SITA
My leg no longer hurt. The medication prescribed by the white doctor did the magic, but this time around, I was careful with what I wore.
I chose a flat sandal, and instead of wearing a gown, I chose a pair of silk pants and a silk blouse, with a very long silk jacket.
The clothes had tiny flower patterns that made them beautiful, but it wasn't anything like what Chinese actors wore in Chinese movies.
The sandal I chose was a marching color, suiting the clothes I chose.
"You will need a handbag, ma'am." Said my handmaiden. She was always there in my room whenever I was up for an occasion that would have big wigs partaking.
I allowed that because of her fashion sense which ends up in the public as mine.
"Which one do you choose for me?" I asked.
She went to my wardrobe and chose one. I have a massive wardrobe, and the money to pick them from the big stores like a big man's wife is there, so, I have no issues picking as many as I wish whenever the need be.
"This." She picked one of them. a costly piece that can buy land if resold and invested. "It will go with the silk."
I smiled and stretched my hand towards her. She helped me sling it over, then, she stepped aside to watch me and see if I was good to her taste.
"What do you think about a little makeup?" she asked.
I raised a brow. "No need for that. You don't wear makeup to go see important men." I turned to the mirror and touched my face. "A mild makeup would be good though, that is, powder and lipstick."
She helped me with those, her hands were that good at doing such a pretty job of beautifying my face. It took her not much time to finish.
"I could have suggested you draw an eye pencil but you are just in a hurry." She said; her eyes watching me as I posed right before the mirror.
"Sorry, I love it simple and pretty," I whispered like I was gossiping. "You know we can't keep the driver waiting." I turned for the door.
"Wait…"
I paused and turned to her, raised a brow, and waited to hear her say the reason why she called me back. She ambled to the desk in my big room and took a parcel from it.
"A letter came from your family." She raised the parcel to my face.
Father exists in modern-day Africa, but he still refuses to quit the trend of his days and follow the trends of today. He is the only one who still sends me a letter with the address properly written.
"I'll attend to it when I'm back." I ambled off from the room, leaving her behind.
She followed me as though she wished to escort me, but only ended up slipping the letter into my handbag.
"Read it whenever you are ready, ma'am." She said with a mischievous smile. "Enjoy, ma'am."
I said nothing. She knew I was never good with words when one does what's different from what I want, but I wasn't angry, I had many things in my head to bother myself with.
"Have a nice day." She stopped halfway and returned inside while I made for the car.
My driver was waiting by the driver's door. He was donning a driver uniform today, the sort that made him look like the police officers in old American movies.
"Good Evening, ma'am." His eyes darted towards my leg. "You removed the bandage."
"Let's go, we don't have time to waste," I ordered as I got closer.
He threw open the passenger door like the prettiest of chauffeurs and ushered me into the car. He shut the door and went over to his row.
"Remember, no breaking of traffic rules, and no music." I reminded him while I strapped my seatbelt. The sound from the old amp in the neighborhood was enough already.
He gave me a nod and turned on the car engine.
***
One thing I can't tell was why Honorable Yapi chose an awkward place for a political meeting.
A clubhouse, with all the dancing and alcohol, I wonder what we would talk about.
We pulled into the parking lot, and I alighted before my driver could turn off the car engine, but I didn't give it a reckless walk to the bouncer at the entrance door of the club.
"Ma'am, that was too fast." My driver uttered while we both scurried to the entrance of the club. Of course, he wouldn't go in with me.
"Hand me the car key," I demanded.
"Ma'am?" he asked.
"The car key," I repeated.
He obliged. I threw the key in my handbag. "I will drive myself home. Take Uber and go home."
He stopped following me. He had questions but that was the last thing I gave a damn for. I'll drive myself home when I'm done with the meeting.
"Okay, ma'am." He said after I've gone far enough. "Take care, ma'am."
"Thank you." I got to the bouncer and he made his way without waiting to ask questions. Maybe he knew me, and if not, then, I assume that Yapi must have given him some stern instruction concerning my coming.
The stench of spirit, and concoctions that could force their way into the wrong pipe when carelessly inhaled, dominated the walkway, from where I was heading towards the dancehall in the club.
"You are?" a man asked as I headed for the dancehall.
"Sita." I said. "Sita Kouassi."
He smiled and passed me a card. "You are not so late."
"What is this?" I asked.
"Your pass, ma'am." He said with a weak smile and led the way, while I followed. "Hon. Yapi never knew you would come."
I had no answers for him. It would be quite okay if Yapi thought I wouldn't come, at least, my presence would be a surprise to him and his group.