The Journal [A Sequel To Maya's Diary]

Chapter Three

"Look at you," I said sounding way too excited than I initially planned.

"I know right. It's been six? seven?" His voice paused lightly.

"Eight years," I corrected. Eight years, since I left High school, since I dumped my teenage fantasies and now its pages are unfolding once more.

"Eight years," He affirmed.

"Yes, back to you, you've put on some weight," I commented. Indeed he had. A lot different from the guy I once had mixed, complicated feelings for. We moved towards a seat, a few steps from where we stood. I almost forgot about my journey back home... Too much excitement screamed within me.

"Yes, uhmm, what can I say? you didn't quite change much yourself," He said holding my hand, till we sat on two monobloc polypropylene white chairs, that rested their backs idly against the bricked walls. "A ring Huh?" He observed, loosely running his finger round it.

"It's just an engagement ring," I said, trying to wave the whole discussion away by the swift movement of my hand. I knew he would press further on the topic... I just knew.

"So, who's the lucky guy?"

"Edward... You're still in Alabama?" I have a particularly bad manner, of changing topics. That I've always known. I could still see the remains of my drink, on his shirt. He leaned back, probably aware of my little stunt. He smirked... Oh I really did miss that. There was an awkward silence for some minutes till he broke it.
"Yes. I live alone, for now. There were a lot of controversies following my career choice path, if I did have one." I laughed. He followed gently, then continued, "At some point in my life, I wanted to be a doctor just like my parents. I started developing a particular taste for football and they supported me still. Now, I just work with a firm."

"That is particularly strange. One doesn't just jump in and out. It should be something you're passionate about," I said. My eyes pierced through the circular glass frame of my wristwatch, and I noticed that I had spent much more time than intended. I stood up and indicated that I had to leave, promising we'd move our discussion to later. He shook my hand, a gesture I would exchange for a hug anytime.

He offered to drive me home, but I flashed the keys to my smoke ember coloured BMW series 3, and he regarded that as a 'no'. Even if I didn't have one, I knew I would still turn down his offer. Edward was everything faithful represented. I can bet my degree on it and he'd flare up if he saw me in a man's car. He was that jealous.

"Oh! Before I forget, here's my little complementary card. A little one or two about me. Call," I said, smiling.

"Will do."

❇❇❇

I got home. Standing on the front porch, I turned my phalanges, into a slight fist and knocked. I rubbed my hands together as I did, watching the snow do what it did best, fall. Snowfall in Alabama, probably had a stigmatic phobia for our strata as it meagrely fell. I tried again. When no-one seemed to be approaching, I reached under our fine fur floored foot mat and got our spare.

The hinges creaked as I did. I trod the wooden stairs that creaked beneath me,  till I got to the room and met Edward reading a magazine on the bed.

"Edward," I called. His attention seemed to be elsewhere so intently.

"Oh hi, Baby you're home?"

"I stood for minutes outside and you've been here?"

"It's just, I've been a little... I have no reasonable explanation to that," He stopped.

I noticed the magazine he read, had a clear full picture of Tess on the front cover. I didn't know he fancied music. I didn't know much really, about the man I wanted to marry.