Eka's story 5

“Eka, my diction is inadequate to describe how beautiful you are; but I will try anyway. However you should know that my effort will classify as a failed attempt to aptly describe your beauty.” “Okay doctor, let me hear you try.” “Eka, have you seen blooming flowers before?” Ekaette nodded. “They pale in beauty when compared to yours. You have heard the chirping of birds early in the morning, haven’t you?” “I have,” replied Eka. “Then you will agree with me that those birds can make good music, but Eka, your shapely figure, from head to toe can make the songs from those birds sound very uninteresting. I am convinced that your beauty can make a dying man wish to hang unto life a little longer just to have a sustained look at you. Look at your hair; they are not of this world. I haven’t seen anything like it before. I would like to have a flock of it to study it closely.” “I can’t afford to give you a flock of my hair, but I can give you a strand,” Eka said and pulled out a strand from her hair and handed it to Gerry, and began to laugh heartily and when she did, her face seemed to lit up.
Doctor Gerry tapped her on the shoulder saying, “Eka, stop laughing, you might cause motor accident if you don’t stop this minute.” His words made her laugh harder. Indeed passers-by and motor drivers seemed to be looking at only their direction. In that minute, for the first Gerry took notice of what Eka was wearing. His eye had been squarely fixed only on her absorbing, hypnotic, fascinating beauty. He didn’t like the look of it. He wondered that if what she had on wasn’t good to be looked upon, who knew the condition of the clothes in her Ghana-must-go bag. “Eka, we are not going home right away, there is a place we need to go first and then from there we will go home.” “Where is the place? What’s happening there?” “It’s a surprise.” “I am not good at containing my excitement when people have a surprise for me, can you give me a hint of the surprise.” “I am sorry I can’t do that. If I tell you, it will no longer be a surprise.”
Doctor Gerry flagged down a cab and told him where to take them to before they got in. Along the way Eka said very little. Having lived in the suburb of the city there were many things she hadn’t seen. Their drive through the city afforded her the luxury of feasting her eyes on the architectural beauty of the city. After about fifteen minutes drive, the taxi driver rounded a junction and pulled up in front of a shopping complex. Gerry paid the driver and they alighted from the taxi. Leading Ekaette into one of the female boutiques in the complex, Doctor Gerry asked her to select a few clothes for a change of the stuffs she wore and the ones in her bag. Eka was dumbfounded; she had never spared a thought about her clothes even though she knew they were worn out. Doctor Gerry’s kind gesture drew out a mixed reaction from her. She was glad someone was thinking about her needs, but was also a bit ruffled about her appearance. For a while Eka was rooted to a spot and could not move. Doctor Gerry leaned closer to her and said, “Go ahead and pick a few things. Just a few things you need for a change. When I get some money, we will give your wardrobe a complete makeover.”
The sound of his voice gave Eka the assurance that Gerry was well-meaning. With tears in her eyes Eka said, “Thank you Doctor Gerry. Frankly I don’t remember the last time I got a brand new clothe. My mother would often bring home some clothes her sisters had abandoned I would make something to wear out of them. I can sew clothes.” “Really?” “Yes. Things got so bad that I had to learn to sow or I go naked. I had to teach myself, now I feel like a pro with a sewing machine.” Her words brought tears to Doctor Gerry’s eyes. He had to turn away so Eka would not see him cry. Pretending he was rubbing his eyes to remove dirt, he wiped the tears on the edges of his eyes. While Eka tried out a few clothes, Doctor Gerry went to one of the sales girls and said, “Eno, you know me. I am a regular customer here, but right now I am low on cash. The much I have on me right now won’t be enough for the things I want my friend to leave here with. So this is what I would like to do. I would be happy if you let me make a deposit of twelve thousand Naira for the things my friend will pick today and at the end of the month, I will clear the rest of the debt.” “Doctor, you don’t have to worry about that. I know you and my boss knows you as well. You are a valued customer here. Every mother’s day you come here to buy things for your mum and sisters. You are very credit worthy. You have nothing to worry about, let your friend pick what she likes,” Eno said. “Thank you Eno. But I still have one more favour to ask of you. My friend over there, she has been through a lot. There are some kinds of wear I know she most likely doesn’t have, but I can’t talk to her about them. I mean the undergarments ladies wear, please can you lead her to where she can find them and encourage her to take some.”
Eno laughed out loud and whispered to Gerry, “Where did you say you grew up? Men like you are extinct. I hope and pray that God will give you a woman who will realize that you are now classified as endangered specie.” “Thank you Eno.” “You are welcome doc; have a seat while I get on your request.” After about thirty minutes’ time, Eno helped Ekaette pick some clothes that gave her good fitting, and she did so with an eye to keeping Doctor Gerry’s bill low. After the clothes and one or two foot wears had been packed, Doctor Gerry deposited the twelve thousand Naira he had on him and they left. When they got to Gerry’s apartment, Eka was impressed with the simplicity of the furnishings in it. With glee in her eyes she asked, “Doctor Gerry, am I going to live here with you?” “You are not going to live here with me, you are already living here with me; and remember, you are not my house help or wife. Don’t spend your whole time working slavishly like you were one. When I get back I will give you a few rules you will have to keep while here.” “Can I hear them now please?” “Eka I have to get back to work.” “I know, tell me at least one.” “Okay, please don’t ever bring men into my house. And don’t stay out late in the night, except you have a good reason to do so.” “Is that it?” “Yes.” “Then you have nothing to worry about.” Carrying some of the stuffs they brought home, Doctor Gerry asked her to follow him to her room.
The room was so clean that Eka could not help to ask, “Doctor, were you expecting a guest?” “No. Why did you ask?” “This room is so clean that it leaves me wondering if you knew a guest was coming… okay! I see! Your girlfriend cleans them for you at weekends; but why that often?” “Eka, I don’t have a girlfriend. I clean my apartment by myself.” “What?! But at the hospital you told me you have a girlfriend.” “I never did Eka. You assumed I have one and I let it pass. I am certain I never told you I have a girlfriend.” “Are you serious doctor?” “I am dead serious Ekaette. I have to go back to work now. Come and lock the entrance door. Doctor Gerry left Eka’s room and headed out of his apartment. Eka followed behind him, wondering if Doctor Gerry was deliberately acting nice. She could have sworn she heard him one of the days they chatted at the hospital say he had a girlfriend. When Doctor Gerry stepped out of his apartment, Eka went back to her room to try out some of the clothes Gerry bought for her. About six minutes later Eka heard a knock on the door and went to check who it was. When she opened the door, Doctor Gerry’s jaw dropped in utter bewilderment at the sublime curvaceous figure which stood in front of him. Eka asked him, “Doctor Gerry, you are back. Did you forget something?” Doctor Gerry did not hear her. His eyes were fixed on the figure accentuated seductively by one of the clothes he bought for her.