Happy And Free Spirited

Ebitari thanked Lanre for her help. But one thing she could not understand was why Lanre had to give her entire salary for the year to her family. Does that mean she would become more like a slave for the next seven months? And she will be working to pay back Lanre instead of working to get paid?

As if Lanre could hear her thoughts, Lanre clicked her tongue and shook her head. She told Ebitari to stop worrying, she will only be collecting the money each month by removing one-third of Ebitari’s salary every month. And once she has removed fifty percent of the money she had sent to Ebitari’s family, then she would no longer cut out the money from her salary. She would consider it that Ebitari has paid her money to her.

Ebitari looked a bit confused. If Lanre was only cutting out fifty percent out of the two hundred and fifty thousand she sent her family, what will happen to the remaining fifty percent? Will she have to pay it later? Why did Lanre only say fifty percent?

Lanre stood up and told her to stop thinking. She should know what she is owing her is only fifty percent. The rest of the money has nothing to do with her. Lanre told her she could leave since she herself needed to go home since they were closed for the day. Ebitari was baffled. She had barely seen Lanre around since she resumed work. And it was not like she has worked in Lanre’s shop for two weeks not to even mention a month. She considered this generosity as a blessing. She went on her knees and started thanking Lanre as tears kept falling from her eyes. Lanre snarled at her.

“Will you stop this rubbish crying and leave? I mean, you are not a kid to be crying like one!” Lanre said to Ebitari who while still thanking Lanre left. Ebitari vowed to return Lanre’s favour one day. She promised she would work with all her heart and make sure she gives her utmost respect to Lanre. Even though Lanre sounded insultive, it was the exact dose of medicine her family needed Lanre meted out to them. That day, for the first time in a long time since she grew up from being a child, she slept well. She had never been so relieved as she felt. And she really hoped her elder brother was shameful enough to sit himself down, think about his life and make a decision to become useful.

“This one you are happy today, you win lottery?” Sharon asked Ebitari the following morning when they were preparing to go to work. Ebitari smiled.

“Sharon, thanks! I know you were the one that told madam about my habit of crying at nights. Thank you so much! You just saved a soul!” Ebitari said hugging Sharon taking her off balance.

“Hey! Do you want to fall me?” Sharon exclaimed. But she realised Ebitari was indeed happy and free spirited that morning, so she hugged her back.