Yellow Tales of a Nigerian Housemaid (completed)

Chapter Thirty Four

It wasn't surprising that we missed church the next day, we had never actually thought of going. With Mama, religion wasn't a must especially when her business is at stake.

By 8am, we were already at the Commission, sweeping and preparing for the day's sales. Groups of young men trickled into the Commission with excitement written all over their faces.

Mama had left earlier in the day, in the company of her boyfriend. She had reiterated the night before that they had a mutual meeting to attend.

By 8:30am, there was a massive influx of youths into the Commission, each waiting to be paid. I was unconsciously seeking out my odd friend, secretly praying that he wouldn't be there. You could then imagine how disappointed I was when I sighted him, discussing lowly with his peers. I made to look away but he was sharp enough to catch my stare. For some freezing seconds, his eyes locked in mine with my imaginary mind coming into play. I looked away instantly as I tried so hard to not let my fear become obvious. I wouldn't lie, for some seconds I felt caged, exposed and weak.

Some of his friends were with him, flocking around him like bees. Right now, they'd begun discussing loudly in their native dialect, laughing at intervals. I prayed silently for him to stay put where he was.

My legs trembled beneath me, the fear I was unintentionally nursing was becoming too obvious. I didn't know what was suddenly wrong with me, I wasn't expecting his presence to put such fear in me!

I immediately turned to the shop, struggling my way in, but a cold hand roughly grabbed mine.

I stopped. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. It was him, standing beside me.

"Nne, we can be friends you know. It's good you apologised yesterday" I heard his crooked voice.

I was quiet and didn't turn around. I was hiding my face as I didn't want him to see how scared I was. He pulled my left hand calmly but I was forceful enough to free it.

He grabbed it again.

"You should let her be! It isn't a must" I heard a voice, Dera's voice. She was standing beside us, her angry stare enveloping him.

"And if I don't?" He asked, turning to her in anger.

"I'm sure you wouldn't want to know what will happen!" She was so confident and bold.

I was surprised and just looked up at her. Her eyeballs were fixated on him, and she spared me no glance.

I knew something must have given her such confidence, such courage! This sudden boldness was unnatural, it's definitely not of the Dera I've recently come to know. I began to search for it, her source of confidence.

I turned to the one place I knew it might be, the plantain shades beside the shop and I was right!

Seated there were four mobile police officers, each fully kitted and armed. They were all dark skinned with a rough look except one. He was very tall and huge, a single tribal mark decorated both his cheeks in a beautiful way. His eyes were fixated on the scene away from him, he was staring quizzically  at Dera and the young man.

"Let her go right now!" Dera thundered.

He slowly freed my hands but his eyes were still on her. His lips had tightened to a grip, and his eyes pale in anger.

He took the first step towards her, then the second. He was now standing before Dera, his back turned slightly towards me. Such closeness made me realise how much taller he was. Dera had to force her chin up in order to face him squarely. His eyeballs penetrated hers, his right palm tightened into a fist and his head lowered to stare dangerously at her.