(HECTOR)
Hope
knocked twice before she entered my room. I was dressed, ready to go out.
“Where
are you going to?" she asked.
“I need
some time alone.”
She
walked close to my side and sat on the bed. “I know you are not happy because
of father’s health. I am also sad about this but you need to be a man and be
ready to take care of things.”
“Are you
aware dad wants to give me everything?”
She
smiled at me genuinely and I sat close to her. “Yes and I don’t have a problem
with it. I have my own money and I have no child to inherit my properties. I am
contended with what I have.”
I
touched her on the back to rub her gently. “If you have faith in God, you will
have children.” I said to her. “You have to tell mother the truth about your
condition. You look like a bad person for telling her you don’t want children.”
“Peter
and I are planning to adopt very soon.” she said.
“That
will not make mother change her attitude towards you. It could degenerate
everything.”
“I don’t
care anymore. I do not care what she feels about me again. I have Peter, you
and father’s love. It’s more than enough for me.”
My
eyebrows uplifted. “You did not mention Hillary’s name.”
She shook
her head. “I don’t think Hillary loves anyone but herself. I am even surprise
she agreed to check up on Peter when I travel next week.”
I stared
at her dazed at her statement. “You want her to check up on Peter?”
“Should
that be a problem?” she asked surprised because of the look on my face.
I
changed my facial expression sharply and cleared my throat. “No. I will go with
her if you want. Two heads are better than one.”
“I will
appreciate that. Peter will be happy to have the both of you keep him company.
You should be close to my husband but you always keep your distance.”
I smiled
at her. “I will be close to Peter if that is what you want.”
She
sighed and held my two hands. “You know I love you very much, right?”
“Hope I
know you love me and I do too.” I surveyed her facial expression. “I know that
look on your face, there’s something you want to say that could make me angry.”
“Please
don’t marry Melissa.”
I
released my hands from her instantly and rose on my feet. ‘I knew it!"
“Do you
want to walk out on me?” she asked me.
“No.” I
replied. "But let’s not talk about it."
“I have
to Hector,” she said. ”Are you aware Melissa and mom saw each other yesterday?”
“Yes.”
Hope bit
her lower lip before she spoke. “Are you also aware that Melissa came along
with a wedding planner?”
My face
changed towards her. “No! We have never discussed that and she never told me
she had a wedding planner already.”
“Well
mom said she has ordered for her wedding gown from the US.”
“What!
She did not tell me and why is she rushing it? The wedding is end of next
month.”
“You
will have to ask mom everything they discussed.”
“I
will.”
“Please
sit down.” Hope tapped her hand on her bed. I walked to sit down by her side. “Hector
I know you very well. You are going to be hopeless and miserable for the rest
of your life if you marry who you do not love.”
“Melissa
will give me children and they will make me extremely happy.”
“Children
from Melissa?” Hope asked in a tone I could not comprehend. “Have you asked her
if she wants children? Have you discussed it with her?”
“Do I
have to?”
“Yes!” she
voiced out. “You have to talk about certain things before you say I do. First
of all why did you start a relationship with her?”
“I
thought you knew?”
“Knew
about what?”
“I never
asked Melissa for a relationship, she asked me out.”
Her eyes
widened. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“And you
saw nothing in it?”
“We are
in a free world.” I said and smiled cockily. “I could have asked her but she
beat me to it.”
“I never
knew.” she said slowly.
“I told
mother about it and she persuaded me to go out with her. She thought it was a
great idea. Remember mom and her late mother used to be best of friends.”
“Are you
getting married to Melissa because Mom wants you to?”
“I have
never told anyone this before but mom is the one that begged me to engage
Melissa.”
“What!”
Hope exclaimed in total shock and stood up to face my direction. “You are
getting married because that is what mother wants?”
“At
first, I thought dad wanted it too but today he told me I should not marry Melissa
because I don’t love her. I guess am doing it for only mum.”
“Because
it will give mum joy, you want to forsake your own happiness? Mother married
father because she loved him. No one forced her to and she should not do it to
you.”
“I want
mother happy.” I said to her.
“What
about you? What about your own happiness?”
“Maybe
it’s the price I have to pay for never believing in love. Maybe its karma for
the things I have done in the past that is catching up with me. I have done bad
things in the past, treated women as if they had price tags on their body. I
have everything my sister. Is it money, houses or investments? I can go on and
on with the things I have but love is not one of them.”
Hope
eyes became watery but I swiftly looked another way. I could not bear to see
her cry because I can’t remember the last time tears fell from my own eyes,
maybe when I was a kid but has a grown up man, nothing has ever made me shed
tears and I have a feeling it will never come.
She
quickly wiped off the tears from falling down. “I believe you will fall in love
but you have to wait, to be patient and take your time. Do not rush or force it
to come. Love will happen when you least expect it.”
I rose
up to face her. “What if I end up loving a woman and she won’t love me in
return?”
“I will
force her to love you.” she teased me and we laughed together. Hope held my
hands. “You are a good man Hector but sometimes you want to prove to people
that you can do whatever you like. That is affecting you. A woman will love you
not because of what you have. Peter never cared about the way I looked when he
approached me. You might fall in love with someone you never thought you could.
Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with a woman below your status.”
“That
can never happen.”
She let
go of my hands. “You have started again.”
“Sorry.”
“Will you
still marry Melissa?” she asked me.
I stared
at her for a while before answering her question. “Yes.”
Her face
fell sadly. “Are you still going out?”
“I don’t
know for now but I want to go talk to mother.”
“Okay. I
will go to dad’s room to see him.”
******
I saw my
mother seated in her favorite spot in the house. I sat down on the empty chair opposite her.”
“Is it
true a wedding planner came along with Melissa yesterday?”
“Hope
and her big mouth must have told you.” My mother said without looking at me.
“She is
my sister and she has the right to let me know. How could Melissa get a wedding
organizer without my permission? Is she going to be the man in the marriage
when we get married?”
Her eyes
stared at my face. “If you want her to be the man no problem, I see nothing
wrong in what she did. She has paid for the wedding cards already and I have
contacted the woman who will supply us with the aso ebi for….”
I could
not allow her finish her statement. “What the fuck?!”
“Watch
your language with me!” she barked at me.
“The two
of you can’t do all these without getting me involved. I have to say yes first
before carrying out your plans.”
“There
is nothing you can do about it. The bill for the wedding, everything, your
future father in law wants to sponsor it. The only thing you will buy is your
wedding suit and that of your best man.”
“That
will never happen.” I said to her and I meant it.
“Why?”
“I will
pay whatever amount for the wedding because I have more than enough to spend. I
do not need the father of Melissa to pay for the wedding.”
“But
Melissa’s father is not complaining.”
I flared
up from the chair. “Mother you have said enough!” I said to her with so much
anger in my voice. “I am doing this for you because it will make you happy.
Please don’t say any more words that will make me change my mind and I will if
you dare me! I will leave this house for you. You can plan whatever you want
with Mellissa, you can order for anything. I, Hector will pay for everything!” I stood up.
My
mother maintained a composed gesture. “Anything you want. I will call Melissa
and inform her.”
“Good.”
I said walking away to leave the house.
“Won’t
you wait for Mrs. Bola and the new cook? They are close to the house.”
“You can
employ her if you want, I don’t give a shit about it.”
“I will
also employ the daughter too.”
The
color of my eyes turned red and I was forced to turn back to face her. “Why?”
“Your
father is sick and apart from the doctor or the nurse coming to check up on
him, he will need someone to be there if he needs something.”
“I guess
Hillary brought up the idea.”
“Yes and
it’s the best.”
“Can’t
Hillary attend to father whenever he needs something?”
“She’s
not always around. We need someone that can come here in the morning and leave
in the evening.”
“What
about Ebube?” I asked. “In fact where is she?”
“I gave
her money to buy something for me in the market and remember she will be
starting her lecture on Monday.”
“Oh I
see. Is the woman coming with her daughter?”
“I doubt
because I have not discussed it with Mrs. Bola. I will do that when they come.”
“But you
don’t even know if the woman’s daughter is capable of doing the job?”
“Don’t
worry about that.”
“What
about the husband of the woman?” I asked.
“She is
a widow.”
“Oh I
see.” I said sympathetically.
We heard
a bang on the main gate and the gateman ran to open it. Mrs. Bola and a woman a
bit below my mother’s age came towards us at the balcony. Despite the woman dark
skinned complexion, she was not ugly. I hugged Mrs. Bola and the woman greeted
us with her knees on the floor.
I
quickly raised her up. “Please you don’t have to kneel for me.”
“Sir, I
have to.”
“Well, I
guess it’s because you are the same tribe with Mrs. Bola. I had to stop her when
we first employed her. She was always saying it’s their tradition. Yoruba
people and greetings. Anyways, I will leave all of you alone and you are
welcome to the Henshaw’s home.”
“Are you
saying she is employed already?” my mother asked surprised.
I gave a
truthful smile. “Yes mother, I like her already.”
The
woman and Mrs. Bola thanked my mother and me greatly. I was indeed pleased.
“What is
your name?” my mom asked our new cook.
“Mrs.
Alice Kayode.”
“Ok.”
she said. “My house keeper will be here soon. She went to buy some food items
you will prepare.”
“Ok ma.”
“I will
also like to discuss something else with you. The both of you should sit down.”
They sat
down together.
My
mother turned to me. “Please help me call Hillary.”
“Okay
mom.” I said and turned to the other women. “Please tell my sister whatever you
want to drink. I should leave you two alone with my mother.”
“Are
still going out?”
“I’ve
changed my mind. I would love to taste Mrs. Alice’s food.” We all laughed.
“Thank
you sir.” Mrs. Alice said to me. I left them to call the woman who has refused
to grow mentally.
“For
your information I have employed the new cook.” I said to Hillary in her room.
“But I
thought you never liked the idea?”
“I
changed my mind but I still don’t like the idea of a stranger attending to dad
when we have you in this house. Serve the women drinks before you ask of them
of the so called Renee.”
“She
will be employed.”
“That’s
your damn business! I don’t think I will ever meet her because as from on
Monday Hector will always be occupied. Are you aware I’m taking over everything
from dad?”
She clapped
her hands and smiled awkwardly at me. “Good for you. Therefore, congratulations
Hector. I am delighted to have you as my brother because you are not selfish
towards me despite your complains about me.” She came closer to me and pecked my
left cheek. Hillary opened her door and left me in her room. I shook my head
piteously at her childishness. She had no idea I had plans for her and when I act
on it, she would crawl to beg me.
I left
there to my room to collect a bottle of red wine and my favorite chocolate and
waited for the food to get prepared. I made a call to Michael to check how he
was doing and to inform him about my father’s health. He panicked over the
phone and insisted coming over to see him.
*******
“I am
very grateful for giving me the job.” Mrs. Alice said to her new employer.
“You
don’t have to thank me.” Mrs. Harriet said to her. “All I want from you is your
dedication and commitment. I have repeated this to you before, don’t disappoint
us.”
“I will
never ma.”
“Good.
My daughter wants to talk to you about something else.”
Hillary
cleared her throat before speaking. “I’m aware you have a daughter.”
“Yes
ma.”
“How old
is she?” she asked.
“Twenty
five years ma.”
“Did she
go to school?”
“Yes
ma.” she replied. “She’s a graduate of Business Administration but unemployed.”
“Really?”
“Yes
ma.” Ebube arrived with the foodstuffs and Mrs. Harriet directed her to keep
them in the kitchen and wait there.
Hillary
turned to her mother. “Why can’t you talk to Hector to employ her daughter?”
“It’s a
good idea but let her work here first and I will know what to do next.”
Hillary
agreed and spoke to their new cook about the reason they need her daughter.
“That’s
not a problem ma.” Mrs. Alice said. “She will do the job very well.”
“She
will make sure my father takes his drugs and eat at the appropriate time.
Whenever he wants her to get something for him, she will always be ready.”
“That is
not a problem at all ma,” she said. “My daughter Renee took care of her
grandmother before she left us and she takes good care of me whenever I am
sick. Renee is the best person for this job and she will be very happy to do
it.”
“Very
good.” said Mrs. Harriet. “You and your daughter should resume very early on
Monday. I hope Mrs. Bola has informed you about the timetable because she comes
here as early as six thirty in the morning to prepare breakfast. Sometimes she
sleeps here and it goes for you as well.”
“Mrs.
Bola told me everything ma. I will do anything you want.”
“We will
pay you the same amount Mrs. Bola used to earn.”
“Mrs.
Alice fell on her knees thanking and praying for the entire family. She got up
and sat down.
“My
daughter will take you to the kitchen and tell Ebube to show you anything you
need.” Mrs. Harriet told her.
*******
(HECTOR)
I went
over to my father’s room. He was fast asleep and I saw Hope seated by his side
reading her bible.
She
looked up at me. “You have not gone out?”
“No.” I replied
and informed her about the new cook. She closed her bible and opened her bag to
keep it inside.
“Can we
still discuss about your upcoming wedding with Melissa who you do not love?”
she asked.
“No.” I
replied her politely. “No one can make me change my mind. No one!”
To be
continued….
Lol
ReplyDeleteNo one
No one indeed
Wait till u set eyes on Renee
been refreshing this page over and over today for this episode,, thanks carina
ReplyDeleteStarted reading this story today and I am soooo hooked. Good storyline.
ReplyDeleteNice...
ReplyDeleteVisit my bolg for ur short stories @ www.itsdidisblog.blogspot.com
He'll surely change his mind. Let's wait and see.
ReplyDeletepamscrib.blogspot.com
No1 but Renee... ow dats gonna happen is wah I can't wait to read#biggrin#
ReplyDelete