The Cleaning Lady (episode 5)

Episode 5

He got down from the okada rider’s bike and paid him the 200 naira he had demanded. Stupid crook. Is it because he was dressed up, prim and proper in his shirt and tie? He dismissed the bikeman and he roared of in a cloud of smoke and exhaust.

Cursing the guy under his breath, he slowly walked the 5 minutes it took to Lara’s house. He thought about what he was going to tell her, go down on one knee, telling her he was sorry, and saying his screw up won’t happen again.

He was so mesmerized in his thoughts that he didn’t notice a bunch of posh cars parked in front of her house. The caliber of vehicles parked made him realize something was going on in Lara’s house. He met Aminu, the gateman sitting infront of the gate. Immediately their eyes met, Aminu stood up and made an effort to going inside.

“Aminu Haba now. Why you dey troway face for me? Na me Kunle now.”

“Oga, madam don already talk am say if I see you make I no open gate for una. She tell me say make I warn you make you no reach this place again.”

“Haba now Aminu. You wan do that to your padi” replied Kunle, removing a 1000 naira note and folding it in half. 

Aminu eyed the note greedily. “Oga…ehn..i know say you be my oga…but you sabi madam wahala. She fit send me comot.”

“Don’t worry.” Kunle replied, slipping the note into his black paw. “Just tell her you were not at the gate when I arrived. Tell her I opened it from outside.”

Amunu took the money and quickly pocketed it. He opened the gate and Kunle slipped inside.

Walking towards the door, he heard music and laughter inside. He knocked on the door and after a short wait, it opened. It was Dupe, Lara’s friend and colleague at work.

“Hey Dupe bawo ni now? It’s been quite a while. How have you been?” Kunle asked cheerfully.

Instead of responding, Dupe hissed and stepped back inside. Kunle slowly entered and was greeted by a number of folks in Lara’s bank. There were bottles of expensive drinks and lots of food and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Lara suddenly appeared infront of him, a scowl of disgust written all over her face.

“Ki lo n wa nibiyi? What are you doing here? Did I not tell you to never show your face here anymore?” she demanded angrily.

“But Lara, I came to apologize. I even brought these for you to show you how sorry I am” Kunle trembled, showing her the gifts.

She took one look at the things in his hands and hissed. “Even if I was going to take these, do I look like a baby to you? All your mates are buying expensive stuff for their girls. You are bringing these cheap things here.”

She knocked the flowers and perfumes and chocolates from his hands onto the floor. By this time everyone’s attention was already on both of them. Every word she spat out was like a dagger to his heart.

“I’ve told you already that we are no more. Finished. I no longer love you. Keep your cheap gifts to yourself or go give it to some other small girl someone your level deserves. We are no longer mates and we’re no longer in the same class. Please take your leave before I disgrace you further” She concluded.

A young man about the same age as him walked up to where they were. He stood beside her and wrapped a long arm around her shoulders.

“Baby? What’s going on? Who is this guy” he asked, waving a glass of wine in his direction.

“This is the impotent fool I was telling you about” she replied. The word “IMPOTENT” reverberated around the room and there was a gasp as everyone went silent. The only sounds were the music being played on the sound system.

“Please, LEAVE NOW! Baby, please get this man out of my sight.” she repeated. 

“You heard the lady” the guy said, taking Kunle by the arm. Kunle slapped away his hand before he could touch him.

“Don’t…touch…me…” he responded. His eyes had turned stone cold and his voice was filled with ice. “I can see myself out.”

With the little dignity he had left, he picked up his gifts off the floor and started around the room. Everyone was staring at him, wondering what he was going to do. Even Dupe had a scared look in her eyes. The macho dude had backed away.