Her Purpose - Soulmates - Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8 - THE ENCOUNTER

Melinne Martin and Michael Redson

Melinne parked her car in the grocery store parking lot. She took her purse and walked to the store to make her purchases. The Sunset Beach supermarket door opened as she approached the entrance. As she was reading her grocery checklist for the items she needed, she was thinking about the handsome professor, the way he reacted, and the sadness in his eyes. She wasn't paying attention to where she was going as she unexpectedly slammed into a firm rock of muscles. When she looked at the person's face, there he was, Professor handsome Redson. She gawked at his gorgeous face. His eyes fastened onto her with a depth of emotion that she didn't understand. She shut and opened her eyes quickly and swallowed, taking a few seconds before she spoke. "Woah! not again. I am being so clumsy. I am so sorry, professor."

He smiled at her and said, "I am glad to see you. The person I wanted to see today."

She blushed as he said those words. "Why do you want to see me, sir?"

"Please don't call me sir; call me Michael," he said. "I want to apologize for the way I reacted after class. There are things that had happened in my past that I cannot speak about, but I shouldn't have treated you the way I did. I am so sorry for my behavior. I promise you it won't happen again. You are such a beautiful, sweet, intelligent woman, Melinne. I admire your great enthusiasm, and energy for life, and your study habits. Please forgive me, Miss Martin."

She blushed again and replied to him. "You are forgiven, Mr. Reee… sorry Michael."

"Melinne, do you have time after doing your groceries to speak to me for a few minutes? I need to give you the information about Professor Morris and to ask you a question."

"Well, I have to go back home and study, but I can talk to you for a few minutes. I will finish here quickly, and then I will talk to you."

"I already finished here," Michael said. "I will put my groceries in the car, and I will wait for you outside." Their eyes met briefly. It was a very intense moment in which both of them felt lightning strikes all over their bodies. A lady in the aisle cleared her throat, and Melinne blushed.

He was able to speak again and said, "I will wait for you outside." He walked to the parking lot.

It was so strange for her to feel that way. The strong connection and chemical attraction she felt with him baffled her. It was the first time she had a reaction like that to a man. Wait a minute, that wasn't true. She just remembered that when she was in high school, she had a reaction almost like that to a teenager, but not so strong. She thought in disbelief, his name was Michael. His eyes-yes, he has to be Michael; his eyes haven't changed. He had changed a lot through the years, but not his eyes. How she wasn't able to recognize him before. He was the same friendly and kind kid that sometimes talked to her at school. She silently loved him, but he didn't even know. He was the love of her life. Can he be the same boy she had a crush on for so many years?

Michael was extremely popular in high school, and the students called her a library nerd. Teenagers at school called her nerd because she was always at the library studying. She didn't really care about people calling her a nerd because she was completely focused on her studies. She was not affected by the bullying at all because she knew who she was, and she knew what she wanted. She was thinking about her future, and she knew that it was very important to use her time wisely and dedicate herself to studying. She had a purpose in life, and she was going to achieve her goal with God's help.

She thought deeply about what she read about bullying, and she got lost in her thoughts. Bullying is a form of youth violence and an adverse childhood experience. Bullying is very common these days. About one in five high school students reported being bullied on school property. Sometimes children and teenagers do things to others because they wish to control others, they want to be popular, some of them have low self-esteem and want to feel better about themselves, or sometimes because of peer pressure. Children that are extremely intelligent are sometimes targeted by bullies. Bullying can result in physical injury, social and emotional distress, self-harm, and even death. It also increases the risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school.

Youth who bully others are at increased risk for substance misuse, academic problems, and experiencing violence later in adolescence and adulthood. Youth who bully others and are bullied themselves suffer the most serious consequences and are at greater risk for mental health and behavioral problems. Bullies are inclined to stereotype children that study by calling them names, which is something that is not acceptable.

Parents need to be proactive when their children are bullying other children. They need to talk to them and make them understand that they are hurting others. It is very important to treat others kindly and with respect. A Bible verse came to her mind. Luke 6:31, the golden rule: Do to others as you would have them do to you. The principle of treating others as one would want to be treated by them.

She heard that Michael joined the United States Army and became a famous surgeon. She also heard that he had married his high school sweetheart, Lana Annette Rivera. She was very popular, gorgeous, and sweet. Could he still be married? She was going to look if he had a ring without him noticing.

After she finished grocery shopping, she went outside, and he was waiting for her. "Can I help you with your grocery bags, Miss Martin?"

"Yes, Michael. Thank you! You can call me Melinne."

"Ok, beautiful Melinne."

Her name sounded so good on his lips. His lips, oh my! She stared at his lips; she would like to kiss those beautiful lips. Wait a minute, what was she thinking? She didn't want to get involved again with no man. She didn't need a man in her life, even a godly, strong, handsome, kind, sweet man like Michael was. No, no, and no. He cleared his throat. She blushed and felt ashamed, she was acting like a 15-year-old.

"I'm sorry, I just spaced out." Melinne said.

He smiled broadly and had a mischievous look in his eyes. He helped her put the groceries away and handed her a piece of paper with Professor Morris' address. "This is Mrs. Morris' address. Do you know how to get there, Melinne? That address is on the island."

"Yes, I know how to get there, Michael. I have been to the island before. It is such a beautiful place. Thank you for finding the information for me. Michael, while I was inside the store, I remembered something. Are you Michael, the football player, the most popular young man in high school?"

"Yes, I am Michael, the football player," he answered.

"I knew you looked familiar," Melinne said. "I am the girl that was always in the library, the one the students called the library nerd. Do you remember?"

He looked at her, and his eyes widened. "Wow, you are the beautiful young woman that I sat by, sometimes at the library. Wow! But you look so different."

"I used to wear brown contacts and I had braces," Melinne said.

"That is why I didn't recognize you. I am so happy our paths crossed again, my beautiful lady." She knew her face turned red again; she felt her face burning. She looked at her feet, hoping he didn't notice. At the same time, she looked at his finger, and he did have a ring on it. Okay, it is time to stop this silly crush.

"Michael, thanks for your help, but I need to go. I have so many things to do."

"Melinne, wait! I would like to know if you would do me the honor of going to eat dinner with me after the semester ends?"

She got really upset and clenched her fists. How could he ask me that? He was married, and he dared invite me to dinner. She felt she did not like him anymore. What a snake!

"Michael, that won't be a good idea, but thank you for your help." She hurried up to her car, got in, and slammed her car door. She left him standing there with a confused look in his eyes. "Some men, how can they be so cruel?"

Tears started to run down her face. Why was she crying? He was her professor. They didn't have a relationship; it was only at a professional level. What is going on with her? She got so mad with herself. She went home and sat on her sofa, crying more. She quickly fell asleep.

She dreamed about Travis. He was stalking her and following her everywhere she went. He wouldn't leave her alone. They were arguing heatedly, and he hit her again and again. He was calling her names and telling her she was good for nothing. He told her that she would never amount to anything. He told her that she was overweight and that she had to lose weight to make him look good in front of other people. He told her that he didn't know how he married her because she was the ugliest woman in the world. She remembered the words he always said; you are not worth it. He started hitting her again and again.

She suddenly woke up to the sound of someone banging on her door. She was sweating, shaking, and feeling ill. "Wait a minute," she yelled. She washed her face and opened the door. It was her friend Sarah, who looked at her with confusion.

"Are you ok, Melinne? Are you going to college today? You are not dressed yet."

"Sarah, I won't be able to go today. I am feeling poorly. Thank you for coming to get me. Please excuse me with the professor."

"Do you want me to stay with you?" Sarah asked. "Can I help you with something?"

"It's okay, Sarah; don't worry about me. I will go to sleep early and rest. I will be fine. Love you, my friend."

Sarah left. Melinne closed the door and went to her bedroom. The nightmare left her trembling. She knew Sarah saw fear plastered all over her face.

She went to her prayer room and kneeled. "Father, I know You are with me. I know Travis hurt me so much, and sometimes feelings of insecurity come back to try to haunt me. I felt at one point in my life that I wasn't good enough, that I was damaged beyond repair, until you spoke to me through a sermon from my pastor. The pastor said that my identity comes from You, my God. Those words touched my heart deeply and transformed my life. Father, at that moment I knew that I was going to be able to overcome anything that was thrown at me because you said that I am your daughter. I am the daughter of The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords. My past is not going to hold up the future that you have for me. I know God that I can do all things through You, because You, God, every day give me strength. Lord, thank you for caring about me and giving me the peace that surpasses all understanding. I know that your word says that your peace will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. Thanks for your salvation, love, grace, compassion, and mercy. Thank you, Father God. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name I pray, amen."

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