Dr. Lucia arrived in Randi from South Africa on Thursday night. She was met by visitors from the county office who arrived the next day, during morning hours.
They had come to assess the aftermath of the recent storm, evaluate the hospital's condition, and discuss potential improvements.
Among the visitors were the Governor, the local Member of Parliament, and the area's County Assembly Member.
The hospital was still reeling from the storm's effects. There was a shortage of beds, and some patients who required admission had been turned away, forcing their families to seek admission in expensive private hospitals.
Supplies were running low, and the hospital was struggling with a high influx of patients.
The county government had quickly addressed immediate needs like drug supplies, but a detailed report was being prepared to request long-term support from the national government. Infrastructure issues such as drainage systems, roads, and bridges were also to be handled at the national level.
After seeing the government officials off, Dr. Lucia walked down the hospital corridors and ran into Megyn, whom she immediately remembered. Megyn smiled warmly as she greeted her.
"Good morning, Doctor Lucia," she said, reaching out her hand.
"Good morning, Megyn," Dr. Lucia responded, shaking her hand. She remembered the lunch date she had promised Megyn and her mother.
"Megyn, we still have our date as agreed, right?" she asked.
"Yes, Doctor," Megyn replied a little shyly.
"My mum will be here around noon."
"Good. I'll be available as long as we keep the meeting within the hospital grounds—preferably at the cafeteria," Dr. Lucia said, resting a hand lightly on Megyn's shoulder.
"We'll meet at the hospital cafeteria," Megyn confirmed.
"Well said. That'll do," Dr. Lucia smiled.
She gave Megyn a knowing look, as if she understood something about her that Megyn was yet to realize. Then she turned and walked leisurely down the corridor.
Mrs. Maringo scanned the guest list once again. She had envisioned a small, intimate family gathering with a few friends. How wrong she had been!
There were about ten names she didn't even recognize, beyond the familiar family and friends. In total, she counted thirty confirmed guests—and instantly knew this was the work of Megyn and Cindy.
Some guests were from the neighborhood and the hospital, including Doctor Lucia Mambo, whom Megyn constantly praised as her mentor. There was also another doctor—Jerry Ocharo. Mrs. Maringo didn't press Megyn for details, especially after she explained that they were her hospital colleagues.
Realizing the scale of the event, she had hired a catering company to handle the food and logistics. She wanted to let her hair down and enjoy herself—it wasn't every day one turned forty-two!
This milestone prompted her to reflect on her life: forty-one full years of achievements, challenges, and gratitude. She had vibrant children, a loving husband, and a fulfilling career.
Though they hadn't yet built their dream family home, she understood that love, not luxury, made a true home.
She was proud of the nurturing environment her family had cultivated, which had made raising her children and advancing her career smoother.
She looked at her reflection in the large dress mirror her husband had gifted her the previous birthday. She smiled—she could easily pass for thirty-two! She was proud of how well she had cared for herself, welcoming forty-two with peace and gratitude.
Her eyes fell on a red, heart-shaped card James had given her last birthday. She reread the message, smiling warmly:
"Honey, it's not just a birthday wish. It's a chance to show you how much you mean to me. I shall always have you by my side, God willing. No one is dearer or closer to my heart than you. Happy Birthday. Forever Love, James."
Tears welled at the corners of her eyes, which she quickly wiped away. She placed the guest list aside and reviewed the menu she had planned with the caterers. Satisfied, she smiled—everything was falling into place.
Megyn had already organized the tents for the backyard; they would be set up on the day of the party, which was only two days away. Mrs. Maringo felt blessed to have raised a responsible, witty, and intelligent daughter.
The clock on the study table showed half past noon. She had lunch plans with Megyn and her mentor, Doctor Lucia Mambo, at one o'clock. She was looking forward to getting to know the woman her daughter so highly admired.
Just then, her phone rang—it was Megyn.
"How's my beautiful Mum?" Megyn chirped.
"Your mum is fine," Mrs. Maringo said joyfully, picking up her car keys. "I'm about to leave the house. Do you need a snack or something?"
"Mum, we're having lunch together, remember?" Megyn reminded her, amused by her mother's tendency to treat her like a little girl—a tendency she secretly cherished.
"Mum, I love you. Don't carry anything. Today is our afternoon together," Megyn chuckled.
Megyn had just received her monthly hospital allowance—twenty thousand shillings, quite a sum for a university student and she was planning to use some on her mother.
Mrs. Maringo had taken a day off her duties as requested by her daughter - Megyn.
When Doctor Lucia had expressed interest in meeting her mother, Megyn had quickly arranged the lunch date for that Friday, and secured the afternoon off from her duties.
Mrs. Maringo drove to the hospital, which was only three kilometers away. She was thankful there was no traffic—unlike the chaotic jams of The Capital City, where a one-kilometer stretch could take an hour.
She parked and found Megyn waiting, radiant and ready with a hug. Mother and daughter walked leisurely to the hospital cafeteria, chatting and laughing.
Megyn shared details about her week, including a recent assessment.
"You were assessed?" Mrs. Maringo asked in surprise. "You never mentioned it."
"It went smoothly—I almost forgot about it," Megyn said with a shrug.
The delicious aroma of food greeted them as they entered the cafeteria. They chose a round table in an open gazebo beside a lush flowerbed. The gardener was nearby, watering the vibrant blooms.
Megyn identified roses among the flowers—white, red, and pink—her heart lifting at the sight.
White and pink—her favorite colors.
She wondered what Benjamin's favorite colors were.
The flowers seemed to smile at her, reminding her that life, like flowers, is beautiful but fleeting.
Megyn made sure her mum was comfortable, then ordered a bottle soda for herself and a glass of passion fruit juice for her mum. They sipped their drinks while waiting for Doctor Lucia, who arrived ten minutes later.
After warm greetings, Megyn introduced them.
"Mum, meet Doctor Lucia Mambo—my mentor and the head doctor at the county hospital. Doctor, meet Mrs. Martha Maringo, my mother."
The two women shook hands warmly.
"The pleasure is all mine," said Mrs. Maringo.
"Mine too," replied Dr. Lucia.
Without missing a beat, Megyn went to the counter and returned with a glass of mango juice for the doctor—her favorite, impressing her mentor.
Their lunch soon arrived: platters of chicken stew with a little rice and brown ugali. They had a choice of vegetables; the older women chose mrenda while Megyn picked kales.
Megyn ate quietly, giving the two women space to connect. Their conversation flowed easily, revealing unexpected shared memories.
"I used to know a Martha Orieko back in high school," Dr. Lucia said. "She was three years ahead of me—you look just like her."
Mrs. Maringo shifted slightly but let her continue.
"I'm almost sure you're her," Dr. Lucia finished.
Mrs. Maringo smiled broadly. "Are you kidding me! Are you the same Lucia Mambo—the brilliant junior girl we admired? You had such a beautiful singing voice!" She leaned closer. "You are definitely her!"
Both women stood, laughing, and embraced warmly. It was a joyful reunion of two City Girls' High School alumnae.
Smiling, Megyn quietly slipped away to the counter to settle the bill. A new girl worked there—about Megyn's age, heavily made up, so unlike the cheerful Marvin she was used to.
Megyn paid with her debit card and returned to the gazebo, marveling at how small the world was. From the counter, she had watched the two women deep in animated conversation.
Martha shared her family-centered life and the delicate work-family balance she had mastered.
Lucia talked about her travels and ambitions; admitting that she wasn't ready to settle down yet.
They gossiped and reminisced, briefly forgetting the present.
Just as Megyn rejoined them, Dr. Lucia's pager beeped urgently. She stood up, her expression turning serious.
"Thank you for lunch, Megyn. It was delicious," she said warmly.
"Thank you, Doctor, for your time," Megyn replied.
Dr. Lucia turned to Mrs. Maringo.
"Your daughter brought us back together. Martha, you were my role model in school. I'll see you at your birthday party on Sunday," she said, winking at Megyn.
"Now, duty calls!" she added before hurrying back to the hospital.
Left alone, Megyn turned to her mother, her heart full.
"Mum, you and Doctor Lucia know each other, huh?"
"It's a small world, my daughter," Mrs. Maringo said, smiling.
They left for the town center, where Megyn had planned an early birthday treat for her mother.
As they walked, Megyn thought of Benjamin and mused,
One day these friends might become relatives.
How wonderful that would be.