Yellow Tales of a Nigerian Housemaid (completed)

Chapter Fourteen

"Have you been doing any odd deal?" Aunt Oby asked as she stepped into the house. I instantly felt my heart race into my stomach.
"No" I replied immediately shaking my head. I was trying so hard to comport myself. I was in the kitchen washing the vegetables for the soup, so my head was bent over the big basin filled with fresh leaves.
"You're lying aren't you?" She asked walking over. I dropped the green leaves I was washing and turned around to face her.
"No I'm not lying" I replied with a straight face
She came more closer, staring deep into my eyes. "Where have you been keeping the money?" She asked running her hands all over my body. To help her, I brought out my empty pockets and raised my hands up for a free search.
"Answer me!" She screamed
"What money aunty" I asked innocently. I haven't even finished my question before I felt a thunderous slap on my cheeks. I screamed out in pain and heard Mama running down the stairs.
"What is it? What has she done to you?" Mama shouted.
"This girl has been stealing from me!" Aunty shot back reaching for me but I ran to mama who shielded me.
"Steal? You and I know that she can be everything but definitely not a thief" Mama admonished.
"Then ask her!"
Mama turned to me with a blank face and in my defense I shook my head.
"Mama I didn't steal from her. Has she ever complained that she lost any money?"
"But that's true Obiageli" Mama fired back. "You've been praising her good works even as of this morning so where is this accusation coming from?"
"Then let's see who is lying" Aunty replied. "Go and bring your bag, both the school bag!" She ordered and I turned to leave.
"Infact stay here" she said to me "I'll go get it. I don't trust you one bit!" she said smacking my head as she passed by.
Mama shook her head in displeasure. "You know she will kill you if she sees any money in your bag, tell me the truth now so I can protect you!" Mama tried to convince me. I still maintained my stand as I swore I haven't stolen from her. Aunty got back with my bags and began her search, ransacking every single hidden part. After a long futile search, she stood up and dragged my ears. "Where did you keep them?"
At this point Mama got angry and pushed her away from me.
"You are an ingrate!" Mama yelled at her. "She has been suffering for you all this while yet you cook and eat alone. Have you ever given her a kobo in appreciation? Or even myself who permitted her? Yet you have been tormenting her for just no cause, just a mere allegation!! Have you ever lost a dime?"
"It wasn't a mere allegation!" Aunty replied. "My customer, that distributor has been monitoring her. She has been going to the other shop to buy water which she sells to make profit!"
Instantly I knew I was in a hot soup. I didn't know my aunt and the young man were that close, neither did I think of the possibility of him telling my aunt. I knew he had seen me several times going over to his competitor's shop but I never knew he was that jealous! What happened to minding his own business?

Mama was shocked! I know her, and I was sure she must be impressed, but however she feigned saddened!
"Is this true?" She asked and I shook my head vigorously. I was smart, I have already planned a defence from the beginning of my business in event I was caught.
"Mama, I always go there to change the water whenever they become less chilled. He is a better person than the other one. Aunty's friend doesn't change for anyone instead he will ask you to but ice from him to chill them" I said. "Aunty you can even go and ask him or any of those hawkers if you want" I said to my aunt. She was helpless and yes my defense was genuine. Although I haven't personally gone there for a change but I've heard verified rumours that he acts that way.
"Have you ever tried?" she asked. I shook my head. The first step to protecting my lie is to admit the obvious truth but with a defence.
"But why try a strange way when I can easily go the right way!" I asked her "You know selling water is highly competitive and I don't have all the time in the world to beg someone for something another can do easily. If I come home to explain I didn't finish the sales because I was begging him to change few sachets for me, won't you beat me?"
Mama nodded in agreement. "She's right Obiageli and you will have to apologise" Mama said to her.
"For what? She deserves it" Aunty said with a sigh and turned to leave. Mama was bitter, she knew she did a very bad job in their upbringing. "You know what I've decided?" Mama said after her. She turned around. "She will no longer sell water only for you, It's going to be for the both of us. You can't take all the profit when you don't feed nor care for her"
"Lies!" Aunty shot back in anger. "It won't work! How many bags does she sell a day that I would have to share the profit with you?"
"It's not open for discussion. It's either you accept or she sells only mine!"
Aunty wouldn't have any of that so she angrily stormed out. Mama shook her head in bitterness and quietly went upstairs. Within me I knew mama didn't believe my story, and if I begin to hawk for her that means no more profit. She knows everyone there and has her own way of getting to the truth. "If I won't make extra money, so won't they!" I said to myself. It was time to stop the business....

Atleast I've saved some money..