Psyche

°Viii. Chlorine

No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart.
_john Lennon.

Irene stared at bottom of the glass she had poured the Yoghurt into. She took a sip and dropped the glass watching the unsettled part of the Yoghurt slowly go back into the main liquid. It was like finally returning home after a long day. It moved slowly but eventually ran down. She hadn't seen Chika since the incident but Uncle Kezie, she had seen going out holding a briefcase in his left hand. He would come in after coming back going straight upstairs and the TV was still turned off.

Irene was sat on one of the glass chairs that came with the kitchen island. A huge glass table housed her phone and the Yoghurt. She had made noodles already salivating before it had even been done but when served, she took only five spoons or thereabout, left it and reached for her favorite drink from the fridge. She heard the door to the kitchen open and rushed to pick up her earphones but she was slow.

"Too slow, I already saw you."

Irene looked up from her drink, it was Chika. She looked better not really sure if those were the right words though. Chika's hair was packed into a bun and was clad in a black polkadot with a tangerine background. The length of the gown grazed her knees and she had flip flop on. Her face was void of dried tears and her eyes were a little bit red. Her arms were folded around her chest and her stomach still looked big. It was evident that she had carried a child.

Irene tightened her lips, carefully choosing her words to ensure that she didn't lie or say any sensitive thing. She cleared her throat and spoke up, "Chika, I just didn't know what to say to you, how to act and that's why I have been staying on my lane. I really feel you but you could talk to me. I don't understand but I am here". Irene swallowed averting Chika's eyes looking everywhere else but not her eyes. She didn't want to see the tears fall.

Chika pulled one of the seats from the glass table. She crossed her legs resting her left arm on top of the table. She heaved, "I understand. It was overwhelming. I almost lost myself". She looked down dwindling her fingers and Irene put her hand on the arm that was on the table. Chika nodded in response and continued, "Kezie saw me unconscious in the nursery and he called a doctor. The doctor told him that he was lucky to have found me early. I don't know why my baby girl went but I know the Lord has bigger plans for me. Kezie said this and I believe him. I didn't want to see you because all I saw was my baby girl. I love and loved her. She meant a lot to us. We waited for her for three years but....You know, Everytime kezie's mum comes over, I see that longing in her eyes. She might smile with me but I know she wants grandchildren. I had never seen Kezie that happy when I discovered I was pregnant. He practically jumped on me". She raised her head and met Irene's eyes. Her eyes said she was here, she wouldn't pity her, happy that she was finally talking about it. It had been weeks already.

Chika continued with a newfound peace, "I shouldn't have ignored you. You're the only one I have and mum is in Cuba. I am happy that you are here even if you're not saying anything. I am happy that we are sisters. Kezie has been of a good shoulder to me".

"Of course, why is he my in-law in the first place". Irene said and chuckled. Chika smiled too but not fully.

Irene took Chika's hands in hers. They were cold, sending shivers to her spine. Chika held her hands firmly and sat up. She searched her eyes intently. She was using her superpower of knowing that Irene had done a wrong thing even when she covered it.

"Have you been eating, Irene? Kezie has been buying takeouts and he leaves a plate for you but when he comes to the kitchen, he still meets it there untouched. Is it..." Chika paused. Her pausing meant she knew what it was.

Irene removed her gaze and stared at the kitchen cabinet as if just realising it was there. The red cabinet glowed back at her nudging her to talk. She contemplated in her head but since Chika had talked, she would too. It was funny how the subject had changed passing the mic to her.

Irene removed her hands from Chika's and picked up the glass of yoghurt. She drank everything in one gulp as if seeking support from it. Not like it's alcohol that gives courage. She took deep breaths, counted one to five and shrugged, "I was worried. I guess that was my way of dealing with it. I am okay, Chika. See I am even drinking so why won't I eat or you don't believe me". She said standing up to wash the glass.

Chika knew what Irene was doing. She was guilt tripping her. Her eyes couldn't even lie. It was better if she kept quiet knowing Irene, she would still come running to her.

Silence ensued afterwards as Irene picked up the plate of noodles she had abandoned using the fork to poke it. She would stab the plate and twirl the fork till it gathered enough for her to put in her mouth. Chika watched her for a while but later stood up to check her stock. She opened the cabinets, checking each container and typed into her phone for the ones that had finished. She would go to the supermarket across her street to get the groceries. She wasn't ready to face the market women who called her iya ibeji. It was more or less tradition for Yoruba people who saw pregnant women to call them the mother of twins. It was a way of saying they wished the woman twin blessings. Hell, she wasn't strong enough to even tell her friends not even Lolade, her best friend. Shaking the thoughts from her head, she turned to inform Irene that she would go to get groceries. Irene nodded in response and asked her to buy more three big sized bottles of Yoghurt- the ones that looked like mini kegs. Chika waved her off and strode upstairs to freshen up.

Irene's phone rang later on causing the glass table to reverberate. She smiled and picked it up.

"If it isn't Miss run away". Irene said into the phone chuckling softly.

"Shut up jor, you know that boy creeps me out". 

"You know, most of us spend our lives hiding in our fear..."

"Sweet Jesus! Why did you get so serious? I am only saying the fact. You're one to talk though. It's pot calling little kettle black."

Irene knew full well what Amara was aiming at but decided to let it pass. She kept quiet and allowed her to continue.

"Sorry for the outburst. I am not exactly in the right State of mind. I have been dealing with some issues and you reminded me of them with what you said".

Irene stared at the fridge and sat down on the chair she was previously sitting on. Amara was definitely not fine if she was dealing with issues. She had known her for five years and Amara was one to ignore what people said or thought about her. She would shy away from any unnecessary attention and stuck to her head not minding what climbed her back.

"Are you there, Irene?"

Irene found her voice and spoke, "Amara, how are you not in the right State of mind? What has life done to you?"

"I will pretend like I didn't hear that and just go on and ask how your life is. You know me, I hate heavy talks. Besides, it's like five a.m in another continent. My brain is not exactly booted to comprehend any of those heavy stu-.."

"Aunty! It's okay. Time is relative, abi. In another world, people don't go around beating about the bush. It's straight to business. No time for play. Say what's on your mind, guy. Please no lies. How has the hospital checks being going? Have they found anything?"

"Not yet. Let's see how many times I have been prodded. I have done an X-ray, some blood tests and another appointment on Friday".

"I hope it's not anything bad. Godspeed. I will come around on Saturday. Is that okay?"

"Why are you doing as if you don't just waltz in without telling me". They both laugh and Amara continues, " That reminds me, how is your sister and her baby".

Irene's countenance changes and she drops the phone on the table hurriedly making a click sound indicating the call has ended.

Irene heaves and looks up. She was really sipping some chlorine.

Note:

You heard of twenty-one pilots?