It's common for many Nigerians to insist on not renting an apartment in a compound where the landlord also resides, but I didn't understand until now. I remember breaking the news to my mom and fiancee a few years ago that I found a new apartment, and the first question they asked was, "Does the landlord live there?"
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I was confused, and it felt like I was walking into a trap since the landlord also lived in the compound. My mom lectured me about how annoying house owners can be, and since I haven't experienced such behavior, I thought she was exaggerating.
My fiancee also gave some advice, and I just concluded that it was a woman's thing. Shortly after I moved into my new apartment, I started paying attention to the other tenant's behavior. Weeks passed, and I discovered that the other tenants don't greet the landlady even when their paths cross in the compound.
"Why would a tenant not greet the landlady?" This question crosses my mind whenever I see them snub each other. At first, it meant nothing to me, but as time passed, I became curious.
I felt like asking the other tenants why, but it would be the beginning of gossip, so I bottled up my curiosity.
Being the kind of person I am, not relating with my neighbors is impossible. It's not like having a deep relationship with them, but exchanging greetings shouldn't be a big deal. Whenever I step out of my apartment in the morning, I don't hesitate to greet anyone I come across, and it's a natural thing for me.
One fateful morning, I ran out of water in my apartment, so I went to fetch it from a tap in the compound. While fetching, one of my neighbors approached me and asked if I had taken permission before fetching.
"No, I didn't. I am sorry about that," I replied.
"Just save your apology for the landlady because that's her space and she doesn't allow anyone to fetch from the tap," Mrs. Orji replied.
"Oh, okay. I will just explain myself when she comes back," I replied, and I just left after my kegs were filled.
As I returned to my flat, I thought about it and just felt like Mrs. Orji wanted to paint the landlady bad since they don't interact.
Electricity was restored that evening, and I was able to fill my water tank. Since there was no need to fetch water from the landlady's space, I completely forgot to tell her about fetching water from her tap.
I had issues with my flat pump some months later and went to inform my landlady that I needed some water just before the engineer came to fix the pump later that evening.
"I don't have enough water as well, and this tap is not available to the public," she replied.
I turned around to see if it was just me or if there were outsiders in the compound for her to use the word "public," but it was just the two of us.
"I am sorry about that and just felt it's better to fetch from here than go around the street," I replied.
"Maybe next time," she replied, and she just went into her apartment.
I returned to my flat with empty kegs and was surprised because it was the first time I experienced such. On her way out of the compound some minutes later, this woman had locked her tap with a padlock.
"This is serious," I stuttered while staring at the tap, and it became clear why the other tenants weren't greeting her, but I didn't let whatever she did get to me.
Some days later, the landlady had issues with her power generator, and her son, who was just about 12 years old, came to ask for my help. Although I am not a mechanic but I know a few things and successfully fixed the generator.
In my mind, I thought I had passed a message that we were neighbors and didn't need to treat ourselves as enemies, I continued greeting her as usual with the mindset that she got the message.
Whenever she had minor electrical faults, she would reach out to me, and I would take my time to solve them. If it's something beyond what I can fix, I will still end up getting someone to do the job. The other tenants started giving me some attitude, but I didn't care and just related to everyone neutrally.
Despite always being willing to be of help to the landlady, she will never respond when it's time for her to help.
I returned from the farm around 6 a.m. on a faithful morning because I had spent the night at the farm since we only had electricity overnight during that time. Upon getting home, I saw the landlady going inside, so I quickly told her not to close the gate.
I didn't have my key on me, and I intended to call my family to open the gate, but since I saw her, I believe there was no need for the call.
My landlady went inside the compound, shot the gate, and even bolted it from behind.
"Mummy Yusuf, it's George. Please help me open the gate," I screamed, just to be sure that she heard me.
"Sorry, I can't open the gate because I am not sure you are the one. Call your family," she replied, and I heard her shutting the door to her flat.
I was shocked because she initially saw and recognized my face. This woman looks calm and very religious, so it got me wondering why she is doing things I least expected from her.
"Mummy Yusuf, about this morning..." I tried talking about it, but she cut in.
"You can't expect me to open the gate for you at that time," she replied.
"It was past 6 and you saw me," I replied.
"Please just call your family next time," she replied and walked away.
I made up my mind not to have anything to do with her other than greet each other. Whenever she needed help with anything, I always told her to wait for a professional who would fix it.
She started picking on me unnecessarily and would blame me for other tenants mistakes. Instead of arguing like other tenants would do with her when they have any misunderstanding, I will just walk away, but she eventually did something that set my teeth on edge a few months ago.
My landlady came to pump water into her tank, and she found the reservoir empty while the pumping machine was on. It wasn't supposed to be so because that could damage the pump.
Without asking who did it, she came to bang on my flat door.
"Why would you turn on the pump when the reservoir is empty?" She asked.
"I didn't turn it on," I replied calmly.
"That's what you always say, and I know you are the one," she replied.
"Please calm down! I didn't turn on the machine. Meanwhile, we don't use the same pump. You should ask the other tenants you share the same pump with," I replied, and she flared up.
She started screaming, and other neighbors had to come out. I got really mad and screamed back at her just to get her attention.
My wife stepped out of the apartment and took it personally. I had to stop her from escalating things, and the landlady went to call the caretaker immediately.
The man rushed down, and after explaining everything, he made it clear to the landlady that I had nothing to do with the pump. Despite being at fault, she didn't feel remorseful or apologize.
" Mr. George, the landlady said that your wife was rude to her. Let her apologize so all this will end," the caretaker said after the brief meeting.
"I am sorry; she won't apologize. The landlady was rude to me, and if you can't apologize to me, my wife won't do the same," I replied.
The landlady walked away immediately, and I left the caretaker there too. I greeted her the next morning because what happened the previous day had passed, but she didn't answer, and it became clear why no one greeted her.
Sadly, I had to join the trend in the compound.
This is my entry to the Inkwell non-creative fiction prompt and my response to today's Aprilinleo task, feel free to participate as well.