Chapter 1: A Meeting at the School Gate It was the last day of the school term, and students hurried out of the gate, eager to begin their long-awaited break. The warm afternoon sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting a golden glow over everything it touched. Abel stood just outside the gate, leaning against the fence with his hands in his pockets, lost in thought. He wasn't in any particular hurry. There was nothing waiting for him back at home—no urgent tasks or family matters to tend to—so he allowed himself to drift aimlessly in the crowd, blending in with the flow of students. That’s when he first saw her. Gambo stepped out of the school building, her steps graceful and purposeful, as if she carried an unspoken confidence that immediately drew Abel’s attention. She wore her school uniform, like everyone else, but there was something about the way she moved, the way the light caught her soft features, that made her stand out to him. Her long, braided hair swayed with each step, and her deep brown eyes seemed to take in the world around her with a sense of quiet understanding. Abel watched her for a few moments, captivated. He’d seen her around the school before, but they had never spoken. She was always surrounded by her friends, and Abel was the quiet type, preferring to keep to himself. But today felt different. Today, something urged him to take a step toward her, to close the distance between them. Summoning his courage, Abel walked forward, weaving through the groups of students chatting near the gate. His heart pounded in his chest, each step feeling heavier than the last as he neared Gambo, who was standing by herself, waiting for her ride. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. "Hi," he managed, his voice softer than he intended. Gambo turned to face him, her eyes meeting his for the first time. There was a brief moment of silence as she took him in, her expression curious yet calm. "Hello," she replied, her voice gentle and welcoming. Abel swallowed, feeling his nerves start to ease at the warmth in her tone. “I... I’ve seen you around, but I’ve never had the chance to introduce myself. I’m Abel.” “Gambo,” she said, offering a small smile that made Abel’s heart skip a beat. They stood there for a moment, neither of them sure what to say next. Abel could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, but he wasn’t going to let the moment slip away. He’d come this far, after all. "I was wondering..." he started, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "Would you mind if we walked together for a bit? Maybe I could get to know you better?" Gambo hesitated, her eyes flicking toward the road where her ride was expected any minute. But then she looked back at Abel, something in his earnest expression convincing her to stay a while longer. “Sure,” she said, nodding. “I can walk with you for a bit.” Abel couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face as they began walking side by side, away from the bustling school gate and into the quieter streets. At first, their conversation was light—school projects, exams, the usual topics that students talked about. But soon, they began to delve deeper, discovering more about each other with every step they took. Abel learned that Gambo was as intelligent as she was beautiful, with a kind heart and a sharp wit. She loved to read, especially novels that transported her to faraway lands, and she dreamed of traveling the world one day. In turn, Abel shared his own ambitions, telling her about his love for art and his desire to one day make a living doing what he loved. He was shy about his passions, but Gambo’s genuine interest in his words made him feel comfortable, as if he could be himself around her without fear of judgment. As they walked and talked, Abel felt something shift within him. He had approached Gambo out of curiosity, but now, he found himself drawn to her in ways he hadn’t anticipated. Her laughter was like music to his ears, and the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her favorite books made his heart swell. By the time they reached the end of the road, where Gambo’s ride finally arrived, Abel knew that this wouldn’t be the last time they spoke. He didn’t want it to be. He wanted to see her again, to spend more time with her, to discover everything there was to know about her. “Thank you for walking with me,” Gambo said, her voice soft as she glanced up at him. “No, thank you,” Abel replied, smiling. “I really enjoyed our conversation. Maybe we could do it again sometime?” Gambo paused for a moment, as if considering his request. Then, she smiled and nodded. “I’d like that.” As she climbed into the car and waved goodbye, Abel stood there, watching her leave with a sense of excitement bubbling up inside him. He had taken the first step, and it had gone better than he ever could have hoped. Now, all he could think about was the next time he see action that he would doing when they meet again and then mavourn