Nadir

I had to leave Yellow Eatery early because I started feeling weirdly cold. The temperature was very high yet I was shivering. When I reach home, I run myself a hot bath but that doesn’t help much. I make some tea and drink it but it only makes me feel good for a while and again I start shivering. When I notice that I am only getting worse I decide to go to bed and cover myself with one extra blanket. Martha texts asking how I am feeling and because I don’t want to worry her I lie that I am much better. I know if I tell her that I am worse than I was when we were together she will get extremely worried and that’s the last thing that I want.

As I step on the floor I feel like I am stepping on needles. I have heard my door open so I am walking to go and check because I was so sure I locked up.

‘Joshua.’ I say shocked to see him.

‘So why did you lie to Martha that you are much better?’

‘I feel better.’ I respond.

‘Go to bed, let me make you some soup.’

I don’t protest, but instead of sleeping in bed I carry one of the blankets and lay on the couch covering myself. I feel terrible but I am happy that he is here, in a few minutes the house has a delicious aroma lingering. Joshua is an amazing cook and that is something that can never be taken away from him.

‘I hope this will make you feel better.’ He says coming to sit next to me.

He gets a spoonful of the soup and asks me to open my mouth.

‘Here you go.’

It burns a little but in a good way, I taste the chicken and mushroom. It’s nicely spiced and thick just the perfect way.

‘Not too hot?’ he asks.

‘It’s perfect.’ I respond before taking another spoonful.

He continues to feed me until I have had enough. He then makes me drink some water and tells me to lie down again as he prepares a meal for me. The soup warms my insides and a few minutes after he has left I feel myself drowning away in sleep.

..

Martha called me just as I got home telling me that she suspected Nandy wasn’t feeling well. I jumped at that because no matter how upset I am with her I still care about her and I hate to admit that I love her. I inquired further what seemed to be the problem and when she told me, I went to the supermarket and bought what I might need to cook something for her. When I saw her, I knew that she was coming down with something and it needed to be treated as soon as possible or we would be running to the clinic which I didn’t want. She is trying to act okay but I can tell that she feels sick and this is worrying me.

I walk to the living room with the plate of food, I have cooked rice with ground beef I am hoping she eats. She needs the strength if she is going to get better.

‘Hey.’ I say tapping her lightly so that she wakes up.

‘Hey.’ She answers back.

‘You need to eat something.’

‘I just want to sleep.’

‘And you will after you eat.’

She sighs and wakes up even though I know she would rather be still sleeping.

‘It smells nice.’

‘Thank you.’

My phone starts to ring immediately she sits up right. We both look at the screen – Sheena is calling.

I get the phone and pick up without excusing myself.

‘Yes Sheena.’

‘Oh I see.’

‘Alright thank you for the update.’

I cut the line and wonder if I have to explain myself.

‘She was doing something for mum so she was just telling me that she is done.’

‘Your ex was doing something for your mother?’

‘We dated for a while, mum knew her.’

‘I see.’

‘You don’t have to be jealous or worried about anything.’

‘Joshua what right do I have to be jealous?’

‘You are my woman that’s why.’

I chuckle.

‘And what is that supposed to mean?’

‘You cut me off for a month straight, how am I still your woman again?’

‘I didn’t cut you off, I just needed to breathe and that meant staying away from you.’

‘So had it not been for me being sick you wouldn’t have come right?’

‘I would have, I just needed time.’

‘I see.’

I feel bad that I treated her like that but then again she messed up and I need her to know that I wasn’t okay with her behavior. She was entertaining my brother I didn’t expect that from her.

‘Joshua we are adults and as such we were supposed to sit down and talk about what happened, you just can’t shut me out like that.’

‘I am sorry babe. Honestly I needed time, it felt like history was repeating itself and I wasn’t ready.’

‘It’s fine, I guess I got us here.’

‘Nandy I love you.’

‘I love you so much Joshua. So so much.’

I kiss her lips lightly. I am going to give her another chance.

‘Is there something else I need to know?’

‘I think Emmanuel and Jackie are now together.’

‘Is it too soon to say I told you so?’

‘Just say it.’

‘I won’t, because I know my brother and I love you I would be a fool to let you be with him.’

‘Thank you for who you are Joshua.’

I kiss her forehead wordlessly.

..

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏾‍♀️