Story of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER 37: MISSING HIM?

Finally, Mama can go home today.

"Auntie Lucy, congratulations."

"Thank you, Doctor Ben. I am in great joy, and you never give up on me."

"Auntie Lucy, I always believe in miracles and angels sent by heaven," he said, raising his pointed finger to the sky. "We will see you again, but you are now our outpatient next time."

"I would be glad to come back for my treatment until I am fully healed."

"That's good, Auntie! That's the spirit!"

I watched Mama and Doctor Ben converse before we rode in the car, waiting. Brother Chris brought his SUV to pick us up and haul our things from staying in the hospital for three months.

I know how often I told myself that I would distance myself from Theo. But here I am, wishing I could see him one more time. He promised to congratulate Mama on the day she went home. But Theo didn't show up—not even his shadow.

And today, it's been a week since Mama came home, and I was even feeling better. She takes a little walk outside and bathes in the morning sun every day. But I have received no instruction from him yet to meet this week. So I assume he expects I will get pregnant soon, and it is a matter of another week for me to take a pregnancy test.

Boredom strikes me hard now. I wanted to go back to work to occupy my mind with other things than Theo and that man. I was just here, mostly in my bedroom, sighing. I wonder if Mama has noticed my laziness lately. But I just don't like moving around because my heart is heavy.

"Nikki? What do you like to eat today?"

She asked me. I looked up from the book I was currently reading, then replied.

"Mama? You can't do anything yet." I got up from the balcony chair, stepped inside the living room, and sat beside her.

"I will not, but Maria will make them. But first, she will go to the market. So is there anything you like?"

"Oh, okay." I wonder what I want to eat. "Can we have some shrimp?"

"Prawn? Okay, I will buy some. Do you have other food you want me to cook?"

"Um. That's what is on my mind for now, Aunt Maria."

"Alright, I'll head now."

"Take care, Aunt Maria."

Aunt Marie helped us do the house chores after dropping her granddaughter off at school. I am glad Mama has company the same age as hers because I don't like to speak lately.

I was in the bedroom when I smelled the mouthwatering aroma of the prawns. My eyes got wide, staring at the vast shrimp in the pot.

"They were huge!" I commented. Now I was craving badly, and I couldn't wait to eat them all.

"Luckily, prawn delivery arrived before I headed home, and I got them at a good price."

They heard the doorbell ring, and Nikki opened the door.

"Hi! Oh, this smells so good!" she instantly inhales the prawn produces.

"Jasmine, come here. What did you bring?" I stare at the bag she is carrying. "Let me help you."

"Thank you, sister Nikki."

Nikki is just a year older, and she welcomes her to call her by her name, but Jasmine insists on calling her sister rather than Miss or Ma'am.

"Ah, some fruits. My family in the province sent me a lot, so I shared it with everyone. I can't eat them all."

"Wow. I got excited looking at the ripe mangoes. They were so yellow. That looks tasty!"

"They were freshly picked up when they were delivered to me."

"Then, I will taste them now!" I got excited, and quickly, I washed three huge, ripe mangoes. I made an entire slice on both sides until it reached the seed. I use a spoon to eat the fruit. But it doesn't satisfy me.

The three ladies in front of me gave me an awed face. It seems they have never encountered someone eating a ripe mango with salt. But I enjoyed the ripe mango to pair with salt. So do I, too. 

"Are you okay, Nikki?"

Mama asked me. I raised my thumb. "Yes, ma! It is actually good."

I could see the amazement plastered on their faces, speechless at what they had witnessed.

"All right! The food is ready. Let's have our lunch! It looks like Nikki was too hungry already."

Aunt Maria suggested that, and Jasmine helped to set the table. The whole time, their eyes never left peering at me when I had all the appetite to eat most of the prawn.

"I'm glad you ate a lot now, Nikki. It seems that your supplement helps a lot. Before, it worried me when you were thinner."

"Ma, I am not that thin, you know?" I laugh.

"Okay, and you do not need to diet, you know."

I giggled. Mama is paying attention to me. I am happy that she was in this life once again.

"Thanks for the food! I was too full!" I said. Food is the best companion during loneliness, especially when the heart is involved.

Later, I picked up Chelsea at her school. Now that nothing I had done for a while, I volunteered to get her after class. The food changed my mood all afternoon. Then she will stay at our house until she falls asleep after dinner.

"Auntie Nikki!" Chelsea runs toward me.

It was because their school was just a walking distance from our apartment building; I did not bring a car and hike it.

"How was your day?" I asked this cute little girl and I pinched her cheek. We then began walking.

"I got a perfect score in math, Auntie Nikki!"

"Wow! Then let's celebrate! What rewards do you want?"

"Can we have some ice cream? Can I get more flavor this time? And a lot of toppings?"

I laugh, peering at this cutie. Now I look forward to having a dish of my own soon. "Sure! Ice Cream it is!" I replied. 

"Then let me buy them."

A familiar voice spoke out of nowhere. I wondered if I was hallucinating, I could hear his voice. It must be as if he was the one who occupied my head all day, so it is— I was contemplating when Chelsea kept pulling my skirt.

"Auntie Nikki! There is a handsome man over there!"

"Handsome?" I followed Chelsea's finger-pointing at the roadside.

Theo!