MY ORDEAL✊✊
Episode 55.
“Dorothy, Uche called out after I couldn’t reply his question and I slowly lifted my head from the table,
“What is going on exactly? He asked.
“I don’t un-derstand what you mean by that, you know I really want to have my brothers back. Benson alre-ady made the step before he got fired from his work and……. “Benson got fired from his work how? I mean how come? He interrupted me and I heaved.
“Because he went to the village despite his boss asked him not to, I replied and Uche smiled.
“I was there last week or so, and I didn’t see him. But from what his boss told me, he said Benson left on his own saying he wants to settle in the city with something better. Besides Benson was only learning the mechanic work from him, who said he was working there? Uche asked and I was just looking at him, then I shook my head.
“His boss hates him and its obvious he is saying all of that so he won’t look bad to people. Can we change the t©pic now? I will find my brothers, don’t make me look like I have forgotten about them. Don’t forget they are my only family, I angrily said and Uche smiled nodding.
“No harm done, just concerned anyway, he said getting up but I looked away from him and he left the restaurant.
“I guess today won’t be good if I remain here, I nee-d to go, I said taking my bag in a hurry to leave, but my phone began to ring.
It was a strange number, I had to sit down to put myself in order so my mood won’t influence my voice, who knows if it is another contract on the way.
“Hello, i picked up but the background was noisy.
“Hello baby! I heard Benson shouted despite the noises.
“Benson? Where are you? I asked.
“Don’t worry baby I’ll call you back, he said very excited and dropped the call before I could say anything.
“Where could he be? I wondered for a while and was relieved at least he called.
I changed my mind from going home and went out to see what’s going on in the hall……..
At 8p.m I arrived home, and just approaching the door I was alre-ady hearing Treasure laughing ha-rd at only what God knows.
I cli-cked the handle but saw it was locked,
“Open o! I shouted hitting the door and Chinwe opened up.
“You been wan break the door ni? Chinwe asked.
“What were you both laughing about sef? I asked.
“Your head. Another birthday p@rty I guess? Chinwe asked.
“Sure, I replied pu-lling off my shoes and sat down tired.
“Welcome s£nior, Treasure said.
“Thanks baby. So what’s up with that stuff? Did you see her? I asked and Chinwe rolled her eyes and sat down..
“Yes I did, we asked some teachers there about her, and just as you said, they told us she resigned. And when that woman asked of how she can get her contact or something so we can reach her, a teacher said she died months ago, Chinwe replied.
“Are you serious? I asked surprised with what I just heard.
“That’s it, but the woman has promised to do all she can to investigate him more and see that he is brou-ght to book if any c0ckroach is found in his cu-pboard. But if you ask me, I want to do it alone. I had so much revenge in stock for that animal, Chinwe said.
“I know but I think God has channeled him to someone who will handle him well. Chinwe you haven’t reached that level yet, let her take up the fight, she is not only fighting for us but for her daughter too and she won’t let him hurt her or anyb©dy again. Big man is fighting with big man, let’s watch and see if it will go well, I said and Chinwe heaved.
“Her daughter is lucky anyway, we who have no mother to fight for us, what should we do? Chinwe asked and everywhere was quiet as I quic-kly remembered my mom.
I think for months now I’ve been so very busy that I didn’t have the plea-sure or the time to think about her, or even miss her.
I began to wonder if my mom were to be alive, will my life had turn to such a shape?
Or would it be more Better if she was with me? I just kept thinking that I felt a hand on my shoulder and it was Treasure.
I just smiled and nodded pretending to be strong,
“Don’t worry I’m fine, I said and looked at Chinwe who just sat lost and Treasure went to her too.
“If you both are this way, how do you want me to react? Treasure asked and Chinwe sniffed.
“Maybe once in a while we just have to remember them. You know when my mom will be telling me to call her mother, i was just thinking maybe she just wanted to be called mother or something. And when we relocated back to the village, she told me to call her aunty, with the excuse that she doesn’t want people to think she left to the city to get herself pregnant which I un-derstood.
There’s a lot she hid from me i which she never did, I am not like you both you know, my Case is just different and sad, Chinwe narrated.
“But what difference does it make? We are all orphans now succeeding together, now that’s important. So plea-se cut off this mood, there’s job on ground, I said.
“Really sister? Treasure asked.
‘Yea, did the alert shock you? I asked Chinwe.
“E shock me o, what’s it for? Chinwe asked and i told them everything.
“Plantain porridge? Jesus is Chineke it is too much na! Chinwe shouted and we bur-st out laughing.
“Mhen we nee-d more hands more than before sef, this one na commissioner o, I said.
“And today is Monday like this so, we really have to start planning and buying things o, Treasure said.
“Yes madam, I know it is sweeting you because you’re in,don’t worry you’ll cook the jellof yourself, i said getting up.
‘You taught me well nau, deal right? Jellof rice on me huh? Treasure asked.
“Not me and you biko, Una good night o, I said and left for my room while Chinwe has alre-ady begun her calculation………
That night I felt Chinwe tapped me but i was too tired to wake up,
“Your phone is ringing constantly, I heard Chinwe said but i ignored still slee-ping.
“Dorathy! They are robbing the restaurant! I heard Chinwe shout and I fearfully woke up to see it was a dream, a very bad one for that matter.
I’m sure the way i woke up must have made Chinwe opened her eyes looking at me,
“Bad dream? She asked and i nodded.
“Dream your dream that side o, no hit me again next time o, Chinwe said and backed me while I stepped down to ease myself ignoring her.
I took my phone when i returned and no saw missed calls and i kept it back and covered my head so worried about such a dream knowing that about 200,000 naira is in my office. And if my restaurant is to be robbe-d, the drinks there is more than 200,000 naira which is a hvge sum of money.
I didn’t know the next step to do, i felt like praying, but then i thought someone like me God won’t even remember my name anymore because I’ve forgotten about him long ago.
I just had to lie back and sleep, maybe tiredness causes bad dream like that; i thought……
The next morning i was the first to wake up in the house, the night was so terrible from one nightmare to another.
I rushed out to the restaurant very early and saw the girls cooking,I looked around and saw the restaurant was okay.
I just joined them in the cooking even when they wondered why i c@m£ so early after trusting them with that responsibility knowing i taught them well.
I only told them i missed cooking that’s all, they don’t nee-d to know more than that anyway.
As customers began coming in the morning, that was when i heard there was serious armed robbery going on in the area, a big time one that the gangs attem-pted entering banks.
Hearing that just changed my mood as I remembered my dreams, they weren’t good at all and something very close to it almost happened that it was just a miracle according to the customer that the area my restaurant is was spared.
I went into my office and paced around so worried, the last dream I got before seeing it was morning was about my uncle and my brothers. It wasn’t a good one at all and i feared for what is going to happen.
“plea-se God, same way you saved my restaurant plea-se do same to my brothers i beg you, I heard myself prayed after so many months.
TBC