Chapter 2: CHAPTER 2
"Those girls are giving me problems, especially Amina", Labake complained.
"Don't you know it is hard to train teenagers", Wendy asked.
"No be say I no know but how can a child be so ungrateful? I practically spend all that I make on them and Amina had the guts to raise her voice at me that she wants her freedom".
"You better don't stress yourself out on that girl that doesn't care about you. If I were you I will only focus on the small one Nneka or you will tell me that you don't know that Amina is already sleeping around with all these agbero boys (touts)".
"But she is still my sister Wendy and I want the best for her".
Wendy placed her hands on Labake's hands and squeezed them softly with a smile.
"I know you want the best for Amina but I don't think it is achievable for her to be what you want her to be in this kind of environment. That girl has failed the admission exam twice. And you think that one is serious with her life?"
"At least, maybe we can talk some sense into her".
"Maybe she will hear. I love your faith".
"Seriously, this whole thing is tearing me apart. If she can just see the future I am planning for her." Labake lamented
"Wo (Look), enough of Amina jare. So how is your fine customer doing?"
"He is fine. He is good but I just noticed he has been moody for a while now. I pray everything works out for him because I don't like seeing him that way".
"It is most likely work or family issues. He is going to be fine".
Wendy was still talking when Labake's phone rang. Labake smiled immediately she saw the name displayed on her phone screen.
"Hey, Sugar. What's up now?", she blushed.
"I am fine. Hope you are well?", the person on the phone asked.
"I am good jare", she replied. "Hope you have eaten?", she added.
"Yes, I ate the remaining rice you cooked yesterday", he replied.
"When are you coming over to my place? We need to talk", he added.
"Let's see if I will be available by 3:00 pm, I will come", she replied.
"Okay, I will be expecting you. We will see later".
"Alright. I love you".
"Don't come late o. See you by three", he said as he cut the call.
Labake dropped her phone excitedly but Wendy wasn't happy at all. She has been against the relationship right from the start and she didn't like Soji at all.
"Wasn't that Soji?", she asked calmly.
"Yeah, he is the one. He is just checking up on me", Labake replied with a smile.
"When are you going to wake up from your slumber Labake?"
"Wendy, please stop. I know you don't like Soji right from the start. I am not complaining".
"This guy knows what you do for a living and he is in support of it. Do you think that guy is really serious about you?"
"Soji and I have come a long way Wendy. Right from secondary school in case you forgot".
"He is collecting money from you Labake. Soji is an opportunist. If he cares about you as he claims he should have stopped you from this work we are doing now".
"Wendy, he is just being understanding and that is what I love about him".
"Okay o, but remember I warned you. I am sure it is money he wants to collect from you again".
"That is none of your business. Don't let me change it for you abeg".
The sun was at its peak in the afternoon and everyone continued their daily jobs. The hawkers doing their thing "Buy pure water. It is cold o". And shop owners lurking around for customers, "Brother come and buy from me now, I have what you are looking for o". As beautiful as the market can be, the hustle is real. Amina and Kafayat walk side by side in the crowdy and messy market.
"So you mean your sister is still controlling you at your age?"
"Yes o, I am so tired of living according to her principles. I want to make my own decisions too".
"And do you think you will ever be able to make your decision in that house?"
"That, I am not sure".
"Amina, let me be sincere with you. Your sister wants the best for you, if I were to be in your shoes I will grab every opportunity thrown at me o".
"You don't know what it's like to be me".
"Okay o. But I will warn you to be careful with Jibola. You are a woman and whether you like it or not, it is what you make out of your life that will determine your future. Jibola is a poor agbero boy (tout) with no future ambition".
"With time he is going to change"
"How Amina? This guy has been in the same spot since we finished secondary school. No skills and no school."
"He wants to be a bus driver and I think that's a good thing".
"It's a good thing my dear but with this mediocre thinking of yours I don't think you will ever leave this shit hole. Amina you be fine girl o".
It seemed like the whole world was against Amina's relationship with Jibola but just like her sister Labake, Amina is very stubborn and doesn't care what anyone has to say. Jibola and Amina have been a thing since secondary school and everyone on the street knows because Jibola was quite popular for his hooligan nature.
"Baby thank you ehn. I am grateful." Soji smiled as he counted the money Labake gave to him.
"It's nothing new. I just pray everything works out as planned." Labake said calmly.
"Everything will work out for sure", he replied.
"Okay".
"Soji, please what are we exactly? Where are we headed from here?"
"You've come again with your annoying questions".
"At least I need to know. We should be able to speak sense into each other now. Your repairing job doesn't pay you that much and if we continue like this, I don't think we are going to improve o".
"Labake", he moved closer to her and grabbed her waist with a smile.
"Believe me when I tell you that we will soon get out of here. All you have to do is trust me".
The same story and promises have been on Soji's lips since he came back from school. Nothing to show after school but flimsy dreams. Even University graduates are unemployed not to talk of someone who graduated from a college. Nigeria is a mess when it comes to the issue of employment and it's only the wise ones who tried their very possible best to rise above the struggle by learning a good income skill.
Labake was still with Soji and they were in the heat of the moment when her phone rang to display Damola's name. She sat up on the bed and comport herself before picking up the phone from the shelf beside Soji's bed.
"Please I need to pick this", she said to Soji whose face displayed the rage of jealousy.
Labake picked up the call and left Soji in the room, "Hello sir".
"Hey Labake how are you?"
"I am good"
"You seem so cold. Am I interrupting something?"
"No, not at all sir", she replied. "Or better still can I call you back?".
"Sure because we have a lot to discuss and I will like to see you in person".
"Okay sir. I will call you back as soon as possible". Labake cut the phone and went back into the room to see Soji dressing up.
"You did not tell me you are going out today?", she asked curiously.
"I changed my mind", he replied coldly with a stern face.
"Please don't tell me you are jealous right now?"
"I have better things to do." He said as he buttoned his shirt.
"Wait a minute Soji. What's the meaning of this?", she asked angrily.
"What does it look like Labake? At least you are supposed to give me my respect when we are together but no, you still pick your job over me."
"This same job is feeding you Jibola. This same job got you through school. This same job produced the money in your pocket Jibola. And you have the guts to open your mouth and speak ill of me making a business call."
"I knew it. I know a day like this will come when you will remind of wetin you don do. You are not doing any of it for God's sake, it is just for your selfish interest."
Labake slapped Jibola angrily, "How dare you? You have the effrontery to call me selfish but when you are collecting the money you did not see me as a selfish human being abi? Listen and listen good, you are an investment and you must pay me back every dime I spent on you."
Jibola laughed hysterically, "Ah! Labake you are nothing but a fool, a pushover,r, and a prostitute, that is what you are. And don't you think ever in your life raise your hands at me again or you will see the other side of m?."
"You are joking,g right? All this is a joke right?" She asked in tears.
"Please, Labake let me be. I want space", he replied.
"You know what Soji. If this is not going to work let's call it quit".
"Quit! Did you just say quit? That's what I have been waiting for all my life. Lock my door"
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