Chapter 15: The Plumber from Hell
After fighting with the flood like a drowning rat, I realized one thing:
"Samuel, you can't win this battle alone."
I needed help.
So, I grabbed my "yam phone" (which was now half-wet but still loyal) and called the number of the landlord's plumber — a man called Mr. Akrugu.
I explained everything:
"Uncle, pipe burst ooo! My room is now like River Volta! Please come fast!"
He said:
"No problem, my son. I dey come right now. Just small twenty minutes."
Me, being young and foolish, believed him.
Thirty minutes passed.
No plumber.
One hour passed.
Still no plumber.
Meanwhile, my floor had graduated from "small river" to "Olympic-size swimming pool."
Even mosquitoes were starting to organize swimming lessons.
Finally, after two hours, Mr. Akrugu arrived.
This man walked into the compound majestically, holding a rusty toolbox and chewing roasted groundnuts like a tourist at Kakum National Park.
When he entered my room, he looked around, nodded wisely, and said:
"Ei serious ooo. But chale, why you no scoop the water before I come?"
I wanted to cry.
Me?
Me who had been scooping since morning like a confused fisherman?
I swallowed my anger and said:
"Uncle please, the pipe..."
He opened his box, pulled out one suspicious-looking spanner, and started working.
Five minutes later, he shouted:
"Chale, I need help. Pass me that red thing."
I looked into his toolbox —
everything was brown.
Which red thing?
Before I could ask, water gushed again from another corner.
I screamed:
"Uncle, it's getting worse!"
He calmly stood up, wiped his hands on his dirty trousers, and said:
"The thing spoil too much. I go come. Make you send small momo so I go buy parts."
I blinked.
"Momo? Parts? Now?"
He nodded.
Against my better judgment (and small common sense), I sent him GHS 50.
Mr. Akrugu took his toolbox, walked out of the gate...
AND NEVER CAME BACK.
End of Chapter 15