The housekeeper replied to her, saying, "Yes, many people came, but I didn't entertain all of them. I just told them, 'Here, you may go.' However, there is one boy who came asking for you every day. Today I told him to wait for your return."
She lifted her eyes and saw a young girl wearing a hijab over a dress. She then turned her gaze to the young women sitting in the car. When she opened the car door for them, they refused to get out. She sighed and said, "Are you planning to spend the whole night in the car?"
They responded jokingly. One talkative girl said, "Hajiya, honestly, this car feels so cold it penetrates my heart; I feel like I shouldn't get out."
The housekeeper shook her head with a slight smile and said, "That kind of cold is just the A.C., and once we go inside, there is A.C. everywhere."
Pleased, all five of them got out of the car. They had been rescued from the dangerous streets; their clothes were mismatched, shoes dirty, and their faces made up with heavy makeup, black dots painted on their noses and cheeks, constantly nodding their heads in sync.
She quickly helped them settle in and started giving them guidance. She then turned to the boy and said, "Bring the girl in."
Turning to the young women, she said, "Come inside, but stay close to me. Anyone who misbehaves, I will send back to the market to continue selling fura."
Entering the living room, they began staring around, trying to climb the sofas, but she scolded them, "Stop! Do not climb on the sofas. Sit on the carpet here, behave like proper young women."
They calmed down, each finding a place to sit. She herself chose a spot that allowed her to observe them while they huddled together like sardines. She then called one of her assistants, Larai, who had just woken from sleep, rubbing her eyes.
"Welcome back, Hajiya. I was asleep and also had a headache because of cold medicine I took."
The housekeeper frowned. "You keep taking cold medicine. Are you abusing drugs?"
Larai laughed nervously. "No, Hajiya, I would never do that. Only old people do that."
Smiling, the housekeeper said, "Good. Now, we have food. I brought some children from the village."
Larai shook her head. "No, Hajiya, I didn't expect you today, so I didn't prepare any food."
The housekeeper relaxed and said, "It's not your fault. We have bread, tea, and instant noodles. Prepare them for the children."
She went to the kitchen to prepare the food. Meanwhile, the girl prayed silently, asking Allah to grant her this job so she could support her struggling siblings.
One of the young women asked her, "Can you turn on the TV for us?"
She shook her head, not because she couldn't, but because she feared the housekeeper might scold her. The others whispered, "She's useless; she can't do anything."
She looked at them firmly and said, "I can, but why don't you use your hands?" Shocked, they realized she could speak up.
The housekeeper appeared, dressed in sleepwear, hair tied with a ribbon, holding an Infinix Hot 10 phone. The girls straightened themselves and sat properly.
She found a comfortable spot on a three-seater to address them properly, while the girl leaned on a two-seater on the right. The others were on the left.
She began speaking in a calm voice, "I have explained everything. Now, I will teach you how to properly do your work so you don't go into people's houses as unskilled helpers. You must maintain personal hygiene, clean your environment, and prepare food properly. I will guide you."
Then she looked at the girl and said, "You have been quiet. I don't know you yet, but I want to know why you came looking for me."
The girl opened her mouth but stopped when she noticed the village girls staring like vultures.
The housekeeper's voice made them look away. The girl finally said softly, "I heard you help children get work. I came to ask you to help me find work so I can support my siblings, who are very ill. The hospital bills are too high, and we have no one to assist us. I am their only hope."
Hearing her plea, the housekeeper felt compassion. "Enough. Wipe your tears. How much did the doctor say the bills are?"
"Eight hundred thousand naira," the girl replied, trying to wipe her tears.
The housekeeper shook her head. "If I had the money, I would help, but things are expensive now. For now, tell me where you live, and I will take you home tonight. Tomorrow, we will go to the hospital together, as I never take a child without the parents' knowledge."
Quickly, she said, "I will stay here. No one is home, and I have already said goodbye. I can't bear to leave my siblings in their suffering without paying the bills. I will do anything to get the money."
The housekeeper replied, "Alright, you can stay tonight. Tomorrow, we will check and go to the hospital together."
Larai entered carrying plates, laying out three loaves of bread, a jug of tea, and small cups. She placed them for the girls and then went back to bring the rest of the food from the kitchen.