MISSING PIECE (17)

“Orisi risi! Wonders will never end!”, she said, clapping her hands hysterically. “Labake, for the last time. Where is my box of jewelries?” The woman asked her maid who was on her knees, crying.

Labake, a young girl of about sixteen, was brought to the city after her parents were promised that she would be sent to school. Like every good parents, they had released her to Femi because they trusted him. Unbeknownst to them, Femi was only a middleman who got girls from villages to come to the city and work for people who needed house helps.

He sent money to the unsuspecting parents at intervals saying it was their children’s new guardians that asked him to deliver it.

She later realized that she and her parents had been fooled. She thought of going back home but Femi threatened her.

“Madam,  Olorun ri mi (God sees me)”, Labake said, using her index finger to touch her tongue and raising it up. “Mi o lo si ‘yara yin le ‘ni (I did not go to your room today).” A heavy slap landed on her face, bringing down hot tears.

“Ode! (Fool!) So I was the one that stole it, abi?  You better confess before my husband comes. Anu e se mi (I pity you)”, the woman said, sitting heavily on on the chair, hitting her legs vigorously on the ground. She was obviously tired of beating the girl.

Car Honks……..Moments Later

“Ahh! Just in time. Welcome, my husband”, she said, standing up and hugged him.

“Thank you. Why is she on her knees?”, Mr Alao asked.

“Don’t mind this thief. Can you imagine? This girl stole my box of jewelries, including that green pearl you bought for me few months ago.”

He was shocked. “You don’t mean it!  Now, Labake, where did you put them?”

“Oga, I don’t know. I did not take anything”, the teenager maintained.

“What do you mean?  You, your madam and I are the only ones in this house. Thank God the children are on holiday maybe you’d have accused them too of doing this. Who took it? And I’m sure you have accomplices. Spill it out!”, he yelled.

Labake starred blankly at him. Accompeses ke? Ki lo n je be? (Accomplices? What does that mean?), she thought.

***********
“Kanga, what is this?”, Tessy asked, her face disgusted. “Is this what you promised?”

“Relax,  Tessy. At least,  check what I gave you first. The family I got this from is rich.” She opened the box. She was impressed with what she saw but didn’t show it. She brought them out one after the other, feeling them on her skin.

“Are you sure about this?”, she asked.

“Of course. I can’t get anything less for you, my sweetheart”, he said grinning.

“Okay. But that doesn’t mean you won’t give me the money ooo.”

“I will still give you, just be patient with me. Can I get some love now?”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

(To Be Continued)

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