Sheila didn't show up for work that week. The older lady who normally cleaned the compound was back, and it was she who came throughout that week. Sadly, Kunle didn't know how to get in touch with Sheila. He didn't know where she lived. He didn't even have her phone number, if she even had one. He felt bad the way he had yelled at her. It wasn't her fault that Lara treated him the way she had. He should have kept his emotions in check. Well, things like this happen, he thought as he sat in the bus on his way back from work on Thursday. He just had to get over everything and move on with his life. And to do this, he had to first find a way to deal with his erectile problem. He got off the bus at the park and made his way dejectedly towards Mummy Akosua's stall.
"Madam good evening," he greeted her.
"Good evening customer." She responded cheerfully, her motherly eyes immediately noticing his sad disposition. Kunle sat down and played a bit with her kids. She placed a plate of food in front of him and he began to eat absentmindedly.
"Customer why your face come strong like this(why are you looking so sad)?" mama Akosua inquired.
"Madam, na stress of work jare."
"Take am easy oh. You are still a young man."
"Yeah, a young man who cannot perform," he thought. "Madam, do you know where I can get local medicine to cure opaeyin(weak libido)?" he asked without thinking.
Mama Akosua smiled. "Your girlfriend dey complain abi?"
He felt ashamed and hung his head. Other customers were stylishly straining their ears into their conversation.
"Anyways if you want something for that, I have one friend who usually comes by. She should even be here by now. She sells things for back pain, low libido, and other sicknesses. Maybe you can wait and ask her." She said with a twinkle in her eye.
"Mommy, what is Opeayin?" Akosua's brother asked.
"Will you shut your mouth there?" her mother scolded him.
About ten or so minutes later a rotund woman with a big bowl of wares balanced on her head came walking by. The two women greeted and Mummy Akosua pointed to Kunle.
"This young man needs something."
She looked at him. "Customer, what do you need? I have everything."
"Well," Kunle said, scratching his head and lowering his voice, "I need something for...you know.... weak erection." he whispered in embarrassment.
"Oh, your madam dey vex abi(your girl is upset)?" the woman exclaimed loudly.
"Na wetin me sef ask am be that(I asked him the same thing)." Mama Akosua laughed in the background.
The woman smiled. "Okay don't worry. I have something here for you."
She dug out a bottle of herbs from her bowl and handed it to him.
"Just soak these in any hot gin for about two hours. Drink just half a cup every two days. You will shit(defecate) the whole thing out and I promise you your girlfriend will not be disappointed. You will both come and thank me afterwards."
Smiling sheepishly, he handed her the three one-thousand naira notes she requested for.
"Remember," she reminded him, "just use it small small(don't overuse it). The thing is very strong."
"Thank you, ma." Kunle responded. He quickly finished his meal and took his leave after bidding the two women goodbye.
That night Kunle couldn't sleep. He had to go to the toilet to empty his bowels more than five times. By the next morning, he was so weak, he had to call in sick to work. But he still used the herbs religiously. By the following week his body had gotten used to it. His lower back no longer felt weak and for the first time in months, he was having constant morning wood.
That Saturday, he lay relaxing in bed watching a movie on the TV when he heard the movement of a cart being dragged along the pathway outside. He jumped out of bed and looked out the window. He was happy to see it was Sheila. He quickly threw on a shirt and ran outside.
"Sheila!! Where have you been?" he exclaimed as he approached her.
Sheila looked up at the sound of her name, and a frown appeared on her face. She hissed and began to push her cart away. Kunle quickly moved and reached for her arm.
"Sheila please. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said all those things to you. Please, I beg you." He pleaded.
