Chapter 26: I Will Go Bald For You,Maya.

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: I Will Go Bald For You,Maya.

Flora watched Maya as she stares at the ceiling without saying a word. Although she had recovered enough to open her eyes and speak, but something was still wrong. Her face looked tired, and sadness still fills her eyes.

As Flora stood lost in her thoughts, a gentle knock came from the door. She quickly turned, wiping the worried look from her face. The nurse opened the door slightly and peeped inside.

"Madam Flora, please, may I come in?" she asked politely.

Flora nodded and stepped away from the door.

The nurse walked into the room carrying Maya’s meal on a tray. She gently placed it on the bedside table and smiled warmly at her. The meal included sliced fruits, chicken thighs, and French fries, just the way Maya loved it.

"Here you go, dear. I made sure you got your favourite meal. You need to eat a little to regain your strength," the nurse said kindly, adjusting the tray to make it easier for Maya to reach.

She gently touched Maya’s shoulder and asked if she needed anything else before leaving her to rest.

Immediately the nurse left,Flora gently closed the door behind them.

Flora folded her arms as she studied Maya quietly.

She knew her daughter better than anyone else. This was not simply about her falling ill all of a sudden. Maya is hurting inside, and no medicine could take that pain away.

Flora pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down.

"Maya, darling, how are you feeling now?, please seat up and eat your food before it gets cold"

"I’m fine, Mum,I will eat it later"

Flora sighed softly. "You have said that three times today.

Maya turned her face towards the window.

"Please, Mum I will eat later,I’m just tired."

"Then look at me and tell me what is making you tired. Do you want to go home? Should I call Grandma ?"

Maya remained silent.

Flora reached for her daughter’s hand and held it gently.

"My darling, you don’t have to pretend with me. You are my daughter and I have watched you grow. I understand everything happening in your heart, but always remember that you cannot force love on someone,it’s a natural phenomenon."

Maya’s eyes became wet.

Flora moved closer and began patting her hair. The closeness between them reminded her of the days when Maya was little.

Whenever she had a nightmare, she would run into her room, climb into her bed, and refuse to sleep until she helds her.

Those days seemed so far away now.

As Flora watched her daughter’s trembling lips, she felt a familiar pain in her chest. The loss of her husband affected Maya so much.

Although years had passed but the memory is still fresh, that’s one thing about grief,it does not always disappear ,it takes time. Sometimes, it waits patiently until something brings it back to life.

And Simon might have become that something rekindling it.

Flora noticed the way Maya was looking at him, the unusual attachment growing between them. Simon is a likable person, very humble, patient, understanding, and down to earth.

He would listen to you without revealing your errors. Always ready and available to offer help without demanding attention.

Those were the same qualities Maya had loved in her father.

Obviously, Maya had found a familiar kind of comfort in Simon. Perhaps his presence reminded her of the man she had lost, and now her heart is struggling to have his heart.

Flora brushed the hair away from Maya’s forehead.

"Darling, you can tell me anything. I may not have all the answers, but I will listen."

Maya finally turned towards her.

"Mum, can you please give us some privacy?"

Flora paused. "Privacy? With whom?"

Maya swallowed. "I want to talk to Simon."

For a moment, Flora said nothing.

"Are you sure you’re feeling strong enough to have a conversation?"

"Yes, Mum. Please."

Flora looked into her daughter’s eyes. She wanted to ask a hundred questions, but she stopped herself. If Maya needed to speak, forcing her to explain herself would only make things worse.

"All right, darling. But don’t stress yourself. If you feel uncomfortable, call me."

Maya nodded.

Flora kissed her forehead,stood up and walked towards the door.

She closed the door gently, but she did not walk away.

Instead, she remained beside the door, her hand gently resting against the wall,then she bent slowly to eavesdrop to their conversation.

She could barely hear their voice but she managed to give a listening ear. She could hear Simon’s voice from inside.

"Maya, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Flora moved a little closer to the door.

Then Maya spoke, her voice trembling.

"Simon, please don’t interrupt me. I need you to listen to me calmly."

Flora’s heart began to beat faster.

Whatever Maya was about to say, Flora had a feeling it would change something between them forever.

Maya satup on the bed. Her eyes are still red from crying. Simon is now sitting at the edge of the bed, a little close to her. He stares at the ceiling. The room is quiet now

Maya looked at Simon deeply. This is the question that has been in her mind for weeks. A question she has not had the courage to ask.

"Simon," Maya says. Her voice was low but serious. "I need to ask you again. And this time I need the truth. The real truth."

Simon raises his head. "Maya, I have always told you the truth."

"No," Maya says, shaking her head. "You have not. Simon, look at me. I am young. I am twenty-two. There are many young girls outside. Beautiful girls. Girls your age. Girls who can give you children quickly. Girls who have no history. Why are you not interested in them? Why my mother?"

Simon tries to speak but Maya stops him.

"Let me finish," she says. "My mother is fifty years old. Fifty. She has lived her life. She has suffered. She has buried my father. Why her, Simon? Why? Is there something you are not telling me? Is there a hidden secret behind your decision? Are you after something? Is it because of the house? Or Is it because of the money my father left? Tell me. I need to know."

Outside, Flora hears this and her hand flies to her mouth. She is shocked. She never knew Maya could think like this. Her own daughter thinks Simon is after money. Her heart starts to beat fast.

Inside the room, Simon is quiet for a long time. Then he looks at Maya. His eyes are now full of tears.

"Maya," he says. His voice was shaking. "Thank you for asking me this. Thank you for being honest. I know how this looks. But you should calm down and relax.

He moves closer, but still keeps respect.

"Maya, you are a young beautiful girl. You deserve the best in life. You deserve a man who will love you as a young girl. You deserve to graduate from school, to travel, to enjoy your youth. You deserve to be happy. But truly your happiness will never be complete if your mother is not happy. If you truly love your mother, if you truly want to be happy, you should also look out for your mother’s happiness."

Maya is listening. Her lips are shaking.

Simon continues, tears now falling from his eyes.

"I am a man full of appreciation, Maya. I know what it means when someone is real. Your mother is genuine. She does not pretend. When she cares,it comes from the heart, she sees things from a person’s angle as well as from her own, she has every right to fire me, report me to the agency because of the way you are attached to me but instead she choose peace and tolerance.

Who does that?

It can only be a real mother with a good heart."

He cannot hold it anymore. He slides from the bed and knelt down on the floor. He is kneeling in front of Maya.

"Maya, please," he says, his hands together.

"I have respect for mothers. You don’t expect me to answer that question. You are not being fair to your mother. I have been lonely, I lost my own mother when I was ten. You see the challenges she is facing with the court, yet she still looks strong. Hurting her is the last thing you should do."

"Even if I like your mom, I will respect her enough not to put it out like this just to prove a point. If you continue like this, everyone will see you as a bad child with silly attitude."

"You cannot fall for a poor driver. I am poor. I don’t have anything to offer aside from driving."

"You have to stop this. It’s no longer encouraging. I lose respect for you whenever you sound like this. It makes me look like a weak man. You are too young, and I like you like a sister. Please, promise me that from today you will stop all this. It’s sickening."

Maya is now crying deeply. She covers her mouth.

"I promise to let go,Maya said

"Good, you deserve better. He said and hugged her tightly.

Outside the door, Flora was frozen. Her whole body was shaking. She was shocked to hear such words from Simon. She has never heard a man speak about her like that. Not even her late husband .She had thought Simon was just seeking empathy. She did not know he carried this deep respect and wound of losing his own mother.

Flora felt weakness around her eyes. She leans against the wall as she silently listens to Maya crying.

She felt both love and disappointment for Maya.

As she leaned closely,her thought travelled.

From that moment, she vowed to take disciplinary action towards Maya’s stupidity. I can’t spare the rod and spoil the child.

"From today, any day I notice Maya’s affection towards Simon, I will be left with the choice of sacking Simon or stopping Maya from taking online classes and sending her back to Manchester, or possibly transferring her back to schools in Nigeria.

She cannot be a liability in my house. My 22-year-old daughter cannot bring my legs outside by falling suddenly for a newly employed driver.

I don’t doubt the fact that Simon is dangerously charming. He is charming, and so what? It can never happen under my watch."

Let me just wave what happened off as a mosquito that bits at night. If any feelings for Simon erupts again , I will go bald for Maya , just like my mother used to say to me back in the days."

Just like hawk, my watch over her begins now. She said snapping her fingers."