TOO FAR TO REACH 8

 TOO FAR TO REACH

CHAPTER 8

My eyes opened after what seemed like a long deep sleep, I quickly turned to see if Jeff was still there and sure enough he was. He didn’t seem to have had a blink of sleep in his eyes as he continued to read a book, I felt better after the sleep but my heart still ached. Jeff noticed I was a awake and he looked at me with a smile, this guy was actually so cute and seeing him being so selfless tending to me made me have a certain type of admiration for him.

“Hai…” he said.

I hesitated to reply as I kept looking at him quietly.

“Can I get you anything?” he asked.

“No I am okay” I replied.

I had nothing more to say as I just stared at the wall in his direction, he kept staring at me for a while and a part of me truly thought he would like to know who is responsible for my pregnancy. Jeff looked like he had some questions but again it he was trying not to be insensitive, he instead just held my hand and I felt so calm. I was restless and so hungry at this point. Unknown to me, Jeff had already arranged for food to be brought for me.

“How did I get here?” I asked

Jeff rubbed my hand as he held it.

“I had just come into the office when I noticed there was panic, you had just passed out. I rushed you here with Martin and Connie but they left and I chose to see how you are fairing. I also managed to contact someone from your phone… all arrangements have been made, they will be coming in the morning”

I was quiet for a while as I processed everything.

“thank you so much … I truly appreciate” I said.

“Anytime…you are my friend, I wouldn’t be anywhere else” he said as he stared at my belly blankly. Its almost as if he was confused.

I rubbed my tummy and mentioned that I was now hungry.

“I have actually already organized food, someone will be bringing the food” he said

Jeff soon started cheering me up with some short videos on tiktok, we giggled and tried to lighten the situation. I knew a lot had changed for me now, my mum was no more. You see my aunt was not always kind but she was my family and I loved her very much, just the sense of belonging was so special. Now she was no more.

“Remember in Chipata when we danced so much that people cheered us on? That was so much fun” Jeff said with a smile.

It was hard to tell whether he was sharing just to cheer me up or to remind me about the special moments we had.

“I do remember very well…” I giggled

“Or that time we lied to the waiter that we were a newly wedded couple on harmony” he recalled..

“Omg, I even forgot... did we say that? What for” I asked shyly

“Well we were trying to get a complimentary bottle of champagne which he said he would give us if we were a couple…”

“And he actually brought it” I interrupted as I laughed.

“Yes he did and every time he passed near our table we held hands” he said.

I burst out laughing so hard as I recalled those moments, Jeff and I had so much fun that night. I remember we head to my room and talked till 3 am and he slept on my room floor with stating that there was a strange looking thing in the passage leading to his room. I knew it was lies. The following day we work woke up around 11 am and it was then that he left for his room.

I suddenly remembered the wedding card given to me by Lindsay, I always moved with it in my bag.

“Actually… please pass me my bag” I said

Jeff quickly reached out for my bag and I removed the card.

“Do you remember the lady we met that night?” I asked.

“Lindsay you mean?”

“Wow your memory, I honestly couldn’t remember her name.. we met” I said as I handed him the card.

“She talked of having mentioned she would be getting married that time we met, I do not remember but that’s the card” I said

Jeff was surprised and he looked at the card closely.

“Oh yeah she did hey… so you met”

“Yeah and she also mentioned you were also going to be getting married…”

Before Jeff could respond, I suddenly felt chocked on my own saliva and I started coughing.

“Are you okay?” Jeff asked as he handed me a bottle of water after opening it.

“Yes I am fine…” I said as i tried to sit upright while holding my tummy.

Jeff helped me up as he held my tummy too… now I cannot explain what that felt like but his touch on my pregnancy made me feel so whole and I held his hand as he placed it on my belly. Our eyes met and at that moment I just wanted to say these are your babies… I wanted to confess it all but my mouth barely opened when the door swung open. A fine looking lady walked in, she was clad in a very short dress and house slippers, the lady had two coffee cups and something struck me. A huge diamond ring on her finger.

“Honey… i thought you might need me” she said as she walked in hurriedly.

Jeff slowly released his hands and I lay back in bed as I heard him ask her how she found her way.

“Honey I have come with Mr Mulenga…”

Mr Mulenga was Jeff’s driver and also the man who had actually gone to buy my food, he equally came in with packs of food. Jeff explained he was not going anywhere as my family was not yet in to care for me. The lady equally suggested she would spend the night in the hospital.

‘you will be cold” Jeff said in a calm opposing tone.

“Ba Mulenga go and get me a blanket and socks….” She demanded as she handed him what seemed like house keys.

Mr Mulenga immediately left and the awkwardness just began