The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 2

Taiwo finished from secondary school even in the midst of the extreme poverty and lack that continually plagued her family.
She wanted to go to the university but with the situation on ground, it looked like an impossible dream. She started house cleaning and cloth washing for people in a better neighborhood than theirs, to support her mom and to save for the university. Unfortunately, her savings because of the prevailing situation at home, went mainly on the family's upkeep as her mother had developed an ailment that defied all cure. She became bedridden and the care of the family fell squarely on Taiwo's thin shoulders.
She eventually settled for a long distance programme which would enable her to keep working, taking care of her mother and four brothers, Her father had upped and virtually disappeared out of their lives, when she was a kid and so there was no one she could look up.
In her third year at the Distance Learning programme she got a job offer from one of customers.
She was doing his house cleaning for him. He was a married man with his family based in the Abroad. His wife would pop in to visit once in a while, spending a month or so before travelling back as she had her own business.
He had his own company but his PA had abruptly resigned and he needed a replacement.
' You can forget about the house cleaning and other menial jobs you do. I'm gonna pay you so gaddamn well you'll forget you had ever known poverty!' He had said.
Taiwo was elated. So dreams do come true! He had continued
' I'm gonna start by moving your family out of that shithole you call a house to a comfortable accommodation. Then ensure your momma has access to top notch medical care, the very best! Taiwo I'm gonna turn your life around!'
Taiwo shed tears of joy that sunny afternoon.  It is said that there is no free lunch in Freetown. There was a price to be paid, a very steep price.


To be continued...