June 26, 2013

Diary of a Lagos working housewife - Part 1


My alarm rang at about 4:30am, yes, I set the alarm for 4:30am, what I was thinking the night before, I really have no idea but all I remember is I couldn’t even move to snooze the alarm.  It was about 6am before it finally hit me that it was a Monday….I scurried out of bed to start my morning rituals which included getting my darling daughter (DD) ready for school.
You may wonder why I call myself a working housewife, well it’s very simple. I work in Lagos from 8 to 5 and I still have to take care of my home front.  I have deciphered some skills to help me cope with the demands and will share some along the way. Some are hilarious that even I wonder what I was thinking at the time, but the good thing is, it works for me.


Anyways, I finally dragged myself out of bed and remembered my resolve to make breakfast for my dear husband (DH) every morning. I am sure you are wondering why on earth a woman who already has a lot on her plate will decide to add to her troubles.  Funny, I was actually inspired by one of my boss who comes to the office with packaged breakfast every day.  It made me wonder how my DH fared in the breakfast area every morning.  I mean, I do call him up to ask whether he has eaten and all but not once did it occur to ask how he got the food and all that.  Anyways, I decided to ask and I was quite surprised at his response. 
DH:  I buy akara at a stall around my office.
Me: Akara bawo???? So you mean you go there every day??? Come on!!!!
DH:  Well I like it
You can imagine my reaction with my imaginative skills in overdrive.  I imagined my own DH in his bespoke suit and tie waiting in front of the smoke filled akara seller area to buy akara when all I needed was to wake up a little earlier to make him some lovely sandwiches or oats etc or so I thought.  I immediately cajoled him to stop his akara buying habit as I would be making him breakfast every morning. Bless our men, even they know when to cooperate with our whining.  I immediately went to get him a pack of cereal and milk to cater for days when I would be unable to make his breakfast.
Now I remember that DH came home one day with efinrin (a type of vegetable) leaves. He proceeded to blend and make a sauce out of it. 
When I asked what it was for, he said it was to use as a sauce to eat his akara as the lady selling akara felt a little reluctant to give him enough sauce.   I actually wonder where my female instinct was at the time, because I didn’t make too much of the piece of information that I received.   Anyways, it was evident that he had reduced his visit to the akara stand because he got a phone call the following Saturday and I was lucky enough to be delegated to pick the call.
Me: Hello
Caller: Hello Uncle
Me: (thinking Egba mi, his niece is only 6 years old, uncle bawo) who is speaking please, this is not uncle.
Caller: Ah good afternoon madam, abeg help me tell am that Elizabeth from Ajah is calling.
Me: (yeepa..I don die) Ok, no problem, I will tell him. Bye.
Ok, they said we should trust our hubby and all but I couldn’t control myself, I screamed DH!!!! Where are you???????
To be continued

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