Mide’s Abor with Olamide Longe
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They lived in different neighbourhoods, about 15 minutes drive apart, but that didn’t stop Maria from spending most evenings and weekends at Elizabeth’s place. Her mother complained to her dad several times that she was spending too much time away from home, but he let her be. Then, she wore him down with her grumblings, and he’d called her aside and told her that while he was glad that she was receiving a different kind of worldview form Elizabeth’s family, they were still her parents and to make sure she spent quality time with her mother. Even if she wasn’t going to assist at the shop, she should make sure she did her share of the house chores. Nobody would do it for her.
She did not wait to be told twice, and she’d duly apportioned her time between the two places in a way that made everyone happy.
Sundays were the only days she stayed at home throughout. It was sacrosanct. Once she tried to break it and her father demonstrated to her that it was inviolable. She learned that day that while she was treasured, there was something he treasured more, their time together as a family.
It began with attending church together. Then her dad and mother would go to their various meetings, while she and her brother attended their own mandatory meetings. After which, they all converged at home.
It was a boring affair for her. Apart from reading, there was hardly anything else to do. Her brother lorded over the DVD and TV, watching gory thrillers and lame action films.
She did not do anything that different when she spent time at Elizabeth’s place, they hardly went out, but it was the place of her dreams, so everything she did there always had a different feel to it. Then, of course, there were the extras, access to things lacking at home. The best of them all was the swimming pool and learning how to swim.
There was talk among their peers in school that she had befriended Elizabeth for material gains. At first, she’d been hurt by it and had withdrawn from Elizabeth. However, after a period of uncertainty, she decided that they were only envious of their closeness and wanted to break it and that by withdrawing from Elizabeth she’d played right into their hands. Therefore, she made it a point to tell them that their friendship was a mutually beneficial one, but they were too blinded by jealousy to see it.
It was sad to discover much later that they weren’t the only ones blind.
She wondered now what her brother’s feelings were about that period of her life. They never talked about it. When it all collapsed, he’d already left home for university and when he learned about it, she’d already recovered somewhat. He’d never cared for her other family, so he didn’t miss them.
But, she had been miserable for weeks.
She thought she would never get over the pain.
Maria had barely sat down at her table in her office, when her phone rang. It was Emmanuel again. With a heavy sigh, she answered.
“So, what exactly do you want from me?” she asked when the pleasantries were done with.
She heard him take a deep breath and braced herself for what was coming.
“I know it’s short notice,” he began, “and maybe too much to ask, but could you pay Elizabeth a visit?”
When she didn’t respond, he continued, “Mum believes that if you went to see her, it could aid her recovery.”
Maria shook her head. “I have a job and other commitments. I can’t just push them aside and rush to Elizabeth’s side.” There was a harsh note in her voice as she said the last words. She wasn’t over the pain. She’d been mistaken in thinking that she was.
“Please, Maria, for old times’ sake…”
She cut him off, her pain as raw as if freshly inflicted. “Don’t do that. If you use that, you will fail spectacularly.” There was no use pretending.
She heard him sigh again. “I would prostrate myself before you if I could.” There followed a strange sound. “I am flat on the floor. If only you could see me.”
“Quit the drama, Ema. It’s not your strong suit,” she said coldly. “If I were to do anything at all, it would be for your mother and never for Elizabeth.
There was silence.
“Do it for mom’s sake, then. Please.”
“I will talk to my boss and let you know,” she said, after several heartbeats.
“Oh, my God.Thank you, Ma~ma.” His voice was gruff with emotions.
Maria felt a lump in her throat. He’d used her pet name. Memories came rushing at her.
“We will forever be grateful.”
“I haven’t promised anything,” she protested, trying to regain control. “Only that I will talk to my boss.”
“It’s a start; it isn’t an outright refusal. I’ll take it.”
She hesitated, then, “before you go, Emmanuel,” she had to know. “If anyone of you was going to reach out to me at all, I expected that it’d be Enoch. Never you.”
“I suppose under different circumstances, he might have. But he downright refused to get involved. He believes Elizabeth is reaping what she sowed.”
Maria couldn’t stop her gasp of shock.
“Enoch has changed, Maria. You wouldn’t recognise him,” he paused. “I believe something positive will come out of this.”
She remained silent.
“Let me know what you decide. And thank you.”
“Okay.” She didn’t want to the call to end yet. She wanted to talk more about Enoch. How was he doing? How had he changed? Where was he?
She placed the phone on the table and sat back slowly, resting her head against the backrest.
Enoch.
Her heart ached badly.
Continues next week
