Lianate was super happy when the agency called to inform her that they had vetted a lot of girls. And she could come and select one of them and employ as her maid.
She left work early, drove to the agency office and met with the office manager, Mrs. Shalewa Adams.
“We have about a dozen girls. They are from different parts of the country,” the dark skinned woman led her into a larger room.
Lianate nodded her head, eyes darting left, then right, she spotted the girls seated across the room. They were dark, fair, brown skinned girls. Some tall, others short and a few average in height. One or two were fat, while the rest were slim and some were quiet skinny.
“They have been vetted. They can cook, clean and run errands. They are also very good with children. They have all been taken to the clinic for proper check-ups. None of them is pregnant or sick,” the woman watched her.
Lianate remained silent, looking from one girl to the other, till her scrutinizing gaze fell on a slim, fair skinned girl. She had an innocent face and seemed like she had not been eating well for a long time.
Mrs. Shalewa followed her client’s stare and smiled. “That’s Mmesoma. She is twenty years.”
The girl sat up straight and bowed her head when she heard her name. She was beyond happy that the client noticed her. Many had come in that day, but they picked other girls. She really needed the job badly. She had four younger ones to support. Her father was late and her mother sold vegetables in the market. Her daily gains were barely enough to feed six mouths. With a good salary, they would have a better life.
She met the woman’s glance. “What’s her expectations?”
The office manager blinked. “Expectations?”
“Aside from the basic salary?”
The woman’s dark eyes brightened, having caught on, on what her client was insinuating. “Oh! Oh wow! It all depends on your generousity.”
Her gaze returned to the girls. She wondered how long they have all been waiting to be employed. “My husband and I would love to fill in the gaps, educationally, if she wants to go back to school. Or if she wants to learn a handwork, we are ready to support.”
Mrs. Shalewa clapped her hands in excitement. “That will be wonderful!”
The girls began to murmur among themselves. And many cast jealous glances at Mmesoma.
The girl’s heart beat wildly. Everything she heard the woman say was too good to be true. She felt like she had just won a lottery that had multiple benefits.
“I wish we have more clients like you and your husband,” the woman sounded grateful.
“These girls cannot work as maids forever.”
Mrs. Shalewa sighed heavily. “Truly… they can’t,” she didn’t like seeing girls on the streets, jobless and aimless with no future to look forward to.
Her concerned stare returned to the girls. “We are doing our bit, hoping to change one life at a time.”
“Yes, yes, in this way, by the time they stop working as maids, they will be equipped enough to start their own lives.”
“Exactly.”
“God will bless you both.”
“Amen!”
“Please come with me, there are some paper work you need to fill.”
“All right then,” Lianate followed the woman out of the room.
Mmesoma could hardly contain her joy. She would be working for a young couple who will not only pay her salary, but also sponsor her education or pay for her to learn a trade. Her mother would be ecstatic at the news. Her last employer was a shrewd. She paid her a paltry some and was unconcerned about her welfare. She prayed inwardly for the woman that introduced her to the agency. Things were definitely going to change for her and her family.
The girl heard the others whispering. They were obviously gossiping about her and probably insinuating that she didn’t deserve to be employed by the nice client. She was unbothered about the ones who were looking at her with envy. It was her luck and their loss. Her lips spread in a crooked smile.
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