Hey There
2015 Words
"Have you shown her to her room?"
Dad asked as he opened his eyes.
"Yes Dad. You were not even sleeping" I muttered as I sat down beside him.
"Yeah I was resting a bit. You know I'm tired from working" he said
"Tired? " I asked
" Yeah" he replied
"But you didn't go work today." I said
"Yeah I didn't but taking a day off from work doesn't mean Dad isn't working that day" he explained softly
" You mean you worked from home today?" I asked glaring at him
"Exactly dear" he replied
"Oh I see" I said
"Yeah" he replied
"Kudos to you superman" I said giving Dad a thumbs up
"And what's that for Amanda?" Dad asked giving me a puzzled look
"It's my own way of saying thank you to the best Daddy in the whole world!" I explained
"Oh. I see" Dad replied chuckling
"When did Mena arrive?" I asked as Dad's laughter died down
"Well she just arrived few minutes before you woke up" Dad said
"Oh I see" I said
"Yeah and we were just discussing before you walked in on us" he added
"Really?" I asked
"Yeah dear. So what do you think about her?" Dad asked looking at my direction
"Well to me, I think she is good, friendly and jovial" I said
" Wow" Dad exclaimed
"Yeah. She is just perfect!'' I added
"But isn't she too young to work as a housekeeper?" I asked
"No, she is not. Why did you ask?" Dad asked
"Because I feel she should be married by now with lovely kids or doing something probably something more decent" I muttered
"Amanda, you know sometimes your curiosity makes you talk about things that are way too above your level and it amazes me alot" Dad said
"Really?" I asked
"Yeah and in this case, I think you should just mind your business" Dad said in an authoritative register.
"And this conversation is over right now. I don't want you to talk about it anymore" He added while I sat quietly sulking in silence.
"Father and daughter time going on here huh?" Mena, the housekeeper said as she walked in to the sitting room this time in a blue gown slightly above her knees, revealing the lower part of her thighs.
"Oh yeah. Not really though" Dad said while I just looked on in disgust.
"So what was the discussion all about?" Mena asked sitting on the sofa next to the sofa on which Dad was lying on.
"Nothing really of interest. Just random stuff" Dad replied
"Hey Amanda, what is wrong? why are you wearing a long face?" Mena asked, with concern written all over her face as she turned her gaze to my direction
"Nothing Ma… sorry Mena" I replied
flashing her a fake smile.
"Are you sure?" She probed further
"Yes Mena" I replied
"Don't worry your head about her. She can be like that sometimes but I assure you nothing is wrong with her. She is perfectly fine" Dad said, interrupting our discussion.
"Wow this is serious" Mena said
"No. It is not" Dad replied
''Ok sir" Mena replied
"By the way how did you get to locate this place? since I didn't give you the residential address as I had promised" Dad asked
"Well I called at the office and they sent me your residential address sir" she replied
"Oh that was thoughtful of you then.
Well, I am sorry I guess I totally forgot about it" Dad said apologetically
" No sir, it is fine, you don't need to apologize. I understand" Mena replied
"So sir, can I start my job right away?" Mena asked
"Why not, you can start right away. Just feel at home and do your thing" Dad said reassuringly
"Ok sir. Thank you" Mena replied
"Amanda please show her the way to the kitchen" Dad said softly, looking at my direction
"Ok Dad" I replied standing up from the sofa as I made to walk out of the sitting room for the kitchen
"Please follow her let her show you the kitchen" Dad said while Mena got up as well and together, we walked out of the sitting room for the kitchen with me leading the way while she trailed behind.
"Here is the kitchen. Whatever you may needing is over there" I said pointing towards the kitchen cupboard at the right corner as we got to the kitchen.
"Thank you Amanda" she said
"You are most welcomed" I replied walking over to the kitchen counter
"How old are you?" She asked as she walked over to the sink, to wash her hands.
"I am proudly an 8 year old girl" I said, giggling
"Wow. That is great. You are way too smarter than other kids your age I must confess" she said turning off the water tap after she was through with washing her hands.
"Really?" I asked, letting out a chuckle
"Yeah to be honest, I love that keep it up" she said
" Ok ma… sorry Mena''I stuttered hitting my head with my right hand
"It's fine dear. You will soon get use to it with time anyway" she said smiling broadly
"And by the way, you are welcome" she added
With that, I stood in silence, watching her walk about the kitchen, inspecting and putting things she thinks she may be needing in order.
"Sorry I forgot to ask, how is your Mum? I was expecting to see her as soon as I arrived but I didn't" she asked walking over to the counter
"She is fine" I said
"Is she around?" She asked
"No, she is not around" I replied
"Is she at work or she traveled?" I asked
"Well I don't know maybe you should ask my dad instead" I replied trying to keep my reply as short as possible
" Ok then" she replied then walked back to continue with what she was doing
"Excuse me" I said as I walked closer to her direction to gain her attention
"Yes dear what is it?" She replied looking up
"I want to go and get something upstairs I'll be back in a jiffy." I said
"Sure no problem. You can go ahead" she said then continued with what she was doing while I walked out of the kitchen as I headed for my room.
''Hey stop right there" Dad bellowed wittingly
"Where are you going to?" He asked as I walked towards the staircase
"My room Dad. I want to go get something I will be back shortly" I replied
''Ok. Is Mena still in the kitchen?" He asked
''Yes Dad" I replied
"Alright then" he said while I continued climbing up the stairs
On reaching my room, I climbed up my bed and lay down on my back with eyes staring blankly into space, I allowed random thoughts to run through my mind.
Even though I had told Dad and Mena that I was just going to my room to get something upstairs, but that wasn't the main thing. I actually didn't want to tell them that I was just going to rest to avoid answering unnecessary questions.
I just needed to be alone all to myself to think, breathe and live in my own world but they wouldn't even understand if I had told them anyway so there was no need telling them in the first place.
As I lay on my bed, shady images of Mum began to crept into my mind. I guess all these was as a result of Mena's question about Mum.
But then how was I suppose to know
if mum traveled or simply left us for good.
Yeah I know she left us but I couldn't have told anyone a word about it or did Dad tell her mum traveled?
If she really did then to where?
And if Dad had actually told her that mum traveled then why did she still have to ask me about Mum's whereabouts again?
"I guess something is wrong somewhere then but whatever it is, I'll get to understand it." I soliloquized as I sat up then sprang to my feet after heaving a long sigh and headed for the door.
As I cascaded the stairs slowly, I stopped at intervals to stare into space as though I was lost in thought, holding unto the rails for support till I got to the sitting room.
When I got to the sitting room, I met Dad's absence. He was no longer lying on the sofa but his phone was still on the table.
Probably, he may still be around the house maybe somewhere outside.
Or he'd be in the study or kitchen who knows?, I reasoned as I sat down.
"Amanda" Dad called walking towards my direction as he emerged from the dinning area.
"Sir" I replied quickly though startled a bit
"Did I call your name?" Dad asked rubbing his head in circular motion
"Yes" I said
"I don't think I ever did" he replied
"You did Dad, just now'' I said
"I know, I'm just kidding" he said making a witty facial expression
"Where did you go to Dad?" I asked
"No where" he said, motioning to sit down
''Are you sure? " I asked giving him a cursory look
''Yeah" he replied
" But when I walked in to the sitting room some minutes ago, you were no where to be found" I said softly
"I was sitting just here maybe you didn't see me" he said feigning seriousness
"No way Dad" I said
"I saw you walking out of the dinning area just now so what took you there if you were truly here in the first place as you had said earlier" I sneered
"I stood up some minutes ago to get some water from the kitchen that's all" he replied, chuckling
" So where is the water?" I asked
"I drank it in the kitchen" he replied
" Alright" I said
"Jeez, Amanda you are a thorn in my flesh" Dad sneered
" I can be worse than that" I retorted, laughing hysterically
"Guess what Dad!" I asked as I remembered what transpired earlier on in class
" Ok. You broke someone's nose." Dad said
"Naa, I'm not as cruel as that Dad'' I retorted
"You got into a fight with a teacher" Dad said
"Eww ...No. I can never do such a thing so guess again?" Dad said
"I can't. I'm tired already just go ahead and tell me" he said
"I won't, not until you at least try again" I said
"Fine. Your school's sport festival is scheduled to hold Monday, next week" Dad said absentmindedly
"No, far from it" I said
" Then you just go ahead and tell me already besides I've tried. Haven't I?" he asked
"Sure. I will tell you now" I said
"Then go ahead I'm all ears" Dad retorted
"Ok, today at school our economics teacher asked us to explain what 'want' in economics means and guess what?" I said
"What?" Dad asked looking all interested
"No one could answer the question" I added
"You mean not even a single soul in that whole class could answer the question?" Dad asked in disbelief
"Yes Dad" I replied
"Even you?" Dad asked
"No, I was able to answer the question" I said beaming with smiles
"That is great" he said
"Yes it is" I said
"Then guess what happened next?" I added
"You were given a resounding round of applause" Dad said
"Not really" I said
"Then what happened next?" Dad asked
"Then Mrs. Pauline asked me to come over to her office during break" I said softly
"Mrs Pauline? Is that her name?" Dad asked
"Yes Dad" I said
"Ok and when you did?" He asked further
" Nothing really happened next we just talked and then she left for a meeting" I said
"That's good, keep it up Dad is so so proud of you" Dad muttered
" Ok Dad thank you"
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- Writer
