She led the way
as they went towards the entrance of the building. Mrs Biodun opened the door
and they went into the sitting room.
“Have a seat,” Mrs Biodun said
to Mabel.
“Thank you ma.” Mabel replied as
she sat down. “Your house is nice o,”
“Thank you,” Mrs. Biodun
replied. “You haven’t been here before?”
“I have been here only once and
it was in the night.”
“Ok the day I asked you to get
a document I forgot at the office?”
“Yes ma.”
“You refused to come inside
that night.”
“It was getting late and I was
in a hurry to get home.”
“That’s right.”
Mrs. Biodun
flipped the channel on the Television.
“What will you like to watch?”
she asked.
“Anything you put,” Mabel
replied.
She left an
entertainment news channel.
“What about your kids?” Mabel
asked.
“Their dad took them out. They
should be on their way back anytime soon.”
“You didn’t go with them?”
“No 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
issues.”
“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 husband’s elder sister’s kids
come around for weekends or holidays. They are big enough to help me out and
they always do.”
“Wow. And it does not affect
your work at all.”
“My dear, I grew up the hard
way. I am a toughened woman o.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes o. Original Kpako brought up.”
“As fine and tushed up as you look? No way.”
They laughed.
“I am serious o,” Mrs Biodun
said. “My mum was a local hustler and I did a lot of hard work with her to
support the family. My dad too was a disciplinarian and made sure I did all I
was meant to do in the house. Not to mention our days of hunger and suffering.”
“But you don’t look it at all,”
Mabel said.
“My dear, God’s blessings can
transform a person.”
“Money especially.”
“My parents made sure I went
to school no matter the cost and no matter what they had to give up. Their effort
is paying off now, and I am forever thankful to God for them.”
“Eiyaa.”
All the while,
Mrs Biodun had been standing. Then she went towards the refrigerator in her
dining area.
“What do I offer you?” she
asked.
“Nothing ma,” Mabel said.
“Don’t stress yourself.”
“You can’t say you will not
take anything.”
“I am not really in for
anything now. Maybe just water.”
“You can’t come to my house
and take only water. What about yoghurt? The one I have is very nice.”
“Ok. I can take it. My sister even
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. Mrs. Biodun 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 bottles of yoghurt inside the bag, opened one bottle
and sipped as she went back to sit down. Mrs Biodun also sipped one as she sat
beside her on the couch.
“So how have you been?” she
asked Mabel.
“Not doing too good but I am
getting better,” Mabel replied. “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 the full gist.”
“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.
(...to be continued...)
Nedu Isaac
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