“That‘s very nice of her. Your aunt is always so gracious.” Gladys nodded. In the year since she‘d arrived in Lagos, her aunt had become like a second mother to her. They had grown even closer after she had confided about her late husband‘s lack of sympathy and the unhappy prison their marriage had become.
“You said last Sunday that Edward was out of the country and won‘t be back till the weekend. How did he take the news of you being admitted in hospital?”
“He called last night but I was still too weak to carry on a conversation. He did say he‘d wrap up his business and return home as soon as possible.”
“This love is really catching him…”
“At least you‘ll be looking better then.”
“Oh, so you think I timed the illness for when he was away?” All three girls laughed.
“I hope you get well soon. I still need you for my planning, and we must all dance our legs off that night.” Jennifer bounced on her chair and took out some cards from her purse.
“Great, the cards are out.” Gladys reached out and collected one from her. Jennifer‘s engagement party had been fixed for the night of Valentine‘s Day in just about three weeks time.
“Yes, and you and Edward are the number one guests.”
The girls hashed out a tentative agenda for the party after Gladys had admired the card in glowing terms. They remained with her through dinner until her aunt arrived.
**********
“He‘s here, hurry up.” Her aunt called from downstairs.
“But I can‘t see his car from here.” Gladys peeped through one of the landing windows.
She‘d returned to her aunt‘s from the hospital last week and was feeling much better now. Edward had come back from his trip a couple of days earlier than scheduled so he could take her home from hospital. He‘d also been to see her every evening for the last week since she resumed work and had postponed all his planned travels in the meantime.
“He‘s waiting outside the gate,” her aunt called back.
“But why would he do that?” Gladys queried as she joined her in the sitting room.
“I don‘t know.” Aunt Isioma suddenly became busy with what was on the television.
Shrugging her shoulders, Gladys left the house. When she stepped out of the gate, she looked up and down the quiet street. A limousine was standing a few yards away from her. Her eyes alighted on it in admiration as it drove slowly to a stop before her. The window directly before her wound down automatically in a replay of their first meeting.