The signpost erected beside the new bungalow's gate read there is "vacancy" here, amidst the unemployment in the country. For a couple of months, the post of nanny remained open for a qualified person to apply. Now, as the number of unemployed graduates increases every year, a young vibrant lady, Olaide who just finished the National Youth Corps Service, knocked on the gate.
Olaide had just moved to Lagos, chasing a dream of becoming a career woman. The job she could get immediately was a nanny job to enable her to have a means of livelihood after she had applied to different companies, but she had yet to get a response from any of these companies. "There are bills to settle, parents are eager to reap the fruits of their labour, and the younger ones are also looking up to her for support. "What do I do if I don't engage myself in any available job? Maybe I can get a better offer from it. An idle hand is the instrument of the devil." Said Olaide.
When she got there, she knocked, knocked, knocked on the gate, but no one came to ask who was there. Then, she saw that it was not totally locked. She managed to push the small gate. Hello everyone! Who is at home? Is anyone here? Later, an old woman answered inside. I am at home! Who are you looking for? From where? That person should come inside the house.
"Yes ma'am, I came here in respect of the vacancy that I saw outside the gate," Olaide responded.
The old woman was curious.
"Really, the vacancy my son placed at the gate was for the position of the gate man. I can't see you, my daughter, but I can hear you very well. I can determine whether you are male or female. The only thing I can say is that you should let my son come and discuss with him, whether he can assist you with something.'"
As she was talking, her son (Mr. Matthew) entered the compound of the house. Yes Mummy, I am around. I will be with you in a jiffy.
The old woman said. "Okay, you have a visitor waiting for you inside." Thank God! The person we were talking about is around."
Noted Ma. Said Mr. Mathew.
When Matthew got inside, Olaide was flanked by the door to the entrance. Mummy, we have a visitor? Mr. Mathew asked.
Yes, this young lady is here in respect of the vacancy she saw outside. The old woman replied.
Mr. Mathew said Oh! The advert I placed outside, is for the position of the gatekeeper. As you can see, no one was at the gate entrance when you came in.
"But sir, I was told by my neighbor that it is like you need a nanny in this place." Said Olaide.
Mr. Mathew said yes, I need someone who will take care of my mother when I am not at home. Although, I have applied for one through an agency which they have yet to supply me with anyone. I have a small business that I am also running in town, but I just left it in the care of my employees. My elder ones are outside the country and I have yet to have my own family, so I am still hustling to be a man. Do you have any experience with the job?"
"No, I don't have any. The only thing I know is that I can take care of Mama as my mom. Please give me a chance to do it." Olaide solicited.
Mr. Mathew said Alright, I will give you a month to prove yourself. If you prove me wrong you stay but if otherwise, you go.
After a month she started working in that house, the old woman called Mr. Matthew, thank you, my son for taking care of me. Good children will reciprocate it to you in the name of God. But I want you to do something for me, that girl is wife material. She is taking care of me. I want her to remain in this family. At least, one day you are going to marry and it should be someone who can take care of you and my grandchildren. This one is perfect.
"Okay ma, but are you sure about what you are saying? Although, I have yet to see a good one who is not after my money. All the ones whom I have approached, they care about the material things that I must buy for them, if I tell them that I don't have money, they will vanish. You can see that they are after my money, not that they love me. I will ask her if she is not with someone before I tell her my mind." Said Mr. Matthew.
After some days, in the afternoon. Olaide was tidying the living room. Mr. Matthew came to the house and no one knows the time he entered the house. He was watching how Olaide was working to ascertain the real Olaide. Suddenly, she glimpsed that Mr. Matthew was behind her watching her. She was shocked.
"Sir, when did you arrive here? I did not know you were around. You left the office early today." Olaide asked.
Mr. Matthew smiled. "Hmmm, which one should I answer amongst your questions? Okay, let me say I came home to pick up one thing. Never mind about the time I got inside. Please, don't be annoyed. Is there anyone in your life, I mean like a man?
Olaide was worried. No, there is no one. Why did you ask me Sir? Have I done anything wrong Sir? Because you have never looked at my face before.
Mr. Mathew was curious.
Would you like me to be your friend? Because I like you as a person. In fact, the first day I saw you, I knew in my heart that you were the one who would fill the vacuum in my life.
Hmm, but you have your own girlfriend. Don't you have one? Because I don't want to snatch another woman's husband. Olaide responded.
Ah! Whose husband? No one in my life presently. I want you in my life. Mr. Matthew clarified.
Olaide said that it is okay but you have to give me some time to think it over.
It is alright with me, but don't waste my time because I am in a hurry. Mr. Mathew explained.
However, after some time both families met over their children. Later, they joined a holy matrimonial home.
