So, here's your advance." The Professor counted out five thousand naira from his wallet and handed it to me. I pocketed it greedily, barely believing all that was happening. "You'll get the rest when I return tomorrow."
"Yes sir." I replied, almost genuflecting in my appreciation.
"Now, let me introduce you to Lucky." At the mention of the name, a golden retriever walked into view, grinning and wagging his tail. "Lucky say hi to your babysitter for the night."
The dog studied me, then sat on his rump and extended a paw. I looked back at the dog, there was no way I was taking it. I don't get too friendly with strange dogs. That way you don't get bitten.
"You're supposed to accept it." Prof quietly instructed. As if I didn't know. I had no choice, seeing as I was being paid for it. I cautiously took the paw. Then I smiled as the dog shook my hand.
"Lucky, this is Dele. Dele, this is Lucky." He introduced us, "good. Now Lucky, go get me my car keys. I think I left it in the desk drawer."
Lucky got back to his feet and whined.
"Hurry, I don't have time. Go to my bedroom and get me my car keys."
As the dog turned and pranced into the house, I could have sworn he rolled his eyes. But then, it could have been a trick of the light.
But how could the Prof expect the dog to be able to understand that instruction? And get the key from inside the drawer. I didn't voice my thoughts though, I just smiled and counted the stars as we waited outside.
Lucky returned, key held securely in his teeth.
"Wow." I gasped as the Professor took the key and opened his Mercedes Benz 4matic, one of the latest models currently on Nigerian roads. I was impressed.
"Now go open the gates."
There was over thirty seconds of silence while the professor and the dog looked at me and I looked back at them.
"Oh," I muttered as I understood, "I thought you were talking to the dog."
The Prof had been about entering his car but stopped midway, "is that a joke?"
"No sir. It's uhm..." I was at a loss to words. "I will open the gates."
I walked over and slid the gate open, then I stood aside so he could drive past.
"Don't annoy him." He said as he drove off, "good luck."
"Good night sir." I replied, shutting the gate as he sped off into the night.
Earlier, the Prof had called me a babysitter and he was not exactly wrong. Seeing as I was hired to babysit his dog.
I had seen the ad on Facebook and applied. The pay had been maddening. Ten thousand naira just to babysit a dog for a night. I didn't think twice about it. But now, in hindsight, I think I should have. Scratch that, I know I should have.
"I don't want him messing up my couch and my bed." The Prof had told me during the interview, "that's why someone has to be with him. Stop him from doing something too bad. And if he likes you, you might keep the job."
The Prof lived in Ajah, Lagos state. One of the most expensive neighborhoods. And I planned to enjoy the night to its fullest. Not even the dog will stop me.
Now, as dog and I watched the Prof's car recede from sight, we stood side by side until it vanished completely.
"Well Lucky," I said, kneeling beside him. "You are all alone with me.
He looked at me, then looked away.
As I stroked his head with one hand, I slid my other into my bag and pulled out a dog chain. While the dog was looking away, I looped the chain round his neck and locked it.
Lucky didn't even flinch upon discovering the chain. He didn't try to fight or get free.
"You really are a good dog." I said as I led him towards a column. He followed me meekly. This could turn out to be the easiest ten thousand naira I'll ever make.
I looped the end of the chain around the column, securing the dog. I knelt again beside the dog for our last conversation for the night.
"I'm sorry Lucky." I said quietly as I stroked his head, "I want to explore your master's house and see what I can take. Something he won't miss. And I can't do that if you're following me all around.
Lucky simply looked back at me, but then there was something in his eyes that got me uncomfortable. I got back to my feet.
"If I had a car, I would have sent you to fetch my keys. But I don't. So..." Giving up, I turned and walked into the house feeling his eyes on my back.
The interior of the house wept money. From the imported curtains to the hand crafted cushions. A 120 inches TV screen sat on a platform in the living room. It was turned off, but I could see a PlayStation 4 beside the TV.
I rubbed my palms together in glee, I had seen how I would spend the night. After going through the house of course. But meanwhile, I needed to put something in my stomach.
I made my way to the kitchen, walking over glossy tiles, between papered walls and under bright lights. The kitchen was filled with pots and pans of different sizes and shapes, they were so clean they sparkled. I couldn't help but wonder if the Prof ever used them.
I made a beeline for the refrigerator, it was built into the wall. I grabbed the door and pulled. It didn't open. I cursed quietly, Prof must have locked it.
Then I heard the sound of paws striking the tiles softly.
I turned to see Lucky watching me idly.
"What the..." I gasped in shock as I stared openmouthed. "Who let you loose?"
I had this uncomfortable feeling the dog had let himself loose. How? I just couldn't begin to fathom. What I knew then was that he was in the kitchen with me and ruining my perfectly planned night.
"Okay," I muttered quietly, forgetting about the fridge. "Maybe I misjudged you. Apparently a chain can't hold you. Now sit."
He ignored the order. I knew he understood me. If he could fetch keys from drawers, then he would know something as basic as 'sit'.
"I said, sit."
Suddenly, Lucky's countenance changed. He spread out his legs and bared his canines as he growled at me.
"What the..." I gasped for the second time that night, I was terrified at the sudden transformation. I felt my heart somersault as the dog barked.
"Okay, just calm down." I tried to placate him, "I guess I wronged you--"
He charged.
I shut up, turned and ran, ducking out of the kitchen so fast I slammed into the wall. The dog on my heels, I tried to run out of the house but quickly realized I would never make it.
I turned suddenly, jumped over a couch, went round the center table and ran towards the edge of the living room where I saw a door.
"Please be open." I prayed as I tore towards it. Lucky gave chase, growling as he bounded towards me. I ran full out, and without stopping, shoved myself against the door.
It flew open,slamming against the wall with a loud bang. I fell through, crashing against the wall. I turned just in time and kicked the door shut once more. Shutting the dog out.
Silence fell. One in which I listened to the sound of my breathing as I tried to bring it back under control. I tried to think.
"What the hell?" I muttered, "did Lucky just try to kill me?"
This changed everything. There's no way I'm sitting that dog again. I had to get out before I became dinner.
Looking around, I could see I had run into a store for old electronics. I was thinking of a way to sneak out and past Lucky when I heard the click of the lock.
"What!!"
I heard it again.
"No!!" I jumped up and grabbed the knob, twisting it for all I was worth. The door didn't budge. It was locked.
"Lucky! Open this door!" I cried, "please, open this door."
I heard him walk away.
"No! Come back!" I cried, pounding on the door with my fists. "Lucky, I'm sorry, okay?"
Silence met my pleas.
As I had chained him up and left him, Lucky had returned the favor. Now he was free to do the very thing I should have stopped him from doing.
In defeat, I slumped against the wall and slid to the floor.
I guess I'll be refunding the Prof his five thousand naira.
The End