My Regret Part 3

Before I could fully explain, he slápped me, accusing me of lying. He then demanded I go home and bring a medical report to prove my illness, warning me that if I couldn’t provide evidence, he would fire me.

The sláp I really felt it. It had been years since I received that kind of sláp from my late mother. I left the room in tèars. Assistant manager walked me downstairs and after hearing my own side of the story she told me she'd personally talked to him.

"Please I'm begging you. He's my last hope. I've not fully recovered. I don't understand why he got suddenly upset."

"Don't worry, I'll talk to him. He won't fire you. Maybe there's something else troubling him that's making him take out his frustrations on you. I've known him for years," Sister Theresa assured me. She was about to leave when I ran up to her, pouring out my thoughts.

"And one more thing... Please, I don't have any money on me right now to transport myself home. You know the trip back and forth takes roughly five hours. Whatever amount you can give me now, you can deduct it from my salary."

"Uju..."

"Yes, ma," I replied, scratching my hair.

She stared at me for minutes with both hands on her waist. Finally, she fórced a smile, stepped closer, and whispered, "Just try and step up your game in this hotel; you'll make money." She slipped three thousand naira into my hand and walked inside the hotel.

When I got home, I headed straight to the pharmacy and explained the situation to the madam about the medical test. She shook her head and said she can't do it for free, that I shouldn't take her kindness for granted.

"This is the reason why I don't give people free medications. I've received many shege. I'm expecting my money and here you are coming up with another story. If I don't get my money in the next three days. You won't like what I'll do to you."

"Madam, please try to understand me. I didn't stèal anything from you. The money was for my treatment. I needed the medical report to proof myself at work. I will give you your money I sweár. Please try and understand." I pleaded. I persisted in bègging her and that was when she turned things the other way round.

"Understand what? This girl better go and look for my N16,500 naira cash. You think I bought them on credit? My son is a Chief Superintendent of the Police. If you think you can get away with this, you’re mistaken. One call from him, and you know what next. Have you slept in a cell before? You will be the one to call your people to come and bail you. I give you 3 days" she snápped.

The moment she mentioned police, I felt a wave of fear wash over me as a small crowd began to gather. Without another word, I turned and left, my face was burning with embarrassment. I couldn’t stop questioning myself the reason the dèvil had chose to disgrace me in such way.

A woman driving on a blue Lexus pulled over, rolled down her window, and signaled for me to come closer. I hesitated but eventually approached her.

"Hey, fine girl. You look so familiar. Do you have a twin sister somewhere?" she asked, chewing her bubble gums.

"No, ma. Maybe you're mistaking me for someone else," I replied, glancing at her briefly. The way she was dressed and the rich scent of her perfume clearly indicated she was wealthy.

"Okay," she said, nodding slightly. "How are you? And why are you looking like this nau. A beautiful girl like you? What's going on?

"I'm... I'm fine, ma," I stammered, unsure of what else to say.

"Are you sure?" she asked, her gaze piercing as she looked into my eyes. I remained quiet, struggling with whether to tell her the truth or make up a story.

After a moment, I sighed and admitted, "Ma, it's just... someone I owe money." One of my hand was directly on my forehead.

Her brows furrowed in concern. "How did that happen? Tell me everything," she said gently.

I hesitated but eventually shared the full story with her and she listened attentively. When I finished, she gestured toward the passenger seat.

"Come into the car," she said.

Though I was hesitant but I got in and she told me to direct her to the pharmacist I owed and she drove me there. To my utter surprise, she counted the full cash(16,500) and told me to hand it to the pharmacist.

The pharmacist accepted the money without hesitation and produced the medical reports. Turning to me, she asked, “Have we settled everything about her?”

“Yes, ma,” I replied, nodding quickly.

The woman then drove me back to where she had first seen me. As we pulled over, she turned to me with a gentle expression.

"So, what are you doing currently? How do you manage to survive?"

"Ma, it has been God," I said softly, unable to meet her eyes.

She paused for a moment, looked around and then asked.

"Will you follów me to my place? I love helping young girls like you. I can look for somewhere to fix you. I don't like the way I'm seeing you. If the hotel job you're doing is paying you well you won't be looking like this. So what do you say are you ready? Or I should go?"

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