Labake

At 20, she was married. Yes, to Baba Ibrahim, who was nearing 40 from his disposition. She walked and talked wit pride (the sort of pride you get from people who have been through a lot in their lives.) For her age, she seemed to have known too much. She would sit on your chair like she owned it. No Poise. Lot's of Toxic traits in her. But in all, she seemed to be quite productive.

Not much to say about her. She came on Monday, stopped working on Thursday and left on Wednesday.

She worked for Mama Semako.
It is indeed funny to know, that her husband was comfortable with her going to work as a paid maid. Like most landladies, Mama Semako cared little or nothing about anybody. She was one of those ladies who fell into wealth by accident.

Her grandfather was very wealthy in his time and fortunately (or unfortunately) her father who had enjoyed the wealth of his father, willed one of his properties to her). He dealt in Gold and precious metals. He was a founding parishioner of Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.

The man must have spent his money helping with the building of the church, because his name is boldly written at the top of the entrance into the it.

*back to the story*

Labake got into Mama Semako's house on Monday. She came from Saki, a village in Oyo state. She was accompanied by Princess Teni to see Mama Semako. Princess Teni did the price negotiation. At d end of the negotiation, Mama Semako agreed to pay N7,000.00 per month to Labake. Princess Teni agreed. So, Mama Semako paid for 3months in full. She also paid an extra N10,000.00 as transportation fee.

While the negotiation was going on, Labake knew not about it. She only got to know, when Mama Semako told her about the kind of work she'd be doing for her.
"Oh girl, what is ur name?"
"Labake."
"I hope u know the kind of work u'll be doing here?"
"Not really, ma."
"So they... Anyway, u'll be helping me in my shop with d chores."
"Okay ma." That was the response that damned the poor girl.

Mama Semako was a large tongued person. She had no problem wit hitting u where it hurt. She'd waste no time magnifying ur history, if u crossed her. A real talker.

My mum was not in d picture until Thursday. Before Labake came, my mum and our Landlady, Mama Semako had been at loggerheads. Not a big enough to cause a public show, but one that could turn fatal.

Princess Teni was my mum's friend. Mama Semako had met her on one of her visits to our cubicle of a home.

The week before Labake's arrival, Princess Teni had visited us. On that day, Mama Semako came visiting too. She came and complained about needing a house-help. Princess Teni promised to help her get one. And so she did. Labake.

In the two full days that she worked (Tuesday and Wednesday), we heard nothing. It was on the third, when Labake said she was not interested in the job again, that Hell was let loose. What was her reason for wanting to resign? She didn't like the kind of work. It involved lifting iceblocks, not sewing clothes. Madam always reminded her that her services had been paid for (N31,000).