KASARACHI
Kasarachi - Episode 27
(Tell it to God)
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Mrs Sharon Ifedi...? I'm very sure it's her I'm seeing. What is she doing here...?" I asked myself as I walked closer to where a lady and Halima were standing beside the white SUV car.
I could see the shock on Mrs Sharon Ifedi's face on seeing me there.
I could tell that I was the last person she was expecting to meet at that moment.
She looked at Halima and asked if I was the person she was talking about earlier and Halima answered in the affirmative.
For me, I was wondering if Mrs Sharon is the elder sister that Halima was referring to earlier...?
Would I be working as a subordinate wife to someone whom I am familiar with...?
Oh no! this can't be happening!!!!!!
It's going to be very embarrassing if that's the case but then something occurred to me.
Mrs Sharon's surname 'Ifedi' is actually an igbo name and since Halima is Hausa, then there's definitely no way they are related by blood.
Halima spoke up which cut short my thoughts. She made an introduction and that's when I got to know who Mrs Sharon was to her.
"Meet my friend Sharon....she is based here in Canada and I solicited her help in picking us up from the airport since my husband is really busy. Sharon hunnie meet Kasarachi, the girl I told that I am getting for my sister"
"Hey Kasarachi. It's nice to meet you again and not in Nigeria this time but here in Canada. How have you been and what brought you down here...?" Sharon asked looking at me and smiling pleasantly
"Oh Sharon hunnie, you know Kasarachi before now...? Wow!" Halima asked looking at Sharon curiously
I was quiet since I didn't know the answer to give as a response to Mrs Sharon's questions especially the second one.
I mean it's impossible to explain why I'm here without going into details so it's pointless answering that particular question.
"Yes I do babe. She is my junior friend back in Nigeria. So it surprises me to find her here....and I'm also wondering why she accepted to work as a subordinate wife to your in-law. Sincerely it doesn't seem like a job her kind of person would want to do" Sharon said shrugging her shoulders. She talks as though she observed me so well while in Nigeria, enough to tell what I can do and what I cannot do.
"Well, you can see for yourself Sharon hunnie. I didn't choke it down her throat. Kasarachi here gladly accepted to be my in-law's junior wife!" Halima said condescendingly
"Kasarachi is that true...? You came to Canada for a job like this...? Well it's okay" Mrs Sharon said dismissively and I sighed heavily as I made up my mind to speak up.
I just knew that I had to and if Mrs Sharon is still a kindhearted person, then just maybe she could help me this time around.
Think about it....? Mrs Sharon had ensured that I was taken good care of at the hospital when she didn't necessarily have to after sorting out the hospital bills. It shows she's kind and thoughtful, except maybe she has changed since people tend to change a lot.
I heaved as I walked closer so they could hear me audibly when I'm talking. Then I said with my words directed at Mrs Sharon
"I don't like the job but I don't have a choice Mrs Sharon. I was sold into the hand of a human tr@fficker and he wanted to travel to Canada with me for ill purposes. It was in the plane that Ma'am Halima here rescued me and then she offered me the deal in exchange for the accommodation and feeding I asked of her" I said gently
"What!!!! Babe you offered an estranged girl a deal in her state of vulnerability....? You do know that it's called exploiting her unpleasant situation right...? And we both know it's not proper at all!" Mrs Sharon said feeling displeased by Halima's actions
Halima bent her head low and from her facial expression, I could tell she felt really embarrassed at her wrongs being exposed.
I could also tell that she respected Mrs Sharon a lot because she didn't argue, instead she simply apologized for making such an offer to me in my desperate state.
"I'm sorry Kasarachi. My friend is right. I shouldn't have tried to exploit your situation the way I almost did...." Halima said and paused for a while before continuing
"....but then it still doesn't change the fact that you can't stay at my house because of my husband! I barely know you so I can't risk my marriage for a stranger"
Her words dampened my spirit and I know she said them on purpose to hurt my emotions.
"Why can't she stay at your house babe....? Last I checked you are a human right activist and should understand her situation better. So why being this insensitive to her needs and helpless situation...?" Mrs Sharon asked Halima pointedly
"It's not like that Sharon hunnie. You already know how my husband Garry can be adulterous when it comes to women. I can't afford to take her to my home when she's this beautiful and curvy" Halima replied and I saw her subtly roll her eyes at me before continuing
"....look babe. I don't mind not taking Kasarachi to my elder sister for that job.... but then I wouldn't want her to be stranded on the streets without food or shelter. So Sharon hunnie...since your husband is a disciplined man....why don't you help her then...? Provide her a place to stay!" Halima said sarcastically probably expecting Mrs Sharon to say no but it was the opposite
"I was about to suggest the same thing too. Babe it wouldn't be a bad idea if she does a more decent job. It's better than what you offered her so please release her to me. I will be responsible for her welfare" Sharon said to Halima who immediately nodded in approval before replying
"Okay then. It's settled...you can have her!" Halima said flippantly
Sharon turned to speak to me who was standing quietly and listening to them.
"Kasarachi you can come with me to my house where I stay with my husband and two kids. I'm currently in need of a female housekeeper who can help me with chores. Don't worry you will be paid monthly, with enough food and live-in accommodation provided. Would you like to take this offer...?" Mrs Sharon asked smiling at me
My head was initially bent low staring at the ground, so I lifted my head to look at her.
And my eyes bulged out in amazement at such an amazing offer from Mrs Sharon.
I couldn't even reply immediately because what I heard seems too good to be true honestly. To imagine that she's even asking for my consent and not totally imposing it on me...? Hei!! God is so wonderful.
When I wasn't saying anything as a response to her question, Mrs Sharon probably thought it meant I was not pleased with the offer and wanted to decline it.
"...but it's okay if you can't be my housekeeper for payment. It doesn't change my promise to be responsible for your welfare....which means that I will still provide you with a room to stay and enough food until you are able to find your footings. So don't feel pressured at all Kasarachi" Sharon said calmly whilst still smiling at me
"You are not pressuring me Mrs Sharon. Sincerely I don't want to be a liability and a parasite to anybody when I can actually work legitimately for you and earn money. I love the offer and my answer is yes I will be your housekeeper. I just couldn't respond immediately....because all you said earlier seems to be so good to be true. Thank you very much Mrs Sharon....you're so kind!" I said excitedly with my face full of smiles
Halima was smiling too but the smile didn't reach her eyes which means she was merely feigning to be happy, probably because of her friend Mrs Sharon.
Soon, the three of us got into Mrs Sharon's car and she began driving us out of the airplane's park. I was sitting at the back with Halima who was unusually silent.
After about ten minutes drive on the road, I started expressing my heartfelt gratitude to Mrs Sharon all over again and she said as a response to my continuous thanks....
"It's my pleasure to be able to help you Kasarachi and you don't need to thank me much. It's a service in exchange for value. So thank you too for accepting to work for me...I appreciate it" Mrs Sharon said calmly
I admire Mrs Sharon's gentility and couldn't help chuckling before replying to her
"You may not really understand how happy this makes me Mrs Sharon. The thing is that not only would I be able to care for myself with my earnings....but from that money, I believe I will also be able to send something home to assist my mother and siblings that are in the village" I said and sighed in relief
"It's okay Kasarachi. I'm glad that at your young age....you already know about responsibilities. It's so honorable to be working and earning legitimately and then still making proper use of the money such that you even included your family. Your thoughtfulness and sense of responsibility is so admirable Kasarachi" Mrs Sharon said maneuvering the car into another direction which I guess leads to Halima's house
"Thank you Mrs Sharon. You are rich and yet so kind, humble, and gentle to people" I said to Mrs Sharon
"Well I see an ambitious young girl in you and it reminds me of my younger self Kasarachi. The truth is that I actually rose from penury to affluence and to be sincere, it wasn't an easy journey at all" Mrs Sharon said calmly and then she went quiet.
Halima who wasn't contributing anything to our conversation suddenly spoke out for the first time since we entered the car
"I will be stopping at the mall ahead babe. I need to pick a few items there to prepare dinner for hubby" Halima said pointing at the mall ahead of us that was within view
"Okay no problem Halima hunnie. Do send my regards to Garry when you get home" Mrs Sharon said driving towards the mall
"You too babe. Send my regards to your husband Benny and greet the kids for me too" Halima said to Mrs Sharon who nodded her head and replied that she will do so.
In a few minutes, Mrs Sharon arrived at the mall that had tons of customers who were busy going in and some were walking out.
Mrs Sharon drove into the environment and packed in an open space, so that Halima can come out since that's her destination.
Before stepping out, Halima subtly whispered a few words into my ears making sure Mrs Sharon didn't hear or notice her unsuspecting moves.
Halima then stepped out of the car and wished Mrs Sharon and I farewell before walking into the mall.
I was frightened by what Halima said to me and my countenance automatically changed. I suppose Mrs Sharon noticed the change in my mood and had to ask me...
"Are you okay Kasarachi. You've been so quiet since Halima left the car. Is something bothering you...?" Mrs Sharon asked out of concern and drove out of the mall's space.
I couldn't respond because I was truly bothered and I was feeling frightened too!
Why wouldn't I...? When the words Halima whispered into my ears has reactivated the inner fears I initially thought I had buried....
(Do not take credit or Plagiarize AMAH'S HEART stories)
No comments