By Segun Durowaiye

Aina was still wondering what the woman meant! “I am asking if you can work for me as an housemaid?” the madam asked.
“I can do it ma, there is no problem. I will take care of your house and do the cleaning properly,” Aina replied enthusiastically. “In that case, could you follow me to my house? Enter the car. I live in Maryland Estate,” she gesticulated.

“That’s no problem madam,” Aina said, and hopped into the front seat of the Cherokee Jeep, “But one thing, madam,” she added, “I would be happy if we could quickly dash to Apapa Wharf to brief my husband about this development. He works there as a Labourer.”

“Well, that is a better idea, Tunde, drive straight to Wharf,” the lady commanded her driver. “By the way, I haven’t introduced myself to you properly, I’m Mrs. Yetunde Olamide. I’m an international businesswoman. What’s your name, and the name of your baby?” At this particular moment the car revved into life and zoomed off towards Ojota.

“Madam, my name is Aina Balogun,” she replied getting really excited, “I’m a native of Oyo State. The name of my little baby is Ayobami. I came to Lagos about three years ago with my husband, Dipo Balogun. And things have not been easy for us living in Lagos. I stay at Ajegunle with my husband, and this is our first child. I do this Alabaru work just to help my poor husband.” “Don’t worry,” Mrs. Olamide replied, “I know you are in need. I’ll be of help. You can both pack into my house if your husband wouldn’t mind. I have space enough to accommodate your family in the bungalow at the back of my duplex.” The time was 1p.m. and the weather was mild; the Jeep headed towards Oshodi on its way to Apapa Wharf.

On getting to Wharf that afternoon, Dipo was busy offloading a container of cement. Immediately he set his eyes on his wife getting down from a car, he threw down the bag of cement he was carrying and took to his heels running like a stray dog. He was shocked beyond comprehension! ‘What could his wife be doing in Wharf at that time of the day?’ he thought questioningly. He had concluded that she must have been arrested for theft or any other crime.

“Wait! Wait!! Wait!!! Dipo, don’t run!” shouted Aina, “there is no problem!” she further persuaded at the top of her voice. Convinced after much persuasion, he stopped and turned.

“What’s the problem?” he stammered after regaining his composure.

“There’s no problem, Dipo,” Aina replied excitedly, “I have come to tell you that I have got a job as a house-help with this good madam…” she said. “Enhen, hah, I didn’t know, Aina,” he replied, “wow, thank you so much madam, God bless you! I hope you are not embarrassed by my behaviour?” “Not at all,” answered Mrs. Olamide. “Well…if you don’t mind, come along with your wife to know my place.”

“That’s no problem, madam,” Dipo answered with smiles brightening his formerly troubled face.

The following weekend Dipo and his wife packed into the bungalow at the back of Mrs. Olamide’s duplex. Mr. Olamide himself lived in the United States and occasionally came to the country from his base in New Jersey. They had a child that lived in the country at the same expansive duplex in Maryland, where his mum stayed. The boy was eight years old then. Unknown to Aina and her husband, the Olamides had one nagging problem that had to do with their 8-year-old boy named Bankole. The boy was always having convulsive and epileptic fits almost every week, and this had been a continuous occurrence for many years. It had been a source of sorrow and sadness for the Olamides in spite of their enormous wealth. Mrs. Olamide and her husband had spent a fortune on the young boy’s health, seeking both orthodox medical treatment and traditional medicine, but to no avail. His condition was even growing from bad to worse.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Olamide just came back from the Church with her young son. About 20 minutes later when they had eaten their lunch, Bankole and his mum sat glued to the television, watching a movie. Fifteen minutes into the movie Bankole suddenly jerked and coughed, then he collapsed on to the bare ground, in a fainting fit… To be concluded.

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