Single and Mingle

Atlas arrived home much later due to heavy evening traffic and found Rex waiting at the dining table. He placed the empty bags he came with on the table top.

" I have been waiting for you, and you on the other hand took your time to arrive. If I hadn't called you, no one would have known that you left in the early hours of the morning." Rex said as he pointed at an empty chair opposite him.

Atlas sat down and turned to his brother.

" Have you been waiting for long, and where is everyone?"

Rex smiled briefly at him.

" Went to sleep. Who would still be awake at this hour apart from you. I would have gone to sleep if mom hadn't asked me to wait for you to arrive." He replied as he stroked his right hand.

He talked to Atlas for a while and went to the kitchen. He came back with a serving platter with a half eaten pie inside. He placed the platter on top of the table and went back to retrieve the cutlery. It was more of a late midnight snack for the both of them.

The two enjoyed the pie as they chatted about random topics. Their meal continued on harmoniously until Rex asked a question that left Atlas frozen on his seat.

" Are you seeing someone?"

When Atlas did not say anything to refute or affirm, Rex continued with his questioning.

" Is it really true? Are you really in a relationship with someone? Who is she?"

With an excited voice, Rex asked as he placed his cutlery down. He stared wide eyed at Atlas that it made the latter uncomfortable.

" Is it true, brother?" Rex asked in a low voice.

Being thrown his brother's questioning and expectant gaze, Atlas felt a headache coming. He knew it was unavoidable. He took his time as he prepared on what to say and finally opening his mouth, he said, " Do you want to know that much?"

Seeing his brother giving a nod, Atlas continued.

" Am single and ready to mingle."

Rex's eyes widened at his statement, and he closely scrutinized Atlas's face.

" Does the 'ready' part mean that you have someone you like and haven't told her YET?"

Rex emphasized on the 'YET' word so he could confirm his assumptions. He deduced that his brother might be in love with someone but haven't had the chance to confess. He knew that Atlas wasn't that much of a reserved person. He would woo a girl if he fancied her.

In return, Atlas nodded at Rex's deductions and continued to say, 

" I really like her and find her adorable. Don't worry, I will give you nieces and nephews to play with soon, that is only if she doesn't reject me."

Atlas smiled revealing his pointed canine tooth which earned a smile from Rex.

" What's her name? Not someone like Mandy, right?" Rex clasped his hands together.

" Nah no. I can't relay her name to you. Not that I don't want to. I very well know that you would tell mother. I don't want her to show up at Dada's door and scare her. Let me handle this, okay."

" Dada?" With a suprised expression on his face, Rex gawked at Atlas's face. He smiled back knowingly and patted Atlas's shoulder.

Atlas widened his eyes when he realised that he ended up saying Dada's name. His shock then later on turned into embarrassment at Rex's words.

" I already knew it. The way you looked at her, smiled at her and appeared attentive to her gave you away. She seemed to blush whenever you smiled at her. She might like you too."

" I pray that it turns out to be so."

After the meal, each went to their respective rooms.

*****

" Hey Lisa, Mr Smith wishes to see you in his office in ten minutes." One of the nurse interns informed Lisa. She paused in her action of brewing a cup of coffee before proceeding.

_ ' Mr Smith wishes to see me?'_ Lisa broke out in cold sweat as she thought of various scenarios.

After brewing herself a cup of lukewarm coffee, she gulped it all down in a single go and made a bee line to the manager's office. It was after an hour when she emerged from within the office. She went to the staff room to pack her belongings as her night shift was over. 

Lisa bad farewell to everyone and hailed a cab home. She was unlocking the front door when Dada called her. She picked up the call and went in. She lazed on the sofa as she stared at the ceiling while conversing. She had already placed a food order before reaching home, therefore she was to take a quick shower before it arrived.

" Yeah. Am alone tonight. My baby is spending the night someplace else. My mother in-law took her for a day and night out. What about you, when are you coming back?"

A sneer came from the other side, " I haven't even got to enjoy myself, then I became sick, and now you want me to come back. I need some time away from you guys."

" Am I that hideous for you to want to hide away from me? Am hanging up." Lisa uttered in an amused voice while giggling.

" Stop with your silly talks. Am coming back tomorrow. I think that I have overstayed and it may seem unappropriate."

*****

Inside the room, Dada placed her mobile phone on the side table after the call. Her eyes shone brightly, an indication that her sleep had totally disappeared.

She climbed down the bed, put on a pink cardigan on top of her short sleep wear, and rushed to the door.

Her honey colored thighs were in full display.

She hurriedly yanked the door open, lo and behold, Atlas stood before her with his hand midair.

" What are you doing here?" With a flustered look, Dada stared at Atlas's raised hand.

Having been caught, Atlas revealed an embarrassed expression. His eyes darted to and from without looking at Dada. He placed his left hand into his Chino trousers.

" I was passing by and thought of checking on you."

He said while pointing at her rear behind with his other hand. His eyes trailed down her body and went back to her face. He coughed a bit and looked away when he saw her uncomfortable look.

Seeing this, Dada shifted her body a bit. She tightly wrapped the cardigan around her body. This, though did nothing much as it further highlighted her body shape.

" Am much better. Thanks."

" There is no need to thank me, afterall we aren't strangers." Atlas said and finally gazed into her eyes, " Were you having a problem sleeping?"

She shook her head from side to side before nodding. " I was sleeping when a call came through. Am failing to fall asleep, what about you?"

" I was going to sleep and then I thought about you. How about you come with me since you can't fall asleep?" Atlas took her by the hand and led the way.

" Where are you taking me?" Dada asked while trying to free her hand. She attempted to dig her toes into the ground but unfortunately, it was a concrete tiled floor instead of the sand.