Unsteady Storm

Chapter Fourteen

The days that passed were dreadful for Nedu, his boss was mad concerning some missing documents, Ije wasn't speaking to him and he was receiving persistent calls from Paula.

Dumaga called him one afternoon while he was still at work. "Nedu, what is going on?"

He frowned as he played with his fingers. "What is going on?" He repeated

"Please, let me see you at my shop this instant"

"See, Dumaga, I'm busy, I can't do that right now"

"Not even when it has something to do with Paula?"

Nedu chuckled painfully. "That devil caused Ije to stop speaking with me......"

"Nedu.... Please come"

"Dumaga, I'm facing a situation at the...."

"Leave the bank and carry your sick self here!" She hung up.

***
Nedu stopped the car in front of Dumaga's shop, his shoulders sagged and his breath was ragged.

George shrieked with delight on seeing him but Dumaga pulled him away to one of the attendants.

"It's been two weeks and you didn't think to call?" She questioned him looking angry.

He felt like a child they were scolding at. "I'm sorry..... I just...."

He shook his head to suppress the unmanly tears that crawled to his eyes.

"Come in" Dumaga took his hand leading him into her shop. "There's problem"

"Like what?" He folded his arms still standing.

"There's a photo of you and Paula in her shop, you were hugging her and you were smiling"

Nedu said nothing.

Dumaga exhaled. "I think you have to let Ije know what's going on?"

"She wouldn't even speak to me"

"Did you tell her about the kiss?" Dumaga's hands dropped to her waist.

Nedu shook his head.

"Ije needs an explanation" Dumaga advised "And I'll talk to her"

Nedu heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you very much, Dumaga"

"You are welcome" she grinned.

***
Ije embraced Dumaga. "Du du! So you finally deemed it fit to visit me?"

Dumaga laughed adjusting George on her hips as they walked into the sitting room. "Ije, you know how the shop is .... If I'm not there, I could be cheated"

Ije folded her arms pretending not to understand and Dumaga burst into laughter. "Okay, I'm sorry but what stopped you from visiting me, nko?"

Ije rolled her eyes. "You know that I'm pregnant na"

They laughed knowingly.

"Won't you sit down? Let me bring something to move your mouth small" ije offered.

Dumaga sat down giving George his freedom as he pranced around the room. "Don't bother, Ije. There's something important I want to discuss with you"

Ije sat down, the smile leaving her face. "I'm all ears" she muttered.

Dumaga cleared her throat. "It's not fair that you've been giving Nedu the silent treatment for two weeks...."

"You have no idea what he did" Ije interrupted.

Dumaga raised a finger in protest. "I have every idea what he did and trust me, you overreacted"

Ije shook her head. "Dumaga, don't give me that trash. Nedu is too secretive for crying out loud, what happened to confiding in me, a house we are sharing together, he brought in a harlot for two nights! My goodness, who even knows the room she slept ....."