“ So, Has he made contact since then?.”
I didn't hear any reply, maybe she nodded to her question or she waved, I don't know, but what I know is that, she's not into women, she didn't reject my confession because of the conclusion I made inside my mind, rather it was because of something else, something more intense than the one that first came to mind, she's a mother who has given birth to a baby at a very young age, she blames herself for her mistakes, even though Benita thinks otherwise. The fact Benita thinks otherwise means that she's kind of definitely not at fault. This two are best friends and something happened, something separated both of them, and that has gotten more of my interest.
I knocked on the door, the sounds indoor went silent, like they wasn't expecting it, no one else got keys and breaking into this building is not something easy to do, Lydia and Benita knows that I am never at home by this time of the day, so they're definitely out of choices in there, unless Benita possibly will be thinking it's my Mom.
“ Open up girls, it's me.... David.”
They opened up immediately they realized it was me, you can see the shock in there faces and signs of cleaned tears which mostly affected Lydia's makeup, though she always made them light.
“ You're possibly wondering the tears on our faces, it's nothing, we're just old friends who happened to meet each other now by coincidence or maybe I can say fate.....”.
Benita was saying the truth, but she seems to be leaving out on most parts which she doesn't know I knew. Other doors in the house are definitely sound proof, except for the guest room, it's a normal setting incase someone you accepted into your home was planning on something, you can find out easily without bagging in into his or her privacy.
“ Incase you guys are having the thought whether I overheard your conversation.... I did, and I believe that it's definitely a good reason for turning me down, but here's something I should let you know, I do care about your past, but the lady I have been seeing lately is a gem, someone I really want and willing to be with, so I'm ready to accept whatever she comes with, because I am in love with everything about her, secondly, I drove back here to come and apologize, I've been a pain in your nerves, I wasn't actually doing those to hurt you, rather I wanted to protect myself from falling apart, also still knowing the effects it's gonna bring on you..... I'm really sorry about that, thirdly.... Welcome Benita, I will now be heading back to my office.....”.
I didn't stay back to hear what they have to say, I know I just threw a bomb in our midst and now I've walked away, relying on them to protect themselves and solve my puzzles, they're stunned, I can see those looks on their faces, but I walked out anyway.
I was almost done and was planning to get ready to leave for my lectures when I heard the door to the entrance open, I diverted my eyes away from the laptop and was looking to see who it was, maybe a client who was supposed to meet with Lydia rather than me, because I have no appointment right now, it turns out to be Lydia, she came in, her black purse matching her black pencil skirt, her hair tied back into a loose ponytail and some strands escaping the knot behind her head, her makeup has been replaced after it was smeared by her tears, she definitely didn't notice that her makeup wasn't in place when I saw her back at my apartment, at least that didn't make her uncomfortable, and looking at her now, she looks like she ran here on foot, even though she didn't, definitely trying to catch up on me before I leave for lecture.
She came into my office, trying to act professional like always, the smile still fake, showing that she's still thinking something through, I don't know what it might be, but I just hope it has nothing to do with resignation.
“ You can stay back at the office, I will go by myself today, I believe you need sometime off....”.
I got up from my seat, closed the laptop, packed my stuff and headed out. It feels more like I was the one avoiding her, I still don't want to hear whatever she has to say, even at home or here in the office. Not that I am scared or shy, never.... Just that I kind of dreaded the whole situation that's to come, because it's going to be emotional, rather than a normal conversation.
I finished my day, I called her, saying that I wouldn't be returning to the office as I made my way home from the university, not because I finished late, but because I didn't want to be there at the office with her, at least not today, at least I am going to have Benita at home to keep me occupied, we can try to catch up on old times and share experiences with each other, though I know that something about Lydia was going to come up, but at least I rather hear them from Benita who will make it sound more positive than Lydia who's blaming herself for the situation she's in.
Getting home, I saw Benita seating on the table and her laptop before her, working on something, definitely her books too because she's also a writer like me, but she's also into athletics like Jack and has the intention of taking it professional, different from me who took boxing as nothing but a side activity which I love.
“ Welcome home brother ”.
I replied to her greetings with thanks for caring statement, then went straight into my room, as soon as I step outside again, I know exactly what's coming, and I believe I have to brace up for it.