CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT
Written by: Onyneka Abel
***EPISODE 5***
I pretended like I didn’t hear him at all..because I could feel vodka thunder eyes on me..I tell you if eyes had bullets that girl would have shot me till she made sure I had no breathe left
I quickly turned to leave
“Bukky..”
He called out again..it was way obvious now because everyone in the hall heard him call me..I had to reply..
“S..ir ..good morning sir”
I turned to leave again
“How are you?”
Oluwa help me o.
“Na by force to answer again..or was he doing this on purpose?”
I thought and tried as much to avoid vodka eyes
“Am fine sir”
It seemed he noticed I wasn’t comfortable with vodka presence.. So he didn’t stop me when I hurried off..
I stayed in my secret room…all through the day..designing and drawing out patterns..I was tired already but I picked out one of the pattern and started sewing..I just needed to escape vodka for the whole day..I knew she must be searching for me..and I was right..the moment I stepped out to get something to eat she thundered my name from behind..it was like thunder struck me from behind..
“Follow me”
I did.. Like I had no choice..she took me to her crew..those who laughed me to scorn the first day they met me at the gate.
“Jovita..franca..meet the pig who has been promoted”
They both stopped their make up to stare at me..and in unison they burst out laughing..
“OK quickly..Clean our shoes..”
They handed shoes with no specific number.. Of different quality
“Be careful.They are worth more than your penniless life OK?”
Vodka warned..I refused to let the tears drop.. I smiled and went to work..
“Leave that..wipe the mirrors clean”
I did as well..you know God fights for you everytime..especially when you need him to visit some people. I wished in my heart that she should miss her step and fall hard when walking.. And it happened my dear reader..she fell while charging at me for not cleaning her silver shoe to her taste..my people I had to laugh to my satisfaction o..
“Are you mad?! Have you forgotten your place! You bloody cleaner!”
She raised her hand to slap me
“Bukky!”
Jeremy again.. Wait what was his problem self..he was the reason I got into this mess in the first place..but at least he saved Vodka because if she had slapped me..well..my hands are not withered
“Bukky come with me..my mother wants to see you”
What?! Now now..his mother.. Wait marriage?
“Your mother sir?”
I had to ask to be sure o..
He smiled when he noticed I didn’t understand
“Madam Clara wants to see you”
He explained.. Oh my God..he is madam Clara’s son?
****************
I tailed him from behind..I didn’t want him to ask me anything so its best I observed a little distance..I was certain he noticed.. He didn’t say anything till when we got to the office
“I am not eating you bukky”
He said before he opened the door to let me in first.i met madam Clara examining the gown I had been sewing..she turned to see both of us with glimmer in her eyes
“My dear you did this?”
She questioned with smiles on her face
“Yes, ma but I am not true yet”
I emphasised on the “I am not true yet” just in case she concluded that it was a disaster..
“My God”
My mind was running with different thoughts..was is that bad?..I tried to look at prince charming with my cornered eyes but his eyes were on me like torchlight so I quickly averted my eyes..
“This is superb”
My face brimmed with smiles
“You are a pretty girl”
Jeremy commented..my smile seized immediately.. It was the same words Goliath had told me before he tried to rape me..what does this one want now?
Isn’t she mum?”
He questioned Madam Clara
“Of course she is..and talented as well”
Madam Clara replied still checking out the silver coloured gown.
“Then what is she doing as a cleaner?”
Jeremy questioned further..
“Jeremy am on it..I had wanted her to wait for a year but with this I am seeing..am thinking in two months she should finish her training and get out there..she would be the face of this house..I need pretty and talented people”
“See as mama and pikin dey gossip me for my presence” I thought..I really didn’t understand the good news until Jeremy explained
“Won’t you thank mummy..you would be a model in 2months!”
“Eh?”.. It was like I didn’t hear well..
Tears dropped from my eyes..I was looking for the right word to thank her but my mouth opened and nothing came out
”awwwnn come here dear”
She called to me and opened her arms to hug me..I cried because it was the only way I could express myself.
**************
But now it became another battle ground..the battle for the fittest..
Madam Clara stopped me from being a cleaner immediately.. Did I tell you that Vodka was the face of the house..and that she had won the award for over five years?..
“Girls gather around..Bukky would be counted among you girls as a model..and of course participate in the competition next year”
Madam Clara dropped the bombshell..the room went cold..Vodka was broken..she quietly got up…stopped at my front and gave me that malicious look before she walked out..wetin concern me..?..who she help???
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