We were still enjoying and savouring the homemade cookies, which according to Sonia was made by her househelp, Nancy.
At a point, I thought of something. She needed to be made aware of the fact that her children were missing. I couldn't believe it at first, but right now I have no choice than to believe what I tend to see.
"Erm, Sonia." I said, after I had finished the cookie I had in my mouth.
She looked at me without giving me any response, then she continued eating and gulping the juice down.
"Have you spoken to Alex today? Or, did you forget your loverboy? I asked teasingly, wishing she would fall for my plan.
"Woa, that's true. I really haven't spoken to him today. Oh my goodness! Thanks so much, thanks for reminding me. Please, spare me some minutes, let me give a call."
"He's all yours my dear, feel free."
"Okay, I will, thank you."
Sonia took her phone and placed a call across to Alex, her husband. At the first ring, he didn't pick up. She gave me a wild stare.
"He isn't picking up. Do you think he's okay? Hope nothing has happened to my darling.? She asked no one in particular, but she became tensed up because of that.
Sonia, come on, he is definitely fine. He could be in the bathroom having his bath or he went to get something to eat, maybe he went for sightseeing or he's just doing something that he can't attend to his phone at the moment." I said, trying to cheer her up.
"You maybe right, but I am still not satisfied with that excuse you are giving."
"Well, why not try his line again. You might be lucky to get him this time." I suggested.
She nodded and heeded to the suggestion I gave her. She tried his contact again and this time, he actually did pick up. Sonia was very happy and excited when he picked up and they started their love story.
The call wasn't on speaker, so I couldn't tell exactly what the duo were discussing. Though, I could tell it was nice because of the way she laughed so hard and the way she sounded so excited. I couldn't help but think of my Eddy, wondering when we could become like that all over again. It's gonna be a memorable one if that ever happens.
I heard Sonia tell Alex that their children are in school and will be back home in no time. I felt this sense guilt slide through my bones to my heart. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing by keeping it from her. Well, atleast, for the meantime, it's saving a lot.
After a long while on the phone with her lover, they finally ended the call. She was still blushing even after she was done with the call and that almost got me jealous.
I thought of breaking the bad news to her, perhaps this was the right time I must presume. I was about starting a conversation with her when she cut in.
"Erm, Jessica, you know the stuff you told me about, those ladies you go out with whenever you make up and uhm.. you know." She said, smiling mischievously.
Well, I told myself I wasn't going to let put my secrets to her yet, till I find the right time to. So, I decided to wave it off.
"About that, it's just nothing." I said to her, avoiding eye contact with her.
"Seriously, you are planning on not telling me? Are you being serious right now?
"Sonia, let that pass, come on, I don't want to talk about it, atleast not yet."
"So, we are keeping secrets now, huh? Oh wow, interesting then." She answered. I knew she was mad at the at that moment, but I couldn't help but keep my mouth shut, but try and pacify her.
"Sonia... It's really not like that, it's just." I went dumb again.
"Jess, wait don't tell me that, you are seeing another man already? She blurted out.
I covered my face in surprise and shame. She adjusted closer to me and draggedy hands down.
** ** **
My best friend was seeing another man and I had no idea. Seriously! I exclaimed. I adjusted closer to her, ready to make her spill all the stuff she might be hiding or keeping away from me.
"Oh my Goodness Jess, tell me. Are you, are you cheating on Eddy?
"No, no I'm not! She screamed in my ear.
"Well, that's alright, that's alright. I believe you. Anyway, still tell me about those ladies you go out with. Atleast I have the right to know, or don't I? I asked.
"Well yeah, but seriously you don't have to bother yourself about that, it's not important."
"As far as it concerns my friend, yeah, I always bother myself hmmm."
"Okay okay, it's really nothing serious alright. We just hangout and uhmm, take some drinks and dance, that's all, nothing else seriously."
Just then, my phone rang and I checked it. It was alarm that said, "PICK THE KIDS UP. I must have forgotten that I needed to pick them up. I turned to Jessica, "This conversation isn't over yet okay, we will talk about that later. For the meantime, I wanna go pick the kids up from school." I said to her.
She stared at me wide eyed like I might have said something very strange.
"Did you say, pick the kids up, from school? She asked me.
"Yeah, that's what I just said." I answered, trying to understand why she was suddenly acting strange.
"Uhm uhm, did you get a call asking you to come pick them up or something? She kept asking.
"Oh that, no no. It was just an alarm, to remind me that I had to pick the kids up. It's usually there most times, just incase I lose track of time." I responded.
"Ohhh I see."
"Is there a problem with that? I asked her, getting up from the sofa where I sat.
"No not at all. Just see how less concerned I look with my own kids."
"That's not true. Anyway, do you mind coming with me? If that's okay with you? I asked, another way to say I enjoy her company.
"Yeah, sure. Who am I to say no to that." She answered, and got up, grabbing her bag at the process."
We walked out of the house and when we got to the garage, she refused to let me drive my own car. It led to some flimsy arguments, but she gave me tough reasons why I had to let her drive. I had no option but to let her drive instead, afterall I was coming from the hospital.
She jeered at me that she won this time around and bi felt so helpless.
"You winning just today, doesn't mean you will do so next time, alright." I said with assurance.
"Whatever, the most important thing is today and the fact that I won bears the banner so high." She said, giggling.
We go into her own car and she started it, then started driving out of the compound. I remembered that I had to open the gate for her.
"I told Alex that we need a new gatekeeper, he doesn't want to listen to that." I complained as I reluctantly got down from the car.
I opened the gate wide so she could drive out, then I waited behind after she drove out so I can close the big gate back again before joining her in the car.
By the time I got back to the car which she carefully parked at the side of the road, I noticed a young man moving away from the car and walking towards the house just opposite mine. That can't be the man she's seeing, this lady must be crazy.
As soon as I got into the car, she started driving quickly, as if hurrying to leave the place.
"Girl, what was that?
"What was what? She asked, feigning ignorance and trying every means not to have eye contact with me.
"The guy, that just left as soon as I was coming, who is he? I asked, winking at her.
"It's nothing. Isn't he your neighbor? Shouldn't I be asking you that? She answered, turning the whole thing at me.
"Well, I wasn't the one he approached."
"You'll find out soon then." She said, and increased her speed.
Luckily, today, traffic was fair and because of that, In no time, we had gotten to the school. She parked the car in a nice place and we stepped out. Some of the kids were out already, some parents had arrived to pick them up.
I checked for Mrs. Alansa, the kid's class teacher, but she wasn't at the gate.
"Jess, I think I will have to go inside to fetch the kids. I can't spot their class teacher."
Jessica was about replying when I heard someone call my name. So I turned around towards the voice, it was Mrs. Alansa.
"Oh, there she is." I said smiling. "Good evening ma'am. How are you doing?
"I'm very okay, I'm sorry I didn't call to ask about the kids later on, please accept my sincere apologies." She said.
"Okay..." I answered, not understanding what she meant by that.
"You didn't bring the kids to school today, what happened? She asked, looking concerned.
"Well, Nancy did that, I was.."
"Nancy? The kids weren't in school today ma'am. I thought to call you after school dismissal today."
"What! What did you just say?