THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 11 – 20
EPISODE 17
“You nuh just try at all (You didn’t do well). I kept waiting for you but you stubbornly refused to show up. Why didn’t you come inside na?” Sharon hissed at Kathleen the moment she stepped into Kathleen’s house an hour later.
“Something must be wrong with you. Come inside where? Did I send you to go there? Did you come to see me or my boss? Why would you go into his house like that?” Kathleen retorted angrily as she dropped her phone on the table to face Sharon. She had been searching online to see how far the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital was from her new house.
“That is not enough reason for you to behave like that. How was I supposed to turn him down when he was just trying to be a gentleman?” Sharon asked in a much calmer tone now that she realized that Kathleen was really upset.
“So that is the reason you both decided to sit down and talk about me? What were you even telling him?” Kathleen asked making Sharon frown as she dropped her handbag on the couch and sat down across from Kathleen.
“Talk about you? When did we talk about you?” Sharon asked looking very confused.
“You think I didn’t hear you say something like ‘She is really funny and sweet when you get to know her’? Don’t even deny it, I was standing by the door.” Kathleen said making Sharon hiss before bursting into laughter.
“See this ekpa! And what made you think it was you I was actually referring to? Are you funny or sweet? We were talking about my former boss who he claims used to be his senior in school. See this girl o, so you think either me or your boss has the time to talk about you? Do you have money? I pity you.” Sharon said with a snort as she took off the wig she was wearing to reveal her rough all back weaving.
“Oh!” Kathleen replied feeling very embarassed and somewhat disappointed.
“Oh! kee you there. But wait, I noticed you were wearing something really nice earlier, and now you’re wearing this expensive looking playsuit, wasn’t your property engulfed in the fire? Abi you went shopping already just between yesterday morning and today?” Sharon asked curiously as she reached out to touch Kathleen’s clothes and feel the texture.
“Shopping ke! Nuh be who get money dey go shopping? It was my boss’ sister that gave me the clothes. Very fine kindhearted girl.” Kathleen said with a smile before slapping Sharon’s hand off her.
“A whole you have something nice to say about her. She must really be nice or you must really like her.” Sharon observed.
“Yes I actually do like her, and she is actually very cool.” Kathleen said, and went on to explain how they had met the previous day.
“God when??? See sister in-law doings! The way I’m seeing it she has chosen you for her brother.” Sharon said thoughtfully.
“Sister in-law ke! Abeg shut up if you don’t have anything reasonable to say with this your jagajaga (rough) hair that you’re carrying.” Kathleen said as she stood up and picked up Sharon’s bag, “You said you’re passing the night abi?” She asked Sharon who was following her inside.
“Wow! This your house is looking really nice sha. See the way everything is fine. You’re sure I won’t stay more than two days like this?” Sharon asked making Kathleen to laugh.
“You’re welcome to stay… That is if the married man you’re following will allow you.” Kathleen said dryly making Sharon glare at her.
“Wetin dey worry you sef? (What is wrong with you?) I don’t blame you, na me wey carry myself come your house (It’s my fault for visiting you.)” Sharon hissed irritably.
“What did I say that is a lie? Abi nuh be person husband you dey follow? (Isn’t your boyfriend a married man?)” Kathleen asked innocently.
“Abeg e done do before you provoke me (Change the subject before I get mad at you). This is the reason you don’t have any friends apart from me. You will just open your mouth waaaa, and be saying nonsense.” Sharon hissed making Kathleen roll her eyes, but she said nothing as they continued down the passage way.
“Wow! See the way everywhere is looking fine. You don’t know what your oga has done for you.” Sharon said when they passed the beautiful passage way to one of the rooms.
“My oga abi God?” Kathleen asked making Sharon look at her in a mocking manner.
“Shey na God build the house? (Did God made the house?)” Sharon asked sarcastically.
“God gave him the wisdom and power to make the money he used to get the house.” Kathleen explained patiently.
“She has started! Abeg shut up and stop sounding ignorant. Shey it wasn’t God that gave half the people in Lagos the wisdom and power to make money? How many of them offered you their boys quarter apartment for free?” Sharon asked with a slightly raised brow.
“…”
“No, answer me na. Everytime you will open your mouth waaaa, and be vomiting nonsense all in the name of Christianity.” Sharon said with a scoff.
Kathleen snapped her mouth shut as she led Sharon into one of the bedrooms.
“Wow! How many bedrooms are in the house?” Sharon asked when they walked into one of the bedrooms.
“Two.” Kathleen responded grudgingly.
“And both bedrooms have their toilet and bathroom en suite? Wow!” Sharon exclaimed, unable to believe Kathleen’s good fortune. How many people in this city had the privilege of living in such an apartment for free, “Wow!” Sharon repeated when she walked into the bathroom to check it out.
“Can you just stop saying ‘Wow! Wow! Wow!’ like you’re an ambulance?” Kathleen asked irritably as she dropped Sharon’s bag on the bed, and sat down so Sharon would arrange her things and probably change out of her outfit.
“Abeg allow me! I’m seeing something amazing and you expect me not to show my surprise? You’re just so lucky. Like this now you can have your younger ones come and visit you.” Sharon said with a yawn as she sat down on the bed beside Kathleen, “That reminds me, how is Isioma’s body? Hope she is getting better already?” She asked with a look of concern on her face making Kathleen sigh.
“I received a call from home earlier this morning. Her condition is getting worse, and they’re suggesting she comes to Lagos, perhaps we can find a good hospital for her. I was thinking of LASUTH.” Kathleen said with a shrug.
“That definitely isn’t a bad idea. Who knows? Maybe that is why God helped you to get a house like this, so you can accommodate them at a time like this.” Sharon said thoughtfully.
“So you agree it is God now?” Kathleen asked with rolling eyes.
“You don’t just have sense. I never said God didn’t help you, my point is that God used your boss to help you. And I’m just saying God made everything work out like this. You nuh sabi God pass me o, forget say I dey follow person husband.” Sharon assured her.
“That isn’t the point anyway, I was only saying, they can come here unlike your former apartment.” Sharon explained.
“I can’t accommodate them here nau. That is the thing with free things, you can’t use them freely. Had I paid for this apartment I wouldn’t be so scared to bring my own family here, but since it’s not free I don’t want to be a nuisance.” Kathleen explained with a frown.
“I’m sure your boss wouldn’t think that way. But come to think of it, you both were really good that first day at the mall, what happened after that to make you dislike him like this?” Sharon asked Kathleen curiously.
“He was the perfect gentleman until I came closer and realized he’s not a decent person after all.” Kathleen said with a scowl.
“Isn’t that why they said avoid ‘see finish’ (familiarity)? Now I understand why our warri people say ‘Na see finish dey turn good morning to how far?’ (familiarity breeds contempt).”
“Meaning?” Kathleen asked with a slightly raised brow.
“I think you’re the problem sha. You done see your oga finish in such a short time. The man is good, just tell him your family is coming over, I’m sure he will understand.” Sharon advised.
“But I can’t stay under the same roof with my mother. That woman won’t allow me rest with the whole marriage issue every second.” Kathleen said with a shake of head.
“Ehn, just allow her bring Isioma first, then you can ask her to go back.”
“But how will I take care of her when I’m busy with work? How will I even find time to take her to the hospital?” Kathleen asked still feeling very worried.
“You’re overthinking things. When that time comes everything will go smoothly, just make arrangements for them to come first before Isioma’s case becomes critical. We will talk to your boss together before I leave, and maybe his sister can help you too, okay?”
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 11 – 20
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Eric sighed as he looked at Kimberly with a blank expression. What sort of a lady was she? What did she want from him? Why was she asking if he was married? She definitely didn’t look like the type who was desperately in need of a man since she was obviously very pretty and seemed to be doing well for herself financially. Ladies like her usually had men at their beck and call and could get any man of her choice.
“So you won’t allow me eat the fish if I say I’m married? Or you won’t take care of the bill?” He asked curiously, looking at the fish in front of him before meeting her gaze.
“Of course that’s not what I meant. I’m sorry if it came out wrongly.” Kimberly said with a shake of her head.
“Good. That means you can at least allow me eat first before badgering me with questions.” Eric said before digging into the fish in front of him. Eric kept thinking about her question while trying to figure her out.
As they both ate in silence Kimberly couldn’t help feeling like she was wasting her time. The man before her was obviously a very stubborn person, and the kind of man she wanted was one who was very docile.
“I’m not married.” Eric said after a while making Kimberly raise her head to look into his face.
“Oh! Okay.” She said with a nod.
“Why are you looking for a husband?” Eric asked, looking directly into her eyes in a way that made her uncomfortable.
“I never said I was looking for one.” Kimberly refuted.
“You didn’t have to say it. Your actions said it all already. But the thing is, I’m not sure I’d be a suitable prospect for you.” Eric said indifferently before returning his attention to his food.
“Do you always make assumptions and jump into conclusions?” Kimberly asked irritably.
“My apologies if I’m wrong. You should eat up so we can leave quickly. I don’t have all day.” Eric told her as he washed his hand and wiped it with a serviette napkin.
Kimberly couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Not only was he stubborn, but he was also very proud. Imagine asking her to eat quickly when she was the person paying for their meal. Kimberly mused as she picked up a serviette napkin to clean the edges of her mouth before standing up.
“You are not going to finish that up?” He asked when he noticed she hadn’t taken more than two bites from the chicken yet she was ready to leave.
“I lost my appetite.” Kimberly said with a shrug.
Eric remained seated and took out his wallet the moment the waiter approached them, “Please help us pack this up. How much am I paying?” He asked before Kimberly could say anything.
“Six thousand five hundred naira sir.” The waiter told him politely.
“What are you doing? I offered to…”
Eric completely ignored her as he gave the waiter the money before standing up to face Kimberly, “Women don’t pay for my food.” He told her quietly before picking up the bag containing the wrapped chicken and heading outside.
“Then you shouldn’t have paid for mine either.” Kimberly objected as she hurried after him, trying to keep up with his pace since she was wearing a high heeled slippers. She wasn’t a very tall person so she preferred her footwears always having heels unless she was indoors.
“I already did. Where do you want to go from here?” Eric asked as he opened his car door and got into the car.
“Can we just stay inside the car and talk instead?” Kimberly asked as she got into the front seat of the car this time instead of the backseat like some sort of madam.
“Aren’t you tired of talking? I’ve said more words to you today than I’ve said to anyone for months.” Eric said with a displeased frown.
“No. Let’s assume I’m looking for a husband, why are you the wrong candidate? Are you in a serious relationship?” Kimberly asked.
“I’m not in any relationship and I’m really not interested in getting involved in any either. I don’t even know you so why would I want to marry you?” Eric asked with a slightly raised brow.
“What if I say because you’ll get paid for it?” Kimberly asked even though something told her deep down that the man before her didn’t seem like the type to be swayed by money.
Eric looked at her with a frown. Why would any normal African lady think of doing something like this? Was she dying? “I don’t need your money.”
“There is definitely something you would want in exchange. Name your price.” Kimberly offered. Somehow she felt like he was the right person for the job. He would do a good job of passing for her husband and his stubbornness and pride might come in handy when facing her father.
“You don’t have anything I need.”
“Why don’t you try me?” Kimberly challenged, “I could start by getting you a really good paying job if you give me your documents.” Kimberly offered.
“Why do I feel like I’m the first person you’re approaching with this proposal of yours?” Eric asked curiously.
“Because you’re probably the first. Look, I’m not asking for a ’till death do us part’ kind of arrangement. It is just for a limited period of time after which you’ll be paid really well and you’ll be free to leave.” Kimberly explained with a shrug making Eric narrow his eyes suspiciously.
“How short is this limited period of time?”
“A year. You can just think about it and get back to me before this time tomorrow, so I can look for someone else if you’re not interested.” Kimberly said as she took out her complementary card from her purse and handed it to him.
Eric looked from her face to the card in her hand, and even though he really wanted to take it, his pride just wouldn’t let him. He was a true definition of an African man who was well raised by his parents. In as much as he was tempted to take the card, he just couldn’t bring himself to swallow his pride and do so.
Kimberly saw the struggle in his eyes and dropped the card inside the open center console box, “You don’t have to give me an answer immediately.” She assured him, and took out her phone from her bag when it started ringing.
“Babe how far? Where are you?” Prisca asked immediately Kimberly took the call.
” Has Johnson finished fixing the car already?” Kimberly asked, ignoring the question.
“He isn’t taking his call, but a mechanic around here fixed it. So where am I meeting you?” Prisca asked curiously.
“Just down the next street from where the car broke down. I didn’t want to go too far so you wouldn’t have difficulty meeting me. So just ask around for Deluxe Bar and Lounge. I’ll be waiting for you inside the gray colored cab parked outside the bar.” Kimberly said before disconnecting the call.
“Your car is ready?” Eric asked after she dropped the call.
“Yeah. So you don’t have to worry too much, I’ll get out of your hair soon.” Kimberly assured him with a small smile, “I hope you don’t mind transfers? I’m not with enough cash to pay you.” Kimberly remembered to inform him when she returned the phone inside her bag and saw there wasn’t much money in her bag.
“Don’t worry about it.” Eric said with a shake of his head.
“There is absolutely no way I’m going to do something like that. It is bad enough that you handled the bills for my food.”
“That wasn’t really much of a big deal. So like I said don’t worry about it.” Eric insisted, “I think your friend is here.” He said, when he sighted the Lexus jeep through his rearview mirror.
“Make sure you give me a call. Or you could come to my office if you’re not too busy tomorrow. Please.” Kimberly added.
Eric said nothing as he watched her step out of the cab and approach her car gracefully. She had a beautiful figure no doubt, and her dark complexion glowed in the hot afternoon sun. She had looked really pretty when she smiled and he doubted he was going to forget her smile in a hurry. He waited until her car had disappeared from sight before picking up the card she had dropped.
“Kimberly Abamba.” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he read out her name… There was something awfully familiar about her name, and he felt like he had heard it recently.
He turned on his car’s ignition to leave but the warning light on his dashboard told him he was running low on fuel. He opened his wallet and groaned when he realized he had used the money he was saving for fuel to pay for their meal.
“What kind of stupid pride is worrying me?” He asked himself angrily, and gritted his teeth in annoyance when he remembered how she had offered to transfer him money and he had refused, “Shey the pride will fuel this car?”
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The story look somehow bored right? Don’t worry, it will soon get to action movie.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 11 – 20
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