Chidinma was already under a lot of emotional pressure, but as though fate liked to see her distressed, things went up a notch at work.
She had spent most of her working days brooding over her issues with her teenage son, her ex-husband, and occasionally, Onyeka Michael. But the issue of her son’s mystery lover was the heaviest thing on her mind- she kept staring suspiciously at every female in the clinic, wondering which one of them was destroying her son’s innocence.
When she entered the clinic cafeteria for lunch, she ended up feeling even worse. Every woman seated at a table was a suspect and her mood further soured when she saw Onyeka and one of the cleaners seated at a table on the far end of the cafeteria. Jealousy spiked through her whenever the woman leaned forward and touched the young man’s arm. He seemed unbothered by the gesture and occasionally laughed at whatever the woman was saying. Chidinma forced herself to look away. She had practically chased him away from her office the other day, so what did she expect? He was young, charming and virile. Even if he didn’t go after the ladies, they would come after him.
She was pushing her food around her plate listlessly, wondering if Onyeka had seen her and was pretending not to, when someone plopped into the seat opposite hers. She looked up with a frown; the last thing she wanted was company.
“Chief, Chief! i haven’t seen your brake light these days o.”
It was one of the other two female doctors employed by the clinic. She was a gynaecologist, good at her job, but Chidinma had never taken a real liking to the woman. She was reputed to be sneaky and a virulent gossip.
Chidinma was tempted to ask the woman if she had not seen her arriving at work every day- her office had a good view of the parking garage- but she pushed down the response, opting for diplomacy. “It’s just been work, Doctor Busayo.”
The other woman nodded, eyes swimming with false sympathy as she picked at the plate of coleslaw in front of her. “I can understand , my dear. The pace can be hectic. Doctors don’t even have a life of their own anymore. My husband and children are already tired of looking for me.”
Chidinma nodded in feigned sympathy as well, then stiffened at the woman’s next words.
“Plus, all that extra work with that young auditor cannot be easy. What’s his name again? Mr Onyeka Michael? You two seem to have been spending a lot of time together.”
Chidinma’s eyes narrowed. She suspected the woman had finally addressed what had brought her to Chidinma’s table. She decided to just nod and wait her out.
“He’s quite good looking. Working with him must be distracting.” The other woman continued artlessly. “I know a lot of the nursing staff can’t even concentrate around him.” The woman chewed busily for a few moments. “he’s also quite young, right? but you don’t seem to mind…”
“Is there something you want to say?” Chidinma asked tersely. Her patience had run out.
The other woman hesitated, then leaned closer. “Only if you’ll hear me out without getting angry. I just have your best interests at heart.”
Chidinma leaned back and gestured at the woman to continue.
“Look, I know there’s something going on between you two. My office overlooks the parking garage, so I saw you two embracing the other day…”
Oh? I thought you weren’t seeing my brake lights again? Chidinma thought touchily, but she kept the thought to herself.
“…I just want you to be careful. You know young men of these days. I’ve seen him with a few of the female staff, flirting and all. He even complimented me in a very suspicious manner the other day…”
As though you didn’t like it, Chidinma thought waspishly.
“….bottom line is, he is fine and looks like a ‘woman wrapper’. You know the type. So you need to be cautious. Besides, people will talk because of the age difference..”
“Okay, that’s enough, Doctor Busayo.” Chidinma said tightly. “The only person I see talking here is you. If I was dating Mr Onyeka Michael… IF… it would be nobody’s business. We are both grown adults, and we can separate work from play. Also the age thing should only bother us, no one else. I don’t see how it’s anybody’s headache.”
Doctor Busayo looked pained. “Ah, sorry o. I was just merely being concerned. I’ll keep my nose out of your business from now on.”
“See that you do.” Chidinma said in a saccharin-sweet tone. She stood up from the table. “And thank you for your concern.”
She knew she had just ruined her workplace relationship with her colleague, but she was past caring. The woman needed to have her poking nose snipped off anyway.
As she walked quickly towards the exit of the cafeteria, she saw Onyeka look away from his dining companion. His eyes widened as he saw her.
Is that surprise or guilt? Chidinma wondered, cross. She kept her eyes averted from his. All she wanted to do was go back to her office and brood. Her mood was soured already.
She cursed beneath her breath as she saw Onyeka excuse himself and rise from the table. She quickened her pace as he made a beeline for her, but her speed was no match for his long legs. He met her just outside the cafeteria doors.
“Hey, Doc. Wait up!”
Chidinma took a deep breath and stopped to let him catch up to her. Her stomach fluttered as he bore down on her, looking sleek and handsome in impeccably pressed black trousers and a creamy-hued shirt. There was no tie at his throat and he looked casual, his handsomeness effortless. His jaw was smooth and freshly shaved, flexing under the smile that was already spreading over his face. For a moment she imagined placing small butterfly kisses on his chin, exulting in his reaction as she trailed them down his throat and towards the gap in front of his shirt…
“Hey, we need to talk.” Onyeka’s voice brought her back to Earth. The fantasy dissipated like smoke, leaving her with a bitter taste in her mouth. She spared a glance at the cafeteria door behind him; Doctor Busayo was watching them, while pretending to be engrossed in her plate of coleslaw. Chidinma’s lips tightened.
“You know what? Not right now.” she said shortly. “You’re the last person I want to talk to right now. Just… later okay? I don’t need this right now.”
Onyeka watched Chidinma walk away, his mouth open, unaware of the thoughts churning through her mind. The last thing she wanted to do was walk away; she would have preferred to sink her face into his broad chest and groan out her worries, but she couldn’t.
Doctor Busayo’s words churned through her mind. Despite Chidinma’s protests to the contrary, the woman’s concerns had magnified her own insecurities. Sometimes age really was more than just a number.
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