Friends Again..

Back home, I tried calling Frank but the call wasn’t going through. Frustrated, I decided to go over to his place and see what he was up to since we last talked. I really missed him.

His front door was open so I pushed and entered. Mike was on the couch reading a newspaper and Frank had the remote on his hand. As I walked in, my shoes gave me away and they both looked up.

“Kate, what’s up?” Frank asked.

“Hi guys.” I said joining them on the couch.

Frank switched off the television, leaned on me and started asking how my day was and the interview. Mike decided to start doing some projects of his own maybe to relieve the tension in the room. He poured us some juice and went back to him room.

I was so happy that Frank had asked about me so I started telling him on what I went through and my visit to Tina. He chipped in and told me about his too. Apparently his company was undergoing restructuring so there was a lot of changes.

"Ah, Kate. Do you have a moment? I would like to speak with you." I heard Mike voice behind us. 

I didnt know what to say so i just nodded. Frank excused himself and left the room to his bedroom.

"Kate, I wanted to apologise again on what happened the other day." He started.

"Mike, its okay."

"No, I need your forgiveness. I did something silly and you dont deserve it."

"I have already forgiven you Mike. I just havent told you about it."

"Thank you Kate. So we still friends?"

"Yes. We are." I replied as Frank walked back to the room.

"Thank you." He said and excused himself.

Frank gave me a wierd look and asked. "Are you guys okay?"

"Yep."

A Miracle

Before I headed home, I decided to go and visit my cousin Tina on the other side of town. She had recently had a baby and I hadn’t gone to check up on her. Although we had grown together, we had spent so much time away from each other. She had gotten married early even before we started college.

Tina lived on the upper side of town where all the palatial homes where located. She was a stay at home mum since she got her first born son four years ago. Her husband, Tim, was a businessman dealing with importation and trading in of cars. He was rarely at home so it was upon Tina to look after the family.

As I approached the house, I noticed her sitting at the patio holding the baby. I let myself in through the gate and went towards her. She smiled as she saw me and stood up, the baby in hand, and shouted my name.

“Hi Kate.”

“Tina.” I responded as I hugged her. “I’m good.”

“It’s so nice to see you. I thought you decided to give us a blackout.”

“No, I can’t do that. I was busy with some stuff.”

“Have a seat and tell us about it all.” She said while pointing to a chair nearby.

“Nothing much. I was just busy looking for work in various organizations. Oh, the baby looks so cute, can I hold her?” I asked excitedly.

She handed me the baby and I held her on my lap. She was sleeping and her little hands were over her face.

“Congratulations on the new baby Tina.” I said still looking at the baby.

“Thanks dear. She is a miracle in herself.”

“Why do you say that?”

“She came out early. Her umbilical cord was tangled around her neck and it would complicate both our lives so the doctors decided to operate.”

“What? That was traumatic for you.”

“Yea, but all went on well. I’m glad she is okay.”

“Thank God for that. So what did you name her?”

“She is Lily after my mother.” Tina replied smiling.

“That’s a really pretty name.”

“Thought so too. Why don’t we go indoors and have some drinks?”

“Okay.”

As we stood up and walked into the house, I couldn’t help but admire Tina’s life. She seemed to have it all.

The D-Day

The interview is scheduled today at eleven o’clock and I am so nervous. Despite being a few minutes early, it could not calm my nerves. The sight of eight other people waiting for the same interview kind of threw me off the radar. Would I really make it? I have been waiting to have a job like forever and this was my chance. I sneaked and went to the washroom where i called my mum. She gave me some encouragement which made me relax a little bit.

Two more candidates walked in on the waiting area and i wondered how many of us had been called for the same interview. I knew it was only one position that was being sorted after but all of us together was making this hard.

About two minutes to the set time, the receptionist came and informed us of how it will go. She was to call each of our names out and proceed to the interview room where the process would unfold. I was number three on the list. Man, I swear my heart would easily jump out of my body.

An hour passed and I was through with the interview. It was hard. I was interviewed by a panel of four men and a lady. Answering the questions without fidgeting when they were shooting the questions all at once was quiet a task that I hadn’t prepared. I was told to await the feedback after two days. I left the offices and went to the bus stop to take the bus home. I checked my phone and found three messages. I quickly changed it from silent mode to outdoor profile and checked the messages. Two were from Frank and one from Ann. They were both wishing me the best. How sweet! I sent each of them a text back and informed them on how it went.

Keep Strong

With a few hours remaining till the day ends, I decide to head to my own place. I had to go and tell Ann the good news on the interview that was taking place this coming Monday. I knew she would be really happy if I manage to get a job too as I was falling to hard times.

Frank walked me to the door then he returned. As I entered the house, I heard Mike’s voice. Damn, the dude had not left! I just could not stand him. I used my keys and entered the house forcing a smile across my face.

“Hi guys.” I said walking inside.

“Hi,” They both answered looking up.

I walked directly to my bedroom before calling Ann inside. She gave me a weird look as she stepped in.

“What’s up?”

“I got a call from a company asking me to go for an interview.” I replied.

“What? When?”

“I received the call about three hours ago. The interview is on Monday.”

“Congratulations. I’m sure you are going to get it.” She said while giving me a hug.

“Yea, hope so.”

“That’s good. Why don’t you join us? We were watching a movie.” she asked.

“Nah, ill pass. I have some stuff to do.”

“Kate, when will you stop avoiding Mike?”

“I don’t know. I’m not comfortable around him and I thought you understood that.”

“I know but I’m around to support you.”

“Maybe next time.” I replied and started folding some clothes that were on my bed.

Wishes

We left with Frank to his place just to avoid the tension that was in my house with Mike. Frank wasn’t saying much. I guessed he was caught in the middle of all of this drama considering he was best friends with Mike and I was his girlfriend at the moment. He just didn’t know which side to lean on.

We decided to watch a movie. Although the movie was awesome, I found myself dozing a little bit. When I couldn’t take it anymore so leaned in on Frank and took a nap.

I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing on the table. I looked around but I was alone. I was still lying on the sofa and the room was so quiet. I looked at my phone but could not recognize the number but I decided to answer it. The lady on the line introduced herself as Rose and she asked if I had applied a job at their firm. Truth be told, I had sent so many applications I couldn’t remember the name so I just said yes. She asked me to go for an interview on Monday at 11a.m. She gave me directions then hang up.

Excitedly I decided to tell Frank about this. I went to his bedroom but he wasn’t in. I shouted his name and he responded from the kitchen. He was preparing some food when I entered. I told him about the call and he hugged me. He congratulated me and asked me to taste his food.

“Wow, that’s nice.” I said after licking the spoon.

“Thanks. I didn’t think you would mind some meat stew with white rice. I bet you hungry.”

“Damn I am. I can’t wait.”

“Okay. Please go set the table while I wait for the stew to be ready.”

After a few minutes, we were on the dining table feasting on the meal. With a few laughs in between, I couldn’t help wish life was this good. I was enjoying the good food, a good man by my side and a job that may be mine!

Humbled

“What are you doing here?” I asked Mike while moving close to Fred.

“Hello Kate. I wanted to come and apologize personally about the little incident that happened.” He responded.

“Little incident? Was that ‘little’ to you?”

“I’m so sorry. I…”

“You what? You almost raped me was it not for Fred coming into the house.”

“I was drunk Kate.”

“Certainly you were.” I said while looking at Ann. She could have at least told me they were coming over together.

“Kate, am so sorry on what happened the other day. Would you please forgive me.”

I didn’t know how to respond. It wasn’t easy to forgive him. How did one start the journey to forgive such a man? 

I excused myself and went to the kitchen. I poured myself a glass of water and I was about to drink when Ann came into the room.

“Ann, why didn’t you tell me you were coming over with him? Where you guys together yesterday evening?” I asked.

“I knew if I told you he wanted to come over, you would not let him. Yes, were together last night.”

I was caught unawares with that.

“Are you guys back together?”

“Kinda. We sorted things out but enough about us, what do you think of his request?”

“What request?” I asked knowing too well what she was asking.

“To forgive him. He is really sorry Kate.”

I looked at Ann then went back to the living room. I didn’t have an answer.

Surprises come in the morning

I woke up the next morning at around 8 o’clock. As I dragged myself to the washroom, I passed by Ann’s bed and she was not in. I looked over the living room and the balcony but there was no one. That was weird. Yesterday as we came back together with Frank, I didn’t find her in the house so I assumed she decided to go have some fun but will be back in the morning. I returned to the bedroom to check on Frank but he was still sleeping.

I went to the kitchen and started preparing some breakfast for Frank incase he will need something to eat. I didn’t like having breakfast but I was really hungry so I decided to cook some pancakes.

“Hey Cutie.” Frank said while standing at the kitchen door with his briefs.

“Hey.” I replied and gave him a hug.

“You sure know how to treat a man!” He said while looking at the plate of pancakes that I had already made.

“I thought you might be hungry.” I replied.

“I’m really hungry. Let me wash up and come feast on them.” He said and disappeared into the bedroom.

Half an hour later, we indulged the morning treats while watching cartoon on the telly. Just then, the door opened and Ann appeared accompanied by Mike! Ann was with Mike? 

"Hey guys." Ann asked as she walked in.

"We good."  Frank replied.

"Hi Kate, how are you doing?" Mike asked when he noticed i had freaked out.

"Good i guess." I replied.