Chap 11

There was absolute silence again.

After minutes, we all were done eating except Abam who was slicing his bread into tiny bits so as to last longer.

"Ma'am, I'd like to discuss something with you" I said drying my hands on my pyjamas.

"Yes dear!" Mrs Maya said giving me her attention.

  Eva was staring same with Abam.

   How I hate their stares!

They were trying to eavesdrop.... Nonsense!

"Err.... well..... Actually, I'd like to get a job. I hate sitting around being idle.... secondly, I'd like to change my notes.." I explained.

"Please, boy, you can stay here for some time" Mrs Maya pleaded.

"No,I need to work....I feel uneasy whenever I'm home..." I said biting my nails.

"As you wish boy, but Eva will help you out..... Eva won't you?" she asked her gaze on Eva.

"Yeah sure!" She said straightening her long curly afro hair.

"Abam, go and open the shop, I'll join you later" Mrs Maya said, gathering the plates so as for her to keep in the kitchen.

    I never wanted to go with Eva, 'cause I knew she'd tease me.

Well, I had no other option than to follow her. I went up to my room, took my bath and as usual, Eva was called to dress my wound, which was done and I was ready to go with my Nigerian notes.

First of all, we went to the bank where my naira notes were changed. Then went far and near, till I was fortunate to get a job as a receptionist in a big beverage industry.  Who wouldn't be happy with 70,000 cedis...??

"So how would you repay me in the future for the trouble you've caused me??" Eva asked breaking the long term silence.

"Thank you!'"

"Not just thank you, you have to do whatever I say!" she said, with no emotion attached to her voice.

"Like?" I asked walking side by  side with her admiring her wondrous beauty.

"For now, you're wounded you can't do anything for me!"

"OK" I answered unsure of what she'd ask me to do in the future.

  Eva was a girl I could never understand you see... she could be happy in the next three minutes and then all of a sudden go bunkers. nothing ever surprises her. that alone, GETS ME OFF  THE TRACK.... nothing seems funny to her, when you see her laugh, just know she wants to please you or maybe she's actually happy.. She's a school dropout like me,, but wasn't out of school because of financial  instability. They were financially stable.

I wanted to go to school but I didn't want to be a burden on the family.

* * * *      * * * *    * * * *     * * * *    * * * *   * * * *    * * * *

The next morning, I started working.

I'd work from 7:30am to 6pm.

"Afternoon guys" I greeted ascending the stairs.

"Are you Francis?" A young fair lady in her twenties asked.

"Yeah ma'am, I'm to serve to as a receptionist in the industry....I came yesterday!!" I explained stammering trying to pick the right grammar for my sentence.

"OK! you can wait here, while I go inform the manager that you're here... so that you'll get your uniform" she said with a wide grin, entering the office, after being ushered in by the manager.

"Francis, you're needed in here!" she grinned once more.

"Thanks!" I said, making my way into the office.

Yeah... yeah..... yeah...I was nervous...

I mean this wasn't Lagos where I could sarcastically talk to  the manager.

I bent my head in respect or maybe in shame...

"Morning Francis" he greeted toying with his pen looking up to me.

"Err... sorry, forgive me my manners. Good Morning" I mumbled apologizing for not greeting him.