CHAPTER 16-CONTRACT STATUS
1107 Words
One month later......
They lasted with the money supplied to them for another month before things finally got out of hand.
"We can't take this anymore. We are running on a great deficit and can't afford to keep taking loans. We return to the streets tomorrow", Gill explained.
"Look at the way you are talking.
Planning on where you will go to the streets. Can you hear yourself", Laurel scolded at Gill.
Gill was insulted by the sudden release on anger on him but could not take any more of Laurel's abuses.
He waved himself farewell and left the room.
The next day.....
Gill transferred into Sandra's room and reported to her the news.
"Pack your bags and get ready. We leave by noon".
Sandra was astounded by the news and rushed to her mother's room mainly because she had no idea on what the message meant.
"Mommy, daddy said we are leaving but to where", Sandra questioned.
"We leave to the streets, so pack your mats and get ready", Laurel replied as she signalled Sandra to go get ready.
The family left the house wearing a long white shaded men's clothing for Gill, a black top and skirt altogether for Laurel and a casual pink crop top with a Jean skirt for Sandra.
They also carried their pots and phones in case of money transfer or cash drop.
They soon arrived in a popular named Street called Beggars Street.
It was named after a man named Beggos who frequently came to the street to beg.
It was the afterwards of that situation where different multitude of beggars came to the street to beg.
So due to the first beggar that arrived there and the multitude of beggars that showed up afterwards it was there called Beggars Street.
It is also a place where people usually drop alms to assist those who beg.
"Drop your bags and get ready for the ocassion", Gill said as the sun stood steadily at the centre of the sky.
At night.......
It became very late when they finally decided to return home.
Altogether, they had earned about 15,000 naira; a good start for beginners.
"Time to go home", Gill reported when it became after 7.
They soon returned home and planned to visit the street about once in every three days.
"Good first day", Gill soliloquized to himself rather loudly.
"Don't be too joyous. The first days are always the blessed days. After that, it is all sour grapes and unlimited sorrow", Laurel said as she retired to bed.
Gill did not take the news to heart. He got tired of thinking of the situation and reported to bed as well.
The next few days seemed to be worst than the last.
Everyday the amount of people that passed through the streets kept decreasing a day after the other.
"I told you so", Laurel always said in certain days like this.
Gill finally decided to go to his hidden stash of money that he always kept from all the income he earned from his work place.
"We will be suspended from the streets for a while. We have some money that we can live on", Gill instructed.
Two weeks later....
The money stashed from the work seemed to be a lot especially because he earned most of it from gambling, a situation which he still refused to tell Laurel.
Finally, he got a video call from his work and answered it promptly hoping for some good news.
"Sorry man, I am quite happy that you got sacked.
I finally got promoted to second-in-command with a land slide", the first colleague said.
"I would have decided to help you but I still fear that you might try to kill me, especially since my ex-wife tried to kill me as well after being arrested", the 2nd colleague retorted.
" Sorry man, but they is nothing we can do to help", they all said simultaneously as they cut the call.
At that moment, Gill fell to his knees and started crying using the white shirt he wore as a handkerchief.
Another two weeks later......
"Time to go", Gill yelled as he packed his things ready to return back to the streets.
It was also the first day of school and Gill and Laurel decided to send Sandra back to school.
Unfortunately for her, with the current predicament their dream could not be fulfilled.
Students of different sizes and classes passed through the streets making unnecessary noise.
Sandra heard these noises and listened to their footsteps and of course, it didn't take long before she started crying.
"Do not worry my dear. You will go back to school. It is a promise I am giving you from me", Laurel oathed.
"I know y.. y.. you will. You two are the best parents ever", Laurel jubilated trying to hide her hidden sadness.
They got out of the house and rushed back to the streets hoping for another lucky first day.
They arrived at Beggars Street and were surprised at the sight they saw.
They were hardly any cars and very limited beggars whose pots were empty.
It was then obvious that the road had been closed, but why?
"The road has been closed, but I don't know.....", Gill was then cutoff by the voice of a beggar who was right beside them eaves dropping on their conversations.
"It was closed by the government for a reason that nobody knows", the Beggar cut in.
"But why?", Gill then replied only to see that beggar long gone.
Only two beggars remained and the family decided to join them hoping for good luck.
It took only a few minutes before a familiar man came passing by.
"Gill, is that you", Roger, the name of the man asked.
"Roger, not really nice to see you again", Gill grumbled.
"Aww. You embarrassed because I'm seeing you on the streets", Roger chuckled.
To this, Gill remained silent.
It took a moment of awkward silence before Gill finally decided to introduce him to his family.
"Thanks for the introduction but that is not why I came.
As you know we have a central intelligence in our company which was able to track you down and from the state you are in, you definitely require a new job.
So I am here to offer you a contract status", Roger finally concluded.
Gill was speechless. He could not believe it. It took a long while before he finally extruded a big and repulsing 'YES'.
"Then the deal is settled. Be ready for the contract in two weeks time", Roger said as he left the premises.
- Writer
