There is this job

Week pass by just like pages in a book, one lonely afternoon I received a phone call from one of our acquittance. I left home to go see the person to know the reason for the call.

"Good afternoon aunty Josephine, how do you do?" I greeted sounding polite.

"Afternoon Amaya, i'm doing great what about you?" She asked back with a cool smile on her face.

"I am fine. You called?" I asked not going around the bush.

"I have an excellent opportunity for you, I spoke to my friend abroad and she said she is looking for a maid, someone who can help around the house. I know you don't want to be a maid but let's forget about the status of the job and look about the pay, you get $500 dollars a month plus feeding and accommodation. Think about what that money will do for your family." I heard her say, the salary is something to hope for but the location is beyond my reach. And again why would they not just employ someone who is there with them?

"Aunty Josephine, why do they or she not choose someone who is closer to them?" I asked the question which has been ringing in my mind like a church bell.

"My friend said she wants someone from her roots, someone from Africa and above all a Cameroonian. I send my niece to work for another family there and she is doing great now." I nod my head.

"What are the requirements?" I asked her.

"You have to be efficient, hardworking, quick. There's one thing, you will need to fund your transportation." I frowned knowing that's were the line has been drawn.

"Aunty I don't think I will be able, the job is good but I can't fund my transportation, you know the state of my family." She place a hand on my shoulder and said "don't be too quick in deciding, just try to talk to your mom and brothers and hear their opinion on the matter, you never know you might be able." I nod. We talk about casual stuff until it was time for me to go home.

On the dining table, I watch my mom eat her meal, my brothers ate theirs quietly too. I cleared my throat to gain their attention.

"This afternoon aunty Josephine called me to her place to discuss something." I paused to see if they are following me, I continue when I saw everyone's attention on me. "She said there's a job, I have to work as a maid.. Wait let me finish." I said when Blossom opened his mouth to say something.

"The job is in a different country, a whole different continent. The pay is $500 dollars a month."

"The pay is good but I don't think you are going." Blossom said.

"You can't work as a maid and not in another continent." I frowned.

"But think about it, what if I work there as a maid and then I also search for other jobs which is worth my education?" Mom twist her lips before saying.

"Is it fully funded?" I sigh and said "that is were the trouble lays, it is not. I have to pay for my transportation but for my feeding and accommodation, it is set."

"Where do you think we can get such amount of money? Have you forgotten that we don't have enough?" Bello ask, not ones did he raise his voice at me.

"Let's eat, I will see what I can do." Mom said and we all turn to look at her.

We ate our meal and went to bed, I didn't go to sleep though, I just lay on my bed. My mind took me to the time when my dad was fine and very much alive.

"Princess, how was school? University suits you, look at how you are glowing." Dad asked me the moment I entered the house. I sat down next to him dropping my back which contains my clothes and books.

"School is OK, just some of my lecturers are unbearable." I took hold of my dad's hand and stare at his expensive watch.

"You like?" He asked and I nod my head. He took it off and put in my house. "I bought it when I went to Douala to sign a deal with one of our clients."

I heard the sound of a car driving through the driveway and I guess it was my brothers. "Hey you didn't tell us you were coming," Bello said but this earned him a smack on the head from Blossom. "Does she need to tell you or us when she's coming?" He turned to me and stretched his hand requesting for a hug which I happily gave.

A sad smile made it's way on my lips, if dad was still here, I wouldn't have to look for a job because he would have handled it and mom won't have to look tired all the time. My brothers will not be working at a construction site, carrying water, sand and cement.

After my father died, the bank seized everything, but I was able to keep the watch he gave me. I woke from my bed and went to my cupboard and pull out the small box which contains the watch. I trail my hand on the watch, a sigh left my lips and I kept it back and went back to bed. I pull the cover to my neck and closed my eyes waiting for the sleep which was miles away from me.

By the time of morning, I woke up with my eyes feeling heavy because I didn't catch enough sleep. I met my mom in the kitchen preparing breakfast, I joined her and together we made breakfast.

As you usual after the breakfast, my brothers went to work while I went on to tidy up the house. Today is Thursday, mom and I went to the mile four market since it was close to the house.

"I plan on cooking eru today, it has been long." I smiled because it is one of my favorite dishes. We bought everything including meat, it has been ages since I ate meat.

"You fix and slice the waterleaf while I go prepare the fufu." Using the knife, I cut the sticks off the waterleaf not wanting to waste time. I slice it and wash it before going to wash the eru too.

I could smell the aroma coming from the food, my mouth water and my stomach unable to contain itself growled indicating how hungry I am. Did I tell you I am a big foodie? Show me love and food and I'll choose food.