Meanwhile, Chioma returned home after enjoying her time with Chisom. Her mother, Louisa, was in the bedroom, while her elder brother, Andrew, was taking a bath. Chioma greeted her mother and noticed that she was already dressed in her pale pink nightdress.
'I was starting to think you'd sleep over at Star Restaurant,' Louisa remarked, glancing at Chioma. 'What on earth have you been doing all this time? Anyway, I cooked your favourite.'
'None of your business, Mum,' Chioma chuckled, heartened by the fact that her mother had prepared her favourite meal: spaghetti with fried fish. She hopped into bed next to Louisa, enticed by the aroma of the food wafting through the room. The scent alone could guide anyone to its source.
'We should have our dinner before worms come to join us,' Chioma quipped playfully.
Louisa chuckled. 'I'll take that as a compliment,' she said, as they made their way from the bedroom to the small yet cosy living room, which housed a compact dining table with four chairs.
'Mum told me you didn't get the job?' Andrew asked, settling down for his meal. He looked refreshed, dressed in blue pyjamas.
Chioma nodded with a smile, placing the large bowl of spaghetti she had carried from the kitchen onto the table.
'Tomorrow is another day,' Andrew reassured her, offering a warm smile.
'Thanks, big brother Andrew,' Chioma expressed her gratitude.
Louisa returned from the kitchen, holding plates and forks, and noticed that Andrew had already begun devouring the food, sitting casually in his seat. The taste was so delicious that anyone would be tempted to dig in without saying grace. Louisa was a skilled cook, capable of preparing dishes that would leave anyone wanting more, just like Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist.
Louisa frowned at Andrew's behaviour, while Chioma laughed. Andrew raised an eyebrow, licking the food stains from his lips with the tip of his tongue. It was obvious that he was ravenous, having not eaten since afternoon.
'Mum, big brother was very hungry. You know the nature of his work, right?' Chioma defended her brother's actions. 'He barely had time to eat, and when he comes home after a hard day's work, he deserves to fill his stomach.'
Louisa sighed but refrained from speaking further. Instead, she served generous portions of spaghetti onto their plates, well aware of Andrew's heavy workload. As a mechanic responsible for repairing and maintaining motorised vehicles, Andrew always aimed to do a commendable job to attract customers and earn his boss's approval. Louisa understood the nature of his hands-on work and how dirty it could get. But Andrew never hesitated to get his hands dirty, as providing for his family and putting food on the table were his top priorities. She admired her son, who often skipped his own lunch to attend to customers in a hurry.
Proudly, Louisa beamed at Andrew, who was frequently praised by his boss for his physical and mental fitness, as well as his solid knowledge of mechanic's tools, services, and diagnostic equipment. He had only started the job two months ago but had already gained a reputation as the best mechanic in Abuja, Nigeria's capital. However, Louisa wished for a better job for him, one that would be less stressful. Perhaps, one day, he would find a white-collar or desk job. Yet, Andrew's dream was to be like Chief Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, the Nigerian business magnate and founder/CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, the country's first indigenous automobile manufacturing company. If he were to work in a company, he would prefer the Engineering Department.
Meanwhile, Chioma gazed at the plate of spaghetti before her. It had egg toppings, a few slices of beef, and freshly fried fish. She had learned this particular recipe from Chisom's recipe books and had even taught her mother. But in the end, her mother's spaghetti cooking skills had surpassed her own. Chioma knew that this simple yet inviting dish had the power to whet anyone's appetite. Although not particularly hungry, she found the dish irresistible. Without looking up, she took large, satisfying bites and nodded in approval.
'You're simply the best cook, Mum. I'm sure you're better than those chefs in hotels and mansions,' Chioma praised her mother, raising her thumbs up.
Louisa waved her hand dismissively. 'It's no big deal. Anyone could do it even better,' she modestly replied. 'Besides, you taught me how to cook spaghetti.'
'Yes, I did, but you cook it better now. I'm good with simple dishes,' Chioma pouted playfully.
Andrew interjected, raising his glass of water. 'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Rich men love good cooks,' he stated before taking a sip. Glancing at Chioma, he continued, 'You might be fortunate enough to catch a wealthy guy. You should learn to be a perfect cook, just like Mum.'
Chioma chuckled, skillfully twirling the spaghetti on her fork. 'I'll do my best,' she replied, stuffing her mouth with large portions of food. 'If my future husband despises my poor cooking skills, then I'll invite Mother over,' she joked, and they all laughed.
'What about table etiquette?' Louisa asked, still laughing.
'Who cares about table etiquette? For the less fortunate, our stomachs come first. We're not wealthy enough to worry about those things. The rich must do everything in an aristocratic manner. But for me, if I'm very hungry, I'll be too lazy to bother with table etiquette or who was here before me,' Chioma said, pouting.
Andrew nodded in agreement, hastily finishing his meal. 'Honestly, the etiquette of aristocrats is so dull,' he remarked.
'The rich don't know what it means to be poor and eat without minding table etiquette. Sometimes, I'm glad to be poor and free,' Chioma said, and they chuckled. However, her thoughts suddenly shifted to the man she had bumped into earlier that afternoon. She imagined him living in golden houses and drinking from diamond cups. Chioma wondered if she could handle his lavish lifestyle and table etiquette if she were to become his wife. She was accustomed to a simple and peaceful way of life. She, her brother, and mother had led a very impoverished life after her father's tragic road accident here in Abuja earlier this year in January.
The fatal accident had occurred at Sheda village along the Abuja-Lokoja highway. Her father, Magnus, had set out early in the morning to meet a friend who owed him ₦500,000 for construction work. Magnus had been a builder before his untimely demise. Unfortunately, a truck carrying cows had collided with a pothole and veered into a ditch, instantly taking Magnus's life and that of two others.
Chioma couldn't help but think that if the truck hadn't been speeding or if her father hadn't gone to collect the money for their family's sustenance, he might still be alive. However, she had grown to resent the word if since her father's passing, realising that it wouldn't change the reality of his absence. But after encountering the graceful and handsome man today, she found herself drawn back to the idea of 'if.'If she had the chance to meet him again, she definitely wouldn't waste a single second of their time together. She yearned to see him again and cherish every moment they could spend together. The thought of marrying such a god-like man made her feel like the luckiest woman on earth.
Was he going to be her Romeo? She envisioned his mesmerising face, understanding why any woman would be captivated by his passionate gaze. She wondered if he entertained similar thoughts. Just as her thoughts wandered, Louisa interrupted, shovelling food into Chioma's mouth and asking what she was thinking about.
'Nothing,' Chioma shrugged, feeling a bit shy.
'Are you thinking about him?' Andrew noticed Chioma's lack of eating and couldn't help but wonder what was occupying her thoughts. He noticed her blushing complexion and suspected it had something to do with a man. Andrew hesitated, aware of Louisa's curious gaze. He recognised the look of someone in love but refrained from pressing further, wanting to avoid his mother's probing questions about the man Chioma was in love with and how she had come to know him. Instead of asking Chioma further questions, Andrew diverted the conversation by mentioning Chioma's potential interest in marrying someone wealthy and enjoying a life of luxury.
Chioma dismissed the idea, claiming she wouldn't mind marrying someone poor. However, in reality, her mind was consumed by the magnificent man she had encountered on Jimmy Carter Street. Andrew suspected as much but decided not to pry further. Today marked the first time he had seen Chioma behave like someone in love, and he couldn't help but wonder who this person was. Tomorrow, he might have to enquire further if Chioma remained reluctant to share.