THE EXTERNALS

Chapter Fourteen

There was no way I could ignore what Janet said so I pondered on it as I walked home after school. Truth be told, she was the only person I considered taking her advice among my classmates. Janet's personality encouraged me to follow her advice. She was not only beautiful. She was cool, calm, respectful, and humble. She didn't fancy looking down on anyone. So when I was done eating snacks for lunch at home, I brought out my finance book from my reading table and started adjusting my budget for the new month to gather enough money to get Jess a new sportswear so she'll be able to participate in the competition.

Apart from being a great opportunity for her to go further in her sports career, it was an opportunity for my class to do something great for the school.  I knew if Jess participated in the competition, there was a high chance of us winning and the credit will not go to her only. It'll be for the entire class. After several calculations, I found out it wasn't possible for me to get the full money for Jess' sportswear and resolved to get it through another means. While thinking of what to do next, I remember Appa came to serve me at my Aunt's party. Immediately, I called to ask if he could help me get a job at the company he worked for and he said yes. They needed a replacement because one of their waiters fell sick and they had an event to cater for the next day.

Mrs. Etim was the caterer Appa worked for. Unlike what some people thought, she didn't go to any catering school before she started cooking food in large quantities. She got her natural cooking skills from her mom who didn't utilize them as she did. Still, she didn't channel all her energy into cooking local dishes alone. She was good at making samosa, spring rolls, chicken barbecue, sharwama, and pizza. She told me herself that she learned how to make these foreign dishes only by looking at YouTube and I was taken aback. She liked me very much so she offered to take me as her apprentice when I graduate high school and made me serve the guests at the high table because of my calm and reserved nature.

"Good evening. I'm here to take your order", I said politely as I got to one of the VIP tables Mrs. Etim asked me to look after. Their owners arrived in the middle of the wedding event we were catering for.

"Oh my! Joke, isn't this your niece? I saw her at your party the other night!"One of the guests recognized me and called Aunty's attention. Then, our eyes met.

We were both shocked. Neither of us knew what to do say to each other.

"I don't think I can allow her to serve me oo. This is child labor and it's part of child abuse. I don't want to go to jail oo", She exclaimed and looked at me pitifully.

"Has she ever come to beg for food in your house? Why are you looking at her in that manner?" Her look pissed off my Aunt. Not even her authoritative husband could stop her from talking.

"What do you mean by that?" The woman switched her look to an innocent one.

"When we were watching a movie in the car earlier, you admired a young American who was going to high school and doing part-time jobs as well. Is my cousin any different?" Fiona, my cousin supported her mom in defending me.

"Is there any problem?" My boss noticed I was staying here for too long and came to check on me. The woman still wanted to speak but Aunt Joke didn't allow her.

"Everything is all right, Mrs. Etim. I was just catching up with my niece", Aunt Joke explained to her.

"Really!" Mrs. Etim was surprised."I said it! Your face and character is similar to that of someone I know.