Chapter Four
CAROLINE
I walked into the flower shop, it's been Raining all day, and I was practically wet. The weather does not look nice at all. It's still all cloudy, and the florist is late again.
Looking around, I shrugged. God knows I had this gut feeling that something would go down today, but I can't seem to put a finger on it.
I placed my bag on my desk and walked straight into the changing room, changing out of my wet clothes.
Thank God I always keep spares in here, just in case I get too dirty or something.
I released my hair from the shower cap and headed for the cold room.
Inside the cold room, I shivered because I was cold
I checked the flowers as quickly as I could. I noted they were all in good condition.
The A/C is working well. I walk out of the cold room
Just as I walked back into the showroom, the florist rushed in.
"I am so sorry I am late." There was terrible traffic on my way here." She said, and I just nodded.
I am tired of all her excuses. They range from traffic to headaches to mother being sick and brother refusing to help with T fare, if you know what I mean, I am just tired.
She makes this excuse, forgetting that we both ply the same route.
I can't place why she refuses to comply with a simple instruction of being here before I come to arrange the flowers, cut the dying edges and get them ready for delivery.
I am to inspect her job when she is through, Pushing both to save delivery if I must.
Anyway, once the MD of the flower shop returns from her trip abroad, things around the shop will change.
She will have to adjust to the normal working conditions.
"Regina, can I talk to you about something?" I asked seriously, and her facial expression became serious.
"Yes, ma." She said
"What happened to the cold room yesterday? Why was Mr Ambrose's flower arrangement practically dead at nine A.M when it was delivered?"
She looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language.
"I told you to produce the flower at seven in the morning for fresh-looking flower delivery; what happened?"
"I did in the evening before to avoid the morning rush, then put it in the cold room," she answered.
"Did you close the cold room door?" I asked frantically
"I did," she answered, a little physically shaking. I knew she was lying. Yesterday, the guard mentioned that he had seen the door of the cold room open when he came in.
"You did, then why were the flowers dead? Mr Ambrose's secretary returned the flowers at five yesterday. Do you know that?" I asked angrily, my voice dangerously low, but she could hear me.
"I do not know," she said, covering her mouth with her hand.
" I had to sell it to a customer and probably lose that customer forever," I said.
"God knows I am tired of covering for your loss. So tell me, what happened yesterday? Why was the flower dead?"
"I do not know." She said once again
"If you give me an 'I don't know answer again, I will take some drastic measure against you," I said in a low voice, and she kept quiet.
"Ok, fine, I would like you to put your reasons for coming late to work in a written form and let me have it today." She looked shocked
"Ma, are you quarrying me?"
"I want the written answer on my table by noon today." With that said, I walked straight to my table at the corner of the showroom, where I could easily see who was coming in and went out and sat down, bringing out the order list and sorting it.
Then space out
Past
I inserted the key into the lock and opened the door.
I took some slow steps into the room, and when I noticed she didn't make a move, I looked back at her and smiled.
She was waving me over, indicating I should go in like there was some bug or demon I needed to wave off before she could come in to inspect.
I looked back into the room, dismissing her as well.
There is a Waldrop at each corner of the room with space on top for extra luggage.
A bunk of two sleepers is placed closed. There is a Wardrop and a reading table close to the bed.
The bed covers are beautiful bed sheets, and the wallpaper has a painting of the ocean.
The wallpaper stood to match the drips by the window. I fell in love with the room immediately.
My joy was short-lived when I remembered I had to share this beautiful room with more than six girls.
I wish I knew where these girls originated from.
My experience of living in a dorm back in secondary school had taught me all I needed to know about living with people I knew nothing of their background.
I walked deeper into the room, amazed by the beauty of the room.
I turned around and noticed Safarat was yet to move her perfectly beautifully shaped legs and followed me in, so I waved to her to come in.
I was glad her jaw dropped as she stepped into the room.
"This room is so perfect!" She exclaimed.
"It's just perfect for me and you, don't you think?" she said, clapping her hands and jumping.
My face fell as I looked at her.
"It is, but we have to share this room with six or more students if there is more than one squatter, you know," I said, looking straight into her eyes.
"That's easy. I will just have to buy everyone out. People need money, especially students," she said confidently, dancing, clapping and skipping around the room. She reminds me of my little ferry stories.
Now I know she will pay for it.
I knew she couldn't buy any students off, except she wanted to sell her space to them and move out of the hostel.
She can get one or two current roommates to sell their space, ones who had other options, but unfortunately, I know most of the students are like me.
I have no other option, and I can't afford to pay rent, so I am stuck here like most students,
"How much will you buy this space from our intended roomies? I asked her
'The same amount I paid to the school.' she replied with the same energy.
"Then I am afraid most of them won't bulge. Think of it. Where will they stay with the money you are offering? Except here in this hostel?" She studied her nails for a while.
"I will find a way," she said with a new determination lighting up her eyes.
She pushed herself off the wall and walked to a corner.
I followed her with my eyes, hoping I had something to read into her head and fished out her plans.
"Don't just stand there. Come, let's pick our Waldrop and corners." She walked down the room to a corner and chose the last Waldrop to my right,
I spun around quickly, walking toward her. Once there, I chose the corner to my left.
I brought a water maker out and signed my name on the Waldrop and lower bed sleeper.
I wrote, 'occupy by me,' then signed my name under the write-up. I looked back at my handwork and felt satisfied.
I handed over the marker to her, and she did the same.
I am sure I have secured my sleeping space in the hostel for a year.
Waking up early paid off, although I know I would still be on that line if she had not helped me out,
"Girl, thanks so much for all this. My hands fly up in gesture.
"If not for you, I would still be on that line," I called her girl because I do not remember the name she told me.
"The name is Safarat." she smiled, and I looked shocked.
She did smile with that knowing look,
I wondered how she caught me, how did she know I could not remember her name.
Recovering quickly, I said. "Safarat," Rolling her name on my tongue, her smile widened.
"I promised not to forget the name again," I said, returning her heartfelt smile with one of my own
I had expected any other response from her, but not this.
She just busted into laughter, making me feel like a fool. Sensing my discomfort, she stopped and gave me a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, my name is not one of the popular ones, and I am used to people forgetting it. Don't worry. There are four years of practice ahead of you.