Chapter Six

Kayode did not answer his mother’s call; instead, he put his phone on airplane mode. There came a time in a man’s life when he had to make a decision that favoured his biggest life goal. That time had come for him.

He put Funmi back to bed and set up the last drip that James had provided after she brushed her teeth, showered and wore his pyjamas. He smiled at her shyly, and she smiled back. Watching her in his clothes felt normal, like she belonged in it because she was his. He gently adjusted the pillow behind her so it could cushion her while she held his arm to steady herself. The little exchange was even more intimate than when he held her in his arms some minutes ago. It did not matter what anybody thought, he couldn’t stay away from her. And if these were the only moments they would ever have, he wasn’t going to deny himself.

Kayode held her drip free hand and patted it gently, maintaining eye contact. Funmi’s smile slowly disappeared. It was happening. This man was beginning to capture her heart, and she was losing the battle to keep him away. If she was being honest, she would admit that every touch meant something to her now, and like a child starved of affection, she wanted to lap it up.

When was the last time a man had looked at her the way Kayode did? How could she have missed knowing that he had feelings for her? This was no overnight affection, and he was showing it unashamedly now.

When she had prayed in London, she wasn’t thinking about a man, yet here he was.

“Lord, bring good things to me, unplanned, pleasant surprises that make my life better, in Jesus’ name.”

Is this God’s answer?

“What would you like to eat this morning?” he asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“Whatever you decide to cook is fine. Nothing fancy, though. We wouldn’t want it to go to waste.”

Kayode shook his head in disagreement. “Nothing but the best for my favourite patient.”

Funmi smiled. Her childhood dream was becoming a reality in the weirdest way ever. She had always wanted a live-in professional chef. She was a self-proclaimed foodie, but she didn’t have enough time in the day to explore the kitchen. She wanted someone who could dedicate time to that on her behalf, someone who could combine seemingly basic ingredients to create an explosion of flavours, not  the cook she had hired just to ensure her cousins did not poison her with their bad cooking. Someone who knew what he was doing. 

Yes, in her fantasies, that someone was always a ‘he’.

“Surprise me. I probably won’t eat much, but my appetite is better than it was yesterday.”

“Hmm…” Kayode thought, rubbing his palms together. “How does Crab egg Benedict sound?”

Funmi frowned.

“What? You don’t like it?”

“How about something a little more basic?” she said shyly. “The simpler the meal, the higher the chances I can keep it down.”

Kayode was amused that ‘shy’ was an emotion Funmi could express. “Say no more,” he replied and patted the back of her hand for the last time before leaving the room.

Despite his bold decision to ignore her earlier call, Kayode’s heart remained with his mother. She wasn’t just his mum. She was the one who taught him to pray when he didn’t understand life. She had raised him to know God and to listen for His voice even in confusion.

This moment qualified as one of those times. He picked up his phone and dialled her line.

To his surprise, when she picked up, there was no anger in her voice.

“Where did you put your phone again, Kitchen Boy?” she teased.

“I was attending to something ni, Maami. Ekaaro ma,” he replied, bracing for a scolding.

But there was none. She launched into a rant about how business had slowed down since the state government had asked all civil servants below level thirteen to stay home. Her restaurant in Alausa had gone from buzzing to barely surviving. Over eighty percent of her customers had vanished with that announcement.

“I’m getting bored,” she said, chuckling. 

Kayode exhaled in relief. She clearly had no idea that he was caring for someone with COVID-like symptoms.

“Don’t worry, Maami. It will soon pass,” he said.

“I’m just happy you’re home safe from London. I’ve been praying. I kept pleading the blood of Jesus over you. I hope you didn’t come in contact with anyone sick.”

He smiled faintly. “I’m fine, Maami. You don’t need to worry.”

“Let me worry, abeg. It’s part of my job description.”

He chuckled. “Let me call you back, I’m handling something.”

“Wait. What are you handling? I want to come and spend a few days with you. Will you send a taxi or will you come by yourself?”

His heart dropped. This wasn’t the time. Not with everything going on.

—————————————————————————————————————

Two hours later, he walked into Funmi’s room with a steaming bowl of pap and akara. Thankfully, his excuse had worked. He told his mother he was self-isolating due to protocol and concern for her age. She bought it, after praying some more.

Funmi smiled when she saw the food. She hadn’t eaten the meal in years, and yet, something about it sparked a comforting memory. When Kayode returned thirty minutes later after taking James’ call in private, the entire food was gone. It made him smile… but only for a moment.

James had called to say the test results were delayed. The lab technician had gone into labour before processing the samples. They would have to run them again. But this time, James was coming with an NCDC team, a VIP one that could generate results instantly.

Kayode sighed and headed back to break the news to Funmi.

“I thought you would applaud me for finishing my food,” she said.

“I’m impressed. In fact, lunch is already in motion.”

He packed the tray.

“Are you okay?” she asked, watching him closely.

“James called,” he said, sitting.

“Your doctor friend?”

He nodded.

“What did he say?”

“There’s a mix-up with your samples. They’re coming back. With the NCDC.”

She didn’t say anything for a while. Then finally, she spoke.

“I don’t want to go to the isolation centre. I hate the smell of sickness. But I need to prepare. Please excuse me, I need to talk to my staff.”

Kayode nodded and stepped out.

Three hours later, a dispatch rider arrived with a laptop, modem, notepads, official documents, and a bag with everything she would need if admitted. She had planned for the worst, and was ready to face it.

That night, when Kayode entered to drop her dinner, she was in the bathroom. He could hear the shower. He quickly went to get another change of clothes, casuals from his wardrobe that she could wear.

He set down the tray and escaped before his thoughts betrayed him.

As he walked into the living room, the doorbell rang.

It was James.

With the NCDC team.

Kayode stepped outside. “Why the ambulance? There’s no confirmed case yet.”

“I’m being thorough. This isn’t a time for assumptions,” James said, fully kitted in protective gear.

“Thank you,” Kayode said quietly.

“You’re welcome. Let’s get this done.”

Just then, Funmi stepped out.

“They are here?”

He nodded.

She didn’t flinch. She was ready.

Two hours later, the results came in.

James stepped forward, grinning.

“It’s typhoid. You tested negative for COVID-19.”

Kayode breathed out, his lips parting with relief. “Thank You, Jesus.”

Funmi just nodded. She had hoped that she would test negative, but exhaustion muted her joy.

James gave them a prescription and left. Kayode ran across the road to get the drugs.

But when he returned, Funmi’s driver was packing her things into the boot of a black Mercedes.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“I wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye,” she said softly. “Thank you for everything. But I need to treat myself properly.”

He stepped closer. “I can take care of you.”

“I know,” she said, meeting his eyes. “But if I stay, I might want more than I should. And I’m not ready to want anyone right now.”

There was a pause.

Kayode didn’t try to convince her.

“I understand,” he finally said. “But I hope you’ll let me know if anything changes.”

She gave a small nod, squeezed his hand, and stepped into the car.

Ten minutes later, all that remained of her presence was the untouched bowl of Amala on the bedside table.

Kayode sat on the edge of the bed and whispered a quiet prayer.

“Lord… if she’s mine, bring her back. If not, help me let her go.”