Chapter 35
Anu-Ms K
Soon as I’m out the door, I let out a loaded ton of exhale. I was happy to curl into him last night, and though sleepy, I heard him. I just thought maybe it was my mind messing with me but, this morning, with him asking, it dawned on me that he really did ask me to marry him.
How could that be possible? We are less than three months together. I feel everything about him in my bones. I know we are real, but I’m scared. It may just be a phase because the storm will come, and it just might blow us away. But if we do withstand the storm, then we are bound to last.
I once was sure no amount of storm could blow away love, but I learned the hard way when Caleb broke up with me, telling me he couldn’t handle my sickle cell.
The constant hospitalization was not for him, and he broke up with me.
I thought Teni might be better, but turns out he was much more annoying than Caleb was, and I soon learned to keep men at bay and out of my circle.
Now, Daniel is asking to marry me. For a woman with my condition, I should hold my heels and race to the altar, but life has taught me to pause.
Pause I will, till I see how he handles the storm that’s bound to come and test us. He has to see it, at least once.
Being an SC patient means endless hospital runs, I don’t want to get married and my husband is constantly at the hospital, there’s also the possible early death. Nope, it’s not worth it putting someone through that.
Starting my car, I head towards my next lesson, a new student that I got through Maggie. I was going to turn down the job, but they offered to triple my usual rate and the young girl seemed so eager. I always like the eager ones because they are sure to practice and follow the rules.
Since I’m dropping Nick from my schedule, it only makes sense to put her in the slot, especially when the mom was willing to work with my time.
Maggie practically begged me to take this girl. Knowing that I’m living with her brother in secret. The least I can do is appease her and take the student even if she doesn't know it.
I’m spending the evening with Andrea and Jordan, just hanging out since Daniel won’t get home till late.
I don’t like going home when he’s not there, neither do I like the creepy feeling of being watched, I’ll stay here as long as possible.
Nkem is out of state visiting a friend in LA.
I have told her she can’t move to LA, no matter how much fun she has over there.
Andrea’s phone keeps ringing. She was ignoring it at first. After the fourth nonstop ringing, she finally answers it and turns to me.
“It’s for you, it’s Daniel.”
I take her phone and look for mine.
“Anu, thank God! Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine; on my way home. I just got a notice of fire in the building. When you didn’t answer your phone, I was worried.”
“What!? Is everyone okay?”
“No one was hurt, and it was in the boiler room and the fire department put it out. They thought you were in the building with all the smoke.”
“No, I was with Nkem when she left for the airport. I didn’t want to go home, so I came here to Andrea and Jordan’s.”
“Good, stay there. I’ll come and get you. Then we can go and pack a bag. We’ll spend the night at my place.”
“Why? I thought everyone was fine.”
“There’s still smoke in the air.”
“Are Jacob and his mom okay?”
“Yes, they weren’t home as well.”
“I’ll wait for you.” I say, hanging up. I relate the incident to my friends. They are glad I wasn’t in the building, but it just seems weird that a fire would start in the boiler room. Andrea soon cracks a joke, and we are all back in her web as I wait for Daniel.