If anyone had told me that I would have a rough encounter staying at my maternal aunt's place, I would have said that such a person was delusional. I liked visiting my maternal aunt who also resided in Lagos State, though a different local government area.
Whenever there was a brief break in school, I always yearned to go spend some time at her place. This was because my aunt is a caterer and she bakes a lot of snacks and cakes for sale. Staying with her meant enjoyment.
This particular holiday fell in the month of June during the Eid-el Kabir period celebrated by Muslims. There was a follow-up two day break given to schools and workers alike. I had already prepared myself to visit my aunt during that two day break period.
I set out the following day to my aunt's place. I got to her place to meet my aunt sitting in the living room, worry etched on her face.
“Good afternoon Aunty. How are you doing?”
“This one you are sitting like this, is anything the matter?” I asked her, going to seat with her on the couch.
“My dear, you are welcome. See how you are looking so fine” she said to me.
“Thank you ma but what made you to be sad earlier? I would like to know” I pressed on.
“It is an order I received. Wait, did I say an order? I meant I received several orders for different occasions which all fell on the same day?”
“Issue here is that one of the customers who placed the order is my church member and if I dissappoint her, she is ready to be a thorn in my flesh. I'm not ready for her wahala at all” my Aunt replied.
“Can't you decline her order?”
“My dear, it is not as simple as declining. You know that she is in the women's forum and I am bounded by the law of the forum to assist fellow members and not turn them down” Aunt Mabel replied.
“I can see why you are worried but I believe there's a solution to this issue. Thank God I am around, I can be a helping hand but firstly, I need to see the order list”
Aunt Mabel smiled at me before going to her room to get her phone and jotter. She came back to sit on the couch while flipping to a particular page in the jotter. When she found it, she brought my attention to the wordings on the page.
“My dear, this is the order list. Take a look and see if there's anything that can be done. Mama Deborah, that my church member's own is compulsory. I don't want her problem” she said.
I looked at the order list and read out
Two cakes for a wedding on the 20th.
100 pieces of meat pie on the 18th.
6 dozen cup cakes on the 15th
A three tier wedding cake for Mama Deborah, needed on the 17th.
“Hmm, Aunty this is a lot of order and the timing is quite close but I believe it is doable. It would only cost you extra. I suggest you hire two more hands to assist you”.
“Since today is 11th of June, we still have a few days. I believe you will make it work” I said encouraging her.
My Aunt gave me a warm hug. “That's what I like about you. Your positive energy is out of this world. Tomorrow we will set out to the market to buy the ingredients that are not available at home okay”.
“Okay ma. So Aunty, what is in this house. I'm so hungry,I could eat a horse” I said to her.
“Hey, see my foodie niece. I knew you would ask for food Immediately you arrived. I've already prepared fried rice and chicken. It's there in the kitchen. Go help yourself” she replied.
“Thank you ma” I said jumping off the couch and racing to the kitchen. My Aunt really knows how to tickle my fancy.
The next day, my Aunt and I went to Lagos Island to buy the ingredients that she lacked at home. We spent roughly four hours in the market but it was fun as there was a lot of snacks comingy way.
My stay with my Aunt that year was fruitful as I helped her in preparing the cakes but we didn't decorate as the decorations would be done later.
By Sunday evening when I was about leaving back to my residence, my Aunt packed a lot of goodies for me in a bag to appreciate my efforts. I thanked her and left but the smile on my face was bright. I was happy to have helped her out of her predicament.
Thanks for reading.
Images used are mine.