The things we lost in the rain

The memories

Chapter 2: The most overcrowded vessel is the one that sails on the golden sea of memories

10 MONTHS AGO

" If you tell Gladys to stop cooking for us, I promise to wash the dishes for the rest of our lives"
I giggled, then switched off the water.
Me" I'm trying to take a shower here"
Michael" And I have real life problems Billy, you need to prioritize woman"
" And wipe that stupid smile from your face"
Me" Let her cook. She wants to do it"
Michael" At least tell her not to do our laundry"
Me" I'm scared of her"
Michael" So we are both scared of telling her we only hired her because we didn't want her to be unemployed"
I nodded
" That's absurd"
Me" Then go speak to her"
Michael" Oh! shut up"
Me" Get in here"
Michael" If I do will you speak to Gladys?"
Me" No"
Michael" Then no sex for you"
He closed the shower door and stormed off. I chuckled then switched on the water again.

" Mama, ndicela uthetha nawe"
Yea, after my shower I got dressed and gathered the strength to go speak to Gladys.
Gladys" Ewe baba"
Me" Michael and I feel like we are not paying you enough for you to also cook for us. Subane xhala nge bhiza"
Gladys" Kanti I don't mind tuu, ndaqhela. But ke if anifuni ndizoyeka, nam andifuni unenza uncomfortable endlini yenu"
Me" Thina sicengela wena"
Yes, I am a coward. I could have easily told her to stop cooking for us and walked away.
Gladys" Hay ke, ndizopheka"
She left to go upstairs and I was left feeling like an idiot. Well at least I tried unlike my husband.
Michael" Epic fail. We have been married for a month and you are already disappointing me"
We both chuckled
Me" Hey, at least I tried, you didn't even bother"
Michael" Because I don't speak IsiXhosa"
Me" Shitty excuse"
Michael" Hahaha it's the truth. I want to show you something, follow me"
He led me to the cottage, this house is way too big but every time we think we hate it, we discover something to love about it.
Michael" Happy birthday my love"
He turned the whole thing into a home library. There were bin chairs and a big white couch next to the bookshelves and a huge glass window with a stunning view, wait.
"Is that a tree house?"
I asked and he had a huge smile on his face.
Michael" You said you've never had one and I decided to build you one"
Me" Are you serious?"
Michael" Yes, come with me"
He removed one of the book shelves, there was a secret passage. That led to a door that takes us to the tree house, then we went up and there were more books in there.
" Mikey! A secret passage too? What's next?  An original Gerard Sekoto painting?"
We stared at each other and I screamed
Me" You are lying!"
Michael" You only turn 25 once, It's in the library hanging there next to all the paintings by your favorite artists. Well I couldn't get Van Gogh but I think I out did myself"
I kissed him.
Me" Take off your clothes right now!"
" I love you"
Michael" I know, I love you too"

*

TODAY!!!!!!!!!!! PRESENT DAY!!!!

Gladys" Balisa, izovasa"
I was seated in the library staring at the tree house.
Me" No, I'm fine here"
" You don't have to come in today, it's Sunday"
She looked at me then bit her bottom lip, she was so sad lately.
Gladys" It's Wednesday"
" Iza, vasa ulale"
Me" Are you okay?"
She faked a smile
Gladys" Ewe baba, wena uright?"
I nodded
" Hamba uyovasa, Balisa, awufuni maybe ndithi ku Stephanie aze or maybe our mother?"
Me" Oh no, we don't need any guests"
" Please tell him to wake us up xa efika"
She nodded, we went inside, I watched her ran me a bath then she took off my clothes. I got in the water, we were both quiet, I couldn't wait to tell Michael about Gladys giving me a bath while she cried. I know he will laugh. She dried me up afterwards then gave me pyjamas, she returned after a while with tea and my pain meds.
Me" Enkosi Mama"

" Hey beautiful"
I looked at him then smiled, he giggled.
Michael" I meant Harlow"
"I didn't mean to wake you up"
Me" It's fine, I did ask Gladys to tell you to wake me up anyway"
"She gave me a bath today"
Michael" Wait, what? Hahaha"
" She really cares about you"
Me" I know, you were right about her"
Michael" Which part?"
Me" About how she will always take care of us even when we don't know how much we need it"
Michael" Let her help you Billy"
Me" She does help with Harlow, a lot and I'm grateful for that"
" Mikey"
He smiled at me
" Yes babe?"
He said walking towards me.
Me" I need to feed Harlow or just pump"
We both giggled at my top being wet because of the milk. I pumped while he sat on the couch watching me.
"What?"
I asked
Michael" Nothing"
Me" Scared of turning 40?"
He giggled
Michael" Hahaha no, I am actually looking forward to that"
" I'm just thinking about how Harlow is will be 3 weeks old"
Me" I can't believe it's only been 3 weeks"
" Why are you bleeding?"
I looked at him and he wasn't there, he disappeared. I ran to the bathroom and he was standing by the mirror.
" I'm here, I didn't go anywhere. I am here"
He said, I touched his face and he kissed my hand.
Michael" I will be here for as long as you need me to be"
Me" I thought you left me"
There was a knock on the door, he went to the bathroom and I went to check who it was.

" Hey, I thought I should pop by"
Stephanie said, she is Michael's little sister. I didn't know this until our third date when he took me to meet his friends. Stephanie is my boss, she has a social media marketing company and I am one of her consultants. I worked there before I knew Michael, the day we met, they were meeting for coffee. PE is so tiny.
Me" Hey Steph"
" Can I meet you downstairs, need to change out of my pyjamas first"
She nodded, I went in the room and closed the door.
Michael" It's best you don't tell her I'm home. I want to get some work done, I'll look after Harlow"
Me" Rude Mr White"
I kissed him, then changed to a dress and went to join his sister.
Me" I am all yours"
She smiled
Stephanie" Are you okay?"
Me" Just tired, I feel like I am missing out on so much, like I thought today was Sunday. I don't have a recollection of what I have been up to"
" But yea, I will get some work done tonight so you don't fire me"
Stephanie" Have you cried?"
" I can't seem to cry"
Me" Cry?"
Stephanie" Yes"
Me" Yes, I did. I woke up one night and I cried because I had a nightmare"
"My mother and Gladys were living with Harlow, Michael and I. I woke up crying and I told him about it then we both laughed about it and I was fine again"
She giggled and so did I.
Me" Let me order the pizza then we can catch up"