I was seated outside the next day when I saw Ike's grey Toyota Camry drive in. I sat, watching the car as it pulled in then it parked close to the other cars. I bent my head, pretending to be more interested in the designs of dresses on my phone.
The clicking of shoes against the german floor announced his presence as he began to approach. I looked up at him with a smile which he returned with ease. He wore a Maroon suede jacket and a black shirt with a black trouser. His fashion sense seemed obviously alive.
"Good morning, " I greeted.
"Lady," he said, then touched my shoulder briefly as a greeting, I presume.
"How are you? " He asked.
"I am good, " I said, getting up, offering him my seat.
" No, no, don't bother. I was on my way to work so I decided to drop by and say hello."
"Oh that's nice," I said, still standing. "You always do this? "
I folded my arms and watched him as he laughed. I patiently waited for his laughter to subside while also noticing his hair was dyed to be some shades darker. That was why it was finer.
"I didn't mean to amuse you though. It was a serious question," I said.
He nodded and threw his hands into his trouser pockets.
"Auntie Maimah loves seeing me so I do not like to deprive her of my face," He replied.
I rolled my eyes at his cocky statement and he laughed some more.
He rocked back on his heels like someone who had planned all day to be talking to me.
"You'll be late for work, " I reminded him with a smile.
"You are right. I'll come in when I'm back from work."
"We'll be expecting you," I said as he stepped away.
In the evening, Auntie Maimah came out with a bag of different nail polish, nail cutters and filers. She sat on a sofa with her leg on a low stool while I attended to her feet. Her nails were grown and the nail polish she had on was no more even.
"Lady, you will agree with me that being a queen fits me," Auntie Maimah said and I had to laugh. "It does fit you. " I replied.
She told me stories of the women in her church in that time. She talked about a woman who was rumoured to be sleeping with another person's husband. It was a funny case to her because she was laughing as she narrated to me the confrontation between the two women.
"Nene, some women do not have shame," She said, lips turned down in disapproval. "They were both determined to naked themselves in the church! "
It started to rain and I went round closing the windows in the parlor.
"Nene, please turn off the air conditioner. " she said.
"Do I get you a sweater? " I asked as I put off the air conditioner.
"No. You are almost done. I'll be going up soon."
I returned to her feet. At that time, all that was remaining was to coat the red cortex I applied on her nails with a nail hardener one more time for a little shiny effect and more durability.
I heard the sound of the gate then the sound of car tires rolling on the wet german floor outside.
"Who came? "Auntie asked, prompting me to get up from where I sat on the floor to check.
I shifted the curtain to look out then I saw Ike's car parked outside. "It's Ike," I told her.
"Oh," she said. "Let me go and put on something." She tied her wrapper tightly around her chest, then left, smiling at me.
I just stared at her in question as she left, wondering if there was a part of the puzzle that I was missing.
A knock came on the door. When I opened it, Ike rushed in without looking at me or speaking to me. I closed the door and followed him back to the sitting room. His legs were stretched out and he was letting out deep, laboured breaths. I swallowed hard trying to know my next step or question.
"Ike what is the matter, do I get you water ?" I asked, kneeling beside him.
He pointed to the window as he let out another gasp. I helped him out of his wet jacket and shirt. He still pointed to the window.
I ran inside and got my blanket and covered him with it after I had removed his singlet.
"My Ventolin," he said, "It's in the car but I could not find it."
"Ermm," I began, trying my best not to sound or look dumb."What does it look like, tablets or inhaler? "
"Inhaler," he said and let out another gasp and another till he could not stop .
I ran out then to the car under the rain. That was the fastest I had run in a while and the first time I was running under the rain in so many years.
When Papa was sick, many years ago before I got admission into the secondary School, I was the one that took care of him. It was the one job I had. Some days I missed school, some days I returned early. Ada was in Dormitory and Mummy had to go to work. I never complained.
The day I took my common entrance, it rained so heavily, Papa quaked on his seat. He slipped to the floor while fighting to stay alive. I ran out screaming, wailing. I ran as far as my legs could carry me to Mummy's big supermarket. She was not there. I was told she went to eat. I did not look for her, I did not wait; I ran back home.
I ran back inside with Ike's inhaler which I found on the floor in his car. I wanted to help him use it. I wanted to help.
"I don't know, " I said. I felt like I was going to get my own attack anytime soon . "How do you use it?"
I handed it to him with shaky hands and he held it to his mouth, desperately clinging to it, puff after puff and for that moment that little object was all that mattered. It was his life. I realized I was staring and I said,
"I will keep your clothes to dry. "
I did not want him to see the pity all over my face, watching a grown man cling to that little piece for life.
I was relieved, I was happy. I blamed myself for leaving Papa after he died. He must have needed someone to say his last words to but nobody was there.
I could have kept Ike's clothes anywhere to dry. I could have kept it on the balcony to be aired by the natural breeze, I could have kept it in one of the guest rooms to be dried by the ceiling fan. Instead, I spread them on a leather sofa in the room where I stayed. I pushed the single sofa to be directly under the ceiling fan before I returned to the sitting room .
When I returned, he was now sitting up. I sat on a stool in front of him. He lifted the sides of his lips in a lazy smile. I noted the thin line of beard that ran down the sides of his face and around his mouth. I gave in to the urge to run my hand from the sides of his face to his jaw; my attempt at offering comfort.
"Are you feeling better now? " I asked, like a mother would ask a child.
He nodded.
"Let me help you up," I said, getting to my feet. " You need to rest. "
He bent his head in laughter. "I am strong."
I sighed. "I know. Just come and rest your head a bit. I'm your nurse now."
He held out his hand. "You are a very fine nurse, madam."
He stood up and I held his hand as I led him to a room downstairs just close to mine knowing he had to sleep over. The rain made the weather dull and the insides dark but we could still see the bed, dressed in a plain cream bed sheet .
I went to the kitchen to make tea for him. I was careful; I did not want it too sugary like I loved mine at times. I allowed the water to boil well and did not even bother diluting it.
He was lying down when I brought in tea and crackers in a tray. He immediately sat up on the bed when I came in. The torchlight from my phone illuminated the room as the generator was not yet on.
"I brought tea," I said. Very hot tea. I could see the steam rising from the cup even.
"I could do it with just tea. There will be no need for biscuits," he said, after I had set down the tray on a low stool in front of him.
"Nene, thank you."
Being modest, I replied, "That's a bit formal. You don't have to. "
He laughed then began sipping his tea after blowing it a little. I sat on a single sofa in the room and twisted my mouth with every sip he took like he was using my own tongue. He did not complain but sipped quietly.
"You would be fine, " I assured him.
"I know, " he smiled at me. "Thank you for everything. "
"It's nothing. "
He slept off later, with my blanket covering his Long body. I stood for a while and looked at him, hoping he would get better before the morning. Of course believing it.
All the time in my room while I lay with my fingers intertwined on my chest, I thought of Ike who was just next door. His fiancee would probably be worried sick about his absence. I thought of many things and also listened closely so I do not miss his shout if he needs my help.
I closed my eyes but I could not sleep. So I sat on the bed, kept my laptop on my legs and began surfing the internet for style inspiration.