CHAPTER 3

I ran all the way home. There was no money for the and so I had to trek. I got home just in time to meet everyone in the sitting room. I am going to get the job at the estate very soon. Everyone was happy. At least that lightened the gloom that had hung over our heads since yesterday. Everyone listened with rapt attention as I told them about the nice security man and how he told me about the owner's daughter who could help me get the job.everyone was really happy and satisfied with my story. Every one except jade. Is something wrong Jade? Well he stuttered, how do we get to see the owner's daughter? That brought us all back to reality and killed the little fire that was burning in all our hearts. I must really have been stupid. Why didn't I ask for a name, an address, a number or something. I just sank into the sofa, thinking of how careless I had been. It was then it dawned on me that I had missed my night shift yesterday.

I jumped off the sofa and started towards my work place. How could I have forgotten about work? Why was everything seemingly going south in one day? These were the many questions that ran through my mind as I sat in the bus. At some point I felt like getting off the bus and using my legs. I just felt they would be faster. Finally the bus came to a halt in front of the mall. I ran all the way inside, hoping and praying that a miracle happens. I know how much my boss would love to take advantage of this opportunity. It was almost pay day and she won't be wrong to sack me. I had missed a day after all. She needed a little opening, I had given her a door.

As I got inside, I saw her talking to some unknown girl. The girl didn't look like she came shopping. She was holding a pen and a jotter. Soon she was writing while my boss did the talking. While I stood there wondering what was going on, my boss stretched an apron to the girl. I looked at the apron as she wore it. It looked familiar, like my apron. Then it dawned on me what was happening. It was my apron and I was being replaced. As I stood there, tears began to stream down my freckled face. My boss finally saw me. She looked at me, smiled and said to the new girl in the most stern manner, "if you do not want to be weeping like her any time soon, you better take your job serious" yes ma'am she said and ran off to the counter without even looking at me. I walked up to my boss, tears running down freely. I knelt down before her and pleaded with her." Please Ma'am, my mother was involved in an accident yesterday. She lost two fingers. She cant work any more. I am the only means of survival my family has left. Please ma'am give me another chance

I promise to keep to time . I promise I'll never be late please." " Look, I already employed someone else and if not anything else, I cant sack her. You were absent from work for a whole day without notice. Yes ma'am I bulged in, something happened. Look here chantel, life is happening to every single one of us. The earlier you sit up and face that reality, the better for you. Good luck getting a job else where. Please stand up. You are causing a scene. It was then I realised that every eyes in the mall was fixed on me. I stood up and walked out slowly. I just kept walking towards the road, thinking to myself what would become of my family and I. then I heard some one call my name. I turned to see. It was the new girl. What did she want now? She had taken my job, what more did she want now, my life? She ran towards me and placed some money in my palm. "she says its your complete pay for the month, that its the best she could do. I am really sorry. I needed this job badly. Good luck". with that she turned and walked away. I could tell she wasn't very different from me. Some young lady struggling to survive, to make ends meet. I couldn't blame her,she was trying to make things work for herself. I just hoped one day, there will be an end to all of the suffering that people like us- I and her go through. But that day was definitely not today. It is still very far away. It is a long walk to that day, at to home to. I advised myself to start early so I could get there on time.

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She has no right to do that. That's inhuman. That's not fair. Well Mario, its already done. The only hope I have now is finding that lady. that is my only shot at anything happening. This money could  sustain my family for a while. I just lay on Mario's bed looking at the ceiling. Mario seemed to have noticed something. I really wasn't paying any attention to anything or any one  I just wanted to lay there forever and stare at the ceiling. You need new clothes said Mario. I know I do. But that's the least of my worries now. If I could go naked to make sure my family is fine, then I will. I just want them to be fine. And that was the truth. I just wanted everything to go well for my family. That  was all I really wanted. I could give up anything so that would be possible. Mario joined me on the bed. We both stayed still and stared at the ceiling, saying nothing. Soon and soon enough the siklence engulfed us into a sleep.

Hey there, you must be chantel. I turned in the direction of the voice and I saw a beautiful girl of about my age. She was well dressed. She was obviously from a rich home. Her hair was blonde. The kind of hair I had always wanted. Then I noticed someone standing beside her. It was the security man who help me earlier. You must be the owners daughter. Yes she replied, I am the owners daughter. I have been looking for you she said. This man told me you needed a job. Yes its true. I really need this job. It would help me sustain my family. That's ok. I would ask you some interview questions and if you answer correctly, then you have the job. Ok I said, wondering what kind of questions she was going to ask. I just hoped that it was something that I knew. She brought out a piece of paper from her purse, unfolded it and then read out the first question to me, "what is my name?" I stood there dumb founded. I did not know her name. What was I supposed to do. She just stood there smiling at me. And I stood there looking stupid. Suddenly I felt a thug on my right leg. I tried to resist it but it just pulled me into the ground. The owner's daughter just stood there with the security man, still smiling. As I went deeper into the ground, the owner's daughter and the security man seemed to disappear.

Then I found my self on the bed, sweating. Mario was pulling at my leg. It was all a dream. You need to get home to your Mom and siblings. They may be worried. I sat up. I saw a lot of clothes on the bed.  What's going on I asked? I am looking for clothes you could take back home with you. No Mario, this will be too much. What do you mean too much? If we are going to get that job then you have to look smart enough for it. Ok, I said. But even these ones are too much. Look, its either you take them, or you take them. Either ways you get to go home with these clothes. I looked at Mario. I could tell she was serious. This was what she had always wanted to do. I always rejected the offer any time she made it. But today, Mario was holding up. She was not going to let me shy away from it this time. And come to think of it. I really needed to look good right now. I went through the clothes. I could see a victory smirk sitting proudly on Mario's face.

These clothes are so many, and so fancy. Are you sure I can have all of these?look I don't even wear most of them any more. I just stood there, going through the clothes. Mario walked up to me, took my hand and led me to her make up table. What are you trying to do Mario? She turned to me and said, "i want to show you how beautiful you really are". I wondered what Mario was trying to do. She pulled out a box. It had in it a lot of girly stuffs, the ones I had seen before, and some I didn't have a clue what they were meant for. She just pick up each one, applying them to my face. I just sat there, holding still, opening and closing my eyes at Mario's prompts. After a moment that seemed like an eternity, Mario let me look into the mirror. I could not believe my eyes. It was like someone else was staring at me from the other side of the mirror. I looked so beautiful. I looked at Mario with tears in my eyes. Hey don't cry said Mario. You are going to soil the make over. I quickly cleaned my eyes. I stood up and gave Mario a hug. Thank you Mario. Yes enough of the mushy stuff said Mario. Now you need to get home.

As we packed the clothes, my mind drifted back to my dream. I thought about the owner's daughter and how I could find her. I decided I would have to try my luck at the estate the next day. When we were done packing, Mario saw me off to the bus. i got on a bus headed home. At least there was a little ray of hope in my heart. I just hoped it lasted the night.

The bus halted in front of my house. I got down. As I listened I could hear people shouting.  I hoped nothing was wrong. I ran inside, only to find my siblings playing and singing around my mother. Everyone's attention was on me, on my face. You look so pretty chantel. Thank you I said. What's for dinner and why is everybody dancing? Well said Jade, mommy was looking too sad so we decided to sing and cheer her up and look, its working. Mom just sat there smiling. It really has been long I saw her smile this much. It reminded me of how pretty she used to be when all was well. But we have not eaten anything yet though continued Jade. Ok, there is food for everyone. I brought out some of the stuffs I bought ion my way back home. There was bread, and eggs and bacons. I even got some milk. It was like a feast in the house tonight. Everyone was eating to their satisfaction. Jade ate like he was never going to eat again. Every one was happy and fine tonight. I just wished every night could be like this, full of joy and fun.

Soon we were done eating and every one was on the floor too full to move. Jade was the first to fall asleep. Then Mom followed. Next was Rita. Rhoda and I were the only ones still awake. As I stared into the space waiting for Rhoda to sleep, my mind drifted again to the owners daughter. I began to think of how I would find her. The only clue I had was to check back at the  estate tomorrow. I had enough money to take us a week. That meant that I had exactly one week to find the owner's daughter and to secure a job at the estate.

Chantel, where did you get the money for all this? I turned to Rhoda. She was a very inquisitive soul. She was also very observant. Of course she had to ask. She had not eaten like this in a long time. It was worth asking. But was I to tell her the truth? That I had lost my job and this feasting was dependent on me getting another job? I couldn't bear to break her spirit that way. I would rather lie to her and keep her happy, even if it was only for a week. I got lucky at work today. Some one gave me some extra money for helping him get something done. What exactly did you do asked Rhoda. Look Rhoda, its grown up stuff. If I explained you really wouldn't understand ok? Rhoda nodded in the affirmative. I turned to face the wall. I heaved a deep sigh of relief. I was free at last. Or so I thought.

The next thing I heard was jade's sleepy voice questing, " but you also work at night. Why didn't you go to work today?" now I needed to do another round of wriggling. Well, my boss gave my some time off so I could take care of Mom. So you wont be working for some days? Yes for a while. So how would you make money? We will be fine I promise jade. Just have a good night rest ok? With that Jade went back to sleep. Now I was finally free. I stood up and went into the room. I needed to take my bath. I carried the bag of clothes- my new clothes which Mario gave to me. As I got into the room, I decided to try on some of the clothes. Rita came inside while I was trying them on Rita came inside.

She looked at me in a very stern manner. I knew she wanted to say something. And I knew what it was. She was older than the other two. She was turning sixteen soon. She had some sense. She could tell I wasn't telling the truth. Hey Rita I said, do you mind trying some of these clothes? She came closer, picked on of the clothes, looked at it and dropped it. you got fired right? I knew I couldn't play the hide and seek with Rita. She had a way of seeing through me. Besides, I was never good at lying.

I'll get another job soon. But we are covered for the week at least. We will be fine ok? I promise.   Rita nodded and hugged me. I held her strong and firm. We would be fine. If only I could get to the owner's daughter. I needed to find her soon.