Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Edward sat between Tracy and me. It was great having him with us. I sat down and tossed a few grains of popcorn in my mouth and sipped on my coca-cola. I was enjoying the moment as the movie was about to begin, never bothering to check the one sitting next to me until I heard his voice.

"Are you feeling cold, should I put my Jacket around you?" That's Mark's voice. Why does he want to speak with me now? I was about to speak when I heard a female voice.

"No, I'm fine. I'll just relax on your shoulder and keep warm".

OMG, this is going to be a nightmarish night. I don't know what else to call it. He didn't notice me sitting next to him so I think of a way of excusing myself. I will take a cab home and call to tell Tracy that I felt dizzy. I can't sit down here and drown in jealousy.

" Maya, Tracy is just telling me that you two live together and work together. She also said you are both single so I need to know this. Are you lesbians?"

I almost choked on my coca-cola when Edward asked that question. Was it a joke?

No, nothing of that sort, I whispered, not wanting Mark to hear me.

"Why are you whispering? The movie hasn't started. He said.

Yeah, I feel uncomfortable with your question but if you don't mind, I will like to use the lady's room. I said getting up.

" Wait! I'll take you there." He said

No, I'm going to pee. You can't go in there with me. So wait for me here. I said.

"Okay. Please come soon. The movie is about to begin." He said. What is wrong with him anyway? It's not as if we planned to come here together. We only met at the restaurant.

I'll be back before you know it, I said.

I walked out of the sitting area in the theater before I started breathing properly. Here I am obsessing over a happily married man. I feel so guilty for the way I kept thinking about him.

God, please help me get through this. I think I should go home but if I go home, I will only drown myself in misery. Edward seems like a funny guy. I will go back there and tell him to switch places with me, then sit back, and comfortably enjoy the movie. Tracy will understand when I tell her my reason.

I feel so tensed. Let me wash my face. Might make me feel better. I walk to the ladies and turn on the tap. The water feels warm when I wash my face. I feel refreshed and walk out bumping into something.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking at where I was going."

It's okay, I wasn't looking eith...Tilda.

"Maya". I'm sorry I didn't get to see you again after the wedding. Are you alright? I kind of bumped a bit too hard.

No, I'm fine. I said with confusion. I wasn't expecting to see her and the sight of her makes me feel guilty.

" Can you help me with this? I will be out in a minute." She says, giving me her purse before entering one of the washroom stalls. I feel so bad thinking about Mark all the time. She's so nice and she deserves the best. I held the purse she gave me and waited for her at the entrance. She could have gone in with it so I wonder why she told me to hold it for her.

The wait took forever when she wasn't out for almost fifteen minutes. It's weird. No one stays that long in the washroom stall. I went to tap on the door she entered.

Tilda, are you there? No response. If you don't assure me that you are fine, I might have to call security or force the door open, I yelled politely. Still no response. I bent down and peeped through the space under the door. I could see her hair. I was expecting to see her feet, not her hair. There must be something wrong.

I push the door hard trying to open it but no luck. I take off my heels and run to the auditorium and Mark looks at me worriedly after seeing Tilda's purse in my hand. He stands up and I begjn running back to the washroom. I heard his bold steps behind me, making me shiver with fear. What could be happening to Tilda? I have never been this scared.

She went in but hasn't come out for some time now. I murmured. I peeped down and realized she is lying on the floor. Mark had a calm and relaxed look as if he already knew what the problem was. With one push, he breaks the door open and carries Tilda from the cold floor. Without calling or waiting for an ambulance, he heads to the parking lot. Following him with Tilda's purse in my hand, I had to run to catch up his long strides as if he was carrying a feather. It was as if Tilda weighed nothing.

"She will be fine, Maya, you can go." He said after placing her gently in the car.

No, I'll go with you to the hospital, I protested.

"No. Thank you, but I'll take it from here." Before I utter another word, he zooms off.

"What happened and why did you run off without your heels? Tilda asks catching up to me.

I don't know. I think Tilda passed out. I remember the day before Mark started avoiding me. He told me Tilda wanted to see him when she regained consciousness after passing out. It means it's nothing new and that's why he was calm about it. I wish I knew what was ailing her. She seems like a nice person.

" Now you are liking your rival. Does that mean you are ready to move on?

Time will tell but let's cut the night short.

"I agree". Tracy said. We bid Edward farewell and left him in the cinema hall but he took our cards.

"What a night?" Tracy exclaimed when we got home. "I think I'll just go to bed."

Same here. Good night. I said

The next day, I call Mark to find out how Tilda is doing but as usual, he didn't answer my call so we got ready and went to pick Sir Max from the Airport.

"My pretty little girl is now a beautiful lady". Was the first thing he said when he saw me, before pulling me into a big hug.

I miss you so much, I whispered and didn't realize when tears started rolling down my cheeks.

"I missed you more. I couldn't wait to see my daughter again". Sir Mark still looks handsome despite the grey hairs mixing the black on his head. He was still as jovial as he used to be.

Meet my best friend Tracy, I said introducing Tracy to him.

"Any Friend of Maya is a daughter of mine." He said before pulling Tracy into a hug. She was so surprised. I just shrugged. That's Sir Max for you, I giggled.

I wonder if Mark will go ahead with the hearing tomorrow with Tilda's condition. Tom didn't know anything about Tilda's condition so I couldn't tell how she was faring and I was really worried. He wanted to come over to welcome Sir Max but I preferred he meets us at the court to avoid Sir Max's endless questions.

We took Sir Max home and made him comfortable. We served him dinner and had a long talk about his life. He explains that he got married but never had a child of his own but he was still happy because he has me. I was so happy he loves me this much. After a long talk, we retired to bed.

I woke up early the next day to prepare breakfast and get ready for the hearing. I heard Sir Max talking on the phone when I was preparing the dinning table. I assumed he was speaking to his family back at home.

We ate breakfast and Tracy insisted on clearing the table alone since I did the cooking. I didn't argue because I still wanted to speak more with Sir Max.

"Maya, where are the documents I gave you?" I went to my room and brought out the documents. Here they are but why do you need them?

He shakes his head when he sees the documents. "You haven't opened it. You wouldn't be panicking so much if you had opened it." He said and before I could ask him why? He said, "Don't worry. I will explain in court.