Chapter Twenty Four

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I was woken up from my sleep by my phone ringing somewhere around me. It was Saturday for crying out loud. Let me sleep please. I thought to myself as I blindly felt around for my phone. The ringing stopped and I thought they had given up but they hadn't because the annoying ringing tone began all over again. I finally felt my phone on the other side of my huge bed. I grabbed it and answered it quickly to stop the annoying sound.

"What?!"I snapped into the phone.

"Don't you dare what me. You're late Nia. Again." Ava yelled into the phone and I had to hold it away from my ear to prevent her from bursting my ear drum.

"What time is it?" I asked squinting my eyes open.

"Time for you to get your ass up and meet me as agreed." She demanded.

"Okay miss- always- on time. I'm on my way." I replied closing my eyes again.

"I swear to God Nia. If you're not here within the next thirty minutes I'll never speak to you again." She threatened.

"Okay no need to get your panties in a twist. Ill be there soon." I replied and hang up before she could fire more threats my way.

I forgot I had to meet her for breakfast today. I should have thought of that before drinking two bottles of wine in the tub alone last night. I really needed to stop doing that but I only did it on Fridays and Saturdays anyway. Gotta stay sober for work.

I reluctantly got out of bed and decided to take a quick shower and brush my teeth. My hair had extensions on so all I did was comb it and use some hairspray and I was done in that department. After getting over with my morning routine and putting on make up I walked into the closet in my underwear to decide on what to wear today. It was just spending time with Ava or having brunch since it was too late for breakfast. I really was a bad friend always being late for our meetings but it's okay she always forgave me anyways. I decided on a yellow short sleeved T-shirt tucked into a pair of white jeans rugged on the knees and a pair of yellow Vans. Grabbing my sunglasses and handbag which had my keys, phone, cash and whatever else I needed like lipstick and whatnot I was ready to go.

As if on cue like I had been doing for the past three years I grabbed my ring from the top drawer on my bedside table and wore it on my right hand. Would I ever get to wear it on my right hand? No sad thoughts Nia. Remember today is a good day, don't start getting depressed. I always had to give myself pep talks like these because honestly I needed them.

I quickly got out of my house locking the door behind me and descended the stairs at the end of the hall. I ran into one of my neighbors but since I wasn't in the mood for a chat I just offered them a smile and a small wave. Getting into my car I maneuvered out of the parking lot and into the streets. I was already late as I could tell by the constant vibrating of my phone in my purse. That's angry Ava ladies and gentlemen. Luckily there wasn't any traffic so I got to the small outdoor restaurant in no time. Parking my car, I locked it and headed towards our favorite table.

The restaurant was built in such a way that it was outdoors with wooden chairs and tables under huge umbrellas. You were shielded from the sun but still able to enjoy the breeze and fresh air. It was the perfect place if you wanted somewhere quiet and relaxed with good food.

Ava and I did this on alternate weekends. Mostly it was just the two of us, but sometimes she brought Paul along. Yes there were still together and......

"I don't want to speak to you." Ava grunted as soon as she saw me crossing her arms over her swollen belly.

.......Yes she was pregnant. They were expecting their first baby. They were going to get married but then Ava got pregnant and said there is no way she was having a wedding with a baby bump so they had to wait till after she delivered.

"Hey there baby mama. How you doing?" I asked kissing her cheek and rubbing her belly before sitting next to her.

She softened immediately when I did that. Told you she couldn't be mad at me for long.

"My back and my feet hurt. Basically everything hurts." She whined.

"Blame Paul. It's his fault and his unwrapped willy." I joked and she laughed.

"Yeah it's my fault too. I hate using condoms. Feels unnatural." She said with a clear look of disgust on her face.

"Yeah well makes two of us." I whispered hoping she didn't catch it but she did.

"Bitch please. You've been celibate for three years. You basically have cobwebs down there." She accused laughing and I laughed too.

"I'll have you know that I have a very sexy BOB that runs just fine with veins and all." I replied with a wink.

"It's not the same and you know it. It's been three years Nia. When are you going to move on?" She asked me giving me those questioning eyes.

I wish I knew the answer to that myself. I don't know why I was holding back. For crying out loud, I dumped Gabriel so why couldn't I move on. I had been in a few dates but before it could go any further I shut it down quick. I guess I wasn't ready to move on. It's been three years, I know but who gives a fuck. It was my three years not yours.

"Can I at least eat before you start pestering me about who I choose to invade my vagina?" I asked Ava a little defensively.

She raised her hands in surrender "Okay. I've already ordered our usual anyway. I was just waiting for you." She said as she took a sip of her juice.

I sat back quietly and waited for my breakfast or was it brunch to arrive. I was starving. The gang and I were still close and we hang out a lot when we were all in town together. Most of us were doing well in our careers. Paul was doing well as an engineer and had a few contracts with huge companies across the country, Ava worked with the county government, I'm not exactly sure what she did but she had a huge car with government plates and everything. Even though Nick and Jackson had graduated with honors with degrees in Agricultural Science they chose to continue with rugby and were some pretty big names in the sports industry. Vincent was a high school teacher. It was funny actually but he was so good around younger people he had just decided to become a teacher and he was good at it. Gabriel? Well as far as I know he was a doctor somewhere. I didn't know where and I didn't care. Or did I and was just lying to myself and didn't want to admit that I did care. A lot.

Our food arrived and after a few awkward moments our conversation sparked up again as we began talking about baby names and how cute baby clothes were. I was really grateful for having the friends that I did. They had been there for me when I needed them the most and I would always be grateful for them.

"I know you don't want to hear this but I have to tell you just in case you cross paths." Ava announced carefully after we were done eating.

"What is it?" I asked as I sipped on my freshly blended strawberry lemonade. It was sweet and sour at the same time. My perfect kind of combo.

"I overheard the boys talking and Gabriel is back in town." She said slowly and my breath hitched.

I didn't know what to say or how to react. He was back. After all these years he was finally here. What if I ran into him? What if he ran into me? Wait, that's the same thing. I was definitely not ready to face him. Was I? No!

"Oh."I replied. It was honestly the only thing my muddled up brain could come up with.

"You know I asked the boys to stop talking about him with me around because I wouldn't be able to keep such secrets away from you,and I also knew you didn't want to hear about him but this time I overheard it by accident. I swear. I just had to tell you in case you guys crossed paths just so you could be ready." She explained.

"Thanks for telling me Ava and thanks for being the best friend I could ever ask for." I replied and grabbed her hand with mine squeezing it.

"Your welcome bestie. Now away from that. You're turning twenty five in two weeks. What do you want to do for that special occasion?" She asked excitedly.

"Nothing as crazy as last year." I replied laughing thankful for the change of topic.

I didn't want drive myself crazy with thoughts of Gabriel. I already did that enough when I was on my own.

"It was just a strip club Nia and those guys were yummy." She said with a smirk.

"May I remind you that you are engaged and expecting." I said pointing to her belly.

"Yeah too bad. All the fun is over. So what do you want to do?" She asked me expectantly.

I didn't really want to celebrate my birthday but Ava looked so excited I could say no to her.

"How about we have a girls day? We get massages and have our hair and nails done." I suggested.

"I would have said no to that but I really need the massage so yes please. Sign me up." She replied excitedly and I chuckled.

"Okay good." I replied and we went back to small chatter about our jobs and families.

My mind however couldn't help but be dragged back to thoughts about Gabriel. I honestly don't know why he was back after all this time. What was he doing? Where was he living? Did he have a girlfriend? Maybe he was married and had kids.

Please stop thinking that Nia. You are just hurting yourself for no reason, I thought. It's okay if he had moved on. It really wasn't but being the one who broke our relationship I couldn't exactly judge him if he had.

"I need to go babe. Paul just texted saying he fell in the shower and hurt his ankle." Ava announced after checking her phone.

"Oh My God. Is he okay?" I asked.

"Yeah knowing him, he's just faking it so I can go home." She replied getting up and I laughed.

"It wouldn't be the first time. Anyway you go. Ill stay a while longer and enjoy the fresh air before I go back to being cooped up in my place." I replied and she smiled.

"Okay talk soon and text me the details for your birthday." She said kissing my cheek.

"Bye mama." I said and waved her off.

I was left alone in my own thoughts enjoying the tranquil environment. I really tried to stop it but my thoughts kept going back to the same thought. Gabriel.

Maybe I just needed to get out of here. A drive sounded good. Away from the city. Clear my head and just escape all this. But I was carrying my brains and my heart with me so there really was no escaping this. I decided to just leave this place and find something better to distract myself with.

Just as I got up I ran into a waiter who was walking to serve the family seated next to me. He stumbled backwards and everything he was carrying came flying forward,food,plates and all the cutlery. I put my hands in front of me to shield my face as everything he was carrying fell on me. A few gasps were heard before the waiter quickly composed himself and approached me looking really scared.

"I'm so sorry miss." He apologized.

"It's okay I didn't look as I was getting up." I replied.

I felt a sharp pain on my right palm and on further inspection I noticed that it was bleeding very badly. Looks like one of the knives he had been carrying had cut me. Luckily for me I put my hand up or that cut would be on my face.

"Oh My. Am so getting fired. Miss pole sana aki. Haukuwa kutaka kwangu." he apologized.

Miss I'm so sorry. It wasn't my intention.

"I know and its okay. Just clean up and ill be leaving to get this looked at." I replied clutching my hand to my chest.

"Asanti sana." He replied and kneeled to clean up.

Thank you so much.

I grabbed my bag with my good hand and walked away from there. Everyone was looking at me weirdly. It's like they had expected me to over react. Well sorry to disappoint them but I wasn't that kind of person. Sure I was angry and in pain but it wasn't that waiters fault. It was just an accident.

Now I just had to find the closest clinic or hospital and get this looked at. I unlocked my car and got in. Grabbing a handkerchief I tied my bleeding hand to slow the bleed before I checked my phone for the closest health center. Once I found it I drove off to get help. That would be a really terrible scar. But it could be like an awesome battle wound who knows. A battle with cutlery. Ha! Nice one Nia.

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Love@Lyssah.

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