Chapter 62

Gloria's luck turned out later, almost two months after Esau started working. An application letter she wrote previously and which she had almost forgotten was replied in the affirmative, and after being interviewed, she was offered a job as a port operations manager with the Kenya Ports Authority.

When they met at their usual joint, Gloria's face radiated happiness. "I've landed myself a nice job, Esau!"

She sounded quite happy as she showed him the appointment letter.

"You're a lucky woman, Gloria. I told you never to worry because jobs are always there for graduates. No matter how long one is on the tarmac, one is bound to land a job eventually."

"Now I'm going to be happy," she went on, "I had even started fearing I could lose you if I remained unemployed because one never knows what comes next."

"Is that so?" Esau was visibly shocked. "I can never dream of leaving you."

Gloria, like her lover, began working zealously. She also went for evening classes at the BandarI College for professional courses in port operations management. As time went on, she became quite efficient in her work, and the bosses of the corporation were thinking of promoting her.

Meanwhile, Gloria moved out of her parents' house and now lived in one of the houses the corporation allocated her. It was a three bedroom house at Tudor and was quite well furnished. She was happy that her dreams were coming true and was sure she would enjoy life with Esau as he kept on visiting her.

Later, Esau thought it wise to tell his father about his affair with Gloria.

"Dad," he began slowly and tactfully, "I have a friend whom I would really like to share the rest of my life with."

"What kind of friend is that?" Alfredo reacted sharply as he was alarmed and feared that another Indian lady had walked into his son's life.

"It's a girlfriend, dad. She is..."

Alfredo cut him short, "Is she an Indian?"

"No, dad. She's one of us."

Alfredo breathed a heavy sigh of relief and said, "Good! I feared that you were probably involving yourself with another Indian. Remember the other time and what happened? If she's black, it's okay with me. I've no problem as she's one of us."

"She's a university graduate," Esau revealed to him, "We graduated together last year."

Alfredo was now alarmed. "And you want to marry her?"

"Yes, dad."

"Well, you'd better take your time and consider things very seriously. Such women are quite difficult to manage."

Esau realized his father was uneasy about his affair with Gloria; he was just not keen. He knew his father disliked highly learned women, especially those who had gone to university.

He tried to assure the old man, "She's alright, dad. I've known her since our days at campus. I've no doubt about her and know she'll make a good wife. We share similar interests; she loves movies, reading, and watching plays just as I do. And I know she'll love swimming, which I would like her to start enjoying soon."

"Problem is that many people think they know others from the surface. But now I tell you this; you'd better study her and then make the decision. Don't rush into anything you'll live to regret later on. If I were in your position, I would take time."

"I've studied her long enough, dad. I'm sure she and I were cut for each other. We'll live happily once we're married."

"Well, it's your own mountain to climb, not mine. She may be out to squeeze you dry. Don't ever say later on that I never cautioned you."

They left it at that. Esau continued to see Gloria quite often. He usually rode to her apartment on his motorbike and returned home very late at night. He also visited her during the weekend.

At times, he spent the night with her and returned home in the morning to apologize to his father. Alfredo, by this time, knew his son was seriously in love with the university woman.

Esau decided to break the news one warm evening. "Darling, I'd like you to meet my parents. I've already told them about you."

"Is that so?" Gloria's tone was full of anxiety. "Will they really accept me?"

"Why should they not? We're in love. Don't worry, they'll welcome you." His voice was full of confidence as he tried to reassure her.

"So when do I meet them?"

"We go tonight. I've already planned everything."

"It's okay then," she agreed.