Yellow Tales of a Nigerian Housemaid (completed)

Chapter Fifty Nine

Gradually, I began to wash my clothes in batches so as to eliminate suspicions. Since I eavesdropped on their conversation three nights ago, it's dawned on me that Mama has been watching me actively like a hawk; and being such wise fellow, I needed to tread carefully if I really want to leave.

Mama's clock says it's 3:48am, and here I am, wide awake with crazy thoughts running through my mind. I sat up to peep at Mama who was still lying peacefully on her bed, deep asleep. I laid on my mat again, my back kissing the floor with my body facing the ceiling. I dragged my left leg towards me so the knee could etch up to form an angle, and slowly crossed the right leg on it.

What's the plan now? This I can't really tell but what I'm sure of, is...

....Tonight is the night I'm running away!

For this to be successful, I needed a smart plan which must include swiftly convincing Mama that I have no plans of running away. However, I can only do this through my actions, so I set out to achieve it.

Once Mama awoke, I greeted her with a smile, assisting her in everything she needed to be done. She was all smiles and even hinted on my attitude change.

First step ☑

The next step is to keep Mama's suspicions at bay. To do this, I became overly obedient and friendly, smiling all times and doing all the chores I was asked to. I even discussed the shop with her, how my schedules are and how I could help her new salesgirl out in terms of luring customers in. At a point, I even promised to get hold of Steve and ensure he brings his flocks so the shop would boom again.

I watched as Mama smiled, taking up everything hook, line and sinker. Together we began to plan on how to run the shop, and the new stuffs we must put in place in order to attract more Commission staff.

I guess I'm winning...
Second step ☑

To make my escape smooth and hitch free, I arranged my clothes neatly in my bag, leaving some unusable ones hanging freely on the rope, at the backyard. At least those can convince everyone that I had no plans in place. I didn't pack my school bag and books, I left those too to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to myself.

Finally, I'm ready... Except I haven't dug out my stashed savings.

Mama left the house early, around past 8am. Aunt Agnes left later too without hinting on where she was off to.

Remembering what Dera advised against escaping at night, I decided to leave in broad daylight, maybe once aunt Oby leaves the house.

Sadly she never left. And to make matters worse, she chose to bring her chair out in the compound, from where she could see who's going into and out of the house. I guess she was receiving 'fresh air'.

How annoying!

I was all sweaty and jumpy, with my heart beating non stop. Why is escaping so hard?

I kept doing and redoing my chores, answering aunt Oby even before she would finish calling out my name. Smiling unnecessarily and laughing at her poor jokes.

Oh goodness!

The wall clock became a close buddy, my eyes constantly romancing it's tiny handles, praying that it slows down a bit so it never gets late. Sadly, it instead sped up it's timing and I watched helplessly as morning passed by.

Around past 12, the sun rose above our house, shining right on the spot aunt Oby sat. I became happy, at least she would be forced in.

But as though she was fighting an unseen battle, she kept adjusting her chair, carrying it around and finding cooler areas to sit. The more the sun shone on her new spot, the more she sits up to search for better spots. Gradually, my once happy smiles faded.