Ezeabata In A Golden Marriage

CHAPTER 13

"I will never forget uncle Tom's face when he got back from work that day at about 5:30 pm as he is the first to always come home since he closes from work before auntie mary and her cousin Stella gets home. Running a restaurant isn't easy you know, so auntie mary returns from work usually at about 8 or 8:30 pm there about. Then again it depends sometimes on the turn up of customers for the day because i remember her being home on time the days customers are less.

"How early are we talking about on such days?" Inquires Echeta

"At least at about 6pm" says Heaven

"Oh well that's a good time for a married couple to be home from work it helps them keep an eye on the home front and at least spend some time with their kids also do some home work from school with the children and or see a movie with them before leaving for work the next day" says Echeta with this thought of at least that is what he will like to have in his home.

"Yes dear i couldn't agree less, i will like to bond well with you and the kids playing fun games sometimes around the house even hide and seek and having good memorable recreational activity evenings with you all." Heaven adds with the picture of what she wants like literally before her eyes, smiling she turned towards Echeta and says
"I want us all to always be happy."

"Amen" nods Cheta in admiration and says

"Personally speaking i am not into married women running restaurants for a living. It's tudious and in some kind of setting it encourages flirting." Suggests Echeta

"For some if it is what they love to do, they must have principles they are not willing to compromise and such was my aunty Mary. She was dedicated to her business but didn't give those men a chance to flirt around her or in her restaurant as a matter of fact. Moreover she was a dedicated christian woman though i can't speak the same for some men or women who do same business as their lifestyles even as Christians doesn't potray the same as aunty Mary's" Agrees Heaven

"You see what i mean?" Questions Echeta

"Anyways before we drift away, uncle Tom honked his horn and i went to open the gate since i was at home. I greeted him and he was like 'nice to come home and have someone at home, what more i didn't have to come down and open the gate.' We shared a laughter and he asked how was my day, not too boring he hoped and i said nope as i brought out his belongings from the car. He already made his way into the house and i heard this shout. He came right out to meet me. 'What did you do with the house! Is it the same house?' He inquires almost moving me to tears.

"Why?" Asks Echeta

"Dear Echeta i love it when people appreciate something good i mean i have done same overtime for some people and they didn't even show any gratitude let alone shouts of excitement" states Heaven

"Oh i see" smiles Cheta

"Guy! (like saying my paddy in pidgin language) uncle Tom went through the whole house in split seconds with same excitement and gratitude exclaiming in appreciation as he kept assuring me that this means alot to him. He said he would give anything for a clean house but the busy life they lead and live doesn't give them the time. I told him i understand." Smiles Heaven like whole scene was replaying before her. Then she continues

"It wasn't long aunty Mary came back with Stella and uncle Tom went to open the gate. She had hardly pulled in when he pratically dragged her by hand, taking her room to room and then into the kitchen where stella and i were sorting groceries and dinner which they brought back home and aunty Mary says 'honestly Heaven i am impressed also really grateful that the house is not only clean but you woke joy up in my husband as i don't know when last he was this joyous over this house.' She went further to hug me biming with smiles she says 'thank you.' I told them it was my own way of saying thanks for having me and we all laughed. Uncle Tom also teased Stella a bit by nagging her to learn the act of cleaning from me." Concludes Heaven.

"Hope stella didn't see you as a competition."Cheta asks

"Hmm it was only a matter of time my dear. Not only did she but aunty Mary too. Sincerely speaking i didn't blame any of them because uncle Tom always centered everything around me, like the more i cleaned and kept the house in order i bought the post 'centre of attraction.' It became frustrating and annoying even for me. He wanted my opinion in almost everything, i didn't like it but i kept being respectful. It got out of hand when we will all dress up to go to church or an outing and he will shower praises on me for an outfit or give compliments he hasn't even given the wife. I started becoming uncomfortable even though the house is as clean as i will want it. There was this time he traveled, i had a lecture free day and was at home yeah?" Says Heaven looking at Echeta, He simply noded as she continues with her naration.

"Aunty Mary when she was ready to leave noted that everywhere in the house looks clean and orderly except her room. I suggested to clean and arrange it since i was at home that day. 'Don't you have some reading and assignments to do?' She inquired. I told her i did but that i can still clean her room, read and do my assignments then go on to get rest after that. I further apologised for not fixing her room since i came to live with them, that i saw it as invasion of privacy and couldn't do it except with her permission. She smiled and said she understands. She added that she likes that i am very respectful. I told her that i would have preferred to do the cleaning when she is around though, to know where and how she would want it arranged. Aunty Mary simply said she trusts my judgment as she was already running late to her business and they left."

"I started work immediately and left nothing out or unturned in their room. I cleaned, tidied and arranged everything from books to other objects in the room, the way i would with my parents room. When i was done, i got some air freshning and put in the room.
When she got back home that evening, she was so impressed. She even came home with some special meal for me, one of my favorites, jellof rice with a very big dry fish on top in appreciation of the work i did." Narrates Heaven.

"That is really nice of her my darling. Really really nice" recites Echeta.

"Yes dear only trouble started almost when the husband got back. You see the day he came home i was back from school earlier than usual as there wasn't much to do in school that day. I barely finished my meal before i heard him at the gate. I came out to welcome him and he looked really happy to be back. He said he missed home and everyone of us. He went into their room shortly after we greeted and came back with this shout of excitement as is his manner, almost wanting to give me a hug, but for his belongings i had in my hands, it wouldn't have been avoided. I thanked the heavens that day. Almost wanting to give me the hug, is like his belongings in my hands brought him back to his senses when instead of the hug he aimed for he offered to relief me of the loads in my hands." Heaven restates

"It 's amazing how sometimes in life things seem to work out in a way that incites the wrong impression to people. Can you imagine how the whole thing would have looked if the wife had walked in on both of you huh?." Presumes Echeta

"I was so uncomfortable as the situation was weirdly akward for me that in my heart i was praying for aunty Mary to come home quickly. While collecting his belongings from me he inquired if i cleaned their bedroom. I said yes but with aunty Mary. You are lying he replied, you're covering up for my wife. No uncle Tom i said insistently. I heard the gate, Stella struggled with them as she does when her clumsiness kicks in, and boy!  was i happy for answered prayers or what!" Exclaims Heaven

"They greeted and hugged as soon as aunty Mary came into the house. She asked the husband what he thought of their room and she added 'Heaven did a good job, didn't she? And to think she did all that work alone? My super woman!.' Describes Heaven

"At that time uncle Tom gave me this look of 'i thought as much"