Days had passed after the dinner. Leila was glad with her current relationship with Toddley. She wanted to see him again. But she had no means of doing that. It was while she drove home on the night of the dinner that she realized she didn't have his contact info neither did he have hers. Meeting him again was a 50/50 chance. She knew it would be easier to get his personal contact info now that her company worked with his but she waived the thought, she wasn't going to appear desperate.
***************
Mark came back from work few days later and told Leila he had to travel for a business trip that could last for a month or more. He was not happy about it but he had to travel with his team to cover up for his father. He knew Leila wouldn't be excited with the news but there was nothing he could do. They had agreed as a couple among themselves that this was their youthful age and they had to acquire all they could; wealth, knowledge and experience before the children start coming.
As he predicted, his wife was sad with the news. She was going to be alone for an uncertain length of time. This was one thing about working class she didn't like - having to leave once duty called.
"When will you leave?". Leila asked her husband while they laid in bed half clothed. Her head was on his chest. He had broken the news to her and saw how her mood changed abruptly. He couldn't say anything. She waited for a while before she asked him the question.
"Next week Monday".
"It's Wednesday already". Leila said almost in tears.
She knew how these things ended. Whenever, her husband went on trips like this, she wouldn't see him for up to two months or more. She couldn't bear staying away from him that long again. No child or husband. She was going to be bored.
"I know. I was just informed today. I'm sorry baby." Mark said with an equally sad expression and kissed her head.
There was nothing he could do to help the situation aside consoling her and showering her with loads of love while he was still with her. Both of them remained in that position until Leila sadly slept off.
-Two days later-
Leila was seated in her office going through documents when she received an anonymous mail. She hesitated before opening it and it read thus:
From: Your friend
To: Leila Johnson
Subject: REACHING OUT TO A FRIEND
Hi Leila. It's me Toddley Jenga. I hope this doesn't look creepy. I am sorry if it does. I couldn't get your phone number the last time, I would've called to at least know if you reached home safely. Incase you're wondering, I went through the file Saturn Enterprise has on your company and found your mail address there. I would like to be in contact with you outside the business space and without mails, through your phone number maybe, after all we're friends right?. Here's my number +256 715 4360. You may contact me at your convenience. Have a wonderful day.
Leila was marveled at how far he went to get her mail address. He was the manager but wasn't in charge of that file still. And she knew that the business ethics didn't allow one use a client's details for personal gain. Here she was thinking of how desperate she would look using his company's file to get to him and he did the exact same thing. She was flattered. Immediately, she dialed his number on her mobile phone and put a call through to him. After Leila had dwelt in her doubts and uncertainties when he didn't pick immediately, he picked at the fourth ring.
"Hello" Toddley said from his end of the line after picking it up.
"You're stalking me now huh?" Leila asked playfully, unconsciously tapping her pen on the table. Toddley let out a little laugh before he replied. He recognized Leila's voice.
"Not exactly. I was only being a gentleman, that's all." He was scribbling rubbish on a paper behaving like a teenage boy who was head over heels in love with the hottest girl on the block.
"How please?"
"I didn't know if you arrived safely after the dinner and I wanted to check up on a friend. Isn't that gentleman enough?"
"I don't see it that way. I think you're stalking me instead. Are you Mr. Jenga?" She asked in a sing-song tone.
"No Leila. Or yes. I honestly I don't know". He replied genuinely. He didn't want to stalk her but he wanted to talk to her. "I only wanted to hear from you again. Lately you've been on my mind day and night. I wanted to be sure you were okay".
'That's some real honesty there' Leila thought. "If you say so. Thank you for checking up on me. You've heard from me and I am fine" Leila replied pretending to be uninterested in talking to him.
"That's good to know. I was thinking, could we grab lunch or something later today". Toddley was really hoping for a yes. He didn't realize how tight he was now gripping the pen in his hand.
Leila thought about it and decided to keep him in more anticipation. She wasn't going to throw herself at him that easily. Very true, she wanted him but now she knew that he kind of felt the same way about her, she was going to savor that feeling. Take things slow and enjoy being wanted by someone who wasn't her husband. She hoped her delay wouldn't push him away.
"Sorry Todd. I have a truckload of work to do. I can't make it for lunch. Maybe some other time".
"That's sad but it's alright. We could do that any other time". He said disappointedly.
"Yeah". She replied enjoying the feeling.
"But can I at least call you on this number whenever you are free".
"Of course you may. What are friends for?" She could give him that opportunity.
"Thank you. I'd get back to work now but will call you soonest".
"No problem".
"Have a lovely day Leila. Bye".
"Bye Todd" Leila replied and hung up.
She danced to no music in her seat. He liked her and she knew it. It was Toddley Jenga and he was going to be hers very soon, hopefully. Her mind drifted to her husband and the journey he was about to embark on. She knew she'd miss him but this could be the time to explore, and her target of exploration was Toddley Jenga. She thought of how to react if Toddley called her while she was with her husband. 'I'll handle it, it shouldn't be so difficult''.
Toddley on the other hand was excited after the call. Getting her number was a plus to him. Now he could communicate with her anytime he wanted. He was sad that she didn't want to go out for lunch with him. But of course, there would be a next time. He wasn't running and he hoped she wasn't running too. He would take things at her pace to show her how much she meant to him.