The following morning, the sizzling sound of frying plantains woke Chioma up. She slowly walked towards the kitchen, feeling sleepy like she was wrapped in spiderwebs. Inside, Louisa and Chisom's cheerful voices filled the air, harmonising with the aroma of freshly cooked breakfast.
Balancing steaming plates piled high with crispy yellow fried plantains, fluffy golden akara, and bowls of smooth, creamy akamu, Louisa and Chisom made their way to the dining table.
Chioma went to the sink and splashed water on her face to wake up fully. Feeling tired, she pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. Andrew, still in his pyjamas, had a playful look in his eyes as he greeted his mum, yawning and waving. He then turned to Chisom, nodding sweetly before settling down at the table as well. Glancing at Chioma who was sitting across from him, Andrew flashed her a warm smile. With practiced ease, his fingers danced over an apple from the fruit bowl, peeling it into a perfect spiral.
'Chioma, focus on your recovery,' Andrew said, his voice light. 'Don't worry too much about the love triangle you've found yourself in. If you explain everything to Michael, I'm certain he won't get mad.'
'I had intended to explain everything to Michael, but I was unfortunate that day. Those mobsters prevented me from getting the chance to speak to him. I had planned to call him once I got home and explain everything to him... but I was so unlucky,' Chioma replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
'Don't blame yourself for something beyond your control. If Michael blames you for doing nothing to explain the situation to him, then I'll have to punch him...' Andrew said playfully.
Chioma rolled her eyes at him. 'How can a gentleman like you think like that? Michael would never hurt me.'
'I hope so,' Andrew said, offering her a small piece of apple on a fork. 'If you don't shed a tear because of him, then your love story isn't a true love story. In love stories, you cry, feel abandoned, and get hurt to the point where you feel like dying. So, as your brother, I'll be there to confront your boyfriend if he hurts you. Consider me the protector in the script. I'm good at confronting people,' he teased Chioma.
Chioma chuckled softly, accepting an apple slice from him. 'I don't understand your point anymore,' Chioma replied, taking a bite of the apple and chewing it slowly.
Andrew chuckled as well.
As Chisom set a big bowl of akara on the table, Chioma quipped, 'Tell your boyfriend to stop with his nonsense jokes.'
'Whatever my boyfriend says is right. Everything is right because Andrew said so,' Chisom responded with a laugh, taking her seat and starting to eat.
Chioma rolled her eyes again. 'Nonsense. You're just like your boyfriend. You guys can be so annoying.'
Chisom laughed. 'Thanks for the compliment. We appreciate it,' she said with a shrug.
Louisa removed her apron and hung it on a nail by the wall, then joined them at the table. 'As long as you haven't done anything wrong, there's nothing to be afraid of. But make sure you explain everything to Michael as soon as he returns,' she advised.
Chioma nodded as she poured milk into her akamu bowl. Placing the can of milk on the table, she picked up a spoon and began to enjoy her delicious meal.
Chisom bit into her akara ball and remarked, 'Audrey will surely be angry. I'm worried that once she finds out the truth, she might leave my brother.'
'She might be upset for a few days, but she won't leave him for long. She can't live without Daniel,' Louisa analysed, picking up a small piece of fried plantain and savouring it.
After finishing breakfast, Chisom quickly took her bath and headed to Star Restaurant, where she works, along with Andrew, who was heading to his own workplace. Meanwhile, Louisa carried her fruit cart to the market, while Chioma stayed back at the house to rest and recover.