9 Men Can Cook

As I tossed the last of her two boxes into the boot of my Honda Accord, I wondered at their contents. I took her to an eatery. At home, I made her coffee with raw milk.

"You don't cook huh?" She observed rather than asked after a hot bath.

"Let's say I don't have the luxury of time." I slid a smug smile on my face.

"I thought as much," she concurred. She opened the biggest of the bags and brought out three handmade Italian suites.

"I bought these for you. I knew you wouldn't have time for shopping."

I stood, staring at her in bewilderment.

"You shouldn't have. I am not that jobless Nosy Ude you met years ago; I am the marketing manager of a new generation bank." I tried to sound calm, but she was not fooled. She held my hand.

It was supposed to be my turn to do something for her and not her doing more for me.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I was only considering your busy schedules."

Her voice was apologetic and her eyes added the, please.

"Okay, but I will give you back your money including your fare."

"Did I step on your pride, my dear Nosy?"

"No, not really" I answered. "I think you have done enough already, that's all."

The sound of the coffee maker woke me up. I went to my kitchen and saw her in the long, white and the blue shirt. She was making omelette and potato chips.

"Good morning," she said, "I, did not want to wake you. Good sleep?"

"Yeah," I nodded, "The last time I checked, I was in my house and was supposed to have a guest here."

"Ladies cook while men eat," she said.

"Doesn't that sound typical African? And coming from someone in your league. Well, always remember what you've just said. I kinda suck in the kitchen department. What can I help you with? I did ask looking around?

Just go wait at the dining table."

I grunted and stumbled out of the kitchen and into the bathroom.

"Don't be scared, I won't let you cook for me," she sang at the top of her voice.

"Good for me and trouble for you," I sang in her rhythm and heard her laugh.

In the afternoon, she made a list of groceries that were needed in the warehouse and insisted that I go to the mall alone. When I came back, my apartment was transformed. She had changed the position of everything including the TV set. I'm guessing, I thought a fine feminine touch.

"Layen sweet, can I ask you for something?" I had begun after dinner.

"Uhu."

"I have wanted to ask you this but the opportunity has never presented itself..."