Zoe had just drifted off into a light sleep when her phone rang, shrill in the silence. And Barbara's name flashing on the screen woke her up.
"Huh, it's 6pm already?" Zoe lamented, seeing what the time said from her phone screen and rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she sat up in bed.
Zoe picked up the call, her voice still husky from sleep. "Hey, Barbara, what's up?"
"..."
"Oh, okay, you're on your way?" Zoe asked.
"..."
"Sounds good, I'll be right there, I just need to get changed." Zoe responded, tossed off her covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
"See you soon, Barbara."
Beep.
Zoe flung her phone onto the bed. 'Thank goodness I didn't sleep soundly. I would have missed Barbara's call entirely.' Zoe mused, as she began to get dressed.
Zoe swiftly changed into a comfortable pair of jeans and a lightweight chiffon top and slipped on her sandals, ready to meet up with Barbara.
After a discomfort she experienced the last time she wore high heels, infact Zoe experienced more uncomfortability on high heels as her pregnancy grew everyday day. She had searched on Google about what could have caused it and discovered a crucial warning: pregnant women are strongly advised against wearing high heels due to the potential risk and complications.
She had opted for sandals instead, and headed out through the door.
As soon as she stepped out, Zoe spotted a taxi and quickly hailed it, giving the driver the restaurant address before settling in for the short ride.
Zoe arrived at the restaurant and her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Barbara, who was already seated, sipping a glass of wine and smiling warmly as she caught Zoe's gaze.
Zoe made her way to Barbara. "Hey, my dear friend." Zoe said, exchanging warm hugs with Barbara.
"How are you doing?" Barbara asked, her eyes filled with genuine concern as she leaned in slightly, awaiting Zoe's response.
Since relocating to Wimland, Zoe had struggled to form genuine connections or make friends with people there, who seemed more interested in gossip than meaningful relationships. So reuniting with Barbara, her trusted old friend, felt like a breath of fresh air.
Although, Bernard had been a steady support to Zoe. But she had missed having a close friend, someone who could connect with her on a deeper level, share similar life experiences, and provide a listening ear.
"I'm doing well." Zoe responded. "And what about you? How's everything going in your world?"
"Everything is just fine." Barbara said, beaming with joy. "It's been ages, Zoe, since high school, but I'm so grateful we're meeting again and reconnecting—it feels like no time has passed at all."
During their high school years, Barbara's fearless attitude and sharp-wittedness had made her a respected figure, and though she was tougher than Zoe in many ways. Their friendship had been built on mutual trust.
"I know, it's crazy how time flies." Zoe agreed. "But I'm so grateful we're sitting here together again, just like old times."
"I heard about the loss of your parents, and my heart goes out to you—I'm deeply sorry I wasn't there for you during that difficult time." Barbara said, her voice filled with regret.
"Yeah, I heard you left town to study in Wimland as well." Zoe said.
Barbara sighed and responded "Yes, I had an exam scheduled around that period; I had left town to study in Wimland, but I searched for you afterwards, only to find out that you had moved back and taken your sister, Jenna, along with you but I couldn't track you down.
Zoe's expression turned reflective. "The grief has faded, it's all behind me now, my parents may be gone, but I take solace in believing their souls are at peace."
"You are right, So, what's up with you?" Barbara asked, leaning in curiously as she took a sip of her wine. "I heard you got married here in Wimland after university, how's married life treating you?"
Zoe let out a deep sigh, "there's so much to catch up on, Barbara. We have a lot to talk about." She said, Just as her gaze met the waiter, who was carefully balancing a tray of more refreshments.
"But hold on, I'm confused." Barbara said, pausing for a moment, as she waited for the waiter to set down their orders and leave their table, before continuing in a hush tone.
"How come you got engaged to Bernard recently? I thought you were already married?"
Zoe clicked her tongue. Knowing her friend Barbara lived for juicy gossip and was now eagerly awaiting every scandalous details.
"You're still the same old Barbara." Zoe teased, "always digging for gossip and speaking your mind."
"Yeah, tease me all you like." Barbara said with a grin, "but come on, Zoe, fill me in—I know a lot has passed between us since high school, and I want all the juicy details.
Zoe cleared her throat, signaling a shift of seriousness, and placed her hand bag on the side of the table, leaning in with her elbow resting on the table, her hands clasped together.
"Well." Zoe began. I got married to Stanley right after we graduated from the university together.
"Yeah, I heard his name was Stanley." Barbara cuts in.
A faint crease formed between Zoe's eyebrows as she shot Barbara a sideways glance. "Barbara, I wasn't finished."
A sheepish grin spread across Barbara's face as she reached out to touch Zoe's hand and said "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt—pleace, go on."
As Zoe raised her glass of fruit wine to her lips, Barbara's eyes narrowed. "What's with the virgin vibes? And since when did you switch to fruit wine?"
Zoe grinned slyly, skipping Barbara's direct question and saying something else. "Do you recall those infamous school parties we snuck out for? The ones where Smirnoff and Sprite were our beverages of choice?"
Just as the memories flooded back, Zoe and Barbara grinned at each other, their hands touching briefly in a playful tap.
"Those days—our wild, crazy days—they're etched in my memory forever." Barbara said, smiling softly, as she pushed a stray hair out of her face.
Zoe and Barbara's high school escapades were a brief, fiery chapter. But the solid foundation laid by their parents' guidance ensured they emerged as confident and responsible adults.
Zoe sighed. "Let's get back to what I was saying earlier." Zoe continued. "I was trying to tell you something about my marriage to Stanley before we were sidetracked by our high school memories.
"Yeah." Barbara said, her expression tuning serious as she leaned in, her eyes locking onto Zoe's, "Go on, I'm listening now."
"I thought I'd found forever with Stanley, but our marriage crumbled in just three short years. when I got him red handed on our matrimonial bed with my own sister, Jenna, shattering my heart and trust."
"How did this happen?" Barbara asked; Her voice laced with shock. "Were you accommodating your sister in your house, Zoe?"
Yes, I was." Zoe said. "I couldn't have just left her alone after our parents passed away; she's my little sister, and I felt responsible for taking care of her."
Barbara glared at Zoe and asked. "Did you deal with them after their betrayal—? Especially that deceitful husband of yours—? "Ex-husband." Zoe cuts in, correcting Barbara.
"Yeah" Barbara agreed, pointing at Zoe with her pointer-finger. "I meant, your ex-husband—, or did you just let him walk all over you?"
"It would be a waste of my time. Besides, it happened two months ago and we are divorced now and honestly, I'm done with him, they don't deserve me at all." Zoe replied, lifting a glass of her fruit wine to her lips.
Barbara's face contorted in outrage as she exclaimed, "This is ridiculous! If it were me, I would have confronted them head-on and made them pay for their betrayal. you just let them off scot-free without any consequences. Barbara scolded.
Barbara took her bottle of whiskey in hand and poured generous amounts into her glass cup. Her face lit up with a warm smile as she asked, "So, tell me, how did Bernard come into the picture and you guys got engaged just two months after your divorce—? I want to hear the whole story!"
With a playful grin, Zoe labeled Barbara the "gossip queen" and Barbara laughed, taking the title as a badge of honor.
Just as Barbara was eager to hear Zoe's story; Zoe was equally eager to hear Barbara's. And the mutual curiosity created an air of excited anticipation between the two friends.
Zoe cleared her throat and said "I actually met Bernard the same night I had caught Stanley and Jenna in bed."
Barbara gasped, "You don't mean it!" her eyes still wide open.
With a warm smile, Barbara said "Isn't that amazing? Your future love was waiting for you at the bar, while you were nursing a broken heart over Stanley—, it's like the universe was guiding you towards happiness.
Bernard is handsome and rich."Barbara said with a smile. "And I've had the pleasure of meeting him through my boyfriend at your engagement party. As it turns out, my boyfriend's company supplies cleaning products to Bernard's hotel in this city. You, my dear, are one lucky girl." She shook Zoe's hand in congratulations.