CHRONICLES OF THE HELPS:PART 10

 
“She looks so beautiful…”
 
Ike glanced at his wife briefly. Her dark brown eyes seemed to glow with unshed tears. He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Then returned his attention to the newly wedded couple who were dancing with their families. He watched the way Deji held Amina. And the way she looked up at him. They were both beaming and laughing. Their joy was contagious.
 
“I am happy that she is happy.”
 
“Me too,” Lianate rested her head on her husband’s shoulder.
 
Ike groaned inwardly. The massive head-tie on his wife’s head looked like a swan and it was partially obstructing his view.
 
“Oh my God!” She gasped.
 
He raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
 
She sat up straight and turned, so she could face him. “Amina is now happily married.”
 
He nodded, patiently waiting for her to articulate what was bothering her.
 
“We are going to need a new maid.”
 
Ike blinked several times. the realization of their new predicament washed over him. The twins turned six years recently and Adanne clocked a year a few weeks back. The children were still too young to fend for themselves if both parents were absent. His wife’s job at NTA had no specific closing hour frame, due to the department she was working at. Sometimes she returned home as early as two in the afternoon, and other times, she came home around six in the evening. There was a time she came home as late as he did, because of some of the new programs the television station was televising that period. She loved her job and there was no way he was going to ask her to quit. A happy wife equates a happy husband.
 
Amina had been wonderful and he wasn’t sure anyone else would be able to replace her. She started out as their maid, but she became like their little sister overtime. There was nothing they wouldn’t do for her. All she needed to do was ask.
 
Lianate got up slowly. “I need to find mum. She helped us before. I think she will be able to help us again.”
 
“Okay…” Ike hoped the new maid would be as godly and hardworking as Amina.
 
xxxxxx
 
Six-year-old Chinonso and Chidozie ran into Amina’s arms. She held them close and fought against the tears that blinded her.
 
“Mum says you are not coming back to Abuja with us,” Nonso pouted his lips.
 
“Why don’t you want to come back with us? Don’t you like us anymore?” Dozie added.
 
Amina felt a lump stuck in her throat, making her unable to speak coherently. “I am going to live in Lagos now, with my husband, and my baby,” she rubbed her tummy.
 
The boys’ eyes fell on her growing tummy.
 
“Why can’t you live in Abuja with your husband?” Nonso eyed Deji, who was standing a few feet away. He waved at the boy.
 
The new bride breathed out loudly. “Don’t worry, I will visit as often as I can. And both of you can also visit with Adanne.”
 
The twins shared a glance.
 
“I am going to miss you,” Dozie hugged her tightly.
“Me too,” Nonso stepped into her warm embrace.
 
“I am going to miss you more,” Amina allowed the tears to flow. The boys and their family were going to remain in a special part of her heart forever and ever.
 
xxxxxx
 
Adanne started to cry when she saw her mother.
 
“Cry-cry,” Vero eyed her. “You were fine in my arms before your mother showed up. Now, you are acting like someone kidnapped you.”
 
Lianate laughed and scooped the girl in her arms. The baby stopped crying almost immediately.
 
Vero hissed and eyed the girl again. “You better remain with your mother henceforth.”
 
She pulled a chair and sat beside her mother. “Mum, now that Amina is married, we are going to need a new help.”
 
Her mother sipped from her drink. “I have thought about that too.”
 
Lianate brightened.
 
“I will give you the number of an agency. They are very good at match-making families with good maids,” she drained her glass of champman.
 
The younger woman leaned against the chair. “I hope they can find us someone like Amina.”
 
Her mother chuckled. “No two human are the same. Everyone is different.”
 
Lianate bit at her lower lip. “I know, but…”
 
Vero placed a hand on her shoulder. “Just pray that God will take care of all that concerns you, regardless of the kind of help you employ.”
 
Her daughter sighed heavily, lost in deep thought.
 
xxxxxx
 
Amina and Deji waved at their family and friends as the vehicle mounted speed. The couple were happy that the ceremony started and ended well.
 
“Are you ready for our honeymoon, Mrs. Williams?” Deji winked at his wife.
 
“Yes, my darling, I am super excited,” she mimicked the voice of an American woman.
 
They both laughed.
 
“I am so happy that God brought me to Abuja to find you, the bone of my bone and the flesh of my flesh,” his passionate gaze bore into her shy ones.
 
She wrapped her arms around him. “I am happy too.”
 
Deji leaned closer and kissed her till they were both out of breath.