No escape from you (Taken Down For Polishing)

3: The 'E' in 'Embarrassing'

" Zhulfah! Your phone's ringing!" Her mother called from the living room. She groaned and buried her face into the stuffed animal near her.

" Zhulfah! "Her mother called again.

Zhulfah pried a eye open, and groaned again. She had gotten into a comfortable position for her afternoon nap, after tossing and turning all the while. Now, she did not want to get up for the sleep she was so desperately searching for and it was on its way to come find her to cradle her into dreamland.

She heard her room door open, and a smack landed on her back next.

" Ow!", She grudgingly sat up. " Ooooh, kini mo se?"

Her mother tossed the phone on her bed. " You were just waiting for me to bring it to you, Onibaje." A smile tugged at her lips. " It's Kemi, she's called twice already. "

Zhulfah took the phone and sat up. " So it's now she knows how to call me, shei? She has a lot of explaining to do."

Her mother shook her head. " She promised to come over after her exams remember? Take it easy on her."

Zhulfah huffed. " Fine."

Her mother was about to leave before she quickly stopped her.

" Mummy?"

She looked back. " Hmm?"

" I'm hungry."

" Ehn? Okay. I'll go and make your food and serve you. Anything else you want to send your mother, madam?"

Zhulfah faked a cry. " Why do you always say it like that to make me feel guilty?!"

" Ole oshi", Her mother tutted. " I saved some pasta from yesterday night, it's in the fridge, you can warm it and have it before dinner."

She beamed. " Thanks Mummy."

" Abi you want me to warm it again for you?" Her mother asked in the same sarcastic tone.

She rolled her eyes. " I'll do it myself, Mummy, thanks, you're the best. "

" Ole oshi", her mother said again. " When you're done with eating, let me plait your hair for you." Then she left the room and closed the door behind her.

" Yoruba mothers", Zhulfah laughed. They were the weirdest affectionate people on earth.

She redialled Kemi's number, and it did not even complete the first ring before she picked it on the other end.

" Ore mi atata", Kemi greeted.

" Hello? Do I know you?"

" Zhulfah! Come on!"

" Don't call me your friend! You won't even come to visit me! It's been almost three weeks since I've been back!" Zhulfah half yelled into the phone.

" Okay, I'm sorry, I'll just make a U-turn back to my house then", Kemi said. " I bought this cake I saw at a supermarket as a peace offering but no worries, I'll eat it all myself. The strawberries on top are sooo...inviting. I wonder how they'll taste."

Zhulfah scowled. " Stop it! Come already! "

She heard her chuckle at the other end before the line went off. She stood up from her bed, the sleep already gone from her eyes. She gathered her mass of afro and rolled it into a messy doughnut on top of her head. She decided to leave the shorts and top she had on, Kemi was no guest to be dressing up properly around.

Her father had travelled, much to her relief, and the house felt breathable once again. She walked into her toilet and rinsed her face, just before she heard the ring of the doorbell.