FED UP!

(...continued...)

They did not waste time in their devotion. When they were done, they watched a gospel ministration on TV until it was about 7am. Mabel’s phone started blinking.

  “I forgot to remove the silent mode,” Cynthia said and gave her the phone. “It is Glory.”

  “Glory this early morning.” Mabel felt reluctant to pick it. “Is she planning to come her this early?”

  “Talk to her and know why she is calling.”

                Mabel allowed the call to drop, hoping Glory would not try again but she was mistaken. Glory redialed and she had to pick. Glory told her she was coming to see her on her way to church that morning.

  “Okay,” Mabel said and Glory hung up.

  “You are still not in the mood to see your friends,” Cynthia said.

  “No am not. I don’t want to be reminded what I am trying to forget.”

  “You can’t avoid them.”

  “I know.”

                Cynthia went to make breakfast for both of them.

  “What will you like to eat?”

  “If I can see akara and akamu, it will be nice.”

  “Do I look like someone that fries akara?” Cynthia laughed. “Tell me you don’t want to eat anything.”

  “That’s what I can take now,” Mabel said laughing also.

  “So where do I get it?”

  “Do you know Kola that sells fries?”

  “At the junction?”

  “Yes. Please help me and buy from her.”

  “Meaning what? I don’t have plans to leave you alone o.”

                Mabel burst into laughter.

  “You still think I will kill myself? Go and buy the things joor.”

                Mabel gave her some money and she left. Mabel lay back on the bed and surfed the internet. Few minutes later, Cynthia was back.

  “So soon?” Mabel asked her, looking surprised. “Did you run?”

  “No oo.”

  “Then why are you sweating?”

  “I am not.”

  “You are very funny.”

                Cynthia fixed breakfast for the two of them.

  “Will you come to church today?” Cynthia asked when they were done.

  “No. I am not in the mood for that.”

  “But church is where you need to be now.”

  “I know. But I will prefer to stay at home today.”

  “Okay if you say so. Mummy will wonder why you did not come.”

  “Tell her I am busy.”

  “That’s not good enough.”

  “Okay tell her that the cough is disturbing me.”

  “That’s better.”

                There was a knock on the door.

  “That should be Glory. Open the door for her.”

                Cynthia opened the door to let in Glory and two other friends of Mabel, Miriam and Oge.

  “Oh Mabel love,” Glory said and hugged Mabel.

                The others did the same.

  “How are you?” they asked her.

  “I am fine,” Mabel replied, spreading the bed sheet for them to sit on the bed. They sat.

  “I can see that Cynthia has been taking care of you.”

  “Yes o. what would I have done without her?”

                Miriam wanted to start talking about the incident but Glory hushed her.

  “Don’t you see that she is still hurting?”

  “Oh, sorry,” Miriam said.

  “No, it’s okay,” Mabel said. “The earlier I deal with it and let the pain out, the better for me. I can’t keep dodging it.”

  “Yes,” Oge said. “but you must not talk about it now.”

                Mabel’s countenance changed. Tears rolled down her cheek.

  “You see what I was trying to avoid,” Glory said and eyed Miriam.

  “That is bad of me,” Miriam said and pat Mabel’s back.

  “It’s okay,” Mabel said.

                Cynthia just stood, leaning on the wall. She was pinging and observing what was going on. They were silent for a while. It was Mabel who broke the silence.

(...TO BE CONTINUED)

Chinedu Isaac