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Cold Stone Fifteen
JIDEI waited for Ivory in the apple orchard, a very far distance behind the male hostel. It was quite chilly, even though I wore tons of warm clothing. I missed Nigeria. I had gotten so used to our warm climate that surviving here in the first few weeks of my arrival was hell. And though I had spent seven years in the United Kingdom, I had not fully adapted yet. I looked up into the darkness when I heard the crunching of gravel. It was lights out and no one was supposed to be out of bed. I shuddered a bit when I pictured Kevin walking up the path here and find me. There was punishment for not heeding to instructions. My mind raced for excuses to give. I heaved a sigh when I saw Ivory treading the path, a confused expression etched on her face. I was quite sure she had not been to this side of the farm yet. She looked quite good in her pink furry jacket, knee length blue shorts and knee length blue boots. Her long blond hair was tied back in a tight ponytail and her face was death
Cold Stone Sixteen
I felt light-headed as I, Jide and Makena rode back to the farm. We basked in the comfortable silence that enveloped us. Arriving at one forty seven am, I had changed into my pyjamas to rest my head for a few seconds when I heard the wake-up bell. I woke to the slight tap on my shoulder. "Wake up, sleepy head," I heard Makena's teasing voice. I blinked at her, surprised that she smiled at me. Or was that her doppelganger smiling at me?I followed her into the bathroom and soon we were on our way to morning duties. I had corn duties while Makena had rabbit duties. The corn farm was a vast field filled with tall green stalks. We were to harvest them as I was told. I ventured into the farm and everyone greeted me happily. I was awestruck. What must have happened?"Nrowee! I will lead you to your portion," a young man told me. I did not understand the first word but I walked behind him. "What did you say? The first word, I mean." I enquired. "Come-on. It is Makhuwa. A native langua
Cold Stone Seventeen
The next day, Cassidy had called to give me info on the new buildings she could get ahold of. I requested that she sent it to my mail. After the day's work and a meal of sadza, I sat in the porch of the hostel building, smoking and watching the dark sky dotted with bright stars. The moon shone at a distance, illuminating the courtyard. "I have never seen a woman who enjoy smoking this much," Jide invaded my thoughts. I butted the end of my cigarette stick and replaced it between my lips. Jide shoved it out of my mouth and crumbled it in his palms. I watched him in wonder. How could he do that when it was still lighted?"Can you let me enjoy my stick? This helps me relax," I told him. He bent his head at an odd angle and questioned me. "I thought painting helped you relax?""I stopped doing that three years ago. Grandma thought it was a waste of time. But she did not have issues with my smoking," I shrugged. "Who does that? Complain about painting but not smoking," he boomed. "Ca
Cold Stone Eighteen
Why were my palms sweating? Why were my limbs weaker? Why was I so nervous? I was not meeting up with her; Detective Michelle was. I could not bring myself to sleep after that call. I kept turning on the thin bed, yet no position seemed comfortable for me. I quickly lit a cigar to relax. Had she changed in any way? Was she more prettier now or had age dealt mercilessly with her? Would she remember who I was if she saw me? I had a feeling she would; I was her replica, I only had Father's blonde hair. I let my hand trail down my hair and brought its end to my nose. The apple scented shampoo I used tingled my nose. I breathed out and took a drag from my cigar. I had nothing to worry about, I would not meet her ever. Hours passed by and I could not sleep a wink. When the morning bell went, I had finished one and a half pack of cigar. If I was home, I would have had a bottle of whiskey. I trudged out of bed and did my morning duties before going for breakfast. "What happened to you?
Cold Stone Nineteen
JIDEI awoke to the ringing of my cellphone. I jolted awake when I tapped on the answer button and heard Mama's voice. "Nwa m(my child)," she said in Igbo. "Mama, how...why...? You should have waited till I called you. How much do you have to waste on call cards to reach me in the United Kingdom?" I reprimanded her. I heard her sniffle. Had she been crying?"Oh. So you knew all those and you have refused to call me, Jidechukwu," she sniffled again. My heart clenched at the break in her voice. She had been crying. "Mama, I never forgot you. I think about you all the time and pray for you too. You know it is not easy to make money over here," I tried to placate."If making money is going to stop me from hearing your voice, then do not make it. Kwụsị (stop). I miss you dearly, Jidechukwu," she cried. I sat up from my bed, the foam and woods groaning from the impact. "Mama, kwụsị biko(stop please). You are breaking my heart," I pleaded. "When are you coming home? It has been seven
Cold Stone Twenty
Jide had sat me out of today's farm duties and I spent my time painting away. I had painted the best memory I had since I got here- last night. I highlighted the bonfire and the logs around, the people sitted and the dancers whose waist beads danced to the rhythm of the music. And me in the middle of it all, dancing goofily. I smiled at the painting when I had finished and let it dry. I was admiring my work when I heard the door creak open."Stunning," I heard Jide breath out behind me. I blushed and covered my warm cheeks with my cold palms. "Thank you," I choked out. He was standing beside me now and looked down at me smiling. "You know what else could go with our restaurant and make some bucks?"I gave an uncertain smile and shook my head. "Your painting. I am sure people would love to buy it and you could make money from it," he said. "I am a billionaire, Jide. I do not need extra cash." I chuckled heartily and bounced on my feet. "But you have given a wonderful solution. Ev
Cold Stone Twenty One
I swayed my head and shoulders slowly to Smile by Simi playing softly through my ear pods while I worked the paintbrush against the white canvas. I had finished my day's work much more earlier than usual and hurried away into the painting room. My paintbrush splayed across the canvass, my creation taking its form. I had no idea what I was painting, but there was this image that constantly nagged my mind. My apron was a splash of different colours; some had managed to get to my shorts and sneakers. Focusing my attention on the art taking form before me, I let the music sooth my nerves, making everything smooth. I found Simi's voice captivating and refreshing. The music was interrupted by my phone's ringtone and I picked up when I saw Aunt Joan on the caller ID. "Aunt Joan," I called excitedly, dropping my palette with the paintbrush on a high stool.I imagined her surprised face, "Well, someone is glad to hear from me."I giggled, "How have you been?" "I have been alright. I mis
Cold Stone Twenty Two
"I will not see her," I responded stubbornly, after gathering my calm. "But she is not saying anything," Detective Michelle reminded me. "And if she does not say anything, there is no way we can continue with the case. There are hardly any leads and we must take on anyone we get.""I doubt she will be of any help either. Can you ask around the hospital my father was admitted in before he died? They should be of help," I evaded. She was silent a while, "Yes, ma'am. But I would advice you see that woman. She could hold information that will be helpful to the case."My palms formed fists and I growled lowly. "Just do as I say.""Yes ma'am," she hung up.I seethed in anger, puffing out white hot anger in breaths through my mouth. How dare she? What effontery did she have to request to see me? After she had abandoned me for years? I felt my head banging and I needed to go out to inhale some fresh air. I staggered to my vanity, knocking down my personal effects in the process. My visio
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Cold Stone Fifty Six
JIDESeeing blood drip from her injured wrist brought back painful memories. Memories I had managed to tuck into the furthest part of my brain. I watched the blood trickle down and grimaced when she winced. "Jide," Ivory breathed out in a whisper. That drew me out of my frozen state and I hurriedly guided her to a low stool. I got a bowl of water and dipped her hand into it, the water immediately turned red. The cut was not deep but it drew a great amount of blood. I quickly dashed into Mama's room to search for a first aid kit. I checked her medicine compartment in her dresser and found the contents of a first aid kit laying around. I assembled a pair of scissors, a bottle of methylated spirit and a wrap of cotton wool and dashed back to the kitchen. I felt pained to see her fighting back her tears. I removed her hand from the water and let it drip dry before using cotton wool to dry it. She winced when the cotton wool dipped in methylated spirit came in contact with her skin. I
Cold Stone Fifty Five
55JIDE I had woken up by 5:10am to find Ivory searching for something frantically in the sitting room. "Where the fuck did they keep it?" She muttered to herself. "What are you doing?" I asked and she whipped her head to the sound of my voice. She smacked her head childishly and I wanted to laugh at how cute she looked. "You were not supposed to find me here if I had found that key by now," she said frustrated. I was worried. "Why are you searching for the key?""I wanted to see the sun rise from here. I have never witnessed it. And I wanted to begin sweeping the front yard before Mama wakes," she confessed. I smiled. I walked up to the television stand and put my hand behind it. "It has been there. How did I miss that spot?" She screeched lowly. I chuckled at her bulging eyes. I unlocked the door and we strode out. It was dead silent and the morning wind teased our skins. She inhaled deeply and smiled. Watching her was enthralling. "It smells like wet sand," she commented.
Cold Stone Fifty Four
54IVORYMama called me into her room later that night after we had had dinner. Jide had switched off the generator and it was dark. He had gone off to sleep then. "Ivory, my dear," she called me after she had been silent for over thirty minutes. The crickets chirped into the night while the owls hooted to the rhythm that was made. It was very hot but my shawl was over my shoulders. "Yes, ma'am," I replied uncertainly, wondering what this summon was about. "I know you will understand me. Even if Jide does not, you should because you are a woman like me," she said calmly. I nodded. "I have talked to Jide a lot of times on how he treats you. He is a good man, I know, but he still needs some touches here and there. I am trying my best, ma'am."She looked at me, then looked away, sighed heavily before shaking her head and making a tut sound with her throat. "You are a good person, Ivory. Very nice. Your mother must have brought you up well," she commended. I smiled. "My mother was
Cold Stone Fifty Three
53IVORYThe market was rowdy and muddy. Mama led me through the tight spaces in between people and flying sputum. We got to an one storey building containing stalls. Mama walked to one on the ground floor and extracted some keys from her bag to unlock the huge padlocks. After opening the doors, we brought some wares in cartons and shelves out in front of the doors with a little passageway the customers could enter the shop from. Customers filed in and Mama attended to them while I watched closely, intent on learning quickly. If Mama thought Adanna was good, I needed to show her I was better. "Do you have Magi?" A woman asked me later that afternoon, after Mama had left to get something nearby. "Magi? The men who came to see baby Jesus?" I asked, bemused. The woman looked at me like I was psycho. "Wetin this one de talk now? Who leave oyibo inside shop?" The woman mumbled and turned to leave. Mama was coming in at that moment. Mama conversed with her in Igbo before giving me sco
Cold Stone Fifty Two
52IVORYAfter washing my face that morning, I put on a pair of flip flops I had brought along with me and found my way to the front yard where Mama was sweeping. I watched her move the dried palm branch and was totally intrigued. "Let me help you, Mama," I offered, walking up to her. She smiled and nodded, letting me take the fronds. With one swift sweep, I scattered the dirt she had gathered. She burst out in laughter. She was like Jide, finding my ignorance quite amusing. "Come on, Mama. You should know this is my first time," I cajoled her. She smiled sweetly. "Let me show you."She retrieved the broom from me and showed me where to place my hands and how to apply pressure to gather the dirt. She returned the broom to my waiting fingers and I continued from where she stopped. There was progress but it was little. Mama watched me as I took baby steps sweeping the front yard. People who passed by shouted greetings to her in their language; some conversed with her longer. "You c
Cold Stone Fifty One
51JIDEI watched, just like everyone, as Ivory was led to the back row of the church hall."Attention, people of God. Do not let the devil distract you," the priest said in Igbo, returning the attention of the members back to him. Mama gave me a scowl before bowing her head in shame. I could imagine the storm she will brew once we got home. Some older members gave us disgusted glances while some hissed and gruntled. The younger members had excitement dancing in their eyes; they chattered happily and I could tell they admired Ivory's bravado. Ivory quietly followed the ushers who led her to the back. She looked exhausted and like she wanted to elope from here. The priest concluded the sermon and prayed to conclude the service. After the service, the congregation avoided me and Mama since Ivory approached us. "Mrs. Nwosu, I would like to see you, your son and your daughter in-law in my office," the priest said to us. We followed him into his office and sat down. The priest rested h
Cold Stone Fifty
50IVORYThe number of kicks I received last night from Adanna's horrible sleeping positions were uncountable. When I finally got a peaceful sleep was in the early hours of the morning when I thought Adanna had awoken and left the bed for me. I slept until the sheets were pulled from underneath me and I landed on the floor. Why was this familiar? Oh. This was exactly what Makena did to me on my first day in the farm. I opened my eyes and rubbed my forehead. Adanna was standing above me with her feet wide apart. I looked at the time and it was 5:30am. "Is this how you use to sreeping in your fada house in ala oyibo?" I thought she asked me. "Can you just go away? The fuck." I swore and stood, rubbing my throbbing side. She exclaimed something in Igbo before referring to me. "I cannot goes away. You is a bad visitors. You is here sreeping while Mama Jide dey do the work. After you go come chop. There are a no food for a lazy mans."I can't possibly deal with this my whole stay her
Cold Stone Forty Nine
49IVORYAfter Jide's mother showed me where to get water to bath and how to go about it in funny gimmicks, I had my bath. Even though it was much of a struggle, it was successful in the end. I wondered why they had taps that were dysfunctional when they could call a plumber to just fix it.I changed into the pyjama I had brought along with me to the bathroom. I was drying my hair with my towel when the lights went off. I hung my towel around my neck, blindly found the door and exited"Jide," I called, feeling around for anything that would give me a clue of where I was or where I was headed to. "Jide," I called again. I bumped into a slender form and landed on my butt. Squinting my eyes at the sudden flash of torchlight on my face. "Who be this one?" I heard a hoarse female voice ask. "Ivory," another flashlight from a distance called. The flashlight sprinted to me and I felt Jide's arms lift me up."Are you hurt?" He asked worried. "I am fine. What happened? The power suddenly
Cold Stone Forty Eight
48IVORYWhen we got into the house, Jide's mother sat me on a sofa and said something to Jide in Igbo before disappearing into an adjoining door. Jide sat beside me with a heavy sigh and a warm smile. "What did she say?" I asked him. "She is preparing a meal for us," he said. "What did you tell her about me? She was excited to see me," I asked. "Told her you were a friend. People here really like whites. That is why you garner a lot of stares," he explained and I blushed. "I would really love to have a bath right now. I am all sweaty and sticky. God. How could they pack us all like sardines into that tiny space without enough ventilation or even an AC?" I complained. Jide laughed out loud and muttered something in his language. "Are you mocking me?" I asked him. He smiled and took me into his arms. "Of course not." He kissed my hair. "It was just an 'I told you so' statement."I leaned into his hold. "I have to say you were right on this one. Damn. What is with the roads? It
