Alex rolled on the mattress as he took a glimpse at the wall clock that was tickling softly. He felt it was moving faster than expected as he picked up his phone. He stared at his wallpaper for a moment and dropped the phone again. He had forgotten about Nora already, why did she come to cast a shadow again? His days in America had been so boring and sad because Nora was not there. Seeing Gloria’s image as his wallpaper made him remember the day he crossed his mind to forget Nora completely. Did he even forget her completely?
As he had always said, there is something spectacular about one’s first love. It had been very tough, if not, why didn’t he hold himself back at the sight of Nora? He remembered how he pulled Gloria by the hand into his vehicle so they could leave the plaza and wouldn’t complicate the issue even more. He was a Christian but a non-practicing one. He had never believed in the existence of a God, not even a god too. He liked being himself and that was one major thing that racked up dilemma between him and Gloria every time.
Gloria was a chorister in her church and had always encouraged him to come to church with her, but he wouldn’t listen. He had never remembered Nora ever telling him about Christ Jesus. He felt Gloria was becoming an encumbrance when it was time to proof one’s religious life and belief. He never for once stopped by in church, he really hated it. He believed there is no God, no eternity, sins are just ways by which we make living, doing things contradicting the word of God are normal things that can be done.
He left with Gloria on Friday and both never discussed till he got to the front of her house and dropped her. The first thing that came out of his mouth was to ask who Daniel was. Gloria never minded him; she curved her lips into a smile.
“A long lost lover.” He was indignant. was that not Gloria that had always told him about Christ ans sin!
“Don’t you know it’s a sin to hug a guy who’s not your lover?” Gloria didn’t know what she could say to get herself outta Alex’s blame just cleared her throat and glanced at him.
“It’s not in the Bible.” Alex just laughed. That had been baffling him. She told him no such thing was in the Bible and came down from his vehicle, walking away. Who now created God! He thought within himself with a sneer and drove away. At least, he knew no one created God, Muslims who also believe in Allah, he needed to know who created Allah for him to believe Allah created him. In fact, he wished to know who created the gods so that he could believe that the gods actually exist.Scam! He would think and hiss.
A knock at door made him know he had gone far in his pipe dream and raised his head. It was past eight in the morning and he hadn’t spoken with Gloria since he dropped her off. He just stared at her picture as his wallpaper and had been thinking since then. He walked to the living room to know who was there. Opening the door, he took a gaze at the fellow- Gloria.
** ** **
The living room was though small but was full. It was beautiful and was well decorated with vases, decoys, moose and bear figures. He had no Christian tapestries in the house, a Sony tape deck, AIWA portable stereo and a pine coffee table that stood in a side of the living room. The sofas were brown, big and beautiful.
“Welcome in here.” Alex said as he opened the door and walked to a sofa to pick his seat.
“Alex, you couldn’t call.” Gloria walked in behind her.
“Why would I call? At least you told me it is not a sin to hug another guy, why are you here, then?” ”
I’m going on to church but just stopped by to ask you few questions.” Alex looked at her.
“I hope this is not a way to preach sermons to me? I’m not ready for that today.” He dismissed her with a wave of hand.
“No. I came to ask you who the lady you hugged is.” She said. Alex laughed.
“I won’t tell you until you tell me who the guy you hugged is.”
“Alright, I know him. He is a friend of mine, a long lost one.” She replied.
“Exactly, she’s also a long lost friend, Gloria.” He laughed. “I knew it! You know we’re getting married in some weeks? Alex, tell me whatever it is that you feel for me.” Alex chuckled.
“What’s this princess saying all of a sudden? I’m a gentle guy, you know that.”
“I don’t know that! You hugged that lady, didn’t you?” “You also hugged that guy, have you forgotten?” “Alex!”
“Gloria!”
** ** **
