Caught In between

Chapter 33: Birthday

"What did she say?" Ma Mado asked Marlise whose eyes remained glued to the phone screen.
"That tomorrow is Levi's birthday," she replied.
"Is that why you look so shocked? Ma Mado asked.
"Its just that..." she said, her words dragging as her mind tried to form words.
***
The next day, the doorbell rang at almost 1 pm.  Marlise went to open and was surprised to find Cherish and Jay. Cherish carried a basket with wine bottles sticking out, helium balloons, and other stuff. Jay jumped on her as soon as he saw her.
"It's daddy's birthday!" the child said excitedly making her look to Cherish for an explanation.
"We decided to come and celebrate Levi's birthday here," Cherish clarified.
"I want a birthday on this beautiful lawn of yours, I hope we have permission to use it?" Levi said, walking into the house with a large brown carton containing several bottles of wine.

"One more thing, please introduce me to Doctor Kamara, I want to personally invite her," he said.
She tried to think of a reason not to but he was already pulling her out of the door. Doctor Kamara had done a successful surgery on Viva but she was still her landlady, employer, and a very busy woman. She didn't want a situation where the woman would feel uncomfortable.
"Levi, she's a very busy woman, she may not want to come," she protested but he continued to pull her.
"I'm very convincing, she will come," he boasted.
Nervously, she rang the doctor's doorbell.
"Marlise? I gave you a day off," Doctor Kamara was surprised.
"Yes doc, it is. It's just that..." she hesitated.
"I came to invite you to my birthday," Levi interrupted. Marlise rolled her eyes.
"Forgive me, this is Levi, Viva's dad," she introduced.
"Oh!" Doctor Kamara said, extending her hand for a handshake.
"I want to thank you for saving my daughter's life. The whole reason I chose to celebrate my birthday here is so I could invite you," he said, extending a bottle of wine.
"Oh my!" She said, collecting the bottle from his hand.
"I don't know about stepping out today. I mean what time is it? Where is it taking place?" Doctor Kamara rambled on.
"On your lawn by 4 pm ma, please share my special day with me. You're like family to us," Levi said.

***
Several tables had been set on the lawn for the birthday. Ma Eli and her husband shared a table. Mr Mutanda was surprisingly present as he and Levi had a strained relationship. The man kept glancing at his watch all through the activities as if he wanted to be anywhere else but there. Marlise, Cherish, and Jay shared a table. Marlise watched the interaction between Levi and doctor Kamara as if it were a movie.

Levi had a constant smile on his face and he hung on to every word she said, laughing and nodding to almost everything. Doctor Kamara was a great listener. When Levi spoke, she remained quiet, her eyes focused on him while nodding appropriately
A hand landed on her shoulder, she shook and turned.
"You've been watching them for a while, what's up?" Cherish who had just returned from filling her plate with food from the buffet table sat down.
"It's not what you think. I wasn't staring at your husband," Marlise defended herself.
"I know, there's something else on your mind," Cherish said.
"I need to show you something," Marlise said, rushing into the house. She returned with one part of the picture Doctor Kamara ripped.
"Look at this man, does he look familiar?" She asked.
"I don't understand," Cherish said.
"Tell her to say what's on her mind," their mother said from behind.
"Look at Levi and look at this man," she said, holding the picture in the air towards Levi.
"What are you saying?"Ma Mado asked. That's when she told them everything Doctor Kamara had told her about her past.
They looked at each other afraid to say what was on their minds.
At that moment, Levi walked up to them with a sleeping Viva over his shoulder. His face was beaming with a smile.
"We need more fruit juice! My my! I'm having such a great time with Doctor Kamara. We have been talking nonstop for hours and every moment is worth it. It's like I've known her all my life!" Levi said.

"I...I think we should go, it's getting late," Cherish said suddenly looking uncomfortable.
"Today is my birthday and I get to decide when we leave," Levi said with no hint of anger. He was too excited to let her dampen his spirits. After getting the juice, he hurried back to the doctor like a little child who had just received a much-asked-for gift. They watched him with deep contemplation. Ma Eli walked up to the trio.
"Why are you people looking at them like that?" She asked.
"Eli, there may be a problem oh," Ma Mado said.
***
THANKS FOR READING
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT!