Chapter 2: Chapter 2
I watched as she tried to free her arms from my hold, but with my tight grip, I know she wouldn't be able to until I decided to let go myself. "Why are you quite? Cat got your tongue?" I whispered closed to her ear and she flinch in return.
"Can you please let me go Amina" she implored, just the way I want her to. I lessened my hold a bit. "Then apologize for your actions" I ushered. Her head snapped towards me with a look of you're not serious. I nodded my head indicating her to speak up. Ramatu can be a drama queen but she's a scary cat.
"Okay I'm sorry can you let me go now" her voice came out as a command which didn't satisfy me. However, since I've given her a piece of my mind, I'll let her be. I hope she wouldn't try to repeat it again. I loosened my hold stepping back.
"I hope this will be a lesson to you that I'm not the kind of person to play with. And tell that boyfriend of yours not to shout my name on the road again." with that being said, I walk past her as she clutches her arm area.
A victory smile dabbles on my lips as I made my way back home, my flip flop making a small sound. Sometimes, I used to think maybe I'm being harsh on Ramatu because it's not the first time she tried to get in my nose. Even with how I treat her, she still comes back.
"Minono" a voice called. Stood Aesha holding a black leather bag. Everyone has a name they call me with. My mama calls me Mimi, our area people call me Aminatu which of course I hate and Aesha calls Minono. I have no idea how she got that weird name but I know it'll be a waste of time, even if I forbade her, she'll still call me Minono.
"Aesha, I was just coming from your house and Yawo told me she sent you on an errand" I uttered. Aesha placed her palms on her temple, shutting her eyes for a nanosecond before opening them again.
"I'm from your house, I went to buy sugar" she coed.
"What a coincidence," I said and we both laugh at the same time.
"So.." Aesha started raising one of her brows. A sigh escapes me. It seems like she knew there's something on my mind.
"I met Ramatu just now" I deadpanned my lips forming a thin line.
"That Drama Queen, Minono tell me you guys didn't fight" she inquired getting a glare from me in return. I won't stoop so low to fight with Ramatu, she's not worth it.
"What do you take me for, I just gave her a piece of my mind. She was talking about staying away from her boyfriend and do you know who the guy is?" Aesha shakes her head in no.
"Madu" I stated a chuckle escaping me. Aesha watch me in you can't be serious. "Madu? As in Madu, the thug boy" she repeated again.
"Help me ask oo. What will I do with Madu, I have better things to do that date this area fellows. The only thing they know is gossip about people. No job no handwork business" I explained. The main reason I don't associate myself with the people in our area is because of their gossip. They're just waiting for something to happen to you and you'll be the talk of the town. If not because of a lack of a job, I wouldn't be seeing them every time. I and Aesha graduated from Federal polytechnic Bida, where we studied Computer Science but getting a job is a problem. We finished our NYSC last year but couldn't get a job. We sent our CVS to multiple companies telling us they will get back to us but we didn't hear anything up till now. I mean, it's not like our results are poor.
"How I wish we have a job" I spoke up. Aesha let out a sharp breath.
"Me too but I heard my father yesterday talking to someone about finding us a job Insha Allah this time around we would be lucky" she cheered. Aesha's father is a nice man. Now if I get a job, I'll be able to cater to my mother's needs. Things will be much easier
"Ameen Insha Allah. Now let me get going Mama is waiting for me" I declared.
"Alright, goodnight Minono" we bade farewell and went on our ways.
Within five minutes, I'm already at home pushing the entrance door open, Hajiya and her daughter are still seated at the position I left them in but this time around they're eating. So they still got the time to eat my Mama's food after the insult Hajiya finished throwing at her. I fisted my face In a frown, and made my way inside but stopped when Kaltume decided to open her mouth.
"Don't you know how to greet people or are you blind can't you see us" she asserted. I slammed my eyes shut. By Allah, talking to Kaltume is something I don't like but one way or the other, she had to make me. I remembered Mama's words about not talking rudely to your elders. Kaltume is Hajiya's daughter, my step father's sister. She's 27 but she's not yet married, whereas I'm 23. So she's elder than me. But she's not acting like her age at all.
"Good day to you," I said and went on my way. I heard their faint voices maybe they're insulting me. It didn't bother me because I'm used to their attitude towards me and my mother. I unlocked the door of our room spotting my mom seated on the praying mat doing tasbih. I waited till she was through before I hand her the one thousand naira note.
"Thank you daughter, may Allah bless you," she said patting my shoulder. A smile made it way out of my lips. I always like it when she blesses me with her prayers. "Your food is on top of the drawer" she pointed to the old fashion drawer with a covered plate stationed on top of it.
"Thank you mama na" I answered reaching for the plate. Opening it, the aroma of freshly cooked jollof rice beat to my nostril. Without wasting any more time, I dig in.
"Eat slowly no one is eating with you" Mama spoke. She can't blame me, my stomach is making a weird sound, seeing I didn't eat much food since afternoon apart from the tea I drank in the morning.
"Um... Mama cook the Moi-Moi plenty tomorrow. I have a feeling I'm going to sell a lot" I added wiping my mouth with the back of my palms.
"Alright, May Allah see us through tomorrow" mama prayed folding her hijab.
"Ameen" I answered getting back to my food.
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Morning came and as usual, I did my morning routine which is tidying the whole house, washing the used plates and all. I'm glad, Hajiya and Kaltume haven't woken up yet. I'm not ready to listen to their rants in the early morning.
"Mama is everything ready?" I asked my mom who was seated in front of the firewood arranging the Moi-Moi inside the rubber container.
"Yes, have you eaten your breakfast?" She asked. She let out a sigh hearing silence from me in return. She halted her actions turning to me. "Mimi, I told you always eat first before leaving the house. Now go and make tea" she commanded. To be honest, I'm not that much of a foodie, I barely eat three times a day. Sometimes, I eat two times a day or once. It's like I don't use to have much appetite.
"Don't worry Mama, I'll eat one Moi-Moi when I reach there" she stared at me not satisfied by my answer. Okay, she has to. I heaved out a sigh. Reaching for the pot, I took one and peeled the leather off the body.
"You see Mama, I'll eat," I said with a toothy smile. After finishing two pieces of it, I finally felt my stomach heavy.
"Mama, I'm ready to go" I announced taking the rubber off the ground.
"Take care of yourself. May Allah protects you and may you be successful" she prayed. And I muttered an 'Ameen' in return. The place I sell the Moi-Moi is a ten minutes walk, so it didn't take time to reach there. All through my walk, the container was visible to people's attention. I know how people will be talking but I couldn't care less. Selling it helps us a lot at home they can say whatever they want to. I'm not the only one selling food at the place, usually, there are two to three people too. Each with the things they sell. I slightly greeted them positioning my rubber on my usual spot.
"Welcome Amina" Ladidi, one of my selling mate greeted whereas the rest are minding their business. It's not like I care if they decided not to talk to me, it's their own problem.
"Thank you ladidi" Ladidi is that kind of girl that is friendly to everyone around her. She sells Pap. At least sitting with her wouldn't be boring.
We were discussing about our achievement when a black sedan car drove through stopping in front of us. A tall, skinny man stepped out of the car, wearing a black spec glasses. He was dressed in a baggy shirt and jeans.
"Good morning" Ladidi started.
"Morning, how much is this Moi-Moi?" He pointed to my rubber.
"50 naira each," I said rising from my sitting position. The man walked back to the car, and the back window was whined. His back was facing us, so I couldn't see the face of the person he's talking to. He came back after two minutes. Handing me a five hundred naira note
"How much will you buy?" I inquired.
"Five hundred" he stated. I and Ladidi watched each other at the same time. I wonder why they're buying this much. And it's their first time coming. I did as he requested. And package it for him in black leather.
"Thank you" I said. The man nodded in return flashing me a smile. I waited for him to open the back door but instead, he entered the driver's seat and drove off.
"Wow, Amina today is a lucky day. You just came not long ago, and you sold five hundred naira Moi-Moi" Ladidi cheered. It's indeed a lucky day for me. But who is that person? The glass is tinted, so I couldn't make out the person inside the car but whoever the person is. Is indeed rich.