I got up finally from the bed. I had really overslept, because when I checked the time, it was past 10 am. I wonder how I could sleep to that extent.
I stretched my body for a while, then I looked around me. It was a strange place or room I was seeing, then I remembered that I slept at Sonia's place last night. Talking about Sonia, I wondered where she was at the moment.
I sat up on the bed and then I rested my back on the wall. I could feel that my body was aching. I guess that was the reason I slept so long. I sighed deeply.
I took my phone from the bed where it lay and turned it on. I could see a lot of misses calls on it. Some of which were from the office. I had totally forgotten to call and inform them about our inability to be around today, oh my bad. I hope it's not just too late by this time.
I called Sonia's secretary, Hannah. I hoped desperately that she picked up, or else Sonia is likely to skin me alive for sleeping that long and forgetting to do what's important. I knew Hannah didn't like me at all. It was obvious from the way she looks at me and responds to me like she was using scared of me. But, luckily for me, after the first ring, she picked up.
"Hello, Hannah on the line." She said calmly like she didn't know who was on the other end.
"Yes, this is Jessica. Jessica Mambira."
"Ohhh, Mrs. Jessica. Sorry, I think bi must have misplaced your contact because I don't have this stores on my contact list." She said.
No wonder she picked up and spoke calmly, that was a bit weird for me, I thought.
"Uhm, I should have called earlier, but I couldn't. I called to inform you that your boss won't make it to work today. She has been in the hospital and is still recovering."
"That's really bad. Is she getting any better atleast? She asked in a concerned manner. Perhaps, she cares for her boss.
"Well, uhm, I can't say for sure for now. Time will tell if she really is." I explained.
"Oh no, is it that bad? But she'll be okay, right ma'am?
"Yeah, she will."
"Alright ma'am, that's good news atleast."
"Yeah. So, uhm I won't be at work either. So, please fill in for me. I don't know how you're going to do that, but please do so for me."
"Okay ma'am, I've heard you and that's noted."
"Good. I guess we'll call it a day then." I said to her.
"Okay. I guess I will hang up now."
"Wait! I said, when I remembered something. "Don't forget to cancel or reschedule all appointments that has been scheduled for today alright. Today's Thursday, so I suggest you postpone everything from Tuesday next week. Before then, we can figure out how to handle that situation. But, I will be aw work tomorrow."
"Hmmmm. You asking me to reschedule to next week is kinda suspicious. Is my boss really okay? She asked me.
"Well Hannah, I think it's better you ask her yourself whenever you see her. That's all I can say to you." I concluded.
She didn't say anything for few seconds, then she said, "I got everything you said. I have written the important ones I might forget down, just incase it escaped my memory, I wouldn't..."
"Hey hey hey, listen young lady. I don't want to hear that you forgot anything important, you understand me. Send the memo to whoever should get it as soon as this call ends, do you hear me?
"Yes ma'am. I will do just that." She answered like she was fidgeting. I felt she was pretending anyway.
"Good! I might call you later then."
I ended the call. I thought of calling Amanda, but then she could be busy at work. I felt bad for not calling earlier to find out about the kids. It might look like I didn't care for my children, but just abandoned them just like that. But then, I really did care, I care so much about them that I don't blame Sonia for the silly things she has done lately.
Finally, I made up my mind to call Amanda. Even though she is busy at work, she could call me whenever she sees the call and she gets the chance the return the call.
I dialed her number and waited for her pick up if she could pick by chance, while the phone rang. I was surprised she picked up.
"Hey sweetheart." I said lovingly.
"Hi big sis." She replied and giggled sweetly.
She always refer me as her sis and I was so cool with that. That's unlike some who never crossed the part of their sister or brother in-laws. Amanda is just a very nice person and I am so glad that she stays with us.
"I'm really sorry for not calling earlier this morning, I am really sorry my dear. I was so tired after all yesterday's palaver with Sonia, that I woke up so late this morning."
"It's fine. I hope you are okay though, because you don't sound like you are."
"I am, I am. Just tired." I said to her.
"Very well then, that's cool." She answered.
"So, what about the kids, you helped them to dress for school today, right? I asked expectantly.
"Of course I did. We're you bothered? You don't have to be, as far as I am around, I always got you covered okay."
"That's so sweet of you Amanda, I am so so happy right now. Thank you so much my dear, I am really grateful."
"Sis, come on. That's not a big deal. I know if you were in my shoes, you will do more and even better for me, so it's fine ma'am."
"I owe you a lot. I promise to give you a threat, this weekend, if you'll be available."
"Oh sis, that'll be so sweet, but no thanks."
"Hey, you're saying no to that? Seriously? Why's that? Come on I'm not bribing you at all. It's just a little way of saying thank you for the things you do for me, alright." I said, trying to convince her to accept my offer.
"Yes yes, I know sis. The thing is that..." The she hesitated for a while.
I became suspicious, why was she leaving me in suspense. I hate to be kept in suspense. "The thing is what Amanda?
"I have a date this weekend." She confessed.
"Oh my goodness! Amanda, oh my... Why didn't you tell me? Oh my goodness, we are so going for shopping when I return home."
"Come on sis. It hasn't gotten into that, it's not a serious one. We just want to hang out and talk alright."
"And who says we can't shop for that as well? Huh?
"Alright sis, I have to go now, I will talk to you later please."
"This conversation isn't over, do you hear me. It isn't..."
She ended the call before I could finish what I was still saying. This lady must be kidding me. I said to myself, smiling sheepishly.
I knelt down beside the bed and muttered some words of prayers. Then opened my Bible app and read some scriptures and meditated on it for a while. Satisfied with the little I had done, I got up from where I was kneeling.
I went into the bathroom, Nancy's bathroom. I needed to brush my teeth, but I had no toothbrush with me. I saw her toothpaste where she had dropped them in the bathroom. I didn't see any spare toothbrush, perhaps I should get one down the road.
I decided to check her cosmetic kit basket. Luckily, I saw one spare new toothbrush and I used it to brush. I guess she'll just have to forgive me for invading her private property.
After brushing, I had my bath with her liquid soap, but didn't bother borrowing her sponge, that was too private to be shared.
I went to the kitchen to get something to eat before leaving the house to mine. I know Sonia won't want me loitering around her house, but that doesn't mean I won't come back.
I noticed that the gas cooker was warm, which means she cooked something before leaving. I checked the pot and saw there was yam and sauce in it.
"Yummy! I said, chuckling to myself.
I dished out some of it into a plate, then I took it to the dinning room. I went back to the kitchen and took out a bottle of chilled natural juice and then I took it to the dinning room and set it there. I went back to the kichen and checked the freezer for some chicken. Fortunately, I saw some fried chicken, so I took some of it and went back to the dinning room. I sat down and devoured every piece of the yam and sauce, accompanied by the chicken and juice.