Building My Life

Chapter 8 Glad to meet you

The girl is startled and faces the boy who wants to help her. Between the shocks, there were seconds to admire. For someone in his 30s, Josias would be considered skinny; but for someone her age, Josias was muscular.

Josias donates R$ 2.00 of his already limited money to help her. “Here it is.” He turns to her, “Sorry, miss. But, I saw you so smiling when choosing the shampoo; I wouldn't want you to leave without it.”

The girl smiles in thanks. “Thanks. It's the shampoo everyone is using; I don't want to be left behind. My friends said it was great.”

“By the way, my name is Josias,” Josias spoke with such certainty that they would meet again. Meanwhile, the clerk adds up and receives payment from him.

“Melissa.” The girl responds, now taking a closer look at the boy who helped her.

They say that while men turn their heads and make it obvious that they are admiring a woman; a woman can do the same with a handsome man with only an imperceptible look. That's exactly what Melissa is doing.

When Josias receives his objects and change, he begins to withdraw. Then he looks at Melissa and informs her. “I live right there.” Pointing in the direction of the favela, he did not want to say directly where it was.

But, to Josias's surprise, she smiles and informs, “Let's go together, then.”

Instead of going ahead to buy more things, as agreed with Teodoro, Josias returns to Happiness Slum accompanied by Melissa. The two talk and get acquainted. Melissa lives with her parents and younger brother. The parents are residents of the slum before she was born, when they got married, the slum was the only place they could live according to their financial situation. She is finishing the last year of high school, still doesn't know what to do, afterward.

Josias, very smart, risks a maneuver to obtain certain information. “I imagine that when you get married, you won't worry too much about a career.”

“What wedding?” Melissa asks, laughing. “There are no suitable candidates, and my father is very discerning. He said he prefers me to be a spinster than to marry someone here and have the same fate as he and Mom. He keeps insisting that we were born for better things.”

Josias smiles too. Information obtained successfully: Melissa is still single, and her father is discerning. He doesn't want his baby girl dating any wretch guy. This only gives Josias more courage to strive to improve his financial situation.

It is because with each step they take, each sentence they say, Josias becomes more and more attached to Melissa. She has green eyes, a fit body, is friendly and orderly. Many girls of her age and situation would be snobs and would already be dating a bad boy. But, if she has managed to stand her ground up to now, and if she obeys her father and respects his opinion, then it is a sign that Melissa is the best candidate for a decent wife.

Josias stops walking when they reach the corner of Main Street and Hope Street, realizing that Melissa will continue.

“Well, Melissa, my way ends here. I live in the building where there is a sign saying about renting rooms.”

“Ah, I think I know where it is. Well, I live further on. So we say goodbye here.” Melissa speaks in a tone of pity. She was enjoying the company of Josias; she felt that he was different from the boys in the favela. As if he wasn't from here (and he wasn't!).

Josias and Melissa shake hands, both smiling. “Glad to meet you, Melissa.”

“Look, if I ever meet you again, I'll pay you those two reais,” Melissa speaks as if she's forgotten about it.

Josias shakes his head, frowning. “No problem, Melissa. Never worry about paying me; you are not indebted to me. I just wanted to help.”

Melissa then nods. After a few more words, Josias heads for Teodoro's building, grinning. Melissa returns to her house with a good impression of Josias.

When Josias enters, Teodoro is amazed at how quickly the boy has returned. He notices that there is only the pharmacy bag in his hand.

“Have you been to the Downtown yet, boy?” He asks, noticing Josias's silly smile.

“No. I ended up staying to help a girl at the pharmacy. Boy... what a girl...”

Teodoro is already a lived man. He understood perfectly what Josias meant and laughed.