Mex and Mellissa helped clear the table while Megyn joined Amanda in the kitchen to assist with washing the dishes.
Amanda washed as Megyn dried and placed the dishes neatly in the kitchen cupboards.
Amanda was much older than Megyn and often slipped into the role of an older sister. She was always gentle and understanding. She had worked at the Maringo family home since Megyn was six years old.
As they worked, Megyn's mind wandered to the call she had with Benjamin the previous day.
Was he already in Randi?
She remembered the excitement she had felt earlier that day.
Surely, surprise is the greatest gift life can offer.
That unexpected moment of happiness had seized her completely.
She recalled the way Benjamin's searching gaze had fallen on her, as if he were trying to confirm something he already knew.
A soft smile played across her lips.
Amused, Amanda looked at her. "Meg... looks like you're having happy thoughts," Amanda said, her voice teasing.
Megyn was lost in her own world and didn't hear her. Amanda reached out and lightly touched her shoulder.
"Megyn?"
"Mmm?" Megyn murmured absentmindedly.
"Who is he?" Amanda asked with a playful grin.
"Who?..Benjamin?" Megyn opened her eye in surprise.
Amanda smiled. "Who do you think I'm asking of, Silly?" She said in a gentle loving voice, while touching her lightly.
"Well, he's a pilot in the City... and the nephew of the head doctor at the county hospital," Megyn answered, keeping the details vague.
She couldn't even imagine revealing everything brewing in her heart to Amanda — she was too dramatic. One word and Amanda would jump, shout, and throw a full celebration.
Amanda had often asked Megyn why she didn't have a boyfriend, clearly more concerned about it than anyone else. While most people still saw Megyn as a young girl, Amanda saw her for what she was becoming — a beautiful young lady.
"You're one lucky girl... ask me why," Amanda teased.
"Why?" Megyn asked, smiling.
"Because I saw how that man looked at you," Amanda said warmly. "How thrilled he was to be around you, and how he embraced you when they arrived at the party."
She looked at Megyn fondly. "I think you're on the right path, Megyn. I believe he's a good man."
The two shared a smile — a smile that conveyed a deep, mutual understanding without the need for words.
With the kitchen now sparkling clean, Amanda went to her room in the servants' quarters. Everyone else retired for the night as well. It had been a wonderful day for the Maringo family, and they had earned a restful sleep.
Megyn lay in her room, expecting Benjamin's call as promised. Yet, she knew that no phone conversation could compare to the surprise and joy of seeing him at the party
Benjamin was behind the steering wheel as they drove back to the doctors' quarters in silence. Dr. Lucia insisted on checking on her patients before retiring for the night, so she proceeded to the hospital while Benjamin entered the house.
The living room welcomed him with its familiar elegance — spacious white leather couches, just as spotless as they had been at midday. The matching white dining set gleamed against the cream-painted walls. The black granite floor, speckled with white, sparkled under the light like tiny stars. A fresh scent of morning-picked roses filled the air.
Yet despite its beauty, the house felt empty to Benjamin. I wonder when Aunty will give me a niece or a nephew, he mused.
He thought of how much his parents had tried to give him a sibling in vain, and he smiled at the idea of having someone young to spoil.
Unfortunately for Benjamin, Dr. Lucia Mambo was far too focused on building her career. She was tirelessly working toward her dream of being called "Professor Lucia Mambo."
"Good things require sacrifices," she often reminded him. "People must set their priorities right." Benjamin could hear her words vividly.
"What's the use of life?" Benjamin wondered, "if people keep chasing more and more, at the expense of real happiness?"
And what is happiness?
He thought of the Maringo children.
He thought that was happiness.
On the wall hung a large framed photograph of his grandparents — faces he had never seen in life. Tonight, he looked at them with fresh eyes. It almost felt as though they were smiling at him, perhaps because he himself was happy.
Humming softly, Benjamin climbed the stairs to his bedroom — 'the blue room' — designed especially for him by Dr. Lucia. The walls were painted light blue, the thick royal blue carpet soft under his feet.
A medium-sized blue velvet bed stood in the center, covered with a blue-and-white striped duvet. Inbuilt wardrobes stood neatly by the bathroom door.
Benjamin loved this room deeply.
After showering, it was nearly ten o'clock. As he settled into bed, a soft buzz from his phone caught his attention.
"Did you reach well?" — Megyn
He smiled and responded by calling her.
Megyn, thrilled, picked up immediately.
"Thank you for your concern, my Gazelle," Benjamin said warmly as he moved to switch off the bedside lamp. "We reached well, Princess."
Megyn couldn't get enough of his voice. She remained silent for a few precious seconds.
"Are you there, Megyn? Talk to me,"Benjamin coaxed.
"Benjie... thank you for attending my mum's party. You made my Sunday unforgettable."
"I would do anything for my Princess."
"When are you going back?" Megyn asked softly.
"Do you want me to leave already?" he teased with a chuckle. "Are you bored of me?"
"Benjamin, don't tease me. I was thinking—"
"Uhm?" he encouraged.
Suddenly, there was a knock at Megyn's bedroom door.
"I was thinking..." Megyn hesitated and then said somewhat in a hurry, "Benjamin, good night," she said
"Megyn—" he started, but the line went dead.
Megyn had hung up and muted her phone.
The phone rang again, but she didn't pick up. Finally, Benjamin sent a text:
"I don't know what happened, but call me when ready." — Benjamin
Megyn quickly replied: "I'll call you later, my... er..."
Benjamin smiled at her hesitation. "Your...? OK. Later," he replied.
Benjamin knew that someone had needed an audience with Megyn, because he had had a nock at her door.
Probably her mum.
One day she will be his mother in law.
He toyed with the idea.
He suddenly had a warm feeling of delight.