad," I said, leaning on the counter. "I thought you had a meeting at 12:00 PM. Are you not going anymore?"
"Oh, yeah... about that. The meeting has been rescheduled to next weekend," he said quickly.
"It has? I didn't know that," I replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah, it just happened."
"It just happened?" I teased. "So, who rescheduled it? I bet it was you, right?"
"Umm... yeah, I did," he muttered. "I just couldn't bear to leave you here alone since most of the workers didn't come today."
"But three of them are right there!" I pointed to the boys stacking bags of flour.
"That's not enough! And please, stop being nosy," Dad snapped, though I could see his ears turning a bit red.
"I am? But you've been staring at the roadside for a while now. Are you expecting a customer?"
"Oh, yeah... I am." Dad said
"Oh, I see," I said with a giggle.
"And that laughter was for what?" he asked, trying to look stern.
"Nothing, Dad!" I made a gesture like I was zipping my mouth shut and went back to the ledger.
But as the hours ticked by, my heart started to sink. Why hasn't she shown up yet? Is she not coming today? I really wanted to see her.
By the afternoon, the sun began to dip low. Dad looked just as restless. He kept pacing the small office space, checking his watch every two minutes.
"Okay, young lady," Dad finally said, his voice heavy with disappointment. "It's time to close the shop. It is almost 5:00 PM."
"Dad, is it 5:00 PM already? And Auntie Sarah hasn't shown up..." I felt a lump in my throat. I had waited all day for nothing.
"I know," Dad said, resting a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. "Maybe she will come next week."
I stood up slowly, feeling defeated. But just as I reached for my bag, a familiar scent drifted through the heavy evening air. It was light, flowery, and sweet.....Lavender.
As soon as the smell hit my nose, my head snapped up. I didn't even think; I just rushed toward where the scent was coming from. I pushed past a stack of crates and ran toward the edge of the store.
There, standing right beside our shop, was the woman who had been disturbing my thoughts for days. She looked as calm and beautiful as ever in the golden sunset light.
"Auntie Sarah!" I yelled out, my voice full of joy, even though she was standing right next to me.