Ahana“You know those condoms probably belonged to him, right,” Tayo states, as we sit in the coffee shop after our first class on Monday.Camila nods in agreement. “And that girl you saw, I’m sure she was there to see him.”“Why else would he have been acting clueless when you mentioned her? I mean someone that lived in the house at the same time he was?”I sigh deeply, crushed to hear them echo my suspicions.“But it’s your fault!” Camila reaches over to smack my arm. “Why did you move out?”“Camilia, Hackney isn’t exactly next door,” Tayo says in my defense. “Not exactly where the commute is easy.”“But look what it has cost her.! Now that she lives where, ‘the commute is easy’, see what is happening!” Camila retorts. “I told you these London girls are daring.”Tayo rolls her eyes, and I can see she isn’t exactly on the same page as Camila, but rather than say so, she takes another sip of her coffee.“And you said he asked you to go with him to the club and you refused?” Camila con
Chris Walking out of the house, a glance at my watch confirms I am a few hours too early for the meet up with my friends this evening. But after rambling like a fool, I needed to leave the house, and quickly. Clearly, it’s been too long since I was with a woman. That has to be the reason why my daughter’s nanny, of all people, is making me feel some type of way. The very thought is an absurdity as she is nothing, absolutely nothing, like the kind of women I go for.I reach for my phone and scroll through, looking for any number to call for a much-needed hook-up. As I scroll, I hesitate over Itunu’s name, but shudder at the thought of calling her. It has been almost two months since our last encounter, and I absolutely do not want to awaken that beast. No, Itunu should remain boxed in the Never Again pile. By the time I get to the station, I have not found anyone of interest to call, and resign myself to the reality that there will be no hook-ups tonight. tonight.“Where you at?” I as
Chris That Saturday, I finally make out the time to hang new wall murals in Muna’s room. It has been painted a light pastel pink since we moved here, but after a play date with one of her friends from day care a few months ago, her heart has been set on the Tinkerbell decorations that designed her friend’s wall. I made the promise to get her the same, and actually did, but haven’t had the time to put them up. Until today. With Ahana expected to mind Muna from 1pm till whenever, I have the whole day to myself. Finally. I am standing on a chair, placing the stickers that go above the window, and I spot her in the far distance. She is walking with her head down, clearly deep in thought. I pause and chuckle as I notice for the first time her walk; part stomp and part strut. I also notice the flare of her hips beneath her jeans. “There’s Ahana over there!” Muna cries, rushing to the window and waving. “Ahana!” A wide smile appears on Ahana’s face when she hears Muna’s voice, and I am
AhanaI cry the entire twenty-minute bus ride home, completely broken. That I have been reduced to a teary, begging mess by the prospect of losing a babysitting job has broken my spirit. I am crushed by the reminder that keeping this job is the difference between my getting decent accommodation or returning to Aput’s flat. I think back to when I gave away my entire allowance, a whopping £8,000, and I feel like going back in time to give that foolish girl a resounding slap across the face.But it is too late to cry over spilt milk.Thankfully, Chris isn’t home the next day when Muna and I get back from day care, or even today. Just like yesterday, he doesn’t get home till a few minutes before 10, and also like yesterday, we exchange only a terse greeting as I leave, with him reminding me to be there tomorrow, Saturday, to watch Muna. I’m unable to even look him in the eye, the memory of blubbering and pleading for my job too vivid in my head.Leaving the house that Friday evening, I wa
AhanaI am startled awake and sit up, horrified I actually fell asleep. As my eyes struggle to make sense of what is happening, I gasp when I see Doctor Chris standing before me, looking anything but pleased. I shoot to my feet, wanting to rush to Muna but he raises a hand.“Don't bother. I’ve already put her to bed.”Shit.“I’m so sorry,” I stutter, hating that all I seem to be doing since getting hired is apologising. “This never happens. I don't know how I fell asleep… ”“But yeah, you did,” he cuts in, wide eyes my confirmation that he not only isn’t pleased, he is livid. “I don't even know what’s worse. You studying on my paid time or having a bloody kip on my bloody table! My daughter could have choked while eating, you know that?”I lower my eyes, completely ashamed of myself. To think this is the one time, the one and only time, I have brought schoolwork over. “I’m really sorry. It won’t happen again.”He exhales and shakes his head. “This isn’t working. Hiring a student was a
Chris I look at her and I know I am doing a bad job of concealing my irritation. But heck, why conceal it when I can show her? My mind flashes back a few weeks to the other lady and I am angered that another opportunist now stands before me. Is that the common gimmick these foreign nannies pull out of their hats? Offer to cook and get paid double? Give me a break!“Cheers, but Muna is more than fine with what she eats,” I say, putting the sandwiches on a fresh plate. “There’ll be no need for ‘cooking’ or ‘baking’.”Her face falls and I feel a momentary stab of guilt. She looks genuinely disappointed, and I hate that I am presenting myself as a bad guy, but after everything I’ve been through with child minders, I don't think I can be blamed.“Sure,” she says, her smile no longer quite as wide. “I’ll take her sandwich to her.”As she reaches for the plate, I notice a sprinkling of freckles on her nose and that her eyes are a very light brown. Who knows, maybe beneath those minging brai