CHAPTER 19
We didn't expect the city to be a bed full of roses we just had hope that it was going to be a better place for us to heal, move on and start a better life for us. I had visited the famous terminus market more than five times, sometimes from school but some from home and I know for sure my mother had visited too many times to but the city had changed so much, beautifully I'll say. The gap between the villages in 'Jos' and the town is much, if you visit the town, you will not believe the stories you hear about the villages, its functional, its beautiful and above all very welcoming. The moment the bus rolled into a crowded motor park, reality greeted us with noise, heat and confusion, people shouted at each other, conductors dragged passengers towards different buses. Hawkers moved from window to window selling everything from groundnut to cold drinks. We arrived with just two bags and a big sack containing every kitchen utensil we owned and a heart full of hope.
The room 'Mimi' got for us was so small, that when she put the bed, we had given her money to get for us the space was occupied already, the paint was peeling and the window was barely opened but we can't really blame her the money we gave her wasn't much so we'll manage even though we really don't have an option as it is now, At least we are here and all we could do is try. The next morning, we woke up before sunrise, the city was already awake, cars honked endlessly and people rushed past as if the day was late already. We opened our bag and arranged the room and our kitchen was just a space in our corridor but it didn't matter to us at all, we were determined to do this and we were both happy to do it, we joked about a lot of things and laughed over it. After much passuation we both agree to rest today but set out to job hunting tomorrow.
The next morning before I woke up my mother was already dressed "good morning mummy, where are you going to?" I asked her with a shock on my face and I was yawning "early birds drink the cleanest water, am going to get a job" I was almost laughing at this point "I love the sound of that, but we should go together?" "no" she shouted, "I don't want a competitor" and she laughed "besides what of the work your friend 'Mimi' spoke to you about" "the manager said I should come in on Monday for the interview but I'll not just wait for that alone" I replied "you see? I have to go get my own too". We prayed and she headed out, I just pray she gets a job cause the joy and excitement eh.
The streets were long and the sun grew hotter with every step, she walked into shops and restaurants and offices, salons asking the same question over and over again "please, do you need someone to help?" most people barely looked at her before shaking their heads "no vacancy" some would say "come back anther time" others would say "not today" and so by afternoon her feet's ached and her throat felt dry. But se refuse to give up, she had not come all the way to the city just to return empty-handed.
Finally, a woman who owned a small food stall looked at her carefully and asked "can you cook" "yes" my mother nodded immediately, the woman sighed and said "I can't pay you much oh, but if you are willing to work you can start tomorrow." My mother felt a wave of relief wash over her, for the first today; hope felt real again. She was happy not for the pay but the acceptance and even if she doesn't get to do it she is happy that she got a 'Yes' today and could count for something.
She came home with a big smile and i was happy that she wasn't disappointed even though i wasn't satisfied with the pay i just let it slide for now, i know we'll definitely talk about this over dinner but its owk to celebrate her wins so "congratulations mummy" i said with a big smile on my face "thank you 'Simi' God will bless you my child". After all was said and done we went in to prepare our dinner and truth is the happiness on my mothers face was just the highlight of my day.