Mr. Charles had almost reached his village in his peaceful slumber when a loud bang from the gate jolted him awake.
Startled, he glanced at the wall clock, surprised by the time.
"Who dey there? Who dey knock like that?" he called out in his sleep-induced voice, heading towards the gate.
Opening the gate, he saw the angry face of his Oga's house help. "Ahan.. Yaayi. So that was you banging on the gate like that?"
Yaayi entered after he opened the door and muttered an apology to the old man.
"I'm sorry, sir. Some unfortunate being I encountered at the mall got me livid," she explained, knowing that when Mr. Charles resorted to English instead of the pidgin he used daily, there was surely fire on the mountain.
"My dear child, if everyone were to be livid at everything the world hurls at them daily, they will never have a good night's sleep. Besides, people would age faster with such a frown," he smiled.
"Mind you, that is why I never look my age, for I keep on smiling despite the odds I have encountered in life!" Mr. Charles finished, his eyes glowing.
Moved by his words, Yaayi hugged him tightly, reminiscing about her conversations with her dad.
"Thank you, sir. I really needed that," she said, releasing him, while Mr. Charles, embarrassed but touched, mumbled that it was nothing.
"Madam has been complaining of your lateness. Go and meet her. She must need something," he reminded her.
"I'll do that," Yaayi said, hastening her footsteps towards the house but taking a moment to compose herself before facing her boss.
Later, at Mrs. Yomi's door, Yaayi knocked and entered after receiving consent. "You sent for me, ma'm?"
"What took you so long? Or did you visit one of your many boyfriends in the neighborhood? And don't call me ma'm, it makes me feel older," Mrs. Yomi snapped.
"Get me that pain killers over there. You've started to give me headaches"
Yaayi nodded silently as she retrieved the painkillers. Mrs. Yomi took them with water, motioning for Yaayi to leave afterward.
In the kitchen, Yaayi cleaned up and prepared dinner while noises from the living room drifted in.
Gradually, a man's voice joined in, followed by Mrs. Yomi's laughter, Yaayi guessed they were watching TV.
Soon, footsteps approached the kitchen, and a male voice startled her.
"So you are the new girl."
Yaayi hissed in surprise, turning to see the owner of the voice.
"You!" She bellowed, shocked, her brown eyes going wide.
"You!" Folu returned, equally surprised to encounter Yaayi again.
"Were you never taught not to creep up behind someone, sir? Someone could faint of fright, you know!" Yaayi retorted, her eyes flashing.
Amused, Folu grinned, noting Yaayi's strong demeanor and did not in any way believe that the girl was someone that could easily swoon.
Maybe easy to keep malice, with the kind of eyes she was sparing him.
"And who are you? What are you doing here? Madam doesn't allow strangers into the kitchen, you know? And you are clearly trespassing out of the business you must have come here for"
"Hello to you too. I'm Folu.... The man replied, unruffled with her questions, stretching out his hand.
"Yaayi. She returned, ignoring the outstretched hand.
"The madam's son, as you clearly called her a while ago" He finished, smiling, tucking his hand back on his side.
"Oh! I'm sorry, sir! Welcome. Would you care for a drink? How about you go to the living room? I'll bring it there for you and madam"
Folu almost laughed out loud at her sudden change in behaviour.
The girl moved around the kitchen not knowing what to take first.
"Yes! Saucer. She reminded herself and cursed her mouth that ran without caution. Praying it wouldn't make her lose her job.
To add to her discomfort, that man stood there. No. The madam's son! Definitely enjoying putting her to such predicament.
He wasn't fat one bit like she had thought. And spotted no jelly curls.
He must have got his looks from his father. Yaayi had once seen the man's picture. He didn't look one bit like his mother. Mrs Yomi was a lost cause in the looks department.
She imagined the man knowing the thoughts running through her mind concerning his mother. She won't spend another day here!
"Do you need help? Folu asked trying to ease her restlessness.
"No. Not at all! Cursing him for having not returned to the living room.
She dropped the saucer and handed him a chilled cup of grape juice.
He collected it taking some little sips.
"I didn't get your name that time. What was it you called it?
"Yaayi, sir.
"Northerner? Getting more amused at her attempt at giving him respect.
"Yes, sir.
"You don't sound like one" He almost pinched himself with the reaction he got from her. The girl was really offended on his comments about her accent.
"Whatever do you mean sir? That we are not as educated as you are? You are wrong!
"Sorry. That came out wrong. I meant you speak too well for a nort... He stopped himself with the eyes that met his. He would try to not mention the northern people if he wanted to be on her good book. She was clearly touchy about them.
"My father had us educated.
"Us?
"My brother and I" She clarified.
"He was a respectable man who believed in any form of acquiring knowledge" Yaayi defended strongly. Remembering her discussion one time with her dad about going to a fashion school almost brought tears to her eyes.
"He was? Referring to his reference in the past tense.
"He died in the ambush that ravaged our village some years back" She replied not meeting his eyes, becoming emotional.
"I'm sorry for that" He consoled, feeling bad for making her remember some not fun memories.
"And it was nice meeting you" He waited, clearly out of words.
Taking a deep breath, he straighten from his position.
"Well, you seem intelligent. And I hope you stayed long and not turn tail and run like the rest"
He finished and exited the kitchen, after placing his cup on the nearby counter.
Yaayi stared after him very confused about his last retort.