Tiit For Tat - S02 E09

3 years ago

Tiit For Tat - S02 E09

Read Story: SEASON 2 EPISODE 9

Pain And Joy

Without dark clouds in our lives, we would never know the joy of sunshine. We can become callous and unteachable if we do not learn from pain.- Billy Graham.

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{Rosaline POV}

I pretended not to hear what my landlord had said.He shook me and repeat the words. Still I remained nonchalant. He suddenly grabbed my breast and started f^ndling them. As quick as lightning, I slapped him on the right cheek. It was on impulse. He felt down holding his cheek.

His face contorted in anger and he advanced on me with venom .

I was afraid and took to my heels. Two hours later, I decided to go home. I went home only to receive the shock of my life. My few belongings including my brother’s were packed out of the room.

Just when I was thinking of what to do, it began to rain. The rain was very heavy. All my belongings and my brother’s were soaked. I sat in the rain crying. When I was crying, I saw a piece of wet paper . It looked familiar to me. It was the same piece of paper that followed me since the day I helped the woman at Makola Market.

My dear Reader, The gods won’t come down from heaven to carve your path in life.

I picked the piece of paper and unfold it. I saw a number on it.

I dialled the number, ” RR-R-Rrrr-rrr-ii-iinnn-ng .

“Hello , who is this?” I heard Maame Akua’s voice.

Me: Maame Akua ( That’s the name she called to me)

Maame Akua :Yes.

Me: it’s Rosaline..

Maame Akua: Ro…sa.. line.

Me: Maame Akua, have you forgotten me, the Nigerian girl who help you in Makola Market.

Maame Akua: Oh, Yea,Yea, Yea. How are you?

Me:( Sobbing ) I’m not fine.

Maame Akua : What is wrong? Has your boyfriend beaten you?

When she mentioned the word ” boyfriend ” I nearly laughed but I was too sad to laugh.

Me : I don’t have a boyfriend.

Maame Akua: Then what is wrong?

Me: It’s my landlord?

Maame Akua: please come over so that we talk,proper ..proper.

Then she spoke Twi language “Baanu so a emmia”

Literally meaning “When two carry, it does not hurt.”

I carried my few rain-soaked belongings and went to her.

I narrated everything to her. She said she had already employed

waitresses and could not

employed me because I came a little too late. However, she could give me accommodation until I got somewhere. I was grateful for her magnanimity.

Two weeks after that call, I saw an advertisement.”The Exquisite Bar and Restaurant” looking for Waitresses to employ.

I applied along with 25 other girls. Luckily, I was among the first three to be picked after a verbal interview and a little bit of demonstration of waitress’ skills.

The Exquisite Bar and Restaurant was an elite restaurant in Accra. It was restricted to people of the upper class like Ministers,

Ambassadors, Diplomats,Business Magnates,and highly rich individuals. I counted myself privileged to get a job there to serve customers at their tables. Even as a waitress, I earned Ghc1500 every month!!!

Since I began earning some money again, I was able to rent a small apartment for myself and other basic things I needed as a woman.

I was in the restaurant one day when the sirens started blowing as if a VIP was coming. The siren was followed by many cars.

Soon, they stopped at the restaurant and he came out and entered the restaurant. The Owner of the Restaurant stood to met him. She said, “Welcome, Honourable”

Many guards were with him. I was called to serve her. He looked at me for quite long when I served him. Then he said, “you don’t look like a Ghanaian. ”

I shyly said, ” it’s true my Lord,I am a Nigerian. ”

He became more interested in chatting with me. “I am from Jos, the Son of the Governor of Plateau state Hon. Clifford Bankole. This is my card. Call me for a tête-à-tête, said him.

Before I recover from my shock, he’s gone.

***

After work the next day, I decided to chat with the governor’s son. He told me he was living closer to the Jubilee house. His name is Gerald Akinjide.

I remembered the saying, “If you want to make someone feel totally awkward, give them a ring out of the blue and tell them you want to chat. The first two minutes of a phone conversation with someone who’s not your own parent or sibling feel awkward. But once you get on, it’s like riding a bike. I was not really used to phone chat.

I dialled Gerald. He picked the call and said , “Hello?”

I found myself stumbling over words during the initial hello. But once we moved past the weirdsies, it was smooth sailing, and the conversations flowed naturally.

I didn’t realize how much personal time it takes to have a meaningful phone conversation.

we’d chat for an hour-plus. It felt so great to connect with each other’s voice.

I learned that having a real conversation with Gerald felt both constructive and worthwhile.

Whenever he paid a visit to the restaurant, I behaved professionally so that my boss won’t suspect anything fishy between us, at least not at the nascent stage of our loveship but when I went home, we chatted our hearts out.

~~Two Weeks Later~~

I called him and told him of my intended visit. He was very happy.

I took my time and made the best of make- ups and put on my best dress. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I was impressed with myself. I looked elegant.

My skirt and top, matching the colour of my shoes and ladies handbag created the impression that I belonged to the elite class.

I wanted to create a lasting impression on him

When I stepped out, I called him. He said I should not use a public transport. He sent his driver to come and pick me. Soon he arrived. We passed though

second circular road , through Giffard road , straight through Liberation road down to cantonment. His residence was simply amazing and befitted his status.

I was finally ushered into a big hall. I waited patiently for him. Then he came down from upstairs. He looked at me and exclaimed,

” you looked gorgeous. Come up with me, said him, holding my hands….

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