𝓛𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓽𝓼

Due to traffic, I am ten minutes late getting to the Adebanjos' home in Lekki, and I keep fervently hoping that I won't lose my job. There is something special about babysitting for wealthy families; I make more money a day doing it than I do working any of my other jobs in a week, and I am not ready to give that up.

I'm running late, and I'm supposed to be a babysitter, great. I hurriedly pass through the large, black, polished gate and run to the front door, knocking wildly and blindly breaking my knuckles. I keep knocking until I see the head maid answer the door, at which point I stop. Taking deep breaths.

“You are late.” The head maid says this, confirming the voice in my head that speaks louder than my heartbeat.

“I know, traffic.” Not giving her the chance to scold me even further, I replied immediately.

“Well, you are lucky. Madam is in the garden.” She positioned her thumb so it points toward the garden behind her.

“Thank you.” I dash to the back of the house to find Mrs. Adebanjo sitting in the detached, roofed structure that has been built behind the palm tree at the far end of the garden, reading a book and sipping red wine.

She appears not to be going to work today. As I walked up to her, I say, "Good morning, ma." Little Michael, who has been playing with his ball, hurries over to me and gives me a hug as soon as I announce my presence.

"Eno, you're here." She place her book on the table in front of her before glancing up at me and beckons with her left arm, "Please sit," pointing to the vacant chair that has been tugged under the table. I pull out the chair and sit in front of her.

In a straightforward yet exquisite fashion, Mrs. Adebanjo seems to look as opulent as ever. She is dressed in a v-neck chiffon maxi dress with a white and gold swirl design. On her feet are a pair of plain, flat slippers in the color gold. The only accessories she is wearing are a modest pair of round gold earrings and the gold luxury watch that her husband gave her for their most recent anniversary.

Prior to my interruption, Mrs. Adebanjo appeared to be enjoying her novel.

“You are having fun,” I smile politely then inquire to clear my curiosity “You are not going to work today?”

“No, sweetie, I ought to have contacted you, but I thought you should come. I require the company. “How are you?” she flashes her iconic smile at me

Really? These wealthy folks and their way of thinking. I suppose the main reason I went to all this trouble was to keep you company. Will I even be compensated for it? I smile artificially, masking my displeasure as I mentally throw the thought off.  I suppose today is my lucky day. I nearly miss the question she pose. I blink my eyelids open and return to the present. "Oh, no, no problem, I'm fine thank you. And you ma? I make a courteous request.

"Thank God, I'm healthy," She responds and then calls out, "Michael!"

“Yes Mommy!” Her little son hugged his soccer ball to his chest with both hands and answers in his cute, baby voice.

“Call Sir Patrick for me, please.” 

“Ok mommy.” His tiny hands let go the ball and without watching it bounce, he swings his tiny legs in the air while running into the house.

Sir Patrick, the household's dependable butler, is in charge of keeping the house in order when the Adebanjos are away. He is in his mid-forties and is addressed as sir out of respect for him.

He isn't the most attractive piece of work, and he isn't even close. He is of average height, chubby, and has a pot belly that makes it impossible for his uniform to button properly. He also has a ludicrous mustache that has colonized his chin and does not match his skinned-cut head pasted on his square-shaped face. But beneath all of these layers is a witty and dependable man who still harbors the wish that one day I'll consent to be his girlfriend. He wishes.

“I haven’t seen Daddy yet,” I say.

“Yes, he went out with Bolaji and Tosin, they should be back soon.” She sips her wine again.

Bolaji is the eldest son of the Adebanjos’. He is a stubborn sixteen year old boy in his final year in secondary school. Whenever I come around with Unwana, the house becomes too small for the both of them. Their disagreement on little matters like movies, video games, and even academic work. I won't lie though, my daughter is not gentle, sophisticated neither is she quiet; her nature of school made sure of that. 

Unwana is the only girl who has shown Bolaji his place and put him there, according to Mrs. Adabanjo. When I think about it, it's really funny. 

On the other hand, Tosin is my daughter's exact opposite; she shares the same age as Unwana and is a treasure to the family. Bolaji, her brother, does not joke with her. It's sweet that he feels it as his duty to always look out for his sister. She is great friends with my daughter, and occasionally I worry that my daughter's behavior shall slowly but surely rub off on her.

Unwana speaks fluent English but throws it at the corner when she’s with her friends or with me, an opportunity for me to figure out who her real friends are. And gradually, Tosin is picking up on that. I just hope that one day, her mom or her dad will not hear her speak Pidgin English. I don't want to imagine their reaction.

“How is my baby, Bright?” Mrs. Adebanjo inquires just as Sir Patrick walks into the garden.

They find it a little difficult to pronounce my daughter’s name, Unwana, so they settle for the English meaning (Bright).

“You sent for me ma” Sir Patrick voice halts me from replying. He walks closer to my side, beaming irksome oculars down at me and smiling.

“Yes, bring me the bottle of wine I kept on the dining table and an extra glass, please.” Maybe Mrs. Adebanjo can be strict but, her speech are always laced with a soft and refined tune. She is very different from the rich women I meet in their estate.

Since I've been employed by the Adebanjo family for four years, I've come to like Mr. and Mrs. Adebanjo for being kind, accommodating, and cultured—except when they're angry. One wealthy and disciplined individual I've encountered is Mr. Adebanjo. You ought to observe how he raises his children.

“Yes ma.” Sir Patrick straightens himself before leaving..

“Bright is fine. Her visiting day is in two weeks time, I can’t wait to see her.” I finally reply, smiling.

“I still can’t believe you sent your daughter to a boarding school, not just any boarding school but comand secondary school, a military school! Eno,” I can see the dreadful look in Mrs. Adabanjo eyes. I never liked the idea too. But I'm a single and struggling mom.

If she goes to school from home, my multiple jobs may interfere with her upbringing. I don't want her to witness how hard I work to provide, all she needs to know is that I can provide and make life comfortable for her.

“I know you never supported the idea, I still remember how you even offered to take responsibility for her schooling by sending her to a private school, like the one Tosin is going. I’ll always be thankful to you for caring about my daughter’s education but, she wanted to go there and I had to step up to take responsibility,” I try explaining, even when I know it isn't  a good enough explanation.

“I understand it just that—” She is Interrupted by Sir Patrick's entrance again. But this time, he's with the wine bottle and additional glass on a beautifully carved, brown oak tray. He gently places the tray on the table, and I can see the delicate floral print on the interior of the tray and the edges' carving of butterfly wings. He raises the wine bottle, fills Mrs. Adebanjo's glass with wine, and then sets the second glass in front of me.

Mrs. Adebanjo waves her left hand, signaling that he can leave then, she continues “—Bright has helped my daughter so much, academically. You need to see how Tosin is performing now in school, it is impressive.” She smiles.

I grinned a little. I'm really proud to know that my kid has positively made an impact a life, not just any life, I mean, a life that has everything. “I nearly forgot to mention that Bright competed for her school in the Cowbell Math competition this year and won the top prize out of the twenty schools that were represented. And one of the award is a scholarship covering her remaining years in school!" While speaking, I simply cannot contain my happiness.

“Oh my God, this is wonderful news.” Mrs. Adebanjo jerked to her feet, expressing so much happiness than I expected “Tosin has to hear this.”

“Thank you ma.” I say gratefully.

Finding her seat, she exhales “That is the kind of news I want to hear.”

I chuckle.

“I will be traveling to Abeokuta with my husband tomorrow. He lost his Father and he’s the only son of five daughters.” She informs in a low tone.

What a sad news “I’m sorry,” I say concern “What about the children wh—”

“They will be staying with my sister.” She quickly tells me before I can drop the question.

“How long?” 

“My dear, I don’t know but I’m not planning on staying long. I’ll call you when I return. But for the mean time, there is this friend of mine who just returned from the state and requested for a baby sitter. I recommended you but I wasn’t sure if you will want it.”

“Of course, I'd be glad to take the job.” A quick replacement. Thank God. “But I'll quit as soon as you return. I don't want someone else taking care of my little Michael.” I add jokingly.

Earning a heartfelt laughter from Mrs. Adebanjo, she replies “Ahh! Eno, you won't kill me oooh. Well, she lives at Ikeja, I’ll write down the address for you.”

1756 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖘