CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT
Written by: Onyeneke Abel
***EPISODE 3***
Later that night.. Lizzy, the manager and the securities marched into the ladies room where Annabel and myself were fast asleep..I had been with Annabel through out the day so when I heard the accusation it was just ridiculous..
“You think I didn’t see you when you took the money?” Lizzy said
“What?! Jesus! No oh I have been with Annabel through out o..Annabel tell them”
Well my dear reader.. People you trust most might just fail you..
“No oo..its not me and you”
She denied me flat.. To my face..
Before I could say another word..Lizzy slapped me
“Call the police” She ordered
“No”
The manger protested..
He was sad and disappointed..
“Bukky pack your things and Leave first thing tomorrow morning”
I was not given a chance to plead and explain myself…
“Bukky am sorry I was scared”
Annabel kept apologizing but of what use is it again? I wondered.
The next morning as I walked out..Lizzy ran after me..
“Lizzy you know I didn’t steal that money..its not fair”
She said something that took me through all my hard times in life
“Thats it dear..life is never fair”
I starred at her devilish smile and with the hurt I made a Promise
“You would clean my shoes one day..this I promise you”
She laughed at it but I meant it..
I was determined to make it out there..it is now the survival of the fittest..
**************
I slept under the bridge for 3days..searching for a job to no avail..I wonder how it was easy to get the first one..
until one day when I was walking about as usual, I came across my dream..it was boldly written
“House of earl fashion”… A fashion house!!
I don’t know how but I must get in there..
I dust my clothes.. I had to plead for pure water to wash my face..and then I rushed over there..
The security won’t let me in..of course I wasn’t presentable..what do I do?
OK I decided to wave at every car I saw going in and out of the house.. Some laughed and some stopped to give me money.. But no one could help me get in..
Until one stopped and I was beginning to think she was my saviour but she asked
”Who is this pig?”
I pointed at myself, “Me?”
She was actually asking the security why they let a pig stand at the gate of a fashion house..
I noticed they were three of them
But I have suffered sha..me pig?..
Well I won’t blame them..I really did look like a pig.. I bodly approach them
“Shuuuuhhh”
The girl handling the steering shouted and waved me off like I was a fly
“Vodka come on now..she is a human being”
The lady sitting at the back seat corrected
“Chai God bless you sister
I blest her in my mind
“Although she smells so bad..
***************
After they had mocked me to their satisfaction..they left strict instructions with the security to make sure I was metres away from the house..l felt like crying but I wouldn’t let the tears drop..I had trek back everyday from my bridge home to the fashion house..it was really very far but I wasn’t giving up because my dear reader..life doesn’t give you what you deserve but what you demand..
It was a week now.. I had arrived there again to try my luck when I noticed a kid running out of the house..I couldn’t tell if the young lad was playing or crying but I could tell he was about to lose his precious life..a speeding car approached as he made an attempt to cross over..then I saw a woman rush out of the House shouting after the boy..there was no time to think if I would lose my life in the process..I rushed and drew the kid back..well it was rather too late for me..it was just a brush but the force knocked me off balance..that was the last I remembered..the next moment I opened my eyes I felt eyes all over me..men in white..
“God am I dead?”
I questioned aloud in fear..you won’t blame me nah..my vision was still blur a little..and I was seeing people on white..
“Na die be that nah” I thought in fear
“No dear relax..you are not”
My vision became clear now..mtcheeeww..other were just doctors.
Thank God..minutes later a woman walked in with her husband as I noticed..I remembered she was the woman running after the little boy..
“Please my dear..name anything you want..is it money? Anything.. You saved my only son”
She was becoming remorseful..well I didn’t mean to be too ambitious but I believe you know what was on my mind
“Madam..please just get me into the fashion house..I want to work there”
She wiped her tears and starred at my desperate eyes.. She looked back at her husband who offered a go ahead smile..
“Is that all you need?”
‘Hmm..na you ask me o..’
I thought.. I didn’t want to look too ambitious but she left me no choice..
“And if you could secure a place for me to sleep in the fashion house I would be most grateful”
She smiled..I know she would be happy I didn’t request to stay In her house.. You know how women like to protect their husband..
“OK..Clara is a good friend of mine..I can pull a few strings..what’s your qualification?”
She was a bit disappointed when I told her I had nothing but my application letter.. She did ask if I would Like to be a cleaner since I didn’t have a result to submit..I agreed.
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