Chapter 2
1145 Words
CAMILA
It was a beautiful new day and a new week. I woke up, got out of bed, brushed my teeth, and got ready for work. I had breakfast, took a shower, and dressed up. I needed to put some perfume on, so I opened the wardrobe and found my husband Paul’s favorite perfume.
I took it and put it on, which made me contemplate for a while in my room. I took out my phone and started looking at Paul’s pictures and videos, remembering how Paul talks, walks, smiles, laughs, and the fragrance of his perfume made me feel his presence in my room.
While I was contemplating Paul and the memories we had together, a tear rolled down my cheek.
I don’t know why, but it feels like I have lost Paul forever. Why do I feel like I will never get to see him again? I just hope he will be safe and healthy and return to me safely, O Lord.
I wiped away my tears and set off for work. I was driving while thinking about Paul.
Rrring - rrring
My phone rang, and when I looked at my phone screen, it was a call from an unknown number.
I didn’t want to pick up the call because I didn’t know the number, and I barely answer random phone calls, but the person keeps calling from an unknown number.
I was driving on the highway, and I couldn’t even pick up the phone, even if I wanted to.
Then I decided to focus on driving, and when I got to the restaurant where I worked, I would call the number and find out who it was.
I got to the restaurant, parked my car, took out my phone, and called back the number. I was so infuriated that an unknown number had called me 10 times.
When I called, the unknown person picked up. With anger and frustration, I screamed, “Who are you? And what do you want from me?”
His voice sounded familiar when he said, “Hello, hello.” I didn’t let him talk, I was still yelling at him on the phone, and then I threatened him, saying, “If you ever call this number again, I will inform the police.”
As I was about to hang up, I heard him say, “Honey, it’s me, Paul.”
Then I was like, “Paul? You mean Paul Anderson, my husband?”
“Yes, baby,” he said on the phone.
I was so happy to hear from him after weeks had passed, I was extremely filled with joy.
“But this is not your number,” I asked.
“Yes, baby, it’s my colleague’s phone, honey. My phone screen got cracked and damaged in the barracks, that’s why I haven’t been able to reach out to you.” Paul said.
I looked to the sky and said, “Thank you, Lord, that my husband is safe.”
Then he stammered, saying, “Honey, but unfortunately… there’s a problem.”
“Unfortunately? What problem, baby?”.I asked while my heart skipped a beat.
“We are not allowed to use phones here in the barracks, and that’s very sad and hard for me to reach out to you.” Paul said
Again, he said funnily, “Honey, can you imagine I am hiding while talking to my legally married beautiful wife?”
“I will be grounded if I get caught using a mobile phone or accessories. I only get to use my phone when I’m off duty, my love,” Paul said
Then we talked for a while and laughed on the phone, to the extent that I even forgot that I had a job to do.
The restaurant manager came out and saw me smiling and talking on the phone.
James, the restaurant manager, said, “Camila, we have customers waiting… get into the kitchen and start cooking. The customers are starving. Do you want to get fired?” he asked.
“Baby, who is that yelling, and why is he yelling at you that way?” Paul asked.
“Sorry, baby, I forgot to tell you that I got a job now. I am a cook now, honey.” I said to him
“Wow, honey, you’re a cook now? You mean you work in a restaurant now?” Paul asked.
he asked.
“Yes, baby, and the person yelling is the restaurant manager, my love.” I said to him
“Babe, the commander is coming this way. I gotta go now, honey. I love you so much,” Paul said
I was about to say, “I love you too, and take care, my love,” but unfortunately, before I could finish saying it, he disconnected the call.
With a smile on my face, I got inside the restaurant and went straight into the kitchen. Stephanie, my assistant cook, was already preparing the ingredients while waiting for me to arrive.
“Girl, why are you smiling this way? You look so happy. What’s up? Gist me, baby girl,” Stephanie said
I was shy and trying to hide my face from her because I know how cunning she can be and will definitely get the truth out of me
“Girl, I know you’re hiding something from me. Tell me, do you have a man now?” she said.
“No, Stephanie, the truth is that I already had a man, and I am married to him,” I said to her.
“Really? But why didn’t you tell me about it all along? Oh, that’s why you keep turning down men’s proposals. I should have figured that out, haha,” Stephanie said and laughed.
“So where is your man, and what is his name?” she asked.
“Well, his name is Paul Anderson. He is 34 years old, but unfortunately, he moved to Syria for his military service,” I said sadly to her.
“Aww, that must be hard on you, baby girl,” Stephanie said.
“I know, right?” I replied to her.
“So, do you have any pictures of him so I can see what he looks like?” Stephanie asked.
“Yes, I do have his pictures in my phone. I look at them every night before I go to bed and in the morning before I leave for work.” I said to to Stephanie
Then I took out my phone, opened my gallery, and showed Stephanie my Paul’s pictures and videos.
“Mmm, girl… your man is so fine and handsome. Damn girl… he is really cute, no wonder you denied other men’s proposals,”Stephanie said.
“I wish I had met him first before you did. It would have been great and amazing,” she said jokingly.
- Writer
