FED UP!

(...continued...)

                They went into the sitting room.

  “Have a seat,” Mrs Biodun said to Mabel.

  “Thank you ma.” She said as she sat down. “What about the kids?”

  “Their dad took them out. They should be on their way back anytime soon.”

  “You didn’t go with them?”

  “N o. I have to make dinner.”

  “You don’t have a house help?”

  “I have never had one.”

  “That’s amazing. Why?”

  “I don’t have strength for stories.”

  “I understand what you mean,” Mabel said, laughing. “So how have you been coping?”

  “My husband and I agreed on it before we got married. We have been doing things by ourselves. The ones I can’t do, he helps me do. Then from time to time, my elder sister’s kids come around for weekends or holidays. They are big enough to help me out.”

  “Wow. And it does not affect your work at all.”

  “My dear. I grew up the hard way. I am toughened.”

  “As fine and tush as you look? No way.”

                They laughed.

  “It’s true. God’s blessings can transform a person.”

  “Ok o.”

                All the while, Mrs Biodun had been standing. Then she went towards the refrigerator in her dining area.

  “What do I offer you?”

  “Nothing ma.”

  “You can’t say you will not take anything.”

  “I am not really in for anything now.”

  “What about yoghurt? This particular one is very nice.”

  “Ok. I can have it. My sister asked me to buy one for her.”

  “Take three then. One for you and two for her.”

  “OK. Thank you ma.”

                Mabel got up from the seat and went towards her in the dining. She opened the fridge and brought out the yoghurt.

  “Check the cupboard for nylon bag,” Mrs Biodun told her.

  “Ok.”

                Mabel checked and brought out one. She put two inside, opened one and sipped as she went back to sit down. Mrs Biodun also sipped one as she sat beside her.

  “How have you been?” she asked Mabel.

  “Not doing too good. It has not been easy at all.”

  “I know how you feel. People in the office were asking after you today.”

  “Ok. I guess they must have heard.”

  “Different people heard different things o. you know how rumour is. No one gets the authentic information.”

  “What are they saying?”

  “Some said someone broke your heart. Some said you snatched someone’s husband and then you were caught and you ran. Some even said you took company money and ran away.”

                Mabel broke into laughter. She laughed really hard and almost choked on the yoghurt.

  “Sorry my dear. Let me get you water.”

  “I am fine thanks. You mean they said all that?”

  “Yes o.”

  “It’s funny.”

  “It was Glory who told me exactly what happened, in confidence.”

  “People and rumour. They must have spoilt my name in the office.”

  “Not at all. They are all concerned about you.”

  “Not all of them o. I know some who are eyeing my seat in the office.”

  “Even the Manager asked me about the matter and I told him the little I know.”

  “He asked?”

  “Yes. He said you should take as much as one week off if you need to.”

  “That’s nice of him. I don’t need one week off. I will resume the day after tomorrow.”

  “Is that not too soon?”

  “I better face the challenge than keep running from it.”

                The bell of the gate rang. It rang again.

  “Where did this gateman go to?”

  “Could it be your husband at the gate?”

  “Most likely.”

  “Let’s go and check.”

  “I wonder what we hired a gateman for if he cannot be at his position.”

                They went out to the gate. Then they heard the horn of a car.

  “It is my husband,” Mrs Biodun said and opened the gate.

                Her husband drove in with their two kids and she locked the gate. Mrs Biodun opened the car door and helped the children come down.

  “Honey welcome,” she greeted her husband.

  “Thanks love,” he replied. “Where is the gateman?”

  “I don’t know o. I have not seen him since you left.”

  “Oh. He was waiting for me to leave so he will also leave.”

  “He is now an oga na.”

  “Did you check his room?”

  “I did. He is not there.”

  “I will handle him.”

                He locked the door and they went towards the house. Mabel greeted him and Mrs Biodun introduced her.

  “I think I have met her before,” he said. “How are you?” he asked her.

  “I am fine sir.”

  “Greet aunty,” He told the kids.

                They greeted her shyly and ran into the house.

  “Children will always be children.”

                They went inside. As Mabel sat down, there was power outage.

  “Ohhhm, NEPA!” they said and hissed.

  “Honey can you put on the generator?” Mrs Biodun told her husband.

  “Let me call this gateman on phone,” he replied.

(…to be continued…)

-Chinedu Isaac