I can see you hurting
I've been through the same thing
Baby, don't you worry,
I got you.
--
Her breath sent a ticklish sensation to his neck, as she snuggled closer, getting comfortable in his embrace. Her flowery scent, filling his nostrils.
TJ looked down at the totally knocked out girl, curled in a skinny ball in his arms. Emitting soft snores and slight sounds from her nostrils, which gave a clear message that she had a runny nose.
He'd watched her for minutes since they were chauffeured into their ride by an old cheerful man, who showed nothing but care and concern towards Chimdi.
She'd slept off right in his arms, on the dressing room's cold floor, before they were alerted that their ride was around. She'd clung to him, refusing to let go, though totally knocked out. They'd met Antni on their way out, who only gave him a nod, before disappearing into the long illuminating corridor.
His mind drifted back to the dressing room. He'd seen loads of females cry, consoled them, while trying not to loose his shit, but watching her cry had unnerved him. He'd felt restless and useless as she cried. Totally confused on what to do. He hated being useless in dire situations. Her situation had taken him back to his mother, on her sick bed.
Drained of life, her once radiant brown skin had taken the form of a dried up tree bark. Her heart warming scent had vanished and she only smelt of antiseptics and drugs, like she'd been bathed in them and her once beautiful face that lit up his day, made him feel like he'd wronged his creator.
He'd watched her give him a tired smile, holding his hands and willing him to be strong, while his 12 year old self had stared back, a perpetual lump on his dry throat and itching eyes due to excessive crying, helpless as he watched cancer steal her away from him.
That day had proved that, some things were not meant to be recovered. And just as he watched Chimdi break down, he'd tried to make her stop, get her to talk, but all she did was cling to him, and bared her soul in liquid torrents. While he stared, unable to offer help or make her stop. Helpless again.
He felt her stir, snuggling closer as she let out small whimpers.
He watched her, face bared of makeup and freshly scrubbed, damp with tears. Eye bags totally visible, as she emitted shaky breaths and sniffed inter breaths.
Even in her present state, she was still breathtakingly beautiful.
He watched her long damp lashes fan her face, small lips in a pout as she lay peaceful. And again he thought, what must have made her breakdown in such manner.
His thoughts were interrupted by his ringing tone. He reached out, cautiously, trying not to wake Chimdi up. Successfully, he picked up his phone. Checked the caller ID.
"Hey Man." Jiki's voice came through.
"Wassup?"
"Finally. I've been trying to reach Chimdi, the party got cancelled. What happened?"
"What Party? Her phone is probably switched off." answered TJ with a totally bemused expression.
"Ginika called to cancel the aftershoot party. Said she's not feeling too well. How's she?"
"She's asleep. Guess she was totally stressed out." TJ covered up immediately.
He had a feeling telling Jiki about her breakdown, won't sit well with her.
"I guess. Make sure she takes some meds before going to bed." TJ nodded. Before figuring out that Jiki wasn't there.
"Sure. See you on Monday?"
"Sure. Try not to get killed." Jiki joked, making light the conversation, before ending the call.
TJ laughed, whilst shaking his head, looking down at the sleeping figure in his arms.
She would have to wake up to kill me.
"We are here." The overly cheerful Chauffeur sang out, gliding the car to a safe parking space.
TJ looked at Chimdi, who still slept soundly in his arms. He tried to weigh his options. Between waking her up and carrying her into the building, he considered the latter.
With the way she slept through the drive, waking her up might cause a migraine.
Carefully, he alighted from the car, trying not to bump a part of her body into the car as he carried her, trailing after the chauffeur.
They walked into a dimly lit sitting room, with TJ finding it hard to locate or see anything.
To his utter shock, the Chauffeur made a clapping sound and the whole room illuminated immediately. With a shocked smile, he carried her to a fluffy white love seat and laid her down. Satisfied of her comfort, he joined the chauffeur who he was yet to know his name, to bring in their luggage.
"Thank you sir." TJ said, bowing slightly at the man, after bringing in their luggage.
The man smiled.
"You are welcome son. You a friend?"
TJ nodded his yes.
"Do take care of he-"
"Sir Alfred?" a sleep induced voice interrupted him.
"Dear, you are awake...Woah!" his words were cut short again, as Chimdi caught him in a surprise hug.
TJ stared at the mini reunion, while they whispered to each other.
"I'll be going now. Get some rest kid." Alfred said, patting Chimdi on her shoulder and nodding at TJ, before taking his leave.
Silence ensured between the duo, with Chimdi awkwardly arranging the Ash throw pillows beside her.
"So, how did I get here?"She finally asked, not looking up.
"I carried you."
"WHAT!" She screamed, before covering her mouth, totally embarrassed.
"You were asleep, so I carried you." TJ continued, totally enjoying her discomfort.
"You could have woken me up." She sat down, avoiding his mocking gaze.
"I didn't want to wake you. Especially after you fell asleep. Do you wanna talk about what happened?" He asked, referring to the dressing room incident.
Chimdi remained silent, before standing up. And he took that as his cue to drop the topic.
"Umm... come with me." She said, picking up her mini box.
TJ took the box from her. Carrying it alongside his own as he trailed after her.
"Here's your room. Ene doesn't work on Fridays, but the room is presentable." She explained, ushering him into a large guest room, similar to the one he was given at the home of the Jide's, except they allowed him to decorate it, to suit his taste.
It was a simple room, spacious with and themed white and ash, just like the sitting room. Two large windows to enable enough ventilation and a large TV set. A neatly dressed king sized mattress sat in the middle. The connecting bathroom at the east extreme.
"Who is Ene?"
"The house keeper. You can switch on the warmer. It heats up in minutes."
"Sure. Thank you."
She typed something on her cell phone.
The awkward silence still graced them with it's presence.
"Umm.. If you are hungry, I just ordered takeaways." She said leaving the room.
"Hey wait!" TJ almost shouted, remembering Jiki's call.
"Jiki called. He wanted to know how you are faring." Her face lit up immediately.
Suddenly, he felt uneasy.
"He did?"
"Yeah. Your line wasn't reachable. And I told him you had a headache." He added immediately. She gave him a smile of appreciation.
"You should take advil or a pain relieving med. You know, cos you cried alot. That actually causes a migraine." he rambled.
She smiled her understanding, giving him a nod, she walked out, taking her box with her.
--
TJ rolled over the bed, restless and totally not in anyway feeling sleepy.
He'd totally gobbled down the Rice, Stew and grilled fish Chimdi had ordered.
Surprised that Nigerian meals got better, the more he tried out new delicacies, he'd cleared his plate, and to Chimdi's amusement, offered to help her finish hers. He never believed he had a sweet tooth for spicy meals till he came to Nigeria. Now he craved them.
His stomach grumbled as he rolled again. He must have overfed his stomach. It growled again, causing groan from him. It felt heavy, too heavy for him to carry.
He stood up, grateful that the standby power generator hadn't failed one bit. He tiptoed downstairs, headed to the kitchen where Chimdi placed the drug kit, after taking pain relievers. He searched for antacids, praying to find one on time, the pain was becoming unbearable. He let out a loud sigh of relief when he spotted one. He checked the dosage before downing the required dosage in seconds.
He made his way to a nearby kitchen stool.
Little things could kill a man.
His subconscious mind mocked.
"Oh shut up!" he retorted out loud.
Taking in slow breaths to ease the pain, as the drug took to work, he zoned out, whilst the drug set his stomach straight again.
He snapped back to the present when he heard a voice screech. He sat up, confused. But the alarming voice screeched again. Realising it was Chimdi's voice, he made his way to her room. Her face was contoured in pure pain, beads of perspiration covered her body. He neared her, watching her breathe slowly.
He didn't need a soothsayer to let him know, she was having a nightmare. She let out another scream and he ran to her bedside.
"Chimdi! Chimdi wake up!!" He pleaded, panic lacing his words as he shook her, trying to wake her up.
She let out harsh breathes, and sat upright immediately.
"Hey, look at me," his voice was soft, as he took her hand into his.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded, shaking and looking around in fright.
"Hey, I'm here. Go back to sleep now." She complied, laying back on the bed.
TJ tried to let go of her hand, but she held tight, eyes staring back at him.
"I'm going nowhere." He assured, using his other hand to bring the bedside chair closer.
He sat down, watched her slip back to sleep, his hand held tightly in hers.
"I'm still here." He whispered, while he watched her nod her head one last time, before snuggling closer to her pillow.
--