Madam Minister (Part 5)
Then his car veered into a screeching reverse, skirted round a turf, and halted. Then revved, and zoomed off.
“Ndi, where are you?”
“I’m in a meeting,” she said.
“Ndi, you better leave that place now. Your children want to see you.”
“Where is my husband? What is he doing? He should be responsible for once?”
“My sister-in law, listen up!“
There was gasping of air on the other side.
“I’m listening,” she replied.
“We should talk. Chidi and I are sleeping over. Please I need to talk to you.”
The phone went off.
Kate looked at it for a long time, and shook her head.
What is going on, she wondered. And began to sob.
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Dr Monteseri arrived home. He got upstairs as fast as he could. Nene was awake. He touched her, held her. She was still running fever.
“What did she eat?”
“Cornflakes, Sir,” said Ekaite.
He gave her some medications.
“My mummy,” cried Nene.
“She is on her way,” he said, and wiped her eyes. Then he turned to Ekaite.
“Please take these things away.”
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Madam Minister mingled through the dignitaries in the state banquet room. And got to the table. She served herself rice, unripe plantain, salad and fish. Then she walked down the east wing, Cover 20, overlooking the famous Peach, Lemon, Apple Garden, now, blooming, where two gentlemen, a UK and Singaporean diplomats were dining. Briskly, they stood up. Mr. Stoneshower drew her chair, and she sat down.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling.
“Good evening, Madam,” he said.
“Good to see you,” said Leon Dove.
“Good evening, Andrew. Good to see you too, Leon.”
“A lovely country you have here.”
“Many thanks, Leon. Are you investing yet.”
Then she laid a serviette on her chest.
“Yes, Madam. It’s a great country.”
“When Leon?”
Mr Leon Dove glanced at the direction of UK diplomat.
“I was just discussing with Andrew before you joined us. The infrastructure is poor. Something should be done about it.”
Andrew Stoneshower nodded his head.
Madam Minister took up some chops of plantain and salad. Then sipped some wine.
“That is what the forum addressed this morning. We appropriated billions of dollars for infrastructure transformation this year alone. And we assured the international community of some business incentives and free tariffs.”
“Madam, your courts depend on powerful individuals. It is difficult to seek redress.”
“I agree with you. It is the reason for the change in government. We are sanitizing the system. Actions for protecting foreign interests are in place now.”
“My people want to see it on the streets. We want the locals score cards. As a standard for doing business in your country. Right now, most of your people are closing shops.”
The UK diplomat nodded his head. Then said, with a flitting smile.
“The power sector is improving.”
“Can’t it be fixed,” asked the Singaporean diplomat, nose-diving into the trap. Madam Minister coughed a little. She took more wine. Then dabbed her mouth with the serviette. And pushed her dish further away.
Mr. Andrew Stoneshower cut the pear into four parts. Then he took one, and drank some champagne. Mr. Leon Dove had almost got through the crab on his plate. But the hot Indian spicy cream he spread on it, had kept him fighting and sweating. When he came to a piece, he jerked it up into his mouth. He blew out air, and gulped some water as quick as he could. Then mopped his lips.
“The power is our major concern. We have invited the Chinese to look into the entire architecture, and profile suggestions.”
“Yes, there lies the problem,” said Andrew.
“The UK or the Americans have the tech to add more value,” said Leon.
“Yes we know. We will bring them in later.”
Andrew smiled, and took more pear.
“Quite difficult to invest in your country. Too many things going for you. Non, clear-cut. We shall keep on working together to find a common ground.”
Andrew nodded his head, smiling.
“I know we shall reach that common ground soon,” said Madam Minister.
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Dr Monteseri smiled at Chidi. And ran his fingers on his head.
“When are expecting her,” asked Kate. She had arrived with her son at her brother’s house. And would pass the night.
“I don’t know.”
“Soso, why this I-don’t-care attitude. She is your wife.”
Dr Monteseri looked away in anger.
“I’m on my way to work. Ekaite will take you to a room.”
“Thank you, brother.”
“How is Nene,” asked Kate.
“She is doing well.”
Isabel walked into the lounge.
“Aunt Kate, welcome,” she said.
“Oh, my baby. How are you doing?”
“I am fine.”
“Oh you look beautiful.”
She glanced around.
“Where is Nene?”
“She is in her room.”
“I will see her later, my dear.”
Ekaite came in and took their bags to a room.
“Big sister, make yourself comfortable. See you in the morning.”
“I will. Take care of yourself.”
He walked through the door. Within minutes his car was driving down to his clinic.
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The convoy of cars encroached into the neighborhood. Blaring sirens, splitting swirling lights through the quiet night, through the sleeping streets. It arrived at Monteseri’s residence. Kate started, woke up and held her breathing. She looked through the window. It was Ndi. She looked at the time. It was 2.a.m. How could she be callous, A woman destroying her own home! This is impossible. We shall tee it off at the breakfast table, woman to woman, she thought. She crawled into the blanket. And lay back to sleep.
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Ndi dismissed her staff. Then came into the house. Ekaite and Chatie were there. They took her things to her room. Chatie took her clothes to the laundry. Ekaite made sure the shower was warm and running, and she took a bathe. Then she set her bed for her.
“How are Nene and Isabel?”
“They are fine, Ma.”
“Okay! See you in the morning.”
“Good night, Ma.”
“Good night, Ekaite.”
Ekaite shut the door behind her.
Ndi lay across her bed, waiting for sleep to come. It refused to come. Everything she did in the day, came to mind, flouting her head. She stood up, and went to the bar downstairs. And took a bottle of Slovenian wine to her room. She uncorked it. Then gulped down some wine. It was dry, sour and bitter. She looked at the label. It was the latest. Then she shook her head and smiled, and took more. Her head began to ache, and spin. She closed her eyes. The bed was moving round too. The walls were shifting. She was sure of that. She held the bed. Then she passed out.
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