The Moment I Met You (Chapter 566)

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

This bright and cheerful morning, Chioma walked out of the bedroom and immediately headed to the kitchen. She went back to the bedroom with a cup of tea, licking a fork.  ‘Mum, did you make omelettes?’                                                                                                           

Louisa took the cup of tea from her and shook her head. ‘Andrew did.’ She sat up.                                                                                     

‘Andrew did? That’s good. I’ll ask him to make more.’ She turned to the living room. ‘Big brother, please make me an omelette. I really want to eat that.’                                                                                                      

‘What will you give me?’Andrew asked, pulling on his shoes. He was already dressed for work.                                                                           

‘What do you want?’ Chioma asked. ‘Do you have anything you’d like me to do for you? Maybe I could help you with work?’                            

  Andrew knew that Chioma didn’t mean it, and so didn’t take her serious. ‘I still have a little time,’ Andrew said and stood up, then he headed for the kitchen. ‘I’ll make you an omelette. I still have a little time.’                                                                                                                                               Chioma followed. She leaned at the counter next to the stove and watched Andrew get the eggs and milk from the fridge. Andrew was fast in cracking the eggs. He pulled up his sleeve, and reached for the apron.                                                                                        

Chioma had learned how to cook some dishes by watching YouTube videos. She could do many simple dishes, including this omelette. But today, she simply wanted Andrew to make them for her.              

  In few minutes the omelettes were ready and served. Then, Andrew pulled out the apron and headed for the living room.                    

‘You’re the best brother,’ Chioma said excitedly as she began to eat the delicious omelettes.                                                                                    

‘I’m off to work,’ Andrew said, picking up his briefcase from the centre table.                                                                                                      

When Chioma was done eating the omelettes, she left for work. Louisa was the last to leave and before she left for work, she hung out wet clothes outside to dry.                  

 By noon of the same day, Patricia drove her car to Wuse Market to visit Louisa.  Louisa was at her usual spot, with happy face. It seemed like she was in a very good mood, it seemed like all the burdens in her heart had been released as she sold fruits to customers. She was in a simple beige floral dress and hair tied in a neat ponytail. Seeing Patricia walk over, she smiled and greeted. ‘Patricia, you've come, I heard that your father owns one of the biggest company here in Nigeria. You shouldn't have come to a crowded place like this. You could have sent for me.'

 'Both of us shouldn't be here. But since you're here, I should be here as well,'Patricia smiled and said. 'It's a pity that in the future I won't have much time to idly chat with you, becoming a mother in-law is actually fun.'

Louisa mischievously smiled and said, ' My daughter is getting married soon. I don't think I will have time with you. Maybe you should go as I have to save up for her wedding day.'

Patricia paused for a moment and said, 'If my daughter gets married to your son I won't have you spend a Kobo.'

Louisa laughed. 'My daughter is now your daughter, right? I will sue you for kidnapping my daughter.'

Patricia laughed also. Then, she said when no customer was around, 'Louisa, I know that you wanted to hide your identity but you should have told me anyway, she paused. ‘I am really sorry for treating your daughter badly...I'm sorry, Louisa.'

Louisa looked at her with a gentle smile. 'It's okay...everything is all right now. We shouldn't dig up our past rather we should face the future with happiness and laughter.'

 'I didn't agree before to my son and your daughter's relationship because I had wanted Jessica for my son... I really made a big mistake. I am still sorry...'

 'How can we plan for our children's wedding?' Louisa said, changing the topic. She didn't want Patricia to think that she was mad at her for any reason. Yes, she was mad at Patricia before, but not any more, especially, the day that she found out that Michael's mother had been her friend many years ago.

Patricia sat down and picked up an apple, biting into it, she said smilingly to Louisa, 'My son is already planning a surprise engagement party...Hope you don't tell Chioma about it. It will be at Jimmy Carter Street. I heard that my son and your daughter first met there.'

 Louisa smiled. 'The wind brought them together.'

 'Just as the rain brought you and Edward together,' Patricia said, not jealous at all.

 'I am glad I didn't marry Edward, because if I had married Edward then my daughter wouldn't have met your handsome son,' Louisa laughed.

 Patricia took a big bite from her apple. In an enjoyed manner, she said, 'I am glad too that we are becoming in-law.'

'How is Isabelle?' Louisa turned to look at Patricia who was munching on the apple happily.

'She has always been fine.'

Louisa grabbed an apple from the table, and reached for the fruit knife. After a brief pause, the fruit knife swiftly peeled the apple's skin. Louis peeled the fruit so fast that Patricia who was sitting close couldn't see the movement clearly. She was impressed at how fast Louisa was at peeling the apple.

 'Wow, peeling an apple to you is just like a piece of art, just like wood carving or clay sculpture...where before the final movement, you wouldn't know how the final result would turn out...but it came out perfect... You have so many talents, Louisa.'

Louisa smiled and handed the peeled apple to Patricia. 'Here, your bestie gives you a lovely gift.'

Patricia looked at the peeled apple in her hand, and her heart warmed up with joy. Though the green apple lost most of its skin, but it still had some leftover skin, which had a few beautiful green words; glad we're friends.

Tears stole into Patricia's eyes, but she immediately tried to control her threatening tears. 'It's beautiful,' Patricia muttered. She lifted the apple to her lips but when she glanced at the words, she hesitated, finding it difficult to open her mouth.

'Go ahead and take a bite. I can always peel another for you, Isabelle and me...'

'What about Bisi?' Patricia asked suddenly.

'She's hoping for a new dawn,' Louisa said hopefully.

 Patricia began to nibble on the apple Louisa had peeled. 'Thank you,' she said.

Louisa shook her head. 'You need not thank me, if one day we become in-laws and eat from the same table with all our family, I will thank the heavens.'

Patricia smiled and replied. 'That will surely happen.'

The two of them happily chattered for a long time before Patricia left the market and headed home, feeling happy.