Mimi walked out of the church and placed her sunshades in her eyes. The sky was ablaze with the fire of the setting sun. Outside, cars inched their way along the hectic street as per usual on the rush of an average Wednesday evening. She looked around the church premises and saw Nneka chasing after her children to get them into the car. She sighed as she walked down the staircase leading outside the church.
Nneka had seen Mimi. She got her children into the car and waited for her so they could go home together. Mimi strutted past her with head held high and her Gucci purse clutched under her arm. She ignored Nneka as she shouted after her. Such an uncouth woman! Mimi sighed. She stood by the street and waited for a taxi as Nneka drove off. She was never going to be seen in a jalopy car, not in her new Gucci Houndstooth Convertible Midi cape dress, a gift from London. She wouldn't risk having her dress torn or having Nneka's dirty children touch her.
She straightened her dress and with her hands brought forward, flagged down a taxi. For now, taxis would do until her husband buys a perfect car for her. One that accentuated her beauty. She got into the back of the seat and rested her head on the car rest.
She caught a glimpse of her unlined beautiful face on the side mirror and her lips curled into a smile. She removed her hat and her midnight black hair flowed over shoulders. A pair of perfectly curved eyebrows looked down on sweeping eyelashes. A ray of sun hit her skin through the window making it glossy. Mimi smiled revealing her luminous heavenly white teeth. She was perfect and she won't let anyone make her feel any less.
"We are here" the driver said, breaking into her reverie.
She highlighted from the taxi and opened her purse. She slouched, bringing her 5ft 8inches height to the same level as the taxi. She handed some money to the cab driver. "Keep the change".
Nneka and her kids had since arrived. Nneka was seated with Gladys, her next door neighbour. She knew their eyes bore holes into her as she walked past them into her house.
"I wonder why she still lives in a rented apartment". She heard one of them whisper. They can think whatever they want of her. Once her husband figures out the perfect house to build for her, she'd celebrate leaving them. Until then, she remains the only woman whose husband is based abroad and until they become members of the association of women with husbands based in the Diaspora, they are not in her league and do not deserve any social interaction with her.
The rest of the month went by with her ignoring her neighbours until one morning, Mimi woke up to a sharp pain on the right side of her lower abdomen. She pulled herself off the bed and the sudden movement made her lightheaded. She held the bed for support. She could not control her breathing. Another bout of pain wrecked through her body and she retched up a thin stream of vomit. She tried to walk and felt tickles of liquid flow down her legs.
Mimi threw one leg Infront of another and found her way out of her room. She looked back and saw trails of red liquid on her white Persian rug and her eyes popped open. "Help me!" She screamed. "Somebody help me!"
Nneka and Gladys had just succeeded in tucking her kids into the car. That morning, Nneka had employed the services of Gladys as she was running late. They heard Mimi's scream earlier and yet another scream. They exchanged glances.
Nneka placed her keys in the ignition but Gladys reached out and touched her shoulders looking at her with pleading eyes. "C'mon Nneka, I know she's not our favourite person but I think she is in a lot of pain. Let's not have this on our conscience if anything happens to her".
Nneka rolled her eyes and removed the key from the ignition. She got out of the car and they both headed towards Mimi's house. Mimi was out of the door by the time they got there. She leaned on the rails of the balcony with her hands gripping her stomach. Gladys noticed the red liquid and screamed. "Blood! We need to get her to the hospital now?".
"In whose car?" Nneka asked, her lips curled inward. Gladys gave her a Keep-your-mouth-shut-and-help glare. They placed Mimi's hands on their shoulders and helped her into the back seat which no longer had Brian and Winifred. Nneka got in with Gladys and the kids and they drove to the hospital.
Hours later, the doctor came out and thanked them. Her ovarian cyst had bursted and their quick response is why she's out of harm's way. He informed them that they could go in and see her as she had been transferred out of the emergency ward into a private ward. Mimi saw them come in but couldn't look at them. Her eyes were filled with tears.
"How are you feeling now?" Gladys asked as she approached the bed. Mimi tried to speak but broke into a sob. Nneka looked her up and down and sighed. She didn't make any effort to come any closer. Gladys sat by her and patted her back. "Don't say anything. We understand". She looked at Nneka urging her to come closer but she remained fixed in her position with her arms crossed across her chest.
"I hope she learnt a lesson from all these? Nneka asked and Gladys shot her a stern look. She turned and walked out of the room. Nneka was right. She has learnt a great lesson. She looked at Gladys and mouthed the words "Thank you".