1. The new nanny arrival

A woman given directions on a house help bureau. Joana; the owner of the bureau gives her a list of do’s and don’ts on the new house she was going to labor on.      

Angela was obliged for her, for making her dreams come true,

It was high time she got a good life, for her and her only daughter.

They had had a rigid life hood.

The shanty house they were taking shade on was almost sinking, it, crooked over one side, each time it rained they would have a hard time clouting.

Angela was snoopy, “are they going to take us both.” She asked enthusiastically

“Yes of course, you included that on your resume right?” Joana profoundly agreed with her.

She slammed the door behind her, and gestured her to get in. “other nannies were snooping, they wanted to know what kind of a deal she had gotten.

She folded her hands together with gratitude, her eyes were becoming watery,

Joana turned around. “What are you doing?” her brows frowned when she saw her watery eyes.

“I’m not in the mood for emotions, have had a long night.” She gazed at her

She went to her desk and sat down. “Let’s discuss your benefits.” She spoke out in a low tone, she was hiding something, she did not look direct in her eyes, it was not typical of her to be that way. Something must be eating her up..

Angela was her good friend but they were not too close to get in her business. She wanted to know more but her position dragged her back. She was her boss, she has no right to inhibit in her personal life

“Joana, I am very obliged for this breakthrough…..”

“Uhm,” she was interrupted by her. “it’s okay, just be yourself while there, make our company proud.” She cut short the conversation; she was not in the mood for a chat.

She held her head in pain, “ouch, that hurts” she glared at her, she gave her a straight look, it indicated she was not in the mood for lectures.

Angela left the room and rushed to the pantry; she prepared a hot coffee for her.

Joana rested on her desk, she had hiccups, she burped out loud, it was clear she needed a nap.

“Uhm… Mrs. I figured you have a bad hang over; this would benefit you a lot.” A caring voice of Angela was heard.

She moved aside and watched her sip the coffee,

The excitement in her face was amicable, she flawlessly beamed at Joana,

“I am grateful for your help. That aided a lot.” Joana was moved

Angela swore not to flop her, Joana reminded her why she gave her that house, she loved Amanda and wanted her to have a good life.

Amanda was a good kid, a very thoughtful one; she was too established for her age, everyone at the bureau loved her, she won over many hearts, they were going to miss her positive vibes around

 they later proceed into signing the contract.

‘‘You know there is no necessity for this paper work, you know I can’t afford to lose this job whether we sign or not I am not going to fail you,’ Angela reminded her,

“And you know I am doing this for your own good, this is for your security in case of anything this document will be our witness, so stop wasting time and take this.” Joana spoke to her.

Angela took the document and rested, she took out her pen, she tried reading but couldn’t, she took a deep breath and rested for a while.

She gazed her eyes around the office, she thought of how she was going to miss it.

Her thoughts were interrupted, Joana snapped her fingers in front of her face to wake her up.

“Yes, yes Mrs.” she hurriedly said

“Resting.” She rolled her eyes and glared at her. Angela was exhausted of the prior night.

If you keep resting you will get late, please go you have a long way to go.” Joanna warned her.    

She signed the document and was set to go.

“Angie you are so lucky, at least you get to eave these walls, go work hard for Amanda, and make sure to visit us from us from time to tie.” A happy vocal was heard, from one of the nannies.

There sweet moment was cut short by Joana.

she gave a card with details of her new employers; it contained the contacts and the house number.

as she was about to leave, she recalled something and stopped moving.

with a bothered look, Joana stretched her whips out, she was losing her serenity with her.

“Please, don’t make me revolt my mind, if you have second thoughts tell me I send someone else,” she was losing her cool

“No, no, it’s not like that, I just want to know how much I am going to be paid, it’s my right to know, don’t you agree?” Angela insisted

‘Oh, so sorry, I almost forgot, please have a sit and let’s discuss about it,’ she was embarrassed

they talked about her wage and she left.

She straightened her skirt, and stood up with her head high, she walked carefully through the pavement, watching her steps carefully, she paused a content grin, it was clear she was satisfied with what she was being offered, the glow in her face showed how happy she was. Her dazzled and shinned with hope. She deserved the best. Her collogues were happy for her

She was the most reasonable one, she had a kind heart everyone was happy for her but also sad for her departure, they were going to miss her a lot.

She went home and informed Amanda, her little girl.

Amanda was busy cleaning the house, she loved humming a lullaby she used to sing a neighbor’s kid, she had a cracked voice, she was not a good vocalist, but that did not stop her from loving it anyway.

“Knock, knock.” Her mom was already home,

She swift out to open the door for her, she looked mortified, as she embraced her.

“you’re home early.” She tried to cover her beam from her mother.

“And you have been humming again. Huh?” she teased her. The peace in her eyes gave Amanda hope,

“I will get you a drink mom.” As she exceeded the living room.

She sat Infront her mother and folded her legs, she stretched her hands out and removed her shoes, gently she gave her mom a leg massage

she told her daughter to get ready to leave.

Amanda valued her mother a lot, she never probed with her decisions, as much as she wanted to know more, she couldn’t ask.

Angela knew her daughter well, she observed her closely, the mixed emotions in her face made her understood her feelings. She pulled her legs towards her watched her keenly and sighed deeply.

“Oh, my love, I know you have questions but please not today, I know how much you’ve been dying to have a good home, well this is our chance. we’ve found a nicer home where we are going to be working.” Angela was excited

She wanted to know more but held her thoughts in, her mom was excited, she did not want to ruin for her,

“And will we be staying there or I will have a chance of visiting my aunts at the bureau in the evening when we get back from work.” She was hopeful, she loved her family, the ladies were the only family she knew.

“I’m sorry but the contract requires us to be living there.” She spoke out with a washed-out voice; she saw the anxiety in her daughters eyes. “But…” she continued. “We have been given the Saturdays off, we won’t be missing church, in fact tomorrow we have to.” She raised her spirits.

Amanda loved church, she held in her mother’s tales, of her dad being in bliss, she went to church every week to get close to him.

Amanda was still not comfortable and ready to leave her home.

“My girl, when we get there we will ask if they will allow us be coming over here over the weekend to spend time with your aunts, it must be a nice home.” Angela spoke with positivity but she still could feel the doubtless in her voice.

‘‘And how sure are you it is a nice home,” she quenched out

“Do you personally know the owners?’’ Amanda asked her.

Her adamantanes worried her mom, the rain season was at the corner, it was her dream to get her out before it started freezing. Angela moved closer to her daughter and held her cheeks with love, she looked direct in her eyes as sshe patiently waited for her response,

I know Owino, he is the man who ruined our lives, she broke my heart and my… her thoughts were intercepted by a knock on the door, they were neighbors, they overheard their conversation and wanted to know more.