Auntie Maimah was sitting on my bed and explaining for the umpteenth time why I should not travel yet.
"Nnem, your uncle wants to see you. When I told him you were around, he said he wants to see you when he returns. "
She was looking at me Imploringly, waiting for my reply. Her pleas and look almost made me want to reconsider.
"I'll come from Umuahia one of the weekends to see him," I said.
Her eyes went from me to the open box on the bed then she reached out and began to feel the materials at the top.
"This is something nice," she said.
"Ike got it for me. "
"He has good taste right? " she asked , her eyes twinkling.
I laughed.She had won in changing the topic like other times.
"Gwanu'm."
"Yes, Auntie. The materials are fine."
She smiled and sighed. "Your uncle will come in weekend. Afte
Auntie Maimah was sitting on my bed and explaining for the umpteenth time why I should not travel yet."Nnem, your uncle wants to see you. When I told him you were around, he said he wants to see you when he returns. "She was looking at me Imploringly, waiting for my reply. Her pleas and look almost made me want to reconsider."I'll come from Umuahia one of the weekends to see him," I said.Her eyes went from me to the open box on the bed then she reached out and began to feel the materials at the top."This is something nice," she said."Ike got it for me. ""He has good taste right? " she asked , her eyes twinkling.I laughed.She had won in changing the topic like other times."Gwanu'm.""Yes, Auntie. The materials are fine."She smiled and sighed. "Your uncle will come in weekend. Afte
Ike stood up slowly, his wooden chair groaning as it moved against the tile.He was wearing a navy blue face cap and a black shirt ."Ike, " I said , walking towards him, "good afternoon. "He hugged me briefly and let go.. "How was service? ""Wonderful. Did you go? ""Naa. I overslept.""Alright, " I said touching his arm then turned to face Tunde who wore a smile on his face as he looked at me."This is Tunde, my friend and neighbor at work. ""Tunde, meet Ike, a family friend."Ike stepped out and extended a handshake towards Tunde."You are welcome, Brother, " he said."Thank you , thank you " Tunde replied as they grasped hands in greeting.I looked at Tunde. "Please make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back.""I'm very good at that," he replied just before I exited the p
My father was the first man I met who knew how to cook. Most days, when he would fall out with Mummy, he would enter the kitchen, Ada and I would join him. He would instruct us, telling us what to cut ,what to pound or the right amount of spices to use in each meal. It was my father who taught us how to cook.The first boyfriend I had in university, did not know how to do anything. He even jumped to light a matches which irritated the life out of me. I met Mathew later on after school, he used to cook with book guides or online cooking guides. It was amusing but I loved that I had hope of getting a good breakfast in bed someday.Ike was cooking. He was introduced all the ingredients for his food in a grand style, claiming his rice would put any restaurant rice to shame."But have you met my rice? " I asked, hopping onto the Island. He turned from the pot and laughed then continued cooking."No, I have not, bab
"Are you two fucking each other now? "My hands which had been spread out for an embrace, dropped to my sides in shock. The question was not normal. It would never be comfortable for my male cousin to talk about who I was sleeping with especially if it was his best friend.I brought my arms around my self as I watched Wisdom, who wore a very broad smile on his face . My face must have reddened at the thought of what he said.He extended his arms towards me. "Ahh, baby sis."I went in for the embrace, with less excitement not having recovered from the embarrassment."It's been so long" he said as he suddenly lifted me off the ground. I screamed and he dropped me immediately.He went over to Ike, "Bruh" and they clasped hands and hugged and I didn't miss Ike saying, "That joke was too much, man! ""It got to you, Bruh" Wisdom laughed.
The pile of material that I always left on my table or sewing machine was not there. I saw them neatly stacked into a carton at a corner of the room. The tables and chairs were all dusted, windows, clean and clear. There were not much clothes left for sale.I started my day with calling the customers who had been calling me and coming to check up on me, booked appointments with them then I went over to Mrs Idika's house to take her measurements for a 'kimono' jacket she had been wanting to make. As always, She was excited to see me, commented on how 'fuller' I now seemed, a compliment I actually loved to hear. While she talked on and on about the things she had been seeing on Facebook, I also wanted to contribute, tell her,"Ma, that your son, you were trying to pair me with that night, I have met him. Infact we've paired ourselves. "I never voiced it though . I could not.When I later returned to
There was a loud noise coming from outside. Voices were raised in disagreement very close to my shop. I came out and saw that Aku had gone outside. I stood outside, waiting to see something. After a while people started running out from the shop just before Madam Chinaka's own. Aku also ran out from there. Then she looked at the door I was standing."Come here you, you! " I shouted in annoyance.She clapped her hands and came to me, laughing. "They are fighting! they are fighting oo" she told me excitedly."And you are there, It's like you want to follow them to station? "The Landlord had connections with the police and in violent cases like that, he did not waste time to call the them.Aku went in while I kept standing at the door. People were still struggling to see what was going on inside."Aunty if you see drama eh! " She was screaming behind me.I turned t
The March morning sun did not seem so happy. It was furnace hot- attempting to roast my fair skin black. I was standing at the junction waiting for Keke; early in the morning, it was always difficult to get one around my neighbourhood. If one finally came around, they did not like to go to my work area because of the distance. They seemed like people afraid of working for money because I understand the distance and I pay accordingly.The body lotion I applied was conflicting matters more. I kept dabbing my face with a white handkerchief till it was all wet and stained with the brown powder I applied that morning . There was a gutter behind me and for a split strange second, I considered sitting at the edge. I watched as a Keke approached and immediately sped off when I mentioned the address of my work place .Unable to find an empty Keke I hugged my hand bag to my chest, moving from feet to feet. A car rolled
"Why are you smiling like that? " I asked .It was a stupid question. My own smile could actually be broader than his that was just done with a side of his lips."Let go of your clothe. It did nothing to you. "I agreed and freed my poor dress that I could have torn without noticing. It was the effect of being under his gaze."I should be going upstairs, " I said.He walked to where I was and began tucking my hair behind my ears."You are beautiful, " he said."Thank you? " I replied, unsure of the sudden compliment.I tried so hard to compose myself so I do not look like a silly teenager being complimented for the first time."There was a man," he began. His face was just a few inches from mine. I found it strange listening to him when he was that close to."The man was a taxi dr