Ngozichukwuka

Compound Shenanigans

The afternoon sun was as hot as a furnace, yet Television Street was lively as a toy's house. Cynthia's mother displayed her goods outside; fresh green pears in front of her house.
Uju came out, hand in hand with Oluchi who was her best friend in the streets as they tried to bargain for some pears.
  ''I've told you it's N20 my mother sells it so I really can't sell it for N15.'' Cynthia squeezed her face as she pointed at some pears in a tray that was kept on a high stool in front of their house.
The girls stared at each other as they felt amused at her unnecessary reaction.
  ''Are you girls trying to waste my time because I have a lot to do inside the house so will you buy some or not!'' She yelled.
  ''Cynthia.'' Her mother called out to her from inside.
  ''What's the yelling all about? Are you trying to scare off our customers?''
  ''It's only Uju and Oluchi and they aren't going to buy anyways. They're here for the fun of it but show is over and you girls can quickly leave this premises so that other serious customers can conveniently approach.
  ''This girl is so full of herself.''
  ''I know right.''
  ''Let's just go. I'll tell Bobby to buy some and come give you at your house later this evening.'' Said Oluchi.
  ''OK. Bye.'' They both hugged as Uju ran back to her house which was only three blocks away and as she was about to go into her compound, she cringed as she caught Madam Edoeje yelling at one of her workers. Uju thought in her mind that Madam Edoeje was becoming too aggressive towards her workers. It was a new thing about her because she wasn't like that.

''It has to be because of that worker of hers that snatched her man.''
''Shut up o. How can you be so sure? She might just be in a bad mood that's all.''
''What are you guys even talking about'' Comfort looked lost.
''Wait. You weren't around or you didn't hear? Uka was surprised.
''Both I guess.'' Uju laughed out loud as she saw how dumbfounded Comfort looked.

Comfort was her name. She was the first daughter of the two Idomas that recently moved into the uncompleted building which was still a bit uncompleted because the landlord could not build it up any further, though it had wooden windows, doors and a zinc roof, so apparently it was fit for people to live in.
''Obviously she wouldn't know since they moved in only a week ago.'' Edu said.
''Heck. You missed on the drama. That day was something different.'' Said Uju.
''What happened?'' Comfort found her voice.
''Madam Edoeje didn't know one of her most trusted workers at that time was secretly going out with her man. She overheard them having some smooth talk so she got really furious and both women engaged in a bloody fist fight.''
''Allah!'' Comfort yelled.
''Uka, don't exaggerate. It wasn't bloody please.'' Edu assured Comfort who now released her fingers from her mouth.
''But it was messy.'' Uka thought it wise to redeem herself.
''Errm. Yea it was.'' Uju laughed.
''Enough with the petty gossip. Comfort, tell me. How are you and your little sister finding Television Street especially our compound?''
''This street is really cool especially because there are so many kids my age to play with so I'm not complaining and as for the compound, I love it.''
''You do?'' Uju was shook.
''Please allow her land safely.'' Said Edu.
''I know why I interrupted because your house...its Ermm not finished and stuff.'' Uju explained.
''Oh that.'' Comfort laughed.
''This is to me so beautiful compared to our last house. Oh no I like this one.''
''Really? What's with your old house?'' Uka asked.
''Hmmm.'' Comfort took a deep breath before she continued.
''My mother, my father and my two siblings had to share a single room with another family and it wasn't funny. Well you guys already know the rest.''
''Whattt! Total disaster.'' Uju was amazed.
''OK . I'm guessing you've seen worse in life then.'' Said Edu.
''How did you and your siblings cope?''
''I wouldn't say we coped. We lived with it because to us it was normal. It was the house where we were born and practically grew up in. It was the only place we knew up until now so yeah trust me when I say that this new place of ours is amazing and I'm happy we get to have our own space and most importantly privacy which was what we lacked the most at our old house. I'm thankful to God for this new house.'' Comfort beamed with a smile.