Chapter Three

Molly and Gary talked about a lot of things on their way to his home, and Molly found herself actually enjoying his company. He never ran out of topics for them to talk on, and he avoided personal questions as much as possible. Through their discussion, Molly found out that he was studying project management in college, and was in his third year. His parents were deceased, and he lived with his only sibling, his older sister, Solange.

"We're all each other have," he explained to Molly. "Our parents passed away when we quite young, and we had no living relatives that we knew about. So it's always been us for a long time."

"Y-y-your sister is quite the r-r-role model. I mean, she's been able to support y-y-you two for all these years. And you're even in college. T-t-that's beyond amazing. She's li-li-like a super hero. Only t-t-that she's a real life one." Molly said.

"Yeah, she's so amazing." Gary said and became silent for the first time since they had started their walk.

Molly noticed this, and realized that something must be wrong. So, taking a moment of hesitance, she slowly asked him, "How lo-lo-long have you two been without your parents?" Realizing she must have crossed a boundary from how long it took for him to reply, she added, "I-i-if you don't mind me asking."

Luckily, he replied, "I don't mind you answering your questions. I haven't got a problem with them. And to answer your question, it's been eight years. It's a good thing Solange was past teenagehood by then. She was twenty. She got a few odd jobs here and there, and made it work. But now, she's engaged to this really great guy who helps with the expenses. She calls him her blessing from God. " They both chuckled at this point.

" I guess, all I really want is for her to end up happy. I mean, she's sacrificed quite a lot for me. " At this point, he faced Molly." So what's your own story? I know I agreed on not overstepping my bounds, but I think we are past that point now. Don't you think so? "

Molly shrugged before saying," T-t-there's not much to know about me. I come from a fa-fa-family of super successful women. Both of my elder sisters are living their dream lives. They have good school re-re-records, re-re-reputations and all that. While I'm j-j-just me. My mum keeps trying to mold me into becoming as successful as one of them, but I'm more of a free spirit.

"T-t-that's part of the rea-rea-reason why I ra-ra-ran away from home. Mum and Dad had me enrolled in this very prestigious college and w-w-wanted me to study business, but I d-d-didn't want that. I got here, with the dream of becoming this great s-s-songwriter, but things didn't turn out as pla-pl-planned. So here I am, trying to board the next train back home."

" Songwriter? " Gary questioned." So that's why you have that guitar around you. Was wondering what you were doing with one when you told me you couldn't sing. But you've written a few songs, right? "

She nodded." Yeah. I was even supposed to meet some lo-lo-local producer tomorrow to show off my work, but alas, s-s-seems like it wasn't meant to be."

Gary raised an eyebrow," Tomorrow? Or are you talking about later today? Because it's a few minutes past midnight." He raised his watch hand up to prove his point.

Molly stopped on the spot as her eyes got wider," Mi-mi-midnight? Why didn't you tell me so? It's my birthday t-t-today!"

And before Gary could make any comment, she had closed her eyes and put her palms together as though in prayer. Confused, he just watched her. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and let out a puff of air.

" What was that for?" He asked.

" I was making a birthday wish."

"Oh. I see. You know what? I ought to get you something for your birthday. But what could I get at such an hour?" he wondered loudly, surveying the area. Most of the shops had been locked already, and there was almost nobody on the streets. But then, he spotted a food cart not too far away.

He turned around to ask Molly if she wouldn't mind having street food, only to see her scrolling through her phone, then putting it away with a disappointed look on her face. When she looked up and noticed him staring at her, she was kind of startled.

"I'm re-re-really s-s-sorry, were you saying anything?" She asked, trying to force a smile.

"I was about to ask if you wouldn't mind street food as a birthday gift. That's what's available at the moment." He pointed at the food cart which was just a few feet away from them.

"That w-w-would be very much appreciated. I'm starving." she rubbed a hand against her belly for emphasis.

They headed towards the cart, and got some food.

"Happy birthday," Gary said to her as he handed her her food.

"Thank you," she said.

But they didn't go far before Molly asked, "Are you even enj-j-joying this food at all?"

Gary looked up at her with a pained expression on his face as he tried to swallow, "I decided to keep quiet thinking you were enjoying yourself."

"You know what?" Molly looked over her shoulder to make sure the vendor wasn't in sight before she threw the food away. Gary did same.

"I'm really sorry," he apologized.

"No, it's alright. It's still my first birthday g-g-gift for this year."

"Solange will make something better for you. I can guarantee that. She's quite an exquisite cook."

After walking for some time in silence, Molly asked him, "Aren't you walking a little too s-s-slow for someone who h-h-has an early class t-t-tomorrow?"

"Oh, that. I'm actually enjoying myself right now. I could skip school tomorrow, it's not that big a deal."

Molly laughed for a short while. "And here I was thinking you were a s-s-square. You s-s-sure are full of surprises."

"What?" he laughed along. "What gave you that impression? Although I have to agree, I am kind of a square. But, I am willing to bend the rules for your sake."

"And why will you do that?" Molly questioned.

Gary was saved from answering that as he stopped in front of a building painted in white and sky blue. "Here we are," he said. "Home."

"It's a nice place," Molly complimented, observing the surroundings. There was a well trimmed lawn surrounding the path to the house, and a beautiful garden at the walls of the house. From the story Gary had told her, Molly wondered how he and his sister were able to afford this, but decided to keep that thought to herself.

As though he had heard her question, Gary said as he rang the doorbell, "This is Solange's fiancé's place. Forgot to mention the fact that we live with him."

Molly just nodded to that, as the door was opened to reveal a pretty woman in a nightgown with an annoyed expression on her face. Judging from the colour of her eyes and the shape of her nose which were same as Gary's, Molly knew without a doubt that she was Solange.

"Where the hell are you from at this hour?" She asked Gary as she let them in. "And you brought a girl with you."

"Solange, this is Molly. Molly, Solange."

He introduced them.

"H-h-hi," Molly greeted timidly.

"Umm, hi," Solange replied back before pouncing back on her brother. "You still haven't answered my question. I've been worried sick. I called several times to no avail. I thought something had happened to you. And no offense, but who is she?"

"Sorry, I put my phone on silent. Sorry that I made you worry. Molly here is someone I met this evening and decided to help. She just needs a place to crash for the night. She'll be gone tomorrow. No need to worry about her. She's not some crazy friend or girlfriend." Gary explained.

Solange gave him an evil look for some time, before she turned to Molly," Forgive my manners," she apologized." Gary always just has a way of annoying me. But he's not one for bad company and I trust his judgment, so I don't think I have anything to fear from you. Let me help you with your bag, and show you your room. You must be hungry, so I'll heat the food while you clean up."

" T-t-thank you s-s-so much, " Molly said as Solange took her bag.

" Don't mention it. An acquaintance of Gary is always welcome here." She said with a sweet smile." Follow me, " and she led Molly up a flight of stairs.

Molly followed, and Solange led her into a quite comfortable looking room. She set Molly's bag on the rug.

" Make yourself at home and take your time. Gary and I will be in the kitchen."

"T-t-thank you. This is s-s-so kind of you."

"As I earlier said, don't mention it," and she walked out of the room.

Molly put her guitar on the rug beside her bag as she looked around the room. It was quite spacious, and was decorated in pastel colours. Molly was so tired that she thought of just jumping in bed and sleeping it off, but her hunger stopped her from doing that.

With a sigh, she undressed and stepped into the bathroom.