Leaving

"Do you know what brother? I don't know what might break out of this." Collins tried to speak it up to George. This was a cool afternoon that the two had settled under a tree that was a favorite spot for George. George was all ears to listen to what his colleague had to pass across. From his look, something had really messed up and he tried to his best to be his counselor. No one else was there to do it. He was the most senior employee and had to keep in touch with his juniors.

" Is the normal one. The woman." Collins continued vaguely. " But what about her. It's Susan right?"

"Yes it's her. She peeped into my matters."

"Matters ? Which matters? Don't be too lose Collins!". George warned with a touch of apprehension rising in him.

"I forgot to bank my cash. She got a view of even my salary slip. I didn't expect that. I don't know how she knew it."

"Be careful! Be careful Collins. You'll throw yourself into a mess. What if Hussain realized how reckless you're?"

As if in coincidence, Hussain was striding briskly towards them from the main block facing them. George tried to detect any feeling from his face but nothing was evident. Not in his usual furry or a sign of elation. Collins sat upright recomposed himself while George just steadied his eyes on him as he was approaching. He came closer and leaned on the usual outdoor table. He slightly winced at a fly that was hovering over the cutlery on the table as if to denote how mannerless two grown up men cannot mend the mess before them. Ignoring the petty anger , he rolled his eyes from Collin's face to George and concentrated with him.

"I wanted you to know that I'm cought up with some back home in my country." He spoke still keeping a serious eye contact with George.

"I would be leaving by tomorrow in the morning. I would want you to take charge of everything here and make sure there is no mess. " George was listening but it seemed like he didn't understand what his boss was passing across. Collins on the other hand, was abashed for being ignored deliberately. He felt like he was one of the cups or plates before them. Something inannimate that can barely produce a sound leave alone a voice to speak of.

"This afternoon I'm sending you to the airport to book for me a flight for tomorrow while I finish with two or three things here."

"It's okay master. But who will be doing my job? I mean who will be in my office?"

"Just as I said you're going to be doing what I have been performing. You'll assume my office. Tommorow I have already arranged for someone to give a helping hand." He replied with complacency as though it was something not big to employ a stranger from the blues.George was forced to digest this.

"How long are you going to stay there?" Collins tried to ask unsure if he was supposed to. Hussain looked at him as though he committed an offence. He was about to speak something nasty but shifted his glance back to George and replied "I'm going to be out for about five months. Make sure to let me know of anything abnormal here. Meanwhile encourage everyone to do their best and don't forget the drivers. Let Bruce know this when he comes."

Collins had no other way but to abort his previous talk with George. The men departed when Hussain walked back to his office after a quick round to confirm that everyone was actually doing what it was supposed of them.

That afternoon George boarded a bus and headed for the airport. He had to make hasty plans so that the dusk did not catch up with him. He did not expect this! He kept on contemplating about the stranger who Hussain said would come to take up his job. He however did not understand whether he felt overwhelmed or happy about his being promoted to a higher rank for the next couple of months. He did not have to ask about the perquisites. It was obvious his salary would fly higher a bit.

His thoughts were cut short when a calloused hand of a tout extended to him demanding the bus fare. This made him conscious that for once after several months, he is in a bus. Not a taxi car. A car provided some kind of privacy rather than a bus. Privacy only afforded by the power of money.

It was one more station before the bus reached it's final destination. He could now see how real it was. Hussain was leaving for Omani.Whatever he was going to do was non of his business. Nevertheless, it must be a grave matter that he had to leave so fast like that. After a couple minutes, they pulled to the final destination. It was not far from the main entrance of the airport .

This particular road was amongst the busiest ones in the city. Some few people walked briskly and silently into the feeder that led into the entrance of the airport. Some proceeded with the main way into the outskirts of the city. Few were arriving at the bus stops . Uniformed security guards roamed around the entrance of the airport and the scene was more of a formal place. Almost everyone heading into the airport trailed a suitcase behind them or carried quite sensible bags. Only him and some few were bare handed. Nothing suggesting that they had to catch a flight.

The glamoring sun rays almost obscured him from a familiar person in front of him. He shook his head vigorously to ascertain his consciousness as a bull would do when rained on. He was not drunk . A lady who had a similar posture and walking style of Angela was hurrying to the airport. She wore a black pair of silk trousers and a white blouse spotted with black . Her hairstyle was more familiar than ever. He remembered that it was the same hairstyle she wore during their anniversary. What confirmed it was Angela was the familiar handbag and earrings. He wondered why he had to meet her in this environment .

Without caring whoever saw him in this state, he made three mighty steps and cought up with her. He tapped her shoulder with his finger still not sure if he was doing it to the wrong person. She stopped and got stunned to look behind . Her face suggested the disgust in her . She rightly knew it was one of the chicky men the city harboured. George stood still and tried to make a grin as if whatever he did was funny. She beamed her eyes into his face she quickly changed into a breathtaking smile. Few people clicked and cursed as they passed by obviously blaming them for blocking their way. Others were unconcerned about it while some got infected by this lovely encounter to only express it in smiles.

Without being told what to do next, Angela had opened her arms wide in expecting a hug from her lover. George hesitated out of shyness to do it publicly but finally returned the gesture and held her tightly against his chest. They sobbed silently for not seeing each other for a while. Angela blamed herself for being overactive last time they were together.

"I'm surprised you are here. Want to travel?" George asked in a manner that suggested that he didn't even remember what happened last time.

"Yes I want to travel." Angela replied trying hard also to covert the last memories. "You too want to travel. Where exactly are you going my love?" she added almost at her high spirits. George looked at her sadly after he sensed she was deliberately hiding something else. "No it's not me. I just came to get a ticket for my boss." He answered. "Hussain? I guess he's going to Middle East ! " She tried to make it the story so that George cannot continue questioning her about her travel .

"Yes he's going to Omani . His home country. But you haven't told me about yours ?" George was getting suspicious of her why she was trying to avert the important matter here. " Yes I'm traveling but let's not talk about it." She said it with a tone of finality in it. George was dumbfounded. It's as if he had a voice switch which had been turned off abruptly. He did not find it comfortable . He did not realize it until she grabbed his hand and pulled her from where they were still standing to proceed into the airport. He towed behind her for several seconds as a lost kid would do at it's mothers hand.

"Don't feel despaired like this. I will be back few weeks later." She soothed him when an awkward silence between them grew stronger. "You haven't told me Angela where are you going exactly? To do what? " He interrogated seriously yet with a low tone of politeness. " It's last time issues. I think you remember. It's about Claire's surgery. " She replied now a little bit irritated.

He did not speak for a minute . He wondered why he is of no help even when his lover is going through much. He did not want to here about Claire . He knew she was not something to mention at this particular quagmire.