AGAINST THE ODDS

Chapter 4

In the residential area of Ridge, there was nowhere I could find shelter apart from tree lining the Streets. I waited patiently, enduring the drenching rain was giving me. It subsided in some thirty minutes later and the sun mercifully came up with it warmth. Still dripping, I strolled the length of the streets to dry out. Dried to satisfaction, I turned down another street and continued my quest. After some minutes, I caught sight of an elderly man trying to change a flat tyre. The car was a Mercedes Benz, C-Class, the latest edition. I could tell that he was wealthy. I walked towards him, unsure whether I was doing the right thing, for, after the incident with the fat lady, I had become rather wary of the rich. However, I was driven by the desire to help. While I was waiting for my results after I wrote my common entrance examination, I used to visit an uncle in the next village a few times. This uncle had a vulcanising shop where I learned a little about servicing car tyres.
"Sir, kindly permit me to change it for you." I said I was near enough.
He regarded me with pleased eyes. "Thank you, son. This is what we expect from the youth." I changed the tyre within a short period of time. He attempted to give me money, but even though I needed it badly, I refused.
"At least, let me take you where you are going, then," he offered.
"Actually Sir, I have no particular place to go. You see, I'm looking for a job and I was walking from place to place hoping to get one."
"A job? Well, get into the car and let's see."
I quickly sat beside him in the passenger seat, my pulse increasing, is this my day?
"I have been looking for a committed person to work in my gardens," he said as he engaged the gear. We began a smooth ride. "I think you can do the job for me." I assured him I will do my best the gardens in good shape all the time.
"You speak good English," he remarked.
I knew the next question would be about whether I attended any school, or was a dropout, I didn't want him to know about my plight so I changed the line of the conversation.
" Sir, is the garden big?"
"Quite. But you can manage it."
At the house, the gate opens by themselves and we ease into an enormous parking lot. Compared to the biggest house I had seen in my 'travels' so far, this one was a real mansion. It looked magnificent and its large gardens, consisting of the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen, gave it surrounding a regal view.
"I can see you are impressed."
"Yes sir, very much."
"Come and meet my wife." She is called Madam Adelaide.
I followed him to the porch, where the lady of the house was seated. She was quite stunning, I shook hands with her.
"Adelaide, this is the new gardener," he explained to her.
"I see. He is handsome," her voice betrayed some annoyance.
"My children are in school presently," the man said to me. "We have been blessed with two boys and as many girls. The eldest boy, a boy is six-former in st. Augustine's college. The next boy is a fifth-former in mfantispim school while the girls, a fourth former and a "Nino", are all in Achimota school."
My goodness! I thought. Of all my woes! To come and work in a house where there are two girls attending my former school. If they recognise me, what would be a dilemma, for I did not want any of the people to know anything about my previous schooling.
"Are you alright, young man?"
"Yes sir."
"Let's meet the staff then."
We met the staff. They were all resident workers.
"Unfortunately, your room won't be ready for the next six months. The previous gardener has begged that much time to enable him get a room elsewhere," my new boss explained to me.
"Very well, sir, I can wait."
We went back to the porch. "You will have a monthly salary of ten thousand dollars and you are entitled to a meal a day in the house. There are tools to work with as well a lawn mower." Dr. Adu Antwi paused. "Do you accept the job?"
"Yes sir."
I could hardly believe it - a gardener earning ten thousand dollars with free meal each day! This was a miracle to me.
"Thank you very much, sir."
"When are you ready to start?"
"Yesterday, sir."
He smiled. "You will begin work next Monday. You will start at nine in the morning each day and close at four O'clock in the afternoon. Weekends, you stop at twelve noon."
He gave me the month's salary. I took leave of him and went straight to purchase some items.
I felt I was in paradise and decided to treat myself to a bottle of mineral and a pie.
After the celebration, I went back to my room to plan my life as a working student.i had to go by a strick time table since I wanted to write the ordinary level examination as a private candidate the following year.
I was lonely in my room, for there was no one to talk with. To while away the time, I picked up a novel to read, but I couldn't concentrate. Every now and then , my mind wandered to the prospect of starting work. Eventually, I stopped trying to read altogether and let myself think about my master's daughters. I hoped none will be like Cherry.
A gust of wind blew the candle light out, leaving the room in semi-darkness. I looked outside, a naked light bulb hung above my head. I have a ceiling, four walls and a floor to lighten my loneliness. I fell asleep thinking of my village.