CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Cynthia got out of bed at a later time. The stress of her flight, coupled with her homecoming party, took a toll on her. She had gone to bed quite late, feeling so worn out, that she dozed of immediately her body hit the bed. It was way past noon, when she managed to drag herself from her bed, stretched out lazily before stepping into the shower. Her body ached all over. She could still feel the fatigue lingering over her. 

Her parents had gone to work, leaving a note by her bedside. She stepped into the kitchen to fix something to eat. She saw the leftover of chicken soup, cooked beef and broccoli with venison stir fry and some bread. She microwaved the chicken soup and broccoli mixture, throw herself some lunch. She felt full and energized after her meal. She picked her phone to dial Mary's number, then, quickly decide against it as a thought came to her mind. She chose to pay her a surprise visit at her home instead. 

She moved excitedly around the room, went into her closet to pick out a nice flowery multicolored flared knee length gown, chose a black heels sandal from one of the few pairs she bought abroad and a black bag to match. She applied her usual bright make-up, with a nude lip stain. She brushed out her hair until it was fluffy to the touch, sprayed some perfume. Content with her look, she stepped out of the house.

Jennifer woke up to a light tap on her shoulder. She had gotten home feeling exhausted. She slumped her weight on the sofa to take a small rest. She opened her eyes lazily, then sprang to her feet when she saw a figure looming over her. She felt disoriented, darting her eyes around to ascertain her surrounding. Relieved to see she was still in her Aunt's apartment, she allowed her gaze to travel to where Cynthia stood, giggling. 

"Cynthia," she called out. "How did you get in here?"

Cynthia laughed some more before responding to Jennifer's question.

"How else? By turning the knob and admitting myself in of course. You should learn to lock the door when you take a nap. I thought you would have outgrown all of that." She said with her palms spread apart. 

It was then it dawned on Jennifer that she had dozed off while trying to take a rest earlier. 

"Mary is not here," she said instead to Cynthia ignoring her backlash comment. 

"She is not?" Cynthia asked lamely. "Where did she go?"

"She's at the hospital. Her mother was admitted this morning." Jennifer answered, eager to be rid of Cynthia, so she could get some work done around the house. She had wasted some time already, taking a nap. 

"Oh! I didn't know that. Can you take me to the hospital....please?" She added.

"I'm sorry, I won't be able to do that as I have some things to do now but I can give you direction on how to get there", Jennifer explained cooly. 

Cynthia nodded. "By the way, thanks for sticking around yesterday," she said

"Okay. Welcome back," was all Jennifer manged to say before diving into description of how to get to the hospital.

Jennifer immediately begun cleaning the living room, just as Cynthia left. She moved to the kitchen to prepare a simple meal she would eat and also take along to the hospital for her Aunt and Mary. When she was done with the cooking, she proceeded to the bathroom to have her bathe, changed into a black denim, white round necked top and a white sneakers. She weaved her hair before rolling it in a bun at the back of head. She quickly dished some of the food for herself to consume before parking the rest in a container.

Mary was seated at the reception when Cynthia walked in. She sighted her first as she walked to a nurse at the counter. Mary called to her.

"Cynthia!" Mary walked towards her surprised but pleased to see her. "How did you know I was here?" She asked.

"Jennifer told me. It must be quite tough for you". Cynthia said, sympathizing with her. "How are you holding up dear?" 

"Mmm, what can I say. It's a phase. We'll overcome it," she said with conviction. "Come, let me take you to mum"

Mary led the way to the hospital lobby, with Cynthia walking closely behind her. They met Kate sleeping, when they entered the room. Cynthia told Mary to let her be. She placed a bunch of fresh flowers and beverages she had gotten for Kate on her way to the hospital, beside her bed before she and Mary both stepped out of the room. They took a seat by the corridor. 

"Thanks for the gift babe", Mary said

"Cynthia smiled sweetly at her, mouthing 'you are welcome' to Mary.

Cynthia felt a bit overdressed with all her make-up and heels. She wished she had abandoned her idea of a surprise visit to Mary and called to inform her instead. 

"So, how have you been handling all the bills Mary?" Cynthia asked, concerned

"It's beyond my comprehension too. All I can say is, we've been experiencing divine intervention since mum got ill. Otherwise, I really don't know what could have happened".

They talked at length. Mary sharing details of her encounter with Smith. How he had come to her rescue at a restaurant where she had a situation with a motorcyclist, to how he had offered her a job and even consented to paying her an advanced payment.

Cynthia was surprised to hear all of that. She knew Mary had been nurturing a chance at revenge with Smith and his industry. 

"So, you won't be getting back at Smith now? I mean, there is no reason to anymore", 

Mary felt offended. She didn't expect Cynthia to think so low of her. 

"Smith can continue throwing his cash around but it's not going to erase the pain my mother and I had gone through," she said between gritted teeths.

Cynthia seeing the change on Mary's expression, immediately rushed to apologize to her.

It was time for Cynthia to take her leave. She checked on Kate once more but she was still sleeping. She left with a promise note to come check on her another time.

Jennifer got to the hospital just as Cynthia was leaving. She walked past the two after exchanging a brief greeting, before going into Kate's room. It was half past six in the evening . 

Mary had insisted that Jennifer would go home to spend the night while she stays with her mother overnight, since only one person is permitted to do so . Her mother had woken up later to eat part of the food Jennifer brought while Mary took the leftover to the blanket she had spread on the floor, beside a wall, opposite her mother's bed. After her meal, she laid down on her makeshift bed, her mind wandering back to the events of the last 24 hours. It was truly overwhelming. She remembered how close she was to losing her mother today. It was only God's mercy that can turn a deadly situation to a testimony.

Jennifer went straight to bed on getting home. She had secured the locks, ensuring that the apartment was safe. After tossing and turning in bed, she eventually slept off. The sound of a phone repeatedly ringing woke her up few hours after she fell asleep. She searched blindly in the dark. Her hand hit her phone, sending it skidding across the room. Still the sound continued. Jennifer stood up angrily, eager to put an end to the annoying sound. Luckily she was able to find her way to her phone through the dark. She picked it up and tapped on the phone screen, but it didn't display any background light. She pressed the power button, then realized her phone was switched off but the ringing phone still persist. 

In that moment, Jennifer realized where the sound was coming from and decided to trace it. When she got to the living room, the sound became louder, confirming her suspicion. She sighted the phone on one of the sofas in the room, picked it up to examine it. She couldn't recognize it. 

Besides Mary's phone should be with her at the hospital and she had taken her Aunt's phone to her this evening, she reasoned.

She decided to answer a call coming in the on the phone.

"Hello?" She said tentatively.

"Ah, thank God!" the caller said at the other end. I have been trying to reach out to my number since" 

"Please, may I know who I am speaking with?"

My name is Cynthia. I'm sorry for disturbing you at this ungodly hour...."

"Cynthia?" Jennifer cuts in. "So you forgot your phone here", Jennifer hissed the words out

"Is that Jennifer?" Cynthia said, trying to make a guess

"The very same. You should learn not to be careless with your things either," She said as she ended the call and switched off the phone.