Chapter 16

It was very early in the morning when my mother woke up and started preparing to go to the market. I stood up and joined her in arranging something. As she was arranging her bag before taking her bathing, I entered the kitchen and started tidying up the place while warming the food simultaneously. Before she was done, I already put food in her food flask. I noticed that she was a bit surprised, but she refused to comment on the whole scenario. As she stepped out of the bathroom, I entered in there and started taking my bath.

As I came out of the bathroom, my mum couldn't just keep quiet any longer, she asked…

"Rose, what happened, Rose? Thu is unlike you."

What do you mean, mummy?

I pretended that I didn't know what she was talking about.

As you're taking your bathing this earlier morning, where are you heading to? I can remember that we didn't discuss that you would be leaving the house this morning.

At first, she started her question jokingly but got more serious along the line.

Since I always used to be alone when you leave the house, I want us to be leaving the house at the same time. For now, since you would be going to buy goods for your shop, I will be sweeping the shop and shading your goods. When you come back, you continue from wherever I may stop.

I know not whether she heard another thing. But after listening to what I just told her, she became more emotional that she even had to hug me while putting on a wonderful smile on her face. When we were done preparing then, then we left the home together. I left the home while carrying her shop key and food flask.

Joy was written all over my mother's face as we were leaving the house. I followed her to where she boarded the car. I waited until their car left the park before I then trekked to the market. At first, the shop looked strange to me, as I knew not where to start. I looked around only to see that some of my mummy's neighbors has started shading their goods. While I was yet to sweep the shop. I greeted the people who were close to me and then unlocked the shop.

When I saw the real puzzle when you were done sweeping. I just saw all the goods as though they were scattered.

"This woman is trying very well. So, she packs all these goods out from the shoo and arranges them nicely so that they will look attractive. And still, pack them back after the transaction for the day." I muttered to myself.

I knew how she keeps the table, I first dressed it and started bringing out some goods. As I may have it, someone met me that she wants to buy tin tomatoes and catfish. I was lucky that she asked what I knew about the price. Not waiting much of her time, I settled her amicably and collected the money from her. I became excited since I already sold something for her. At least I already gained something from leaving the house early. As she left, I continued solving my puzzle. I managed to bring out some things I knew that she keeps outside the shop. But deep down, I knew I didn't arrange them accordingly.

"Hahaha, I hope by now you've concluded that your mother is doing a stressful business?"

I overheard someone saying from the shop opposite my mother's own.

Yes, ma! It's not easy. So, you've been observing my movement all this while?

I just sighted you from my shop. I saw how you do bring out some goods and carry them for some minutes before dripping them just to make sure that he keeps them where they're supposed to be, but later you would still shift them to another place…

She said jokingly.

My dear, I'm just confused. I don't know where to start or stop.

As she heard the response, she began to laugh out loud. Our discussion attracted other neighbors, and they joined the conversation.

Rose, you have to set that thing right! Don't be only a consumer. Continue doing it the way you can. It's a practice that makes perfect.

I heard another woman saying from her shop. I even looked back to see that another person was comfortably looking at me while smiling sheepishly. The surrounding traders started using me to catch fun. That was unlike me, I didn't get angry at all they were doing. Rather, I found it to be the necessary thing.

Just as we were at the heat of the fun, I had another customer. As I was bringing out the goods he requested, he overheard my neighbors using me to catch fun. After giving him what he requested, he bargained for the price and paid for his goods. I got surprised when he asked me to keep the balance of #380. That morning was like a Christmas day for me. I couldn't imagine that someone would willingly leave his balance if such an amount were to a stranger. I thanked him all I could before he left the shop.

"Ahh seems like the girl will make a good trader, she's shining this morning"

A woman said from her end

You people should allow her to sell for her mum. She's out for business, and that's precisely what she's doing…

Another person commented from her shop.

I gave a deaf ear to all they were saying since I already have evidence to prove that I came to the shop very early.

Not too long, my mother came back from the market while some individuals were carrying her goods in a wheelbarrow.

Mummy Rose, you already have a new manager who would bring the change we want. From now, you're only the cashier.

The woman whose shop was opposite my mother's owner said.

Hahaha, mummy Japhet what do you mean

My mother asked her jokingly

She attracts customers more than you do. Hence, she's the one we need for now.

Mummy Rose, you did well. Let her know how we struggle to feed them and pay their bills

Another woman commented from her end.

My mum burst into laughter.

As she couldn't just continue to listen to all her neighbors were saying, she said.

…you people should leave my angel for me. She's still a small girl.

Who said so? A girl of her age can no longer be called a small girl. Besides, she dresses well. Any day we don't see her in our line, she needs to tell us her whereabouts. From now, she's a member of our line.

Some other person didn't wait for my mum to finish her words before intruding.

I was already laughing while listening to what they were saying. We unloaded the goods in the wheelbarrow and mummy paid the barrow pushers.

Then mummy thanked me for all I'd done in the morning. She got more surprised when I gave her the money I made from things I sold.

"Wow! You've tried this morning. At least, you've made up for the amount you will spend in the shop today. Thank you, my daughter".

You're a welcome mummy

I've observed that you're finding it difficult to sample the goods, as I used to do it. Don't worry. You'll learn it gradually.

Ok, mummy. But your neighbors were using me to catch fun. As they saw me struggling to know the exact place to keep things, all of them came out to watch me make mistakes.

Don't mind them, Rose. That's how it's supposed to be. Everyone can't be supporting you.

Do you mean it? But why?

You're already in the market. Keep learning. We learn from everything we do or hear.

Hmm, in that case, I still have a long way to go.

Now you know!

She replied in a friendly manner.

Yes, ma.

We then paused the discussion, and she continued to arrange her goods. I also helped in the ways I could, especially the ones she directed me to do.