Chapter 6

Elma's POV

Five thirty in the morning, am ready to do something  to raise the money for our rent. My family are still sound asleep, I didn't want to wake them or tell them about my plans. I just want to do this alone. I don't like them suffering. I have to do this without them and am sure that when I go out there I will surely find something to do that will earn me some money. Without them being with me, I will be able to concentrate and work harder bearing in mind that this is for my family. Yes they give me some much strength. I really cannot live without them cause they are like the air that I breathe.

Come on El, this is for your family.

I stepped out of the house quietly after grabbing my small worn out bag and hung it on my shoulders. Not wanting to wake anyone, I closed the door gently and moved out.

Walking along the road, last night's drama came to my mind. After Christian and I had carried dad inside, he woke up around nine pm yesterday. My mother was beside him yesterday. She was actually crying and complaining about my dad turning himself to a drunk. He was nonchalant about what she was 'ranting' about. Yes he called it ranting. I really don't know what has gotten into my dad, he wasn't like this before. He was hard working and responsible until he lost his job. According to him, he sacrificed many things for his job but his heartless boss didn't consider my dad's situation and fired him. As a result, he gave up. He was down after that issue with his boss. We tried consoling him, convincing him that another job will surely come. We thought he believed. I guess that's the reason why he chose to be a drunk.

Not only did he turn into a drunk, he has become an irresponsible father and a terrible husband. He doesn't care about mum's condition. It's like the love he had for her has completed faded. What kind of love is that? A love that dies due to disappointments and failures. I don't want such love. What am I even saying? Will I ever find love? Nah... Love is not for me. I don't have a single hope about of ever finding love. Not in my situation. It's is the last thing on my mind. Family needs me.

The day was coming up slowly, Birds singing beautifully and the wind blowing gently not too cold but overwhelming, The road, almost void of people. I guess it's too early but like they say this is the right time to start your hustle. I hope I find something to do or someone to help and get paid.

I reached the main road. Cars and tricycles moving to and fro, People opening their stores and students on their way to school. Gosh I really missed school, though I was one of the nerds. I merely had friends, those who came to me, came for only one thing which is their assignment. Yes I was bright then. They didn't want to be friends, they knew how nice and kind I was and took advantage of it. I couldn't refuse giving them help I was way too nice. I was only talked to only if they needed something. That really hurts but I am glad I was useful unlike other dull nerds.

My favorite teacher, Miss Kate, gosh I miss her. She was our computer teacher. She taught me a lot of things but I had to drop out of school because of our condition. I didn't expect my classmates to visit me to know the reason why I stopped school but i expected Miss Kate to come. I guess the reason why she didn't come was because we don't have a mobile phones and our house is inside small Sinon.

About to cross the road when I saw an old man struggling with his goods. He looks about sixty or seventy. He had many bags and was about to cross the road.

Where could this old man's children be? They let him carry those stuffs by himself. I think he is a trader, cause only traders wake up this early so as to get ready for customers and to add up, it's actually Monday morning. Busy day.

Well I'll have to help him, job hunt can wait a little. I ran towards the old man. He had a lot of stuffs to carry and cross the now busy road.

"Good morning sir" I greeted. He looked up at me and smiled.

"Wonderful morning to you dear" he had a welcoming smile so nice and cool. He made me think about my grandfather though I don't remember him cause he died when I was only four months old.

"I see you have a lot of stuffs"

"Yes dear. I want to take them to my store across the road. My customers will soon be here"

"Okay where is your store?" I asked

He pointed at the store. Not too far away.

"Alright, I'll help you carry them" I bend down to pick up the stuff, a familiar smell attacked my nose. He sells fish?

"Careful dear, they can be fragile"  he warned me. This old man sell all these fishes alone? What about his children? Maybe they live in a bigger town. But why would they leave their old father here to hustle all by himself? I wouldn't do that.

"These are a lot of fish sir" I said carrying them and about to cross the road.

"Yes they are, i just got them from the fisherman store. They are very fresh. You know it's Monday so...I need lots of them." He said calmly. This man must be very industrious at this old age. I wish he could switch places with my dad.

He went to the fisherman store and got the fishes, which means he must have woken up around three, one hour to get ready, another to get to the fisherman's store and the remaining, to get here am sure. Gosh that's hell of a determined hustler.

We crossed over to his store. I helped unpack the fishes on his sales table as he directed.  His store is a bit small, it has a steel roof top, a drawer and a large table. It is just by the roadside, any car could see it when coming. He is just at the perfect place to attract customers.

I really envy the old man but am still curious, I really want to ask him about his children cause he needs help around here. I wish I could help but I have to go and face my own business.

"Thank you so much my dear you are really an angel" he said very politely, I couldn't help but smile

"It nothing sir glad to be of help. I'll be going now"

"Okay. Bye dear. God blesses"

"Thanks sir" about to leave, I saw customers coming to his store already. They were up to four. I guess he knew his customers well to know that they will surely come to buy fish. He was a very cheerful man. I couldn't help but stand there and watch how he sold his fishes.

The thing is that he was very slow. I could see the impatience in some of the customers faces. Slowness is one of the obstacles of business. It takes away your customers. I'll have to help him out again. I don't know what drew me to this old man but I think there is something.

I went to his table and started helping out. He looked at me with excitement showing that he really did needed help. I attended to all the customers. Many customers came along, they were non stop. People love fishes in this side of Sinon. I can't remember the last time I eat fish, well we can't afford them.

Four pm in the evening, there wasn't any customer. The both of us sat down on a long form chair more like a bench close to his sales table. We were relaxing. We had lots and lots of customers and believe me I enjoyed selling. The fishes are almost finished and he was so happy about it.

"This is one hell of a sale" he said happily

"You can say that again"

"You didn't tell me your name dear" I didn't realize that. He was calling me dear' all day.

"Am Elma sir"

"That nice name Elma. You are a very good girl. Thank you very much. You really helped me."

"You are welcome sir" I had to end my curiosity now... "how come you don't have any help or assistant, what about your children?" His face turned sore, I regretted asking him. The thought of it must give him a pain feeling.

"I have no children. My wife passed away not too long ago. We had no kids  am the only one who left" Gosh he was really sad after saying that. I felt pain in my heart. He is lonely and that's cold. I don't wish to be lonely and in an old age? No way.

"Am so sorry about that sir"

"It's okay. As you can see my business help take the pain away."

"Grateful for that sir."

"Certainly. Am Mr Benson but you can call me Simon" he said smiling as if he didn't just told me about his lost. He change the subject so easily.

"Okay Simon" I smiled.

"You got any job like anything you are doing?"

"No... Still searching but I do some minimum work for people sometimes" I said, realizing that the day was ending and I didn't do what I came out to do.

"Okay, do you mind working for me? I'll pay you well" I looked up at him in surprise. Is he really offering me a job?

"For now I'll  give you an  advance and extra for the help you gave me today what do you say?"

O M G!