By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Aside from Louisa, Chioma, Andrew and Chisom, there were five other neighbours, of which Segun was the closest to the Chimas. They had all brought gifts for Chioma, as well as wishing her a speedy recovery. ‘Segun, as the only taxi driver here, don’t you think that it would be nice if you make it your duty to bring Chioma back home from work…everyday,’a female neighbour suggested as they began eating. ‘I’m afraid those mobsters might attack Chioma again.’
‘If Chioma will let me, then, it’s no problem with me,’Segun looked at Chioma and said. Then, he picked up the ladle, filled his bowl with rice and began to eat.
‘No, I don’t want to bother him. I will always find my way home.’
‘Chioma, we know you can always find your way home, but the other day, you almost died while finding your way home. I don’t have money to pay for any condolence dues. My son might be working in a foreign –owned enterprise here in Abuja, and earn enough money which he willingly spends on me. That doesn’t mean that I will waste his money on condolence dues. I am rather saving for your wedding.’
Upon hearing these, Chioma’s eyes gave a lovely smile. She didn’t say a word but she was grateful her neighbours thought of her welfare.
‘Have you found leads as to who did this to Chioma?’Segun asked Andrew.
‘Not yet,’Andrew replied as he poured juice into his glass. Taking a sip, he added, ‘Felix, will help in finding the actual mastermind.’
‘If Magnus was here, am sure he would have caught the culprit and made sure that they rot in gaol for hurting his daughter.’
Hearing Magnus’ name, Chioma’s eyes were filled with tears. She truly missed having a family dinner with her father. If he was still alive, she would have a complete and happy family. She still has a happy family, but the presence of her father was missing.
Louisa put down her spoon and said, ‘Yes, but then, I know that Andrew would still catch the culprit.’ She picked up her spoon again. ‘He is just as brave as his father.’Louisa looked at Andrew and smiled sweetly at him.
As Chisom went to the kitchen to get more rice and spaghetti, Chioma followed her.
‘Your neighbours are super gossipy people,’Chisom said.
Chioma laughed softly. ‘It is great to have people like them as neighbours. They are gossipy people but they don’t take advantage of people and they don’t look down on people with no money.’
‘How could they look down on people with no money? They are poor folks as well…it seems they like gossiping about other people’s families. That makes them complete wallflowers…’
Chioma laughed again softly, feeling a little pain in her stomach. ‘Ouch!’
‘Are you still hurting?’Chisom asked Chioma, concerned.
‘A little…’
‘I understand why aunt Louisa got you discharged…but…I still think you should have stayed more.’
‘I am fine already. They more I stay at the hospital, the more bills to pay.’
‘Felix is super rich. He wants to be the second hero in your life, you should have let him decide when you get discharged,’Chisom paused, sighing she said, ‘You should always go for your check-up.’
Chioma nodded. ‘I will.’
‘What about Michael? How do you hope to explain everything to him?’
‘There will always be a way.’
‘I hope so,’Chisom sighed, ladling more rice into a big bowl. ‘That reminds me, Sir Emeka gave you a day off, so you have tomorrow to yourself.’
‘That’s kind of him. Since I don’t have work to do, maybe I should call him to give you a day off as well.’Chioma looked at her best-friend with puppy-dog eyes. ‘Maybe, if he agrees, we can tomorrow play hide and seek under the old tree not far from here. If we become tired we could grab bites of pop corn and ice cream. We can even sleep under the tree, tell stories together. Or we can even see a movie together.’
‘How old are we? Who in our age would be thinking of playing hide and seek, except you’re suffering from cerebral hemorrhage?’Chisom reached for Chioma’s face and pinched her lightly. ‘You can do all of that with Michael when he returns. I’m too old for that.’
‘If you don’t want to play hide and seek with me, you will have to sleep here tonight. You haven’t stayed overnight in a while.’
Chisom laughed. ‘You look adorable when you reveal your puppy eyes. Aunt Louisa had already told me to sleep over…I will leave for work from here.’
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