The Parasite episode 5

THE PARASITE
Episode 5: The Otherside of Me
Death is not necessarily the absent of breath, many people are dead yet still breathing. I lived daily to eat and eat daily to live, this was my routine as I shuttle my prepared meal from the house to the school cafeteria where I was selling till my suspension elapsed. I stood on the foundation of “where there is life, there is hope”, so I kept on stretching myself beyond my limit to ensure we have food daily on our table. This would have been so nice if my husband sometimes assist with carrying the heavy coolers for me into my car, rather he pays blind eyes and deaf ears to my struggles, his major strength lies in his blouse mouth which rarely compliments one’s effort. That fateful day I got to my business place at about 6:47am and began sweeping the cafeteria, I raised my head and behold it was the school’s proprietor Dr. Motu Alhasan. Good morning Sir! (I greeted), Goodmorning Madam, you always punctual and also I noticed your passion with hygiene and keeping the cafeteria neat, nice one! (He commended). Thank you Sir! (I said with a smile).
We are thinking of keeping you as the sole food vendor in our school because of your quality meal, packaging, affordability and hygiene, do well to maintain this standard (he said), wow thank you Sir, I am honoured, but Sir I am only doing this as a temporary means to fend for my family, because I had some issues at my work place, sorry to decline the offer I will be resuming work in 2months (I said). Oooohhhh really the principal administration never mentioned it to me, anyways we won’t go back on our decision, you will still keep this shop and allow staff run it for you with your standard (He said and walked to his office). Three weeks to my resumption back to work, I stormed into an old friend of mine who is a contractor to one of the multinationals, I pleaded with him to absorb my husband into his team which he grudgingly accepted after much plea, explanations and conviction. My husband’s monthly take home was roughly N307,000 excluding some allowances which he didn’t mention.
I returned back to my office and gossip about my family distress have been used as oil paint on each unit to beautiful their discussions, but who really cares about what people say, think or believe about me. I tried adjusting and staying mindful of my activities to avoid unnecessary insults. Three months later our promotion list came out, a new unit head was brought as a supervisor, this was someone a step below me on the cadre. Then I realised and checked the org-nisations handbook on implications of suspensions above 2months, I read aloud without taking cognisance of anyone around:
“anyone suspended will forfeit all financial benefit for the stipulated period, if suspension exceeds 2months affected staff will not be considered for promotion in 5year”.
I burst into an uncontrollable tears, two of my subordinates clearly heard me reading the article, came closer to console me and threw jokes several at me just to lift me from my sobber mood.
This was when it sank into me what I had lost, I couldn’t wait for the clock to tick the last second to my closure time, immediately it was 5pm, I had hung my bag on my shoulder, entered my car and zoomed off to the house. Max! Max!! (I shouted his name, entered into the house and banged the door behind). Why are you shouting like a mad dog? Have your fellow gossips told you I was home with another woman? (He asked sarcastically).
You are such a devil in human form, I regret the day you came into my life, just imagine how you are making life miserable for me (I kept lambasting him). Hey spoilt child, will you keep shut before I shut it up for you? What’s the meaning of this thrash? (He was already getting aggravated and stoned me with the throw pillow), I took cover and reached for the ceramic flower vase and aimed him on his head, before he could regain balance, I picked up the padlock which I brought in and stoned him again, my aims where on the focal points, he fell down helplessly with a blood rain gushing out like water from a broken pipe.
This was the least action Max would have expected, though I was scared but happy to have seen him have a little taste of my regular meal and see THE OTHER SIDE OF ME…