
Read Chapter 1 Here: How MAMA Is Doing…
Read Chapter 2 Here: What Will MAMA Do…
Chapter 3: Mama And Her Groove
“This is the third call I’m answering today, I wonder how they are even getting my number.” Mama says and drops her phone
“The third call?” What is it about this food that is making them call you?” Ehi says as she looks around like she has never seen the house before.
“Ehi, what are you not telling me?” Mama begins to suspect her younger sister.
Ehi continues to look around.
“Ehi!”
“Mama Temi, they all kept going on about how good your food is. I hurriedly gave some your number to give you a call when they need ready made food.” Ehi smiles at Mama.
A brief silence followed.
“Well with the way these calls are coming, I will need more hands. You know you will be traveling back soon. I have two people to make food for this week alone, and let’s not forget the lunch for your office.”
“We will have to find, it’s not a problem.”
****************A Week Later****************
Mama had still not found a helping hand, Ehi travelled back to work the day before and sort to see how she can bring a relative from the village for Mama’s sake. She does not like the idea of leaving Mama all to herself either.
Although Mama has managed thus far, she was assisted sometimes by a neighbor’s daughter. But, Mama struggled with keeping up with time set by her customers and even the delivery drivers were not helping matters. They would arrive at her place late to pick up the food and still charge her alot for the delivery. Mama would send whatever is left to Omotemi who was constantly worried about Mama.
Sometimes Mama would follow the drivers to go deliver the food so she could clear the air a little on her late deliveries. It was on one of these occasions that she met Victor, who is one of the staff that works in a house she makes food deliveries too. He was the one who walked up to her to ask if she needed any form of assist. He told Mama about his sister -Amaka, who can help her with the cooking. Mama jumped on it and gave her home address to the young man.
The next day, Mama got to meet Amaka, a young woman in her mid twenties who had only worked as a Skivvy before Mama. She seem to be an effective hand to keep around, Mama concluded.
***************2 Months Later*****************
“Even your aunt Ehi will be here this weekend” Mama says to her daughter over the phone.
“My aunt is the best! So Mama, is there anything you’d want me to buy from here to bring tomorrow?” Omotemi is done with her final exams and wants to go spend some time with Mama before she goes after her project and NYSC.
“I will send you a little list my daughter, I need that Akoko Palm oil and some other things.”
“Okay Mama.”
“By the way, thank you for sending those your friends to me. They come anyday they are free to help out with the cooking, they’ve been of great help.”
“Since they are around or anytime they visit, let them come to help my mother. Besides, they said they are glad too because of the free food they are getting.” Temi said and Mama burst into laughter.
“Alright my daughter, see you tomorrow. Please, make sure you finish on time so the moon won’t meet you on the way.”
“Okay Mama.” Temi laughs and hangs up.
*******************A Week Later*****************
“I have good news for the three of you” Mama says as she comfortably sits in their living room.
They just finished eating and was talking to Mama’ elder sister -Omolara on the phone.
“Let’s hear it o” Ehi screams.
Temi comes running from the kitchen and sits close to Mama.
“We are moving to a new house” Mama says as she looks at her daughter.
“Mummy?…”Temi proceeds but was interrupted by Omolara.
“Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh! Food money has paid off!” Omolara says as she claps her hands which sounded like rain over the speaker.
“Yes, my sister. I have been saving and I have kept alot. Ehi thank you so much, this thing you have done for me and my daughter, my God will bless you greatly. It has really become a business, infact, I don’t know how my customers keeps multiplying. Ehi…”
“Mama Temiii! It’s okay. What are sisters for.” Omotemi goes to sit close to her aunt and hugs her. “Thank God!..”
“I just knew the way you loved food and cooking was a gift from God.” Omolara interrupts again. “There is always a way, and you have used those blessed hands of yours to bless your family.”
“Exactly! It was not even at all difficult to get her customers, all it took was just for one person to taste her food and that’s how the word spread. They even wanted her to become the permanent ‘lunch lady’ at the company”. They all burst into laughter.
“So Ehi, we are coming to join you in Lagos. It’ll be better there, since almost all my customers are in Lagos. Help us find…”
“Do it quick o, you better call!” Omolara interrupts again. “With that your Edo name that our mother insisted we all call you.” Omolara says and everyone laughs.
“U ru ese” Ehi replies in her maiden’s dialect. (It means “Thank you”)
“I’m sure Daddy is really smiling right now.” Omotemi says as she looks at her mother.
“Káárè òmòmí” Mama says in her native language as she stretches out her hands and embraces her daughter. “Káárè Omotemi.” (It means ‘Welldone my child, Welldone Omotemi’).
“Well, me I have another news too!” Ehi says.
Mama and Temi both shone their eyes at Ehi.
“Ehn Ehnnn?” Mama exclaims.
“I’m expecting a baby.” Ehi smiles broadly.
Omolara’s clap starts to sound like rain again.
THE END.
Written By ~Goodness Felix Adebayo