Maybe, You Will See Me Now

07

Andrew looked back, a little past his shoulder while Ijeawele walked out of the salon. She was the last person he had expected to see here. His initial intention was to escort Delight to her sister's salon. But when Delight urged him not to leave without saying hello to her sister, he decided to give in. After all, there was no harm in that.

They had walked in on Maria and Ijeawele. Unfortunately, they happened to also hear the last part of their conversation. Rather than surprise, Andrew felt somewhat upset. He wasn't sure if it was Maria's words to Ijeawele that got him upset or the little fact that it was upsetting to Ijeawele herself. Maybe it was just him, as a human, feeling annoyed that one could be mean to another with their words. Yes, maybe it was for that simple reason.

My sister's husband's ex-wife is here... Andrew remembered Delight's words back in the church and now, he understood Ijeawele was the one she was referring to. Somehow, for the first time, he felt like he had gotten to know Ijeawele a little.

While on his way home in a danfo bus, the driver's sudden excessive use of the horn and his yelling, drew Andrew's attention in the direction of where the driver had his own. Andrew had taken his seat on the last space by the door right on the first seat row. When he looked out the window, once again, Ijeawele's presence on the side of the road took him by surprise. His gaze followed her even as they drove past them. He stuck his head out of the window a little and noticed she seemed to be in some kind of argument with the man in front of her. He noticed her car and the supposed man's own.

She could be in trouble. Those were the only words that came to his mind. Andrew didn't wait to think over what his next action should be and did it right away.

"I'll get down here!" Andrew yelled to the driver and the man barely spared him a glance before parking to the side of the road. Quickly, Andrew paid him his fare and got off the bus. The bus drove away and when he stared at where Ijeawele was, he knew he was a little far away from them. He hurried his steps towards where they were wishing with all his heart that he isn't too late.

As all the luck in the world would have it, he got there just in time to grab onto the man's hand before he could do anything terrible to her.

"Leave her hand." Andrew told the man, his gaze a little intense and serious.

He looked Andrew up and down. "Young man, this is none of your business. Keep going on your way." Those words should've been enough to shrug Andrew off. At least that was what the man expected. But that didn't happen. Instead, Andrew walked forward and stood beside Ijeawele who stared at him with such a surprising look on her face.

"You won't solve anything by being violent. Release her hand and we can settle things."

The man released a scoff with disbelief. "I don't understand. Where did you come from? Who are you to her?" He shifted his eyes to Ijeawele. "Do you know this man?"

Ijeawele managed to wipe the surprise off her face as she shifted her eyes back to the man in front of her, deciding to ignore Andrew's presence.

She tried to wriggle her hand off his grip. "Leave my hand."

Andrew took his hand off the man's own and reached into the pocket of his trouser. He brought out his wallet. From it, he took three-thousand-naira notes, his last cash and stretched his hand to the man. "The damage isn't much. This should cover it."

"What are you doing?" Ijeawele pushed his hand away but he only brought it back, ignoring her attempt to stop him. "You're not giving this man anything. Everyone seems to think I'm such a pushover." Ijeawele's eyes were back on the man, narrow and audacious. "Never again will I let any man silence me."