Chapter 16: Go away
Jason was reluctant to the stand up from the bed. Canada didn't exactly go the way he planned it. The love of his life had told him that she loved him too but she couldn't be with him since he was a selfish man who would choose to stay with her in Canada than go back to Malawi to save the orphanage from bankruptcy. He had never felt such pain before. Now, someone from the pit of hell won't stop knocking on his door.
Maybe he thought if he ignored the caller, they will eventually fade into oblivion. But, forty four seconds and counting yet the knock on the door was persistent.
Begrudgingly, Jason pulled himself up from the bed to shoo the mad person away.
He pushed the door open with his left hand, ready to throw a deadly glare at the intruder.
"Naya! You are back" Jason's tone was bland and unwelcoming. An observer would say Naya's presence was more of a nuisance than a welcomed acknowledgment.
"John was telling the truth. You are in Malawi!" Naya experienced both shock and excitement.
"John should learn how to mind his business" Jason grunted. "What do you want, Naya?"
Naya was taken aback. The hostility emanating from Jason could suffocate a little animal. She watched him for a while and yet, the person that stared back at her was a stranger she didn't recognize.
"If you are going to keep staring at me, then I should consider slamming this door shut and going back to sleep"
Jason murmured but the girl refused to leave.
"its mid day and you reek of vodka, Jason" Naya's face was distorted like she was mortified at what she just found out.
"I am more of a scotch kind of guy but thanks for noticing. It means my effort is not going unappreciated"
Jason tried to close his door but Naya's foot got in-between.
"John says you refused to see any of them including Nolani. She misses you"
"I am not here to be anyone's friend or father. You should explain to that little girl, I am not her Dada." Jason was getting tired of this particularly annoying conversation.
His job in Malawi was to raise money not hold frightened children.
He came back four days ago and he just entered his room and decided to camp out there with his favorite scotch. The next fundraiser to raise money for the orphanage was a day after tomorrow and until then he plans to be invincible and stay sober never.
"What happened to you in Canada?" Naya dared to ask him. Jason threw a deadly glare at her.
"I don't know. What happened to you in New York? Did that psychopath of a husband agree to give you a divorce?" Jason said spitefully
"Actually, he did. Chike made sure of it. The person standing in front of me, I do not recognize. The Jason I once knew would have said what you said with compassion. I am-"
Naya was interrupted by a sound behind her. She turned around in time to see Nolani lit up at the sight of Jason.
"Dada!" She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her and hugged Jason's leg.
Jason paid no attention to her except pat her hair.
"Take her with you, Naya!" He said in between his clenched jaw and fake smile.
"She just wants a minute of your time, Jason. Is that too much to ask?"
"Yes. Take her with you or not. It won't stop me from pouring another glass of scotch"
"You dare not! You are not an animal!" Naya yelled and ended up startling Nolani who started crying.
"See! You made her cry. Please take her away before she gives me a headache"
Naya tried to carry the little girl but she would rather stay with him. After all of the effort, Naya was able to pry the little girl's hand off of Jason's legs. Jason regretted his actions almost immediately.
"Is she going to be okay?" He yelled after her.
"I don't know. How about you ask my finger?"
Naya wanted to demonstrate what she meant but everywhere she looked she saw a child or two.
"Now, who's being a child?" Jason slammed the door and went back inside.
He used the wooden table to barricade the door like usual. But he should really get a latch.
He picked up his phone and placed a call to Thokozani.
"Hello sir. Good afternoon sir!" Thokozani's cheerful voice made Jason even angrier.
"Mr. Thokozani's, do you remember that latch I asked you to fix or get someone to fix days ago?"
"Yes sir, I remember. I have been busy with work. I will do it first thing tomorrow morning"
"No. You will do it within the hour or consider yourself fired" Jason hung up
As Jason tries to lie on his bed, he heard another knock on the door. He took a deep breath and planned the knocker's murder.
"The person you are seeking is not around!" He yelled loud enough for the knocker to hear.
"I hear that the douchebag that lives here now makes little girls cry. Do you have any idea where I can find him?"
"Chike!"
Jason was surprised to hear his friend's voice.
He opened the door and ushered him in.
"Naya is making me talk to you. She says I have to sit here and make you tell me what is wrong with you. Personally, I need a glass of scotch"
Jason poured a glass for Chike and handed it to him.
"I thought you would be half way across the world by now" Jason was curious.
"Naya's divorce was more complicated than intended but that is story for another day. Do you want to talk about it?"
"About Naya's divorce?" Jason was confused.
"No! What is making you so mad that you are taking it out on little girls? Nolani might be ruthless but she doesn't deserve tears, man"
"Do you really want to sit here and listen to me whine about my feelings?" Jason asked and looked at his friend.
"Not... really. But I will if you keep up the endless supply of the good stuff"
"That's fair enough, Chike. But I don't want to talk about it