"Seriously, I wish I could spend the night here," Sandra said as I held her tight to my chest. She looked up at me with an eye that longed for more time with me.
"I wish the same thing too. But you've got work to do." I replied, returning her stare.
It was a cold and quiet night. I could still hear the soft patter of rain against the roof. It had rained heavily earlier coupled with the darkness from the power outage earlier. Sandra and I had spent most of the evening together. Now it was the perfect time for her to sneak back to her own apartment. When every other tenant was fast asleep or indoors. At least that's what we thought.
We’d kept this thing between us, our relationship under wraps for months. We knew the kind of nosy neighbors we had. Sometimes it felt like our apartment was a camp for single men and women who had nothing better to do with their lives other than look for drama.
"But when are we going to stop this game of hide and seek," I asked Sarah as she zipped herself up in my oversized hoodie. It was as if she was trying to hide herself from the night.
"I don't mind stopping today. But you already know the kind of nosy neighbors we have."
"I do but we're adults. Does it matter what they think?" I asked, folding my arms and watching her walk to the window to peek.
Sandra walked back to me and held my hands. "We're adults but I still think we should give it more time."
I nodded.
Then we walked back to the window. We stood there peeking through the small gap in the curtains and making sure the coast was clear
"All clear?" she asked in a whisper.
I nodded. "All clear. Go now." I replied, my eyes scanning the compound through the window. No movement, no lights. It was the perfect moment.
Like a master in the game, Sandra gave me a small smile, then she hid her face with the hoodie and opened the door. She stepped out quietly and cautiously. I watched her from the door. All to make sure she got into her apartment safely. The cold air from outside brushed against my face.
But just as Sandra was a few steps away from her door. Her steps barely made a sound, disaster struck. Power was restored, revealing the faces in the dark. And emerging from the shadows of the night, but now in the full glare of the light bulb was Mary, one of the tenants from the flat next door and a very nosy one at that. She was known for her prowess in gossiping about others. She was walking back to her apartment, her steps unsteady, the faint glow of her phone lighting up her face.
I froze. My jaw dropped. My stomach twisted. I tried to understand what happened in a split second. The power was restored, and Mary was in the night.
I watched Sandra as she tried ducking behind the corner, but it was too late as the ground was wet, and she slipped on it, causing her to stumble.
I saw Mary’s eyes widen in surprise. Then she raised an eyebrow, placed her hands on her waist, and stared at us without saying a word. But the look in her eyes said it all.
I quickly rushed out to help Sandra up on her feet. When I was sure she was okay, I looked at Mary with a smile.
"Mary," I called.
“What’s this now?” Mary asked her voice light, almost teasing.
"She was just going back to her apartment," I replied, trying to be neutral.
Sandra blushed, pulling the hoodie tighter as if trying to hide her entire being under the fabric. She mumbled something unintelligible, but Mary wasn’t done.
“You don't have to lie, jor,” Mary said, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. "Sandra is sneaking out of your apartment by this time. Come on guys, I'm not a kid na."
I chuckled. The cat was already out of the bag. "Okay fine. It's what it looks like." I replied. I didn't want to hide it anymore.
Sandra had a mix of embarrassment and pain on her face.
Mary playfully zipped her lips. "Don't worry lovebirds. It's safe with me. Goodnight, you two. Be safe,” she said. Then she gave us one last look with a smile on her face. It was as if she was savoring the moment.
The silence that followed after she entered her room was deafening. I looked at Sandra, who was still lost in the moment.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"I don't know. Mary saw us."
"Who cares? One day someone was going to find out anyway."
She nodded without saying a word.
Gently, I helped her walk back to her room. When I was sure she was settled and wasn't hurt from the fall. I bid her goodnight.
At that point, I didn't care who knew or who didn't. O didn't care if they gossiped or not. I was just done hiding.
It seems that being discovered by that neighbor took a massive weight off both. There is always that fear that you think you are doing something wrong and others will know. Fortunately, that woman understood and didn't judge them at all.
Interesting storyline, but I'm curious to know if Mary spilled irrespective lol