An End to Confusion

Chapter One

Dave

As the board meeting drags on, I barely pay attention to the ongoing arguments. I'm too exhausted from the endless chit-chat that's been going on for the last six hours. I crave a warm meal and a bed to rest my aching body. When the meeting finally comes to an end, I breathe a sigh of relief, say my goodbyes, and walk to the elevator. Glancing at my watch, I realize it's only 6 pm, but the gloomy darkness that has engulfed the clouds makes it look much later. I get off the elevator on the ground floor and enter my Bentley SUV.

As I drive down the clear roads, I'm surprised by the lack of traffic, especially since it's a Friday. I hate the traffic that packs these streets sometimes. I moved to Kampala six months ago, and I'm still settling in, although the weather here is hotter than the Nairobi altering weather. I cruise down the bypass towards my luxurious apartment, feeling the weight of loneliness that seems to eat at me. My last relationship was a disaster, and I buried that experience far, far away. When an opportunity to change jobs appeared, I embraced it very quickly and left the country. Anger creeps up on me, but I brush the thought away and park at my spot. I switch off the engine, pick up my stuff, and walk to my apartment.

My room welcomes me, cold and lonely, and I curse its presence. I walk to the kitchen, hungry but sure there isn't anything edible. I curse again, at myself, and decide to take a shower. The shower cools me off, and my sombre mood calms down. I silently wish I had a woman, but my ideology about women was damaged a long time ago, and I somehow don't think I'll recover anytime soon. It is indeed lonely, and all my hard work is for myself. I come from a wealthy family, and I am the youngest offspring of my very wealthy parents, who still consider me a baby. I scoff at the thought. My mother was horrified when I told her I was leaving and cried for a week. Who does that? I have always stayed away from them, never really wanting to be labelled the "mama's boy." It's annoying that everyone wants to take care of me, my two brothers and three sisters consider me their child. What foolishness. My stomach rumbles, and I realize I am terribly hungry. I decide to eat out and maybe do some shopping while I'm at it.

As I drive fast down the clear roads, I decide to shop at the nearby supermarket. I park at the front parking lot and walk in, making a note to make this quick so I can dine at my favourite restaurant before it closes.

Mary

The clouds are as gloomy as my mood; it's been a long hard year, with problems ranging from family to men and friends. I sigh, wishing a miracle could deliver me from the financial turmoil that's eating at my family. My boyfriend, Luke, suddenly dumped me, citing my "insubordination and rudeness." I laugh at the thought. "Rude," I sneer. "Rude" after I caught him cheating? I laugh again at myself as I cross the road to the adjacent supermarket, deciding to get chocolate and ice-cream to help me wallow.

With headphones in my ears, I listen to old love songs, wanting the lyrics to scar and scar my fragile heart until I can't be scared anymore. I enter the store and look around for the confectionery area, realizing there are a few customers. I decide to buy some home essentials while I'm there and walk down that aisle as I select another sad love song. As I'm browsing through the store, I accidentally bump into someone. I quickly apologize but can't help but notice his attractive appearance - he's older, but still good-looking. "Lucky wife," I whisper to myself as I gather my essentials and continue my shopping. As I make my way to the detergent aisle, I see the same man again. This time, he seems irritated by something and nearly bumps into me. I apologize again, and he gives me an odd stare before muttering something under his breath.

Ignoring his rudeness, I head over to the confectionery section, where I notice him browsing as well. Suddenly, I hear a loud snap - one of his sandals has broken. I can see the frustration on his face as he tries to figure out what to do next. Without hesitation, I offer to help and run off to grab a new pair of sandals for him.

When I return, he looks surprised but grateful. I hand him the sandals, and he thanks me. "No worries," I reply, smiling. "Any good deed is a good deed." He nods in agreement, and we both go on with our shopping.

Dave

I literally have nothing at home, so I opt to purchase everything in excess in order to avoid running out. I'm pushing my cart to the detergent section when I come across a plumpp lady in a hooded jacket. I want to vent my rage at her, but she quickly apologizes with an apologetic smile and an odd stare. "Lucky wife," she says quietly. I'm not certain what it means, so I overlook it as I go about my shopping. I'm perplexed as to why anyone would wear headphones and walk aimlessly. I ignore the incident, not without a quick glance at the physically endowed lady as she walks away unconcerned. "Behave," I tell myself, and proceed to the confectionery section.

As I push my cart to the confectionery section, I notice a plump lady selecting chocolates, my favourite type of chocolate. I wheel my cart to the sweets department, as I move my cart into that area, my left sandal suddenly snaps and comes away. I sigh, "Shit. I want to bring the sandal to the slipper area as the plump lady looks at me sympathetically, but as I elevate the other foot, the right sandal also breaks. I slur once more. "Do you need help; I couldn't help but notice your predicament, wait here," she says. She loads her groceries into my cart and dashes down the aisle, leaving me there like an obedient child waiting for her to return. She returns a few moments later with a pair of black sandals. She unwraps them and places them down for me. "Thank you," I say. "No worries, any good deed is a good deed," she says with one of her signature smiles. "I'm not sure what cat crossed my path that caused both sandals to suddenly break, but I'm glad an angel was here to help me," I flirt. What do I lose if I flirt a little?

I maneuver my cart in the direction of the sweets aisle as she says, "Oh well, this angel needs to get moving," and she passes past me. She abruptly circles back and knocks my cart to the ground. I hastily run to help her. She's heavy, yet I lift her up since my body is responding to her proximity. Just by touching her, I'm growing hard.

Mary

We have been gazing at each other for a short while, and the tension is high. Considering that he is a stranger, I have emotions that I shouldn't. "I hope you are okay," he adds, breaking the spell. I mumble "yeah, am okay" and dash out of the room. I realize I have no items to purchase as I approach the pay point. I scold myself. The adorable man is just behind me as he walks past me emptying the cart and grinning widely at the cashier who is swooning over him. He responds nicely, "I'll pay for your stuff as a way to thank you for assisting me. I just gaze, keeping silent. He swiftly settles my belongings, and I go for my bag and dash for the door. My hot face is cooled off by the evening wind. I pause in the parking lot and groan aloud. What the hell happened inside? I can't help but smile; that was an odd experience. To gather myself, I lean against an Audi that is parked directly next to me. Just now, a total stranger and I shared one of those intense, steamy moments. I get my phone and order an uber home while keeping my bag safely tucked under my arms.

Dave

I'm amused because it's the plump lady from the supermarket leaning on my car. I grin, amused, because fate has her hiding near my car. I smirk, finding it amusing that she is lurking close to my car. I remain behind her so as not to disrupt her moment. She leans forward and turns to face me. The way her mouth creates the letter o tells me she's breathing in shock. I grin broadly. "I could have sworn you were following me; I find it interesting that you were aware of my car. But don't you think that this convergence of events goes well beyond coincidence?” I answer.

She stutters "I-I-I-I" before abruptly becoming harsh. “Are you following me?” she says indignantly "No, like I said, this is purely accidental,". I answer. I'm curious now. This entire situation is quite funny to me, and I really want to get to know this woman. Even her name eludes me. I should invite her over for dinner; I've been so bitterly alone that it wouldn't hurt to have some company. "Let's keep it official” I respond, “Dave is my name.” She glances at my extended hand while she mulls over whether to shake it. She finally says, "Am Mary," folding her hands to her chest.

"Mary, it's good to meet you.," I respond, but she doesn't say anything and instead holds her things to leave. I can't just let her go like that, not that she is my type, but I don't want anything more. She appears too nice to fool with, so it wouldn't harm to just be pleasant.

“It's dark and late, but I can walk you to your car.” I respond quickly.

"I don't have a car.

“Okay, if it's good with you, I can drop you off anywhere.” I insist.

"I don't have a car" She replies.

Her phone rings out of the blue. She takes it out of her bag and looks at the screen for a while debating whether to answer. When she eventually picks, she remains silent. She finally chooses and remains silent while the other party speaks.

"Again," she says before hanging up.

The phone call isn't going well. I hate being a jerk, but this is an excellent opportunity for me to persuade her to spend more time with me. There's something special about her.... I'm not sure what it is, but I'd like to stay and find out.

"Are you all right?"

"Mary, are you okay?" she sighs loudly. I approach her.

She folds her shoulders and strokes her nape, revealing her back features. I can tell that the call upset her. I take her by her shoulders as a gamble, I am prepared for her to turn and strike me. She does not, though. I move forward and give her a back hug. I'm not sure where tough Dave has disappeared to. Although I am tempted to yell for him to return, I feel bad for her. After she starts to relax, she starts crying uncontrollably. I see that she is in anguish as she turns to face me. I don't know what I just let loose, to be honest.