The house had become busier than it usually was, Obi's half sisters had arrived and Benjamin was coming home that day. The girls cleaned the house,while. Obi prepared food with the help of her half sisters who barely spoke to her. Amarachi was the only one very comfortable, who played around with Ifenna and Oluebube from time to time.
Obi's relationship with the girls had never been smooth, she did not hate them but she had a strong dislike for their mother and they had once witnessed her in a tussle with her . She did not blame them for not warming up to her.
The boys had gone to school and Mma was busy with whatever it was that she was doing in her room besides sleeping. Obi usually turned the radio on and tuned it for her every morning so that she wouldn't feel lonely after her great grand sons left for school.
The orange sun slowly emerged from the sky as the occupants of the house busied themselves with chores.
Chioma had been too preoccupied with her parents that she barely visited. The week had been filled with lots of errands from Benjamin and the doctors who were setting up the equipment for dialysis in Benjamin's house. Aside from her two boys there were no males in the house. Obiefune had left the previous week,the memories of the night before he left still fresh in her mind. They sang a lot of folklores which she didn't know she had missed doing so much.
She often sang the same songs to her children but being the listener that day made Obi feel good. Nostalgia hovered around her and she could remember the happy times as a child and how it was always a blessing to be involved in folk lore.
She could picture Chioma's attentive face, Tobe's terrified face and even the day Chukwudi urinated on himself out of fear. Obi smiled at the thought, she had not been very fond of Chukwudi then.
The little hut where all the children would sit on mats with wrappers all over their bodies. When Mma began to sing a particular song Obi felt her pulse quicken and she couldn't tear her eyes off Obiefune. Why did that song feel like their song? Obiefune must have felt the same because he reached out and touched her just like he did many years ago, after he had asked her to be his girlfriend.
It was funny how history repeated itself. Mma started with Obiefune's name before she progressed to use other people's names. Mma was exhausted by the time she finished singing and everyone had to turn in for the night. Obi had been hungry but after the lores she seemed to feel satisfied. The boys were fed and cleaned by their aunts while Obi sorted out their clothes for school and their Sunday outfit as weekend was approaching.
She had been polishing their shoes when Obiefune walked in wearing a singlet and shorts. Obi had been meaning to speak with him but after the story telling she had pushed the agenda aside.
Obiefune sat close to her and held her hand requesting for the polish and the brush. Obi handed the two of the items over to Obiefune who began to brush the shoe in a forward - backward movement. Obi exhaled deeply as Obiefune's scent filled her nostrils, his proximity was a very dangerous one. She quickly stood up and went to her son's drawer. She reached into it and pulled out their socks but as she turned she bumped into Obiefune.
He stood very close and it felt like he was hovering over her. Obi felt very uncomfortable with the turn of things and Obiefune was hesitant to step away. "wh.. what are you doing?" She asked nervously
Obiefune smiled before reaching to her waist, he grabbed something from behind her and grinned.
"You should really watch where you sit, negodi, you have polish everywhere"
Obi turned and saw the stain on her derriere. She quickly tried to wipe it away but only worsened it. Obiefune stepped away from her and returned to his position. Obi exhaled deeply, she had been so terrified, whatever it was that Obiefune was doing, her body was definitely caving even though her mind was strong willed. He was at the last pair, wiping and brushing till they appeared black as night with a shiny surface.
"You're very good at this, thank you" Obi declared.
YOU ARE READING
Against All Odds
Romance"What is your name? " he enquired with a staid expression. Obi's eyes roamed around still trying to ascertain the safety of their current surrounding. Her lips were still quivering out of shock and her breathing distorted. "Obiukwu" She finally le...
