Chapter 8

Despite the fact that I only stayed at Mummy Tiwa's house once a week, by the end of the month, I was exhausted. She reminded me a lot about my own mother who really has a problem with you sitting down and doing nothing. She always want to see you working- no matter that you have done every job imaginable. If my mother saw you sitting down for more than five minutes, she would create a job for you that will keep you occupied for the rest of the day. I cannot count how many times we have changed the arrangement of the furniture in the house simply because there was nothing else to do.

Facing the same situation that I thought I had escaped from home, I was ready to leave Mummy Tiwa's house. For real! But where else would I go?

Since the incident of the money with maybe-Kola, I think he guessed correctly that I was the one that secured the money, he has been so much nicer than ever. Since he works the main floor of the restaurant, he gets tips from some of the customers which he started using to buy me snacks. Just the other day, he gave me this fantastic and wonderfully tasting red velvet cake. It was just a small piece, really, but I'm sure I mouth-gasmed briefly. Okay, so, maybe it was a bribe of sorts, but I have to admit, he got less annoying with each piece of tasty delights he brought me. Now I understand why my mum always said gifts blinds the eyes and opens the heart. We even made arrangement to see the following Sunday and subsequent Sundays after but that didn't mean I was quite ready to spend the night in his house just yet. After all, I have a boyfriend even though I can't really remember when last we spoke.

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In my third month at Bo's Diner, we got an assistant supervisor. He was a young man in his mid to late twenties. Ovie was tall, slim and fair skinned (my usual crush specs) and speaks with this really soft voice. It was funny because when he is angry and you expect shouting, his facial expression tells you he is angry, his words are harsh and painful but his voice just softens the blow so his words never has enough impact to break you as he intends. When he is not angry though, he is really, super sweet.

In less than two weeks of his being there, I was taken away from the dishwashing and general cleaning crew and added to the cooking staff. This meant that I could leave at a more reasonable hour as Mummy Tiwa had stopped waiting for me to finish washing plates before going home a long time ago.

Yes, I still stayed with mummy Tiwa.

Frankly, I'm surprised too.

He started frequenting the kitchens a lot too and mummy Tiwa, Mummy Ola and Shola started teasing me about it. They said he was interested in me but I wasn't too sure about that. He never talked to me or paid me special attention but what do I know about men? I'm only seventeen (17). The maintenance guy, he said his name was Korede, started paying more attention to me too. Who wouldn't notice? He was so obvious about it and I was getting scared he would make me lose my job because they don't encourage romance here.

It was another Saturday and I was looking forward to spending the whole day lazing around tomorrow. I was supposed to meet Korede at his house around 11a.m tomorrow and I was already looking forward to another sweet treat.

You've said it before. I know it, I like food!

During my break, I remembered I never actually called my mum to tell her I was now in Lagos so I decided to call her. On second thought, the best way to know how mum would receive my call will be to call Sister Ebun first. So I called Ebun. She was sounding stunned and picking her words like she wasn't actually expecting my call. Maybe because I have never willingly called anyone in my family first. Dara, maybe you need to be nicer now that you are farther. The conversation was mostly advice from my sister to be careful and to save my money and remember why I went there in the first place.

I had actually forgotten my sister is nice.

Next, I called my mum. It was the same thing too. Oh well. At least, she gave me good motherly advice so I know she was no longer angry at me.

As I finish in the kitchen that evening, I freshened up and went to our room to pick the things I needed to go home with. Under my bag, I saw a small note: "meet me in front of the restaurant at 11a.m tomorrow". I was puzzled- who could it be from? It doesn't look like Korede's writing but I shrugged it off and started going to Mummy Tiwa's house.

Maybe the note is from Ovie, my mind niggled. Again, I brushed it off.

11a.m the next day saw me in front of the restaurant. Honestly, I didn't plan to come here. I fully intended to go to Korede's house but my love for food made me assume we were going out so, here I am.

If I am being honest though, I'll admit that the real reason I'm here is because a small voice at the back of my mind that refused to go away kept asking me 'what if it was Ovie?'

11:10a.m and I wanted to call Korede to ask him where he was that he was delaying me, just to stylishly find out if he was the one that sent the note, when I heard, "hey!"

I looked back and there he was, like a glass of cool drink. He was really pleasing to the eyes but I had to feign like I wasn't really hoping it was him. "You!" I looked at him accusingly.

He smiled, "Fimidara, I'm wounded that you were actually expecting someone else when I had been praying all night that you would come"

Hmmm... I harrumphed. "If we are going somewhere, now's the time to leave here" I said instead

Needless to say, I enjoyed my day thoroughly and when Korede started to call, I switched off my phone. As we were about parting, I brought out my Nokia Torch Lite to collect Ovie's number and he started laughing

"What?" I asked, offended and embarrassed.

"Why are you using that? Get something better girl" he said

I rolled my eyes, "Get it, I'll collect it"

He looked at me. "Seriously though, how much can you spare for a phone?"

"Maybe ten thousand naira" I said

"You can't get a good phone for ten thousand. Add ten more."

"NO! You are the one ashamed of my phone. Add the ten yourself"

"Okay, bring the money to work tomorrow and I would get you a new phone by Tuesday."

He saw me off to the Junction of Mummy Tiwa's house and turned back his own way.

The day had been surprisingly fun and easy too and I enjoyed every minute of our careless banter

"You went to see that new supervisor" Mummy Tiwa said the minute I walked in. I looked at her. Really looked. Is this woman a witch?

"His name is Ovie" I answered sullenly

"See, I'm not saying you shouldn't date him but you are a little girl. Are you even 18 yet? Boys are not your priority yet. School is. You told me you were working to prepare for school and you even gave me your last month salary to do 'ajo' (local savings) for you. Don't let any of these boys derail your path. They are just side attractions" She said calmly.

I swear, it was like my mother's spirit descended on her the way she was talking.

"Okay ma, thank you. But I'm just friends with them" I shrugged

"Korede came to ask of you. He said he didn't see you as arranged and your phone was not reachable. Since I'm seeing the light of the phone in your hand, I'll guess correctly that you switched it off. Let these boys know that you are only interested in their friendship and nothing more" she advised with severity

Gosh! Are you my mother? Leave me alone!

"Okay ma. Thank you ma" I went to sit down. She didn't even let me sit before the inquisition began.

*Phone Rings*

I check the screen, it was my mother. What the hell was I thinking calling her yesterday? I just defeated the purpose of buying a new sim. I silently fumed.

"Good evening mum" I greeted as cheerfully as I could. It still wasn't cheerful enough

"Temple, are you still a virgin?" she asked me directly.

What the hell?

"Answer me, Temple!"

I suddenly realized I had kept quiet for a long time. Knowing her, she will interpret my silence to mean that I wasn't which will serve her right for her poke-nosing but I knew it would also be to my disadvantage if she believed that.

"I am mum, I was just shocked by the question. It met me unawares" I answered meekly

"Are you sure? Can you swear to it?" my mum with the swearing. I rolled my eyes. She believes once you swear to something, it must be true.

"Of course. I can swear with the Bible"

"Okay, don't worry then. Just be careful and avoid boys, Temple" Yea, echo mummy Tiwa.

"Okay mum, take care ma" I dropped the call in relief.

I needed to sleep immediately.

That call sapped both my physical and mental strength.

Longest minute of my life!

A/N

Hello Dearies!!️

Like, I'm so amazed that my story has been read so much in just a few days. Thank you so much

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