Chapter 6
It was on a sunny day that Labake brought a bus into her neighborhood to carry all their necessary luggage to her new resident. The new house is a rented apartment but it is beautiful and enough for the five of them to live in. Labake can't leave the neighborhood without Wendy because they've come a long way and her success is Wendy's success. Wendy entered the house and bounced on the chair in excitement
"This is life, enough of the stinkiness. This is freedom ."
"Wendy, this is not the time to rest. Let's arrange everything first."
A few months after they moved out of the ghetto, things were working out as planned and everyone was happy about the paradigm shift. Even though Amina loved their new place she did not cease on going to the ghetto to see Jibola. Maybe it would have been better if sex wasn't involved in the first place but Amina kept on going back for more.
"Jibola stop jare." She pushed him back when he tried to kiss her.
"What is it, Amina? Let's have fun jare." He tried to unzip her gown but Amina wouldn't give in to him.
"Amina, are you seeing someone else?" He asked jealously.
"What sort of question is that?"
"Then why are doing like this Amina? You've not been here for a week now, it is unfair on me."
"Jibola, I have something to tell you."
"What do you have to tell that it can not wait till we are done."
"Jibola, I am damn serious. We need to have a serious talk." She persisted.
"Okay. What is it?"
"Jibola, I am pregnant."
"Pregnant for who?"
"Wuraola ni. Don't tell me you want to deny the pregnancy after all the do that you've been doing."
"Wait, Amina, I am not ready to be a father. We are not ready to parent a child."
"Speak for yourself o."
"Amina don't tell me this is a setup.? Why is it that you love poverty like this now? Okay, tell me where you intend on staying with the baby?"
"Here of course. I grew up here anyways."
The news reached Labake that Amina always go to the ghetto side but she didn't bother asking what Amina was looking for because she knew what she was looking for.
"Good evening sister Labake." Amina greeted as she scratch her neck.
"Where are you coming from?"
"I went to a friend's place."
"I hope you have both reached an agreement on when you are moving out?"
"I can't understand what you are talking about."
"Well, maybe you will like to explain what that report is all about." She pointed to the white envelope on the table.
"Sister Labake I can explain seriously." She said fearfully.
"Yeah, I demand an explanation."
"It was just a one-time thing." She said without looking into Labake's eyes.
"Then it resulted in pregnancy. Amina! Amina! Amina! How many times did I call you?"
"Three times." She shrugged.
"You know I told you the other day that I will not say anything about you and Jibola again and I kept to my promise but now that you are pregnant, I don't think I am ready to nurse another baby in this house. You made your choice and it is time for you to embrace your fate because I want you out of this house as soon as possible."
"Sister Labake, please now. You can't just send me packing." She cried.
"Amina, there is nothing I can do. I have done enough for you and I can't continue to feed you and the baby. I warned you, Amina, this is not my fault."
"Seriously, What have you done that others have not done before? Are you not sleeping with Soji too? Just come clean and stop taking out your anger on me because your boyfriend left you for another chick." Amina said arrogantly.
"What do you mean by another chick?" Labake asked curiously.
Amina looked down before she replied. "He has been seeing another girl since he graduated from school but she is not from our place."
"You know what I don't even want to know. I have done everything in my power humanly possible to give us a better life but you chose your path. You are nothing but an ungrateful bitch and I cannot continue to pretend and accommodate your excesses in this house." she left Amina in the sitting room angrily.
"Kafayat, please we need to talk." Amina ran after Kafayat who refused to give her a listening ear.
"Please now you cannot continue to avoid me like this Kafayat."
Kafayat stopped midway and faced her angrily with her arms folded on her chest.
"You have five minutes, I have better things to do with my time." She rolled her eyes.
"I am sorry Kafayat but you can't continue to ignore me like this. I can't afford to lose you too."
"As per girl wey no get vision like you. Amina you do not cease to amaze me. Why is it that you love poverty like this?"
"Kafayat, please now I have sha begged you."
"The point is Amina you don't need to beg me. You made your own choice and you should stand by it. I don't want you to be part of my life anymore. Na by force dem dey do friendship."
"No be by force I know but how do you wan make I survive if I lose you too?"
"Amina you are an unfortunate being and your problem is contagious. I don't want to be unfortunate like you."
"Haba Kafayat." She cried.
"Don't Kafayat me abeg when you were following that stupid guy around did I not tell you? You too look at yourself, you left the ghetto for a few weeks and you are back here again. Are you not ashamed of yourself?" Kafayat asked bitterly.
"You know what Amina, you don't have me. I can't be your friend anymore, I am sorry." Kafayat added.
Living a new life was beautiful for Labake and she owe it all to Damola who was paying her to visit his mother and have a talk with her. As much as money was involved Labake couldn't bring herself to believe she would be sitting with an influential woman like Sophia Aderibigbe.
"So, when are you planning on going to London?" Sophia asked.
"That will be next month there about. I have missed my parents so much." Labake replied with a smile.
"I know right? It's normal to miss them, you have been apart quite long."
"Yes, ma." She replied.
"You know what I appreciate about you? You are a beautiful woman and you have a lot of respect for elders. I just wish Damola will tie the knot with you because you will make a beautiful daughter-in-law."
"Thank you ma." Labake forced a smile.
It would have been better if it was just a one-time thing for Labake but now that emotion is involved she was not comfortable with what she was doing.
"I'm sorry but I will not be able to continue the contract," Labake murmured.
"Are you sure you want to quit?" Damola asked as he stroke her hair with her head on his chest.
"I am good being your side chick." She sat on the bed properly. "These lies and empty promises I am giving to your mother are killing me already."
"She is my mother, not your mother. Are you not okay with the pay?"
"I am okay with the pay but I am just tired of lying."
"Then, what is wrong?" He asked with a smile.
"I am uncomfortable living on lies and your mother is a nice woman. I can't continue lying to her."
Damola drew her face closer to his. "What if I add a bonus to your pay?"
"I don't want a bonus." She shrugged.
"And a free trip to London."
Labake paused for seconds without taking her eyes off Damola who was smiling at her.
"Are you for real?" She was dumbfounded.
"Do I look like I am joking? I don't why I keep on doing too much for you though but I want to do it."