"From that, I surmised she wasn't a worthy friend."
Luvuno was astounded mouth agape completely speechless. She had thought of all reasons but not as extreme as she just heard about. To think she thought she had lent all the profits of the business to her but she just cuddled with old rich men in night clubs. She recalled a time when she was strained financially and didn't want to bother Daniel but Priscilla came with all sorts of excuses of the reasons of how her current situation was also pitiful having to support her aged parents at home.
"I sense a conspiracy sort of mystery and want to hire a top notch detective to investigate Priscilla and Daniel?"
"I have also devised a foolproof plan of getting the ownership rights of the partnership business and kick out Priscilla "
"I have a lawyer friend who might then help us with the legal procedures"
Luvuno wore a bright smile but soon turned into confusion .she understood that the kind of procedures involving her current predicament would be time consuming and very expensive. She wondered how Bahati had managed to figure out the lawyer friend would help since their financial status definitely couldn't afford that. She sniffed a gossip and immediately gave a knowing glance to Bahati.
"Who's this lawyer friend that you speak of ?"
"Just….. A …..Nuisance ...…. Guy …"she stammered.
Bahati was now completely flustered and Luvuno knew her had guessed right. The supposed lawyer friend was probably courting her and knowing how obtuse Bahati can get in this stuff, she felt sorry for the dude. She decided to let her off though she was enjoying her flustered appearance.
"Can you take her place on the partnership terms after Priscilla is out please?"
Luvuno regained her composure and answered.
"It would be my pleasure, I thought you would never ask."
"I would like to move out of this residence, I feel like I'm on surveillances "
"When are you planning to move out so I can contact the agency to assist you "
"The sooner the better"
Bahati also queried on Luvuno's decision at the work place. She was worried that she might lose a chance at a promotion. Now was a critical moment for evaluation to be promoted and asking for a chance to work at home might lower the chances regardless of the reason. Luvuno reassured here that she had given it much thought and she was satisfied enough to keep on working and securing her job.
Just as they kept chatting, her phone rang. She wondered who might call at this late evening since their conversations were endless with Bahati .
Well the day was not yet done with surprises for Luvuno. Mrondo actually called. She answered with trepidation as she wasn't sure his reaction would be.
"Hello dad"
"Are you there Luvuno?"
Luvuno knew the networking problems and also her father not yet completely grasped the operations of the phone. He was a very conservative man indeed.
"Dad, I can hear you clearly"
"Oh yes my daughter, your mother has told me of what happened. I wish you would have told us sooner no matter how distant we are. I won't talk much. I only hope that when you are tired of city life you can always come back home. Have a splendid night my daughter."
He then hang up. Luvuno knew Mrondo wasn't the sentimental type but his profound message made her feel his care for her. She was really ashamed of her previous conduct. From the beginning of the conversation, the context was that he wanted her to feel safe with them. She sobbed quietly at the sofa as Bahati had excused herself to give her privacy to converse with her father. She had gone to the kitchen to prepare for dinner.
Luvuno went to help in the kitchen and you could hear occasional laughers as they chatted. When everything was set and done, Bahati went for a quick shower as Luvuno started setting the dishes in the dining room. It was a steamed rice with chicken stew and slices of mango and watermelons.
Fifteen minutes later, Luvuno came out of the room draped in a silk dress pajamas. They proceeded to eat.
"You can inform the agency to come tomorrow as it is a weekend. I've checked some suitable places and the one near the company is more suitable. I have already paid the deposit."
"So fast, you really don't like this neighborhood. It seems I also need to hurry with issue of the detective and see if can get anything."
"I would appreciate that too "
As they discussed their plans for tomorrow, they cleared the table after being full and placed the dishes in the dishwasher and hurried to binge watch the previous airing drama. An interesting point was that they actually had a similar preference in dramas. An hour later, they retired to bed. Before falling asleep. Luvuno recounted the events of the day and breathed a sigh of relief. She was in a positive trajectory of her life and planning a better future for her baby in her womb.
She planned to spend her final trimester of the pregnancy in Makina with her parents and eventually give birth there. She felt she owed her parents this much for the support they gave to her when she gave them the news. As she thought of cute baby names, she drifted to sleep. A calm and serene night passed with a lot of incoming plans for the future.
Buzz….buzz…..buzzzzz…
Luvuno was woken up by the buzzing sound from the alarm clock on her bedside table. She got out of the bed and proceeded to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and took a hot refreshing shower.