Nevertheless, Sarah was resting at home with her family the next day, and Mrs. Eze was the last person she had hoped to see. Sarah had never visited her house, and she had carefully avoided anything that would bring her to her house either. When she returned from the hospital the previous day, her staff members had visited and encouraged her. They saw her sisters and commented on their semblance, and they were careful not to ask too many questions about her father and she liked it so, but to her surprise, Mrs. Eze was not in the team because she would like to visit her personally.
Now, the much dreaded staff member showed up, and she was lost of what to do.
“She did not ask me to have the problem that would bring her to my house.”
Sarah mumbled. Having kept her away on many occasions with the excuse that she would not be at home. That day, she was aware that Sarah was ill and must be at home. Furthermore, She was aware that her father was at the hospital on admission and above all, the school was on holidays, so she was aware that nothing would take her out of the house.
“Welcome, Mrs. Eze.”
Sarah greeted as she walked downstairs to see her after mama ushered her into the house. Then, as expected, she scanned the house at once. She was still standing by the wall where Sarah had her family collections and the enlargement of their photographs when Sarah greeted.
She busied herself by admiring her husband’s children’s and her photographs, which were all hanging on the wall. The pictures were taken at different occasions ranging from children dedications, weddings of relations and so on.
“Were you not properly married in the church?”
That was Mrs. Eze's response to Sarah's greeting, and she was taken aback. She had expected that she would say so many things, but not too soon. At that juncture, she was walking towards Sarah and about to take her seat. Then, she continued.
“I did not see the enlargement photographs of your church wedding on the wall, that is why I asked if you were not wedded in the church. Did you do the traditional marriage and stopped there? You know, some marriages are like that. I don’t think it is right. Just try to wed in the church. You know that is your crown as a married woman”
She spattered at once without taking a breath. At that moment, she had taken her seat. Sarah attempted to engage her in other discussions, or to remind her why she was there.
“How is your family, Chy?”
Sarah inquired, not knowing that she had just given her a reason to open another chapter of her life.
“My family would have been fine if not for my mother-in-law, who came visiting since last year but refused to leave. I am not the only daughter-in-law she has, but she chose to stay in my house. Is it because my husband is the first son? Anyway, the other children are not as wealthy as my husband.”
Now, Evans had joined them in the sitting room and Sarah was relieved because she thought that the presence of her husband would have stopped her ranting, but she only paused to respond to his greetings before she carried on.
“Good day, madam. Welcome to our humble home.”
Now, she took a critical look at Evans, as if she was trying to gather information about him before she responded.
“Good day, Mr. Owens. I came to see your wife, and I discovered that you did not marry her in the church. That is weird.”
Now, Evans glared at her and devised a way to discharge her because he sensed that his wife was not comfortable with her presence. Then, he called out.
“Sarah.”
“Yes, hubby.”
“I'm famished. Kindly make my food.”
He demanded and stood up without waiting for her response. Then, he walked towards the staircase attempting to walk back to the bedroom because, he could not stand the presence of the talkative. Then, the impulsive Mrs. Eze, who would not be deterred, blurted.
“Hey! Is she strong enough to start preparing food for you? For crying out loud, she was just discharged from the hospital; you men are terrible.”
Now, Evans stopped suddenly and looked at her as if to say:
'Her husband is trying by keeping this kind of woman at home?'
Although, Sarah was aware that her husband was not starving, but that he made the request just to take her away from the annoying guest and make her leave at once.
“Thank you very much for coming, Chy. I appreciate your concern, but you have to excuse me. Let me prepare food for my husband.”
Sarah declared while attempting to get up from her seat. Nevertheless, the vocal guest, who did not have regards for the opinion of others, pressed on.
“Do you mean you will prepare the food? You are supposed to be resting and not otherwise. Anyway, my husband is aware that I will not do it. In fact, he won’t even ask me to.”
“Yes. I will prepare the food. My husband is aware that I can do it, and he can even ask me to do it.”
Sarah responded to her advice the way it came. Now, she walked towards the door, ensuring that she followed her. Meanwhile, she had reasoned that her time was up, but she had not gathered all the information she needed from the house, then she requested to use the convenience.
“Mrs. Owens, I am pressed. Can I use your toilet?”
“No, you cannot.”
Sarah bawled bluntly while opening the door for her at the same time.
“How can I leave your house with urine?”
She asked pleadingly.
“There is a toilet at the gate house, find out from the security men and they would direct you. See you later.”
At that point, they were already at the verandah of the house, and Sarah was relieved. She waited for her to leave before she could return to the sitting room, but she opened another phase of discussion.