Chapter 67

They lay side by side on Gloria's large divan bed after having made love in the afternoon. It was Sunday, and as usual, they relaxed in her apartment.

Her white cat lay lazily at the foot of the bed and seemed to have watched everything they did. A cool sea breeze passed through the large French windows and gently kissed their cheeks. Silence fell over the room as they caressed each other.

Almost a year had passed since their engagement. Then plans were now underway to get married in three months' time. Esau had gone over the arrangements he was making for the wedding. As Gloria listened to his plans, she knew it would be a plush wedding.

Her mind went back to the day Esau began the arrangements for their wedding. A good organizer and planner he was, Gloria thought of her lover. He was generous, too. Indeed, Esau had met her parents for dowry negotiations when he was accompanied by his father and other relatives.

Later, after they left, Gloria's parents had given their approval.

"We liked the young man and his father," Ongaye, Gloria's father, said as he touched his bald head.

"I was sure you would, dad." Gloria had told her father as she looked at his black penetrating eyes, "His father, as you also observed, is a good and straightforward man."

"I hope everything turns out alright." Maria, Gloria's mother, observed.

"It will mum," Gloria tried to assure them, "I've always known Esau as a gentleman. He can never let us down."

Now, as her mind snapped back from that day, Gloria believed the final moment of their affair was coming to its close. She was convinced they needed each other, and a strong bond that would last forever was expected to be sealed soon.

"Darling, it's quite hot in the house." Esau observed and then suggested, "Let's go for a swim in the ocean."

"You're right, honey. Let's go!" She agreed.

He watched her as she jumped out of bed and dressed up. She had on her tight-fitting navy blue skirt and white blouse.

He watched her curved and attractive figure and smiled. He knew most men usually turned their heads to stare in their direction whenever they went past them.

He also jumped out of bed and got into his trousers. It was now Gloria's turn to watch him as he dressed. She watched happily as it crossed her mind that in a few months' time, the handsome Esau would be her husband forever. Gloria was now wearing her sun hat.

When they were ready to leave, they slipped out of the house, and Esau walked over to his motorbike. Then the engine roared into life, and he beckoned her to join him.

"Come on, darling. Let's get going!" He laughed as she came and sat behind him.

They sped along the highway as they rode out of the island and went to the Nyali Beach Hotel. She clung on tightly to him as they went racing along the road.

It took them ten minutes to reach the hotel. They disembarked, and Esau pushed his motorbike to a safe parking space near the premises. They went inside. At the hall, Esau started talking.

"Honey, just wait for me here as I go and pay at the counter. I can see the receptionist is staring at us anxiously."

"Then just go. I'll wait for you."

He went over to the receptionist and paid for the hotel charges, which included entrance and swimming in the ocean. Five minutes later, he joined her, and they walked over to the changing rooms. As they walked, he saw there were a few tourists on the beach.

They walked into the room; Esau was carrying their bag. Then they changed into their swimming costumes. Gloria was in her tight-fitting bikini as she emerged from the changing room.

Together, they started running across the beach into the water. Even as they ran, Esau was conscious of the look the tourists gave them because her figure was a sight to behold. And he loved it that way when people stared at them, especially the women.

They swam close to each other. Occasionally, they kissed while in the sea water. Then they started playing like little children as they splashed water on each other. The tourists who lay sunbathing on the beach watched keenly as they played and kissed.

They swam for three hours. Later, they felt tired and came out of the water with their wet costumes and walked slowly to the changing rooms.

Satisfied, they were ready to leave and walked over to their motorbike. This time, Gloria carried their bag. Esau suddenly asked, "Did you like it, my love?"

"Sure. I enjoyed myself." She said as she knew her fiancé liked swimming.

Then he started the engine, and they rode back to her apartment. This time, they rode slowly, and it took them twenty minutes to arrive.

It was getting late as they opened the gate to the house and stepped into the compound. They went up the stairs holding and kissing each other along the way.

At the end of the stairs, she took her key from her bag and opened the door. They entered the lobby and relaxed for a few minutes.

Then Gloria entered the kitchen to prepare their evening meal. As she went, Esau took one of the magazines and began to read as he waited. He usually enjoyed most of the meals she prepared.

He knew she loved rose wine and enjoyed cooking during weekdays but eating out during the weekends. Today, however, was exceptional as they had agreed to eat the nice meal she would prepare at her house.

Gloria was a good cook and the opposite of what his father had assumed about university ladies, most of whom he had dismissed as poor cooks. Well, Gloria was different and would prepare nice dishes for him when they got married.

When they sat down to eat their supper, Esau remarked: "Wow! The food tastes delicious. Who taught you how to prepare nice dishes?"

"My mother did. She's one of the best cooks I've ever known," she spoke in praise of her mother.

They ate in silence. It was simple rice and stewed beans; but she had used coconut oil, which was the Swahili style of cooking.

When supper was over, Gloria filled the wine glasses as they sat down to watch TV until late at night. It was a habit they had formed during their days at campus.

Outside, the moon light penetrated into their dimly lit lounge.

Then, they retired into her bedroom, and things started heating up between them as the moon bore witness to the rhythm and language of their bodies as they spent the night together in each other's arms.