Half life

The Housekeeper's Shopping Spree

"Amanda are you ready?" Dad asked the moment I stopped into the sitting room

"I'm almost done Dad, let me go get my hair combed at least" I replied in a thin but yet audible voice.

"How about Mena is she also not done yet as well?" Dad asked giving me a quizzical look

" I guess so but she will be downstairs any moment from now" I said emphatically

" Ok" Dad replied while walking towards the sofa to sit down

"Won't you go get your hair combed first before coming to sit downstairs?" Dad said looking at my direction as I sat down

"I'll but not now" I replied calmly

"If not now then when or is it when we'd be going out?" Dad asked

"No I just don't want to go upstairs yet" I replied softly

" You don't want to go upstairs yet, why?" Dad asked giving me a cursory look

"Nothing really Dad. I just don't want to go upstairs right now" I said stealthily.

"I can see you don't want to come with us anymore" Dad replied looking away

"No Dad I'm still interested in " I said

"You are not, because if you were in the first place you would have done that already before now and I wouldn't have been taking about it" Dad said

"Okay fine. You win. I'll go get it combed right away " I replied in resignation.

" Ok then, please help me tell Mena to hurry up as well. She is taking so long to get dressed and you know I don't have much time to spare" dad said, as I stood up and headed back for my room

"ok sir I will." I replied then continued walking up the stairs

When I got to my room, I walked over to the dressing table and picked a comb and ran it through my hair in a repeated manner then took out a little quantity of lip balm into my fingers and used it to dab my lips.

And when I was through I heaved a sigh in satisfaction after staring at my image in the mirror then let out a weary smile.

"I'll have to go check up on Aunt Mena now as well" I muttered to myself as I headed towards the door.

When I got to her door, I sounded a light knock on it and waited for a response.

"Please hold on a sec. I'm coming" she yelled from her room, walking towards the door to open it.

"Oh Amanda! Where you the person at the door?" Aunt Mena asked immediately she opened her door and saw me standing at the door.

"Yes I am" I replied softly

"Okay come in dear" she said walking back to her dressing table while I plodded from behind as we entered the room.

She was still half dressed in a pair of denim jeans and a yellow colored top and was still struggling to get her hair done as well as her make up.

"I can see you are all ready for the shopping" Aunt Mena said, as she sat in front of the dressing mirror, staring at my reflection in it as I sat on the edge of the bed.

"Oh yeah" I said coldly

"That is nice. You look so so beautiful" Aunt Mena complimented

" Thank you Aunt Mena" I replied, blushing

" Dad asked me to tell you to hurry up so we can get going quickly as possible" I added

" Oh! I'm almost through. Once I fix my hair and apply a little make up, I'll join you guys downstairs" Aunt Mena said stealthily

" Alright then" I replied

" Yeah" she replied, brushing her hair

"Let me go and inform him about it then" I said

" Alright then I'll join you guys downstairs very soon" Aunt Mena said as I walked out of the room

" We will be waiting" I yelled from the doorway.

" Is she coming already?" Dad asked immediately he saw me cascading the stairs

"Huh!" I yelled perturbed

"I said, is Mena coming now? Like is she through? " Dad asked

" Oh. She will soon be through. She is just trying to fix her hair and have her make up done" I said, walking into the sitting room

"Okay" Dad said, taking a quick look at his leather wristwatch while I walked towards the sofa to sit down.

After some minutes, Aunt Mena walked stealthily into the sitting room.

"I'm so sorry sir for keeping you waiting for way too long" Aunt Mena said apologetically while she stood beside Dad.

" Its fine. You don't have to apologize" Dad replied

"Ok sir. Thank you" Aunt Mena said

"You are welcome." Dad said

"Please here is the list you asked me to prepare earlier on" Aunt Mena said, stretching out a piece of neatly folded paper to Dad

"Oh" Dad exclaimed and collected the piece of paper

"Its ok. Here, you can have it back now" Dad said stretching the piece of paper back to Aunt Mena after taking a look at the list of items to be bought and neatly folded it back.

"So shall we begin now?" Dad asked, standing up

"Yes sir" Aunt Mena replied

"Alright then let's get going, Amanda come and lead the way" Dad said in an authoritative tone

"Ok sir" I replied then headed for the door while they thuded from behind.

When we got outside of the house, we then walked towards the car park and stood beside the car as we waited for Dad to unlock it.

After Dad unlocked the car, we all got in then fastened our seatbelts as we sat on the backseat then Dad started the car, reversed and then drove out of the house with the car engine roaring loudly as he sped off into the major road.

Sometimes I wonder if Dad was really a corporate person or a car racing champion because he never ceases to speed whenever he gets the chance to. And today, he is doing the same again even after knowing I'd chicken out with fear when he overspeed.

"Aunt Mena!" I called out softly after calming down a bit

"Yes dear" Aunt Mena replied taking her gaze off the road

"Can you drive?" I asked, trying to strike a conversation with her

"No, why do you ask?" Aunt Mena muttered

"Nothing really. I just wanted to know" I said while Dad continued to drive as he focused on the road.

"Okay. I was actually learning how to, some time ago but I stopped" Aunt Mena said

"Why did you stop?" I asked looking at my front

"Because, I had to travel out" Aunt Mena said.

"Travel out?" I asked, surprised

" Yes. I had to travel down to this place" Aunt Mena said

" Oh" I said

"You mean, you moved into this city recently?" Dad asked, casting a quick glance at Aunt Mena through the rear mirror.

"Yes sir" Aunt Mena said

" I came here only a little over eight months ago" Aunt Mena added

" Wow. I never knew about that" Dad exclaimed, with his gaze still focused on the road.

"Yes sir and that was because I didn't tell you about it" Aunt Mena said

"Yeah. So does that mean you stay alone?" Dad asked, taking the left turn as we approached a junction

"Well not really sir. I've a couple of relatives here too but I stay with a childhood friend of mine back there in San Nanto who later moved to this city about a decade ago" Aunt Mena explained softly.

"Is your childhood friend as beautiful as you?" I asked with keen interest, interrupting her ongoing conversation with Dad

"Well actually, my childhood friend is not a she but a he. To me, Mikel is a handsome and gentle man but I don't know for the others" Aunt Mena replied with a smile

" But definitely not as handsome as my daddy; the best Daddy ever to live on planet earth!" I replied giggling.

"Well... probably" Aunt Mena said stuttering as though not sure of her reply while Dad kept driving in silence as he listened on to our conversation.

"Dad!" I called out softly

"Yes dear" he replied

"When are we going to get to the grocery store?" I asked

"We are on it dear just hold on for a few minutes. We'll soon be there" dad said as he drove into a less busy street

"When? because I'm already tired!" I groaned

"I know or do you want us to go back home?" Dad asked

"No let's just keep going!" I said

"Amanda dear, please hold on we'll soon be there" Aunt Mena said patting my shoulders affectionately

"Ok Aunt Mena" I replied, smiling wearily as Dad continued to drive this time quite slowly.

"Finally we are here." Dad announced as we drove into a giant grocery store by the right side of the road

Driving into the Parking space just before the walkway leading to the main entrance of the store, Dad located a space and parked behind a white saloon car.

"Wow, this is beautiful" I muttered as we stepped out of the car.

"Isn't it Aunt Mena?" I asked looking at Aunt Mena

"Sure it is." Aunt Mena replied looking up at the store

"Let's go in" Dad said and began to walk towards the grocery store

"Ok sir" We both cooed then followed suite from behind.

When we got in, only a few persons were seen shopping with their various trolleys so we also grabbed a trolley and began our shopping adventure beginning with produce section.

At the produce section we got fruits and vegetables like carrots, paw paw, cucumbers, peas, oranges, strawberries, cabbage, lemon, apple and a bunch of bananas.

"How about we get some ginger and garlic as well?" Dad asked as we made to leave for the diary section

"Oh. Alright sir" Aunt Mena said then walked back to get those items after ticking out some items on the list.

At the dairy section, we got some cheese, milk and yogurt.

"Is that all?" Dad asked as he made to push the trolley.

"Yes sir but we also have to get paper towels and tissue paper from the paper products section and some other items as well" Aunt Mena said calmly

"Alright then let's go over to the paper products section then" Dad said rolling the trolley away while Aunt Mena and I walked behind

"Are we going to get some cakes as well?" I asked

"No dear. We don't need cakes so I didn't include it on the list" Aunt Mena said scanning through the list

" But I want some cakes!" I said

"I'm sorry I can't do anything about it dear but go and tell your Dad he may have a few more cash to spare" Aunt Mena said softly

"Ok Aunt Mena" I said then walked over to Dad

"Dad!" I called out as I caught up with him

"Yes dear" He replied absentmindedly

"Can I get some cake please?" I asked politely

"Do you want cakes?" Dad asked

"Yes Dad" I replied

"It's okay dear. When we are done shopping the list of items, we'll just go get you the cake and any other thing you may wish as well" Dad said

" Ok Dad.. thank you so much. I love you" I said smiling broadly

"Anything for you my princess. I love you too my love" Dad cooed with a smirk .

After getting the paper towels and tissues, we stopped by at other sections as well to get a few more vital items predominantly not on the list

"We have exhausted the list sir so I guess we're done shopping then" Aunt Mena said as we headed out of the canned goods section after getting some chips, cereals and crackers.

"Then it's time to shop for other things."

"Sir!" Aunt Mena called softly

"Yeah you don't have to panic now you and Amanda should go and get a cake and any other thing you guys may deem fit for use at home. Be it clothes, shoes, just anything" Dad said

"Ok… sir" Aunt Mena stuttered

"Yeah I'll be waiting just here for you guys" he added and Aunt Mena nooded her head then we headed for the deli section to go get the cakes.

When we got the cakes and were returning back to go and meet Dad, I stopped on my tracks immediately I saw a grey dress hung in the fashion and beauty section.

"Hey look over there!" I said smiling broadly as I pointed at the dress from the walkway

"What is over there?" Aunt Mena asked nonchalantly, giving me a quizzical look

"Can't you see the beautiful grey dress hanging over there?" I asked

"Oh I see. What is with the dress?" Aunt Mena asked further

" Didn't you get Dad's instructions?" I asked in bewilderment

"I did" she replied

"Good. Then let's go get that dress." I said

"Jeez. You are kidding right?" Aunt Mena asked

"I'm serious Aunt Mena" I replied

" Don't be ridiculous that dress is not your size" Aunt Mena said

" I know but I love it so I want it so come let's just go and get " I replied with a mischievous grin plastered on my cheeks

"Ok fine" she said in resignation

"That's better" I said as we walked over to the fashion and beauty section

"I hope you are happy now?" Aunt Mena asked shoving the gown into the trolley

" Yeah I'm happy now" I said

"How about this? I asked pointing at a pair of black trousers

''You also want those as well?" Aunt Mena asked, puzzled

" Yeah" I replied

" But it's not your size" She said

"I want it anyway" I retorted

"Well fine. I give up" she said

While I bursted into a hysterical laughter.

I made sure we didn't leave the section until our trolley was filled up to the brim with shoes, clothes and cosmetics as well.

If I had not done that Aunt Mena wouldn't have shopped for herself so I decided to make sure she gets her stuff before leaving the store for home.

"Oh you guys are back already'' Dad said as we walked towards his direction

"Yeah. We are deeply sorry sir for keeping you waiting actually Amanda got me into shopping for oversized dresses and other weird items." Aunt Mena said apologetically as she rolled her trolley towards Dad.

"No it's okay. You don't have to apologize" Dad replied softly

"Thank you sir" she said

"Alright then shall we go over to the front end?" Dad asked as he motioned to roll his trolley towards the front end desk section to have our items properly packaged and documented then paid for over the counter.

So getting to the front end section we stood in the queue and waited patiently to be attended to till it got to our turn.

"Now we are all set for home" dad muttered as he placed the shopped items into the trunk of the car.

" Yeah at last" I added, walking towards the car as I left Aunt Mena still standing at akimbo few yards away from the car.

"Let's go" Dad announced as he entered the car while Aunt Mena walked quickly over to the car and we both got in to the backseat and fastened our seatbelts then Dad started the car and drove out of the store and headed for home.