Mmesoma was in awe when she arrived at her new employer’s home. It was a three bedroom duplex, beautifully furnished and equipped with the latest electronics and gadgets. She could tell she was going to have a swell time. She suffered in the hands of her former employer. But God was rewarding her with a better one.
The children, a set of twin boys and a pretty baby girl, hovered around her at first sight. She liked them immediately. She never had problems taking care of children. They always seemed to like her and do her every bidding.
"What’s your name?” the twins seemed eager to know her.
She smiled at them, “I am Mmesoma Obi, what are your names?”
“I am Chinonso Briggs, you can call me Nonso,” the twin with a dark brown birth mark on his right ear said confidently.
Mmesoma nodded in affirmation. “Pleased to meet you, Nonso.”
The boy grinned from ear to ear.
“Mine is Chidozie Briggs, everyone calls me Dozie,” the other twin said.
She turned to him, noting how difficult it was to tell him apart from his brother. But the fact that he was the only one with a cropped curly hair, she would be able to tell them apart.
“You both have good names. What’s your sister’s name?” her gaze drifted to the pretty fair baby girl.
“Adanne!” the boys choroused.
At the sound of her name, the girl looked in their direction, then she twirl and started to laugh.
Lianater returned to the sitting room. She noticed the way the new maid was talking to the children. They seemed to like her.
“Once you have met my husband, you can freshen up in your room, change and join us for dinner.”
Mmesoma adjusted when she heard the woman’s voice. She didn’t know when she re-entered the room.
“Thank you, ma.” From the corner of her left eye, she sighted someone walking down the stairway.
“You must be Mmesoma,” his baritone voice filled the room.
Her shy gaze scanned him from hair to toes. She noted his cropped curly hair, just like one of the twins. “Yes, I am, sir.”
“Welcome to our humble home,” he came to stand beside his wife.
“Thank you, sir,” she lowered her eyes and stared at her sandals. She should have guessed that the man would turn out to be an handsome person. The children were easy on the eyes. And Lianater was a pretty woman.
“Do you believe in God?”
The girl nodded and added without raising her head, “Yes, sir. I am a born again Christian.”
The couple exchanged glances.
“You can go to your room now. Dinner will be ready in the next thirty minutes,” Lianater leaned against her husband.
"Okay, ma,” Mmesoma picked up her luggage.
“Come with us, we know your room,” the twins leaped towards the exit.
The girl chuckled and followed them.
Lianater looked at her husband. “What do you think?”
He shrugged. “Time will tell.”
She bit at her lower lip. “True. I hope she is as hardworking as Amina.”
"What’s for dinner? I am farmished.”
A mischievous grin enveloped her face. “Guess…”
Ike groaned. “I am too hungry to take a guess ma’am.”
Lianater pulled him by the hand, “I cooked one of your favourite meals.”
"Really?” his mouth began to water.
“Yep. I took my time to prepare oha soup with goat meat and I made some garri too. It has a lot of starch in it. You will enjoy it.”
He placed one hand on his head. “Hey, my tummy is rumbling already.”
She laughed. “I can hear the volcanic eruptions.”
He laughed too when his tummy made more sounds.
xxxxxx
Mmesoma lay on her bed, her phone was firmly placed on one ear. “Mama, I am so lucky this time around. My new bosses are very rich! The woman is working with NTA and the husband is an Engineer, working with Julius Berger.”
“Thank God! At least, they will be able to pay your salary without spinning stories,” her mother’s voice was filled with joy.
“Mama, they are even paying me double. That’s my former salary times two!”
“Jesus! Chineke!”
“God is so, so good, mama.”
“Yes, indeed, he is. I am so, so happy for you. Your salary will sort out a lot of things.”
“Mama, they said I can go back to school if I want to and I can also learn a trade or a skill if I want to.”
“Chi mo! This people are truly God sent. My God will bless them for me.”
"I don’t even know what to choose, mama. All of a sudden, I am confused.”
"You will do everything. They want to assist you. This is the opportunity you have been praying for. You will enroll for GCE and retake your examinations. That way, you can have your certificate. God willing, they might sponsor your university education.”
The girl sat up. “That is so true, mama. This couple are kind.”
“Then, you can enrol for tailoring or make up or hair styling in a good center. That way, you are prepared for life, be it white collar opportunities or running your own business.”
She thought of what she would choose between tailoring and hair styling. “That is true, mama.”
"I want you to work very hard for this people. That way, they will always be ready to assist you.”
"Trust me, mama.”
“Don’t allow this your coconut head to get you in trouble.”
Mmesoma hissed. “Haba, mama.”
“Am I lying?”
She felt a bit offended. Why was her mother spoiling her good mood? “Mama, goodnight. I have a lot to do in the morning."
"Wait first. See, you said you are in an estate. That means all these layabout boys will be there. Please don’t get distracted over there.”
"I won’t,” she lay back on the bed.
“I know my daughter is a beautiful girl. And you will always get the attention of men, both young and old, but be careful.”
She remembered how men used to flock around her in the neighbourhood she grew up, both young and old, single and married.
"I am always careful.”
"Goodnight, my daughter.”
“Goodnight, mama."
She threw the phone on the bed and sighed heavily. Her mother was always full of worries. She turned on her side and closed her eyes. Images of Ike filled her mind’s eye. The man was so handsome and fit. Her employer was so lucky to have dragged such a man to the altar. She hoped in the near future, she would also be able to get someone like Ike. It would really be a dream come true!
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