Chapter 10: Missed Chance

Turning point come one night when young master go party. Normally, me and Fola dey rotate night duty, this night na my turn. Young master come back drunk, Fola rush ask am if he wan pepper soup or pap.

Fola no dull at all. As young master stagger enter, she don rush, hold am for hand, dey talk sweet voice, dey ask if e wan hot or cold.

Fola cloth light pass normal, her makeup different. I feel say something dey off, but as young master say na bitterleaf pap e wan chop, I no get choice, I go prepare am.

The wrapper wey Fola wear short, her lipstick red like agbalumo. E clear say she get agenda. But since na me dey kitchen, na my work remain.

As I commot, young master go bath, Fola follow am inside. Dem two stay inside bath for two hours, no come out. Nanny and Madam Morayo peep, then go report give madam of the house.

Two hours pass, na only small laugh and splash we dey hear. Even madam dey whisper for corridor, dey shake head.

I carry pap go, peep small. Behind young master, Fola face red, hair scatter, cloth no straight—clear sign say dem don share bed.

As I bend, I see Fola dey adjust wrapper, young master dey smile with half eye. The smell of perfume and heat fill the room. Na that time I know say matter don set.

Next day after she sleep with am, young master give Fola concubine maid money—two silver. Even though e never marry, Fola don dey enjoy concubine maid life.

As she dey count her silver, everybody dey look. Even madam just shake head say, "Na so life be." Fola dey walk with new pride, no dey answer greeting again.

My body just weak, I no fit talk how I feel. Young master just taste woman, e go remember am well. This one fit be guarantee for life.

My chest dey heavy like stone. For my mind, I dey reason say, "Na so opportunity waka pass me."

As I peep, my chest tight. I wan cry, but I just swallow spit.

I don miss my chance, I just dey laugh myself. If na concubine I go be, anything wey go work for this world na the way—why I dey form dignity?

I dey blame myself, dey laugh small. If na play smart, maybe I for win. For this world, na who fit grab chance dey survive.

Too much chop and beta life don make me forget say this world wicked pass office wahala. Chance to change life fit disappear sharp sharp.

I dey remind myself say for this world, na only quick hand and sharp eye fit carry person reach tomorrow. No be to dey form good girl. E pain me, but na lesson I go keep for chest. But tomorrow still dey—if chance show again, I no go dull myself.