Somewhere Between Then And Now.

The little antique shop was sitting quietly at the corner of Adeola Street. It was almost hidden between a tailoring shop and a provisions store, most people walked by without noticing it.. the people who did go in hardly ever left without buying something.. at least they left with a story to tell.

That afternoon a young woman named Teni walked into the shop, she pushed the wooden door open, the tiny bell above the door rang softly.

Good afternoon she said loudly.

An old man came out from behind a shelf, the shelf was filled with picture frames, he was wearing glasses that were sitting halfway down his nose.

Ah, a customer he said with a smile, Welcome to my shop, feel free to look

Teni started walking around the shop,the aisles were narrow, there were radios and wristwatches everywhere, there were also books with worn out covers and ceramic figurines.. then she saw something that caught her eye, It was a rectangular wooden box, It was sitting alone on a glass shelf.

The box was not really beautiful,the wood was, It had scratches all over it.. there was something about it that felt special.

Sir.... she called out, how much is this box?

The old man walked over to her slowly, his eyes became soft when he saw what she was holding.

That box has a story he said quietly.

Teni laughed, everything in this shop has a story she said.

Yes the old man said.. not everything has memories like this box does.

Teni was curious, what do you mean she asked.

The old man adjusted his glasses, he leaned against the counter.

This box belonged to a soldier he said, His name was Kunle, he kept letters from his wife in it.

Tenis face changed, she was not laughing anymore.

He went to war? She asked.

Yes the old man said, It was that time, he promised his wife he would come back, she promised to write to him every week.. and she did.

The old man opened the lid of the box, Inside there were papers tied with a ribbon.

She wrote about everything going on with their family, their child first step, infact everything, she missed him so much, these were just little things, to him they meant everything.

Teni swallowed hard, did he come back she asked.

The old man did not say anything for a moment.

No, he said softly, he did not come back.

It was quiet for a moment.

What happened to his wife , Teni asked.

The old man said, she kept writing, Even when the letters were not being delivered, she said writing made her feel like she was still alive.

Tenis heart felt tight.

That is so sad, she said.

The old man nodded, when she got old she brought the box here, she wanted someone to keep their story alive, Someone who would understand that love does not end just because someone is not there.

Teni touched the box gently.

My fiancé died last year she said, her voice was barely loud enough to hear.

The old man looked at her, he was surprised but gentle.

I am sorry dear, he said.

We were going to get married she said. I still send texts to his number, I know it sounds crazy.

The old man said, it does not sound crazy, grief is hard to understand.

Teni opened the box again, she looked at the letters.

Do you think things can carry feelings she asked.

Yes the old man said, Because we put our feelings into them,.and Over time they become special to us.

Teni smiled a little.

How much is the box she asked again.

The old man shook his head, if you are taking it to remember someone you love then it is a gift.

Teni was surprised, What! "she said."

The old man said, stories should continue.

Tenis eyes were filled with tears.

Thank you, she said quietly.

As she was leaving , the old man said, one thing.

Teni stopped in her tracks as he was speaking.

Do not stop talking to him the old man said, love does not disappear just because someone is not there.

Teni nodded slowl, she was holding the box tightly to her chest.

Outside the sun was setting, it was casting a light over the street, for the First time, in months Teni felt a little better.

The box was not just a piece of wood and paper.

It was proof that love never really ends.

Sometimes things can carry the feelings that people leave behind.

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