NKEM 15
He couldn't tell whether he walked or if he just dematerialized from the hospital. His legs felt heavier than he could manage to carry. This was the second disgrace he had received from Gladys. Of the two, this was the worst.
"Gladys must pay for this…she must pay!" He didn't know when he said it aloud. The labourers in his site stopped to look at him but no one dared to ask him if all was well.
"What are you all doing, standing like idiots looking at me?" Everyone faced their work knowing full well that whoever the said Gladys was, she must have really hurt oga boss as they call him.
"What is all this nonsense? Why are all these walls left not plastered? He directed the question to no one in particular. Nobody answered him and that infuriated him even more.
"Are you all deaf? Or is my question not deserving of an answer? Where is that stupid bricklayer?"
"He just left a few minutes ago", someone volunteered.
"He left my work for something else?"
"He said he was feeling very sick", the man added.
"Sick my foot! From whom did he take permission to leave? How will the work be completed if he kept doing my work like this".
He did a hasty inspection of the rooms that were gradually resembling the plan he had given to the site engineer and stumbled out of the site. Each step he took tended to announce his anger like a charging bull. The people who greeted him on the way either saw him respond with a wave of his hand, a nod or just mumbled a grunt.
He had almost passed him by when he held his hand. The look on his face told the newcomer that he was not at home for wasteful pleasantries.
"Eziokwu", Azuka, a casual friend of his announced, taking few steps back and folding his hands on his chest.
"Who has done this to you?".
The question gladdened his heart. Someone at least would take his side of the matter.
"Can you imagine that stupid girl?"
"What girl is that", inquired Azuka.
"That idiot Gladys"
The other man softened at the mention of the name. He knew the pains Gladys had been battling with these past few days.
"What did she do?"
"Can you imagine the insult she threw at me for paying the balance of the hospital bill?"
Azuka stared at him in shock before speaking. He folded his long slim hands on his slim body.
"That is a bit too harsh. But, again you must realize that the pain Nkem caused her is still very fresh".
"What good is that philanderer going to do for her?"
"Don't forget she is still in love with him. And again, you seem to forget too quickly how Gladys sees you."
"How does she see me? He said angrily, making as if to walk away from him.
"She doesn't like you." He looked him straight in the eye and noticed the anger the statement brought to his face but he continued.
"I know that hurts but that is the truth. I will advise you to let go of her. The more you try to make your presence known, the more the insults she throws at you".
Okpara hissed and left Azuka open mouth on the road.
"Are you leaving?"
"No, I just remembered I have an urgent appointment*. He said it without looking back.
Azuka watched until Okpara turned and took a sloppy bend to a narrow path.
"Ewu, he thinks he can win every woman with money, nonsense. She has not only insulted you, she will soon pour you urine, anofia!" Azuka spat before continuing on his own journey.
Let's draw the curtains here for now. Hope you enjoyed what you have read? Till we come both of our ways, I am Yours Truly,
Julius Topohozin.
