Unsteady Storm

Chapter Twelve

Three days later.

Nedu was driving past Dumaga's shop because he had branched to a market on that way. The sun was still bright in the sky although it was well past five pm.

As he drove past, he saw a new shop just some shops away from his sister's own and he slowed a bit to see what was going on, they had set up posters in the shop, it was a boutique like his sister's except that this one also had a make-up place. The poster read P's place, he was about to drive past when he heard his name.

"Nedu!" A familiar voice.

He slowed down and looked towards the shop and he saw the least person he expected to see…Paula.

He slammed on his brakes as she ran out of the shop towards his car.

"Thanks for stopping" she said breathlessly.

She was putting on a pink turtle neck top and sky blue jeans, making her look calm and beautiful.

"What is it?" He asked, his tone betraying the way he wanted to lash at her.

"At least you are here now... Why don't you come in and just look around the shop?"

Nedu was reluctant. He held on to the steering and eventually killed the car and glared at her. "What is the meaning of that stupid letter you left at my house?"

She didn't seem taken aback or surprised or remorseful, in short, his words had no effect on her. "Don't call it stupid.... I was just voicing out my feelings"

"You are a devil" he spat.

"I just want you to see the shop, your words are not related to what I'm asking of you"

"What's so special about your shop?" He snapped.

"That's what I want you to see"

Curiousity got better of him and he unlocked the door and got out ignoring the victorious smile on her face.

"That's much preferable" she turned and led the way into her shop.

The first thing he noticed was that there was an inner room and he suspected it was for dressing but on the door was a handmade poster that had Chinedu Nwosu written on it.

"What's this?" He asked turning around to meet her happy gaze.

"Don't you want to open it?"

"I don't like it that my name is in your shop!" He tried as much as he could to sound mean but knew that he had failed when she giggled.

"Just open the door already" she begged.

He exhaled and turned the door knob pushing it in. The first thing was a large framed picture of himself and a picture of herself beside him.

"Paula I don't like this" he protested.

She shut the door behind them and smiled. "Just to keep a memory of you, is that so bad?"

Nedu glared hard at her.

"Okay, fine, just smile and I'll take it away"

"Seriously?" He chuckled, his lips parting in a toothy smile.

Paula grinned and hugged him shocking him further then she brought down the picture.

"I should go now" he told her.

"No problem" she rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

He was about to leave when he stopped. "I'll be here next time and trust me, you wouldn't find it funny if I see my name or my picture in your shop"

"You won't" she promised.

***

Four days later.

Ije got out of the Lexus Rx350 and stretched a full length. "So good to finally be home"

Nedu laughed as he got out too pulling her close to him, he could feel the soft bulge of her belly on his, she was three months pregnant now.

"I've missed you, my beauty"

"Not as much as I have missed you"

He chuckled not wishing to argue. " I cooked a special dish for you"

"I trust you na, hope it's my favorite"

"Yup, rice and sauce, no meat but still delicious"

Ije laughed. "Kill me! You know how your sauce drives me crazy"

"Of course" He laughed too leading her into the house.

"Welcome ma" Sinachi greeted with a curtsey.

"Thank you dear, how are you?"

"I'm fine ma, hope you are better now?"

"More than better" Ije grinned and Sinachi smiled shyly.

"Bring out the rice and sauce I cooked in two plates" Nedu requested.

"Yes sir" Sinachi nodded and hurried away.

Nedu drew a seat out for her in the dinning room.

"You've been quite lonely without me" Ije teased him.

He nodded then frowned all of a sudden. "Remember, you are not supposed to take carbohydrates, it escaped my mind"

"That's okay, I can take this just for today, I'm not abstaining totally anyway.... Before I die"

He chuckled. "Honestly, carbohydrate is the only energy giving food in your diet"

She smiled with a nod.

Sinachi served the food in two ceramic plates and they ate quietly after which Ije retired to the bedroom to rest.

***
Nedu put on his work clothes, Ije stretched out on the bed rising slowly to stare at him.

"Good morning" she murmured.

"Morning" he drew nearer to kiss her forehead.

She pushed him away softly and threw up.

He was shocked by her action but he recovered quickly seeing the mass of vomit spreading on the tiles.

"I feel sick" she groaned pushing herself out of bed into the bathroom where she vomited again.

Nedu held his waist watching his wife and wondering what they actually did for her at the hospital.

She washed her face and came out of the bathroom. "Nedu, please call Sinachi to clean this thing up" she told him.

"Never mind" he muttered grabbing a floor towel to clean the mess on the ground.

Ije is back, finally!
Who else thinks that there's more to Nedu's picture in Paula's shop. I really think so.

Do you think he reacted well when he saw his picture in her shop?

Vote, comment and share.

Thank you.