YAAYI

4

The next day passed, followed by more days and weeks with Yaayi, as she continued to attend to her madam's demands, albeit less frequently due to Mr. Folu's presence in the house.

The atmosphere had changed with Mr. Folu's arrival, as the house was no longer as quiet, with numerous guests visiting to welcome him back and, perhaps, to benefit from his travels.

Despite the slight reprieve from Mrs. Folu's constant calls, Yaayi found herself dealing with demanding guests who seemed to assert their authority at every opportunity, whether it was asking for assistance with trivial tasks or expecting her to tend to their needs constantly.

Mr. Folu's occasional pitying glances only added to her frustration.

Gradually, Yaayi began to notice more about Mr. Folu's personality, beyond his facade of humor and business-like demeanor. She observed his mannerisms, his expressions, and found herself paying more attention to him than she desired.

It was unsettling and distracting from her own ambitions.

Yaayi had always been driven by her ambitions, aiming to save enough money to leave her current job, secure her own apartment, and pursue her passion for fashion.

She was determined not to live a life like her mother, who had devoted herself entirely to her family without much consideration for her own desires.

Yaayi had always wanted to explore the world and face whatever challenges it presented, but she never anticipated losing her family in such a sudden and tragic manner.

Her thoughts drifted back to her hometown, Dansa, a place she held dear in her heart. The memories of its beauty and serenity only intensified her sense of loss.

As tears welled up in her eyes, she was startled by Mr. Folu's sudden presence behind her, interrupting her reverie.

Annoyed by his habit of sneaking up on her, Yaayi confronted him.

"Will you ever stop doing that, sir?"

"Doing what?"

"Appearing behind people unexpectedly."

"I did that? I believe you were the one lost in thought. I had been watching you for some time."

"I wasn't lost in thought!" She retorted curtly, exasperated at him being able to read her so easily.

"You surely were. He pressed.

"Surely not!

"Well, I don't have time for that right now. I just need you to help me with something."

Yaayi raised her eyebrows, signaling him to continue.

"Two of my friends are coming to visit, and I'd like you to inform me when they arrive. I'd like to rest a bit."

Despite her irritation and seeing how tired he appeared, she agreed to inform him when his friends arrived.

"Ok, sir."

"Thanks." He smiled with appreciation.

And Yaayi couldn't stop appreciating how handsome he was at that moment, his eyes crinckling at both sides.

He strode out of the kitchen but stopped and turned suddenly.

"And...."

"What?"

Brushing his palm down his face in frustration, he tersely said,

"Stop that 'sir' of yours, will you? It's getting on my nerves." He delivered and left.

Roling her eyes at his retreating back, Yaayi went to her room to collect herself and attend to her tasks.

Some hours later, she could hear the sound of the gate cringing, the sound of a vehicle, accompanied by the banging of car doors and loud guffaws.

Some new arrival no doubt.

As the sound of guests' arrival echoed through the house, Yaayi couldn't shake the feeling of longing for her home and the life she once knew.

Refusing to become dejected once again, she hastenly changed her dress and rushed to the living room to check the incoming visitors.

...
A man and a woman were ushered in by Mrs. Yomi. The voices bellowing at the unfortunate Lagos traffick.

The man, dressed in an Ankara T-shirt, dark jeans, and shiny shoes, sat comfortably later opposite madam, engaging in animated conversation.

The woman, a young, beautiful, petite lady in a short blue dress, smiled softly as she sat across from them, her stylish hair and turquoise-painted nails catching Yaayi's eye.

Yaayi noticed her shoes lying in a corner of the living room and observed her rubbing her right foot, likely from wearing such spiky heels.

"Yaayi. Thank God! Come! Bring some refreshments for my lovely guests," Mrs. Yomi called out.

"Alright," Yaayi replied as she served them their drinks and turned to leave.

"Hey, wait! What's your name?" the lady asked.

"Yaayi."

"Such a weird name. Northerner?" she continued, scrunching up her nose.

"Yes."

"Well, look at those shoes over there," she said, gesturing to the corner where her shoes lay haphazardly. "They need cleaning and should be handled with care. They cost #300,000. They're expensive."

Yaayi remained calm, trying not to show her incredulous expression of wondering how someone could spend such amount on a pair of shoes. "I don't clean shoes, and since you said they're costly, I might damage them." She said gently.

"Such insolence! Mummy, where did you get this one from? So rude! It seems you don't like your job!" the lady hissed.

"I believe that kind of shoes should be handled with care like she said, Feyisara," the man intervened, addressing his sister while Mrs. Yomi seemed unbothered.

"Yaayi, right? He confirmed, fixing her with an interested gaze. "Don't mind my sister. She tends to react when her wishes aren't met," he said, his attentive gaze turning to curiosity.

"' Boda mi! ( Brother) I won't take your intrusion in my matters!" Feyi retorted.

The glare from her brother was enough to quell any further argument, and Feyi returned to their conversation.

Mingled voices and soft laughter resumed in the room.

As Yaayi made her way to inform Mr Folu of his guests, she couldn't shake the feeling of curious eyes on her back, and later followed by a sudden realization.

Ayoade stared, unable to believe that she was the same girl his friend had bantered with at his work place just a few weeks ago. What a coincidence!

Miss Feyi's laughter did not befit her character at all, Yaayi thought. The lady was as spoilt as a toddler.
***