16 Misinformed

Bella was perplexed. This is the first time that she

would admit her feelings to a man and now, she was feeling like crap. She wondered why she had

answered the question anyway. Why hadn't she lied? It would have been easier for her. She could have easily just told him that he was imagining things. Instead of 'yes', she could have said 'no' and everything would be fine. Why did she make

herself look like an opportunist?

Ever since her boss Raymond had driven out, she had dived into work like her life depended on it, hoping that work would distract her from the past hour but no, it didn't help. Instead, her thoughts increased. Raymond was obviously not in love with her. She had seen it in the way he looked at her, in the way he held her in his arms. He was just someone that was too friendly and down to earth, that's all. Anyone would fall in love with him; she only wished that, that 'someone' was not her. How could you cope, knowing that the love you feel cannot be returned?

She contemplated leaving without any goodbyes

but had a rethink. She already had more than

enough in her savings to sustain herself and start up a small business but how would she repay good

for evil? Her boss Raymond and his family had been good to her; too good actually; and vanishing just like that would be too bad. Who would see to Ray's meals, chores and other necessities? Even though Raymond would not love her like a woman, she was hundred percent sure that she meant more to him than just a mere maid. The heart cannot be controlled so, his not loving her was not his fault.

She heard a knock, coming from the gate and

tensed up. She went to the gate and opened it.

Tinka bounced in, almost throwing her off balance in the process. She had three bags with her, which she dropped in order to stretch her hands. She picked one of them and made for the house.

"Bring those bags inside for me" she ordered. She had noticed the absence of Ray's car and she smiled internally. 'Perfect' she thought.

Bella was bewildered. Things had just gotten worse. "You can't enter ma'am" she said, running fast to block her from entering the house.

"Oh… And why is that? Ray called me this evening, asking me to come over. If I were you, I would choose my words very, very carefully, if I have a job to protect."

With that, she pushed Bella out of her way and marched into the house.

Bella was left standing there, momentarily stunned. So Raymond had called her. Is it because of my confession? Perhaps he called her to remind me of my place in this house. All these thoughts went through her brain as tears suddenly rolled down her cheeks. She wiped her face and proceeded to carry out madam's orders.

Tinka lay fully clothed on Ray's bed with her eyes closed, feeling so tired. She heard the door open and guessed it must be Bella. She opened her eyes as Bella dropped the bags and saw the sober expression on her face. She smiled. She

remembered her expression of shock and surprise

some minutes ago. 'I don't think she knows who

she is dealing with' she thought.

Bella exited the room as fast as she could and Tinka got up from the bed immediately. She stripped and walked into the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and got into the shower. She allowed the cold water to caress every part of her. After some minutes, she was back in the bedroom. After wiping her body dry, she polished her skin with body lotion. She took out her body spray and applied it on some sensitive spots, keeping it moderate and not too toxic. She had realized over the years that Raymond went wild with desire whenever he perceived the scent of that spray. She unzipped her suitcase and pulled out a wine coloured gown which stopped just below the butt. She gave a winning smile. God bless experienced mothers!!!

Tola alighted from the taxi and walked into the street by the junction. She did not have the connections required to pull the police force but she had legs to walk the whole of Kampala if possible, in search of her best friend, Lucy. She had been to six hospitals already and wanted to visit one more before the day ran out.

She sighted the hospital she was looking for –

Joy Hospital. She walked into the reception area and greeted the nurses she found at the station.

"Good evening madam, how can we help you?" One of the nurses asked with a smile.

"Please, I am looking for someone named Luciana Mbabazi. I don't know if she was admitted here. We have been looking for her for days. Could you please help me find out if she is a patient of yours?"

The nurse looked thoughtful. "No, I don't think so madam."

She pulled out their hospital register and checked through it with Tola but found no one with that name. Tola looked dejected as she exited the hospital. She passed by another nurse on her way out who was wondering why she looked so depressed. Tola did not bother looking at her at all, she was too depressed to pay attention to anyone at that time. Suddenly something told her to go back but she didn't. She just continued walking to the main gate of the hospital where she got a taxi to take her back to her place.

The nurse entered and asked the other nurses what the lady she had just walked by had come for and they explained the issue.

"What if it is the lady that was brought here by

Mr. Raymond?" The nurses looked at each other.

The nurse ran out to see if she could catch up with the lady but she was already gone. She exhaled and went back inside the hospital.