Maybe, You Will See Me Now

010

Ijeawele woke up due to the urge for her to relieve her bladder. Then, she laid back on the bed and shut her eyes to return to sleep. Not long after she closed her eyes, they fluttered open again. Ijeawele sat up. She had suddenly remembered the man she left in her living room. After she returned to her room, she had fallen fast asleep before she knew it. She looked around, realising the electricity was back. Ijeawele then got up from her bed and looked out of the window. At 2 a.m., the rain had finally subdued with a few droplets still coming down. Ijeawele opened the door and walked out of the room.

She stood in front of Andrew, whose eyes remained shut, fast asleep. Her arms were folded below her chest. Ijeawele thought about waking him to the news that he was free to leave. But it was too early in the morning. It didn't seem like a sensible idea. Rather than lying down, he had slept off while still sitting. His head slacked upon the headrest and he didn't seem comfortable. Ijeawele stared at him, lightly biting her lower lip. After a bit of inner debate, she concluded it was best to let him be. Almost because she would prefer to avoid any sort of awkwardness. She walked back to her room and picked up a wrapper from the wardrobe.

Quietly, Ijeawele spread it over him and endeavoured to straighten out the edges that didn't lay properly. During that act, she'd gotten closer to him. Her gaze fell upon his face. Instead of looking away, she stayed on. His words repeated once more in her head.

"If you ever need a shoulder to cry on or a friend to talk to, I'll be there."

Although Ijeawele hadn't entertained his effort, she couldn't help but wonder why he would want her as a friend. She hadn't exactly been nice to him. Could it be that he pitied her? The thought of it made her a little upset.

Ijeawele leaned away from him. She decided to let go of all thoughts and ill feelings their last conversation might have come with. After all, it's not like he'll ever be trapped in her home again because of the rain. By morning, they'll go back to how things were. She switched off the light in the living room and left the one from the kitchen before she retired to her bedroom.

Andrew gradually fluttered his eyes open. The first turn he attempted; he felt a sharp pain in his neck which eventually went down his back as he leaned away from the backrest. He rubbed the back of his neck as if that was enough to soothe the stiffness that settled there. Andrew noticed the wrapper on him. He looked left and right. That was when he was once more aware of his presence in Ijeawele's house. He hadn't seen her but he knew she was the only one who could have left him with a covering. A vague smile showed on his face. He was appreciative.

The second he got up from his seat, he went for the light switch. After the lights filled the room, he looked at the clock hanging on the wall. It was 4:45 a.m. Andrew couldn't believe he'd spent the night here. He worried that Ijeawele might not have liked his sleeping over. He was supposed to stay until the rain stopped and yet, he let himself fall asleep.

Andrew yawned, still a bit sleepy but he knew he needed to go to work by daybreak. He ran both hands over his face. It was time for him to leave. He stood in front of her bedroom door. Just as he was about to knock, it came to his realisation that she could be asleep. He would hate to wake her up. But it would also be rude to leave without letting her know. Andrew rubbed the joint between his neck and shoulder. An attempt to ease the stiffness. The position he'd slept in was bad for him.

In the end, he decided to knock. The moment he raised his hand to knock, she opened the door and stood in front of him. Both were surprised to see the other.

"Good morning." Andrew greeted as he brought his hand down.

"Good morning." She reciprocated before adding, "I was about to wake you."