Yellow Tales of a Nigerian Housemaid (completed)

Chapter Fifty Two

Since the fighting incident, aunt Agnes avoided me like a plague. She wouldn't send me on errands unless it was very important. Few times when I greeted her, she'd ignore me or murmur a response.

Aunt Oby on the other hand was still very upset, finding faults in every little thing I did. Mama noticed and always asked her to let me be, but this in turn results to another war of words between them.

The shop suddenly became where I could cool off, thanks to Mama's arrangements, I could go there daily. I never missed a day.

Today, the shop wasn't filled like usual. It was just Dera and I, and some customers who came around that morning to have garnished liver. I was sitting inside, studying for my WAEC which would kick off in barely two weeks time. Dera let me be, not wanting to disturb me since she knew the shop was the only place I could study.

It's a very hot day today, even though there was a forecast it'd rain later in the day. The heavy short-sleeved black gown I wore wasn't helping matters at all, it was soaking up all the sweat, feeling heavier by each second and smelling like damp.

I sat up from the green plastic chair I was sitting on, stretching and yawning hungrily with my eyes shut. When I opened them, my head felt dizzy with the room spinning in circles; my vision darkened and white spots danced before me. Unable to make out anything, I patted my hands around till I found my chair, and slowly let myself into it. I relaxed for a while until the dizziness stopped, and my vision clearer.

Dera walked in.

I stood up again and made my way to the red cooler. Lifting the lid, I carefully rolled out the black nylon which covered the huge ice blocks, letting the many bottles of drinks come into view.

"What are you doing?" Dera asked, and without response I crouched, bringing down the bottles, one after the other.

"What are you doing? What is it?" She asked again, taking few steps to where I was.

"I need a bottle of Maltina. My head is spinning, I'm just feeling weak" I replied as I continued my search. "Where in the world did you put them Dera? It'd be better if soft drinks gets a different cooler. Mixing them up like this is hardwork" I complained, impatiently bringing more bottles down.

"Take it easy lest you break a bottle. Are you sure you're not having malaria?" Dera asked concerned. "When was the last time you took antimalaria tablets?"

I scoffed a laughter. "Can't remember. But I think the last time I travelled home. My sister...."

"Hello" A familiar voice greeted, cutting me off. Both our eyes darted to the door, with a quick smile forming on my lips.

"Hi. It's been a while" Dera replied moving towards the figure. My lips were twitching in smiles and I could feel my heartbeat increasing. The bottle I was holding was dangling side to side, my palms not feeling strong enough to hold it.

Only Steve could do this to me.

"You don't want to say hi?" He asked. I didn't look up, I didn't need to cos I know his eyes would be burning into my head right now. I could feel his laughter, it was etched in his tone and words. I continued bringing out the bottles, a bit slower now.

"Dera I'll need a table for two. I came with my girl" I heard him say.

The bottle of gulder I was holding hung in the air.
My smiles vanished.
My heart stopped.
I simply froze!

"Alright" Dera murmured, and I could see her unclear shadow moving out of the way.

As I fixed my eyes on the cooler, they rested on the bottle I've been searching for. Angrily, I placed the bottle I was holding on the floor, and quickly grabbing the bottle of maltina. Carefully but angrily, I began placing the bottles back, one after the other until they'd all disappeared. I lifted the large ice blocks, placing them on the bottles carefully, and with the black nylon covered the cooler before placing the lid.