THE HUB

2. Burns and Blisters.

  As I iron Chika's Uniform, the events of yesterday lingered on my mind still.
I had been totally stunned when Uncle Chijioke brought us back home to meet the sight of a lady, possibly in her prime but she was beautiful nontheless.
She was introduced as Chiamaka Okafor. Though I suspected she was Uncle's partner, he didn't confirm it. Chika too was not left out in the confusion that was our situation, she had questioned Uncle and I felt a little bit sorry for him. Chika's interrogation wasn't subtle, in any way. She was as direct as a burning flame on the skin.
According to the explanation given by Uncle, Miss Chiamaka was brought to help take care of the house, as well as Chika and I, for the mean time.

This Morning, I was surprised to wake up  to a sleeping Chika, I checked the time to see it was Ten minutes past seven o'clock, Chika was already running late and she wasn't even awake yet.
'Where was Miss Chiamaka?'
I took matters into my hands as I woke Chika up, bathe her and prepared her breakfast."
Whilst she ate, I went on to iron her school Uniform.

A sharp hot pain brings me back from my deep thoughts and back to reality, I let go of the hot iron and immediately I moved away when I noticed it falling towards me.
I quickly scanned the area it had burned, I felt the skin go tender and I hissed at the burning sensation.
As if hearing the commotion, Chika came into the laundry room.
"Lily, what happened? I heard you cry out and then there was a loud hitting sound. Are you okay?" she stared at me, examining my body. As her eyes found my hand holding unto my hurt arm she ran forward.
"Chika, be careful!" I cautioned her. I hadn't picked up the iron yet and I didn't want her to get herself burned.
"Your hand, it is burned?" she asked worriedly, starring guiltily at my hand.
"It's just a little burn, I'll go ahead and run cool water on it now." I quickly unplugged the iron from the socket and picked it up, after setting it down on the iron holder I walked towards the bathroom.
I went to the Sink after entering the bathroom, placing my burned hand under the tap head, I turned it on.
The running cool water immediately brought a relieving sensation, I held it under the tap for a while before turning the tap off.
After stepping out of the bathroom I met with a sad and nervous Chika, seating down whilst biting on her nails.
"Hey Baby, what's wrong? Come on get into your uniform, you're running late. You know Madam Marshall is ever ready to strike, ehn." going ahead to pick up Chika's uniform from the ironing table I helped her put it on.
"Lily, I'm sorry you burnt your hands trying to iron my uniform." Chika suddenly spoke up.
Surprised at her apology I held her small hands in mine.
"Chika, you know I iron your uniform sometimes, when mummy can't. I only got burnt this time 'cause I was absentminded, okay. Besides I've taken care of it already." I consoled her.
"Lily, I love you, so much. I know mummy and daddy will come back when they miss us too much, 'cause they love us too, right?" at a loss for words, I grabbed her in for a tight hug.
"Oh No. Now you've ruined my uniform."
'oh Chika.'
"Come on now, let's go meet Uncle Chijy to take you to school."

Chika and I both walked to the sitting room, in search of Uncle Chijioke.
The sitting room was empty on our arrival, and left just as it was last night. The throw pillows were scattered, the centre table displaced and the television still on.
'Where is this Miss Chiamaka anyway.'
"Ah ahn, why is the sitting room still looking like this?" as usual, Chika couldn't hold back her thoughts.
I shrugged at her question, went on to pick up the TV remote to switch it off. Then I went ahead to shift the centre table back to its original position.
"Lily, should I go call Uncle Chijioke?" Chika questioned.
"Sure Baby, make it quick okay. You're late already."
"Okay."
'Why is this Miss Chiamaka not doing anything, where is she by the way. The house looks horrible, especially if we're to receive visitors. Look how dusty the glass tops are. Oh well, maybe she's still getting used to things around.'

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Uncle Chijioke had finally taken Chika to school, after a lot of pleadings and reasoning.
He had earlier insisted that Chika didn't need to attend school as he'd already informed the schools' Authority about the terrible news of my parents demise. Although he had a point I couldn't let Chika stay in. The Chika I know would not allow anything distract her Academics. Once she goes into study mode, she'd be distracted from all of these turmoil around us.
In that light, I insisted that she needed the diversion she'd get while at school, there's only so much her little mind can handle.

Meanwhile, Miss Chiamaka has refused to get the house in order. Aside from the little adjustments I made that morning in attempt to make the sitting room a little presentable, everything remained exactly as it was.
At a point, I almost confronted her but thankfully, I held myself. I didn't want to disrespect Uncle Chijioke because even though he introduced her as someone to assist us I could tell there was something more between them.
I didn't want to pry, so I kept to myself.

Later on that day, about a few hours before Chika's arrival from school, Miss Chiamaka called for me.
"Ada! Please Come." apparently, her voice wasn't offensive in anyway so I eagerly made my way to her.
"I'm here Ma." I smiled on arrival.
"Please, look at this sitting room." I moved my eyes around, there were still no changes. Then I looked back to her expectantly.
"This sitting room is such a mess. Can't you fix it up? what have you been doing since? Don't tell me you're lazy, I don't tolerate laziness." Choking on my saliva, I coughed hard and suddenly, hurting my throat.
"What, so you have suddenly developed Cough?" she asked  with spite in her voice but surprisingly a smile on her face.
"No Ma, I'm sorry. The spit went through the wrong pipe."
"Hmmm, Na You Sabi. When you get it to go through the right pipe, Get this sitting room in adequate order. Also prepare something for lunch." she walked away with the smile- which looked more wicked by the glance still etched on her face, definitely mockery.
'Oh Lord. We're doomed.'

Hey Lovelies
I deeply apologize for my inconsistency and lack of seriousness with my Updates.
I won't deny I'm as lazy as they come😥😥
Buuuuttttt.... It's a New Year!
New push!
Happy New Year!

Strange Word(s) for Non-Nigerians;
Na you sabi---- It's your business.
                         It's your cup of tea.