I am a person that rarely get scared . Even if there's danger , or something is happening ; i am the only one that you'll always see with a clear head . This fact nearly caused me and my sister to fight. My sister likes attention so much that , every small issue ; she must turn it into a ginormous one . Small things like the gas cylinder needing a refill , the whole world must come to an end . one of the perks of not being able to see is that , small things rarely get you frightened . When something looks at you , and you don't look back ; it will never bother you . Now though, i ;am beyond terrified . Its not like becky is a bad girl heck , out of the popular girls in the university ; i will label her as the nicest . Its just that ; she was one of those popular rich and wealthy girls in school . You see , Rebecca Titilayo Johnson was the most beautyful and the most talented student in the university of lagos . She had a total GP of 4.98 and a very outstanding behavioural chart . She looked like those kind of girls that , would not even take a glance at my side ; not if i am wearing gold . I am not saying that i wasn't intelligent . Infact , i was one of the top three to come out top in my class ,and my behavioural chart wasn't bad ; i am just saying , between me and her ; i don;t really stand a chance . So ,that means ; i have a super star as my boss . How can this day get any worse .
" are we going to keep standing , or do you need me to drag you to the chair? "
I didn't need any further encouragement because my legs automatically , started moving to the chair .
" i'm sure you are wondering why i called you here , right? . you see , i wasn't expecting you to be able to recognise me . I rarely spoke to you in school and we wearn't that close , so when you called out my name like that ; i was really stund ."
In a way , she wasn't far from the truth . me and her were never ever close . Infact , if it wasn't because of the little accident of today ; i doubt we would ever had seen each other . but ; that doesn't mean i don't know her . Like i said before , me and becky were in different worlds entirely . She was in the rich and classy , while i was in the weak and defenceless ; so we didn't see often . The reason why i was able to recognise her was because , out of all the rich snobs ; she was the only one that was down to earth . She was nice , kind and she never liked trouble . She had this aura that always captivated me every time i hear her speak . so she doesn't know me , but i very well know her .
" you haven't said anything , since when you mentioned my name . i don't really know what's running through your mind , but i just hope you don't have any bad misconceptions about me . I know me and you were not close before , but it doesn't mean we're enemies .Are we?"
The weird thing is that , at that exact point in time ; there was nothing in my head that i could tell her . Should i have told her that i don't think of her as a bad person , or i should have told her that she has a nice aura . Or the icing on the cake , maybe i should have asked her out on a date ; wouldn't that be fun . Instead , i did the only sensible thing i could think of at that moment .
" My apologies ma , i didn't mean to call you by your name . I was just surprise to see a familiar face ; that is all . The receptionist informed me that you summoned for me . I just hope nothing is wrong? . "
I decided to go with the corporate card because , friend or no friend ; she's still my boss , and i am not ready to lose my job ; not after getting this far . She intertwined her hands together and smiled , showing off her perfect teeth . well ; so much for keeping my job .
" Well it is expected . Its not like i didn't anticipate you not giving me any answer , after all ; we are still at work . How about , we finish this discussion somewhere else? ; in let's say , somewhere like a gala?"
I feel like just today only , my head has been processing to much of information that it can't handle . For example , which conversation have we not finished?; what did she mean by gala , and what's with her amused attitude . Did i say something funny?
" I see you are confused , let me explain . You see ; every year , there is a corporate gala that is hosted by every digital marketing firm in the whole of lagos . This year , it is our turn ; and, i want us to go out in a big bang . Now ; you may ask , how does this affect me? . well you see , just because our company is allowed to plan and fund the occasion , doesn't relatively mean that every tom , dick and harriet is allowed to attend . That's why , the commition said that all the heads of the various firms in lagos , can pick a plus one and any other five representative to accompany them to the gala . "
" Alright ma , i think i get it now ; you want me to be part of the five representatives that will accompany you to the event . I have to say ma , i am very honored . I won't disappoint you . "
the idea didn't seem like a bad one . In a way , it is actually a good thing . With this , i can be able to build up my connections ; both in the firm and outside it . with those connections , i would be able to start something good for my self in the future . this is a win , win opportunity ; for me and also the firm . Its like luck is smiling at my side again .
" you are not far from the truth . The only thing is that , you didn't hit the hammer on the nail ." she said .
" i don't just want you to accompany me to the gala , i want you to be my plus one . Like i said , we have to finish our discussion from before . So , please get ready ; the gala is next week Friday . Any thing you need or want to get , do not hesitate to ask . oh , another thing ; wear something intriguing . " with that , she turned her seat and faced the other side . I didn't need anyone to tell me that the discussion was over , and that i have been dismissed . I stood up with many concerns in my head and i left the office .
The wrest of the day got normal with me being at my desk , doing all the mammoth work that was given to me during my absence . The only difference was that , the previous days ;i didn't have different thoughts running through my head . My brain has been on full time trying to answer the questions that has been lingaring in my head . The first one was , what am i going to wear that will make becky to be intrigued? . can you even make a rich person to be intrigued with your dressing ? , is that possible?. keep in mind that , she's from the category of people that can make dresses using pure gold . Where does she expect me to find gold from?. Another thing that was very worry-some was , what did she mean by , we will continue the discussion in a non formal setting?, does she want to fight me or something? ; that , will actually be very weared , and funny . Don't get me wrong , i am not saying that she is violent ; infact , she is a very good boss from what i can see . i am just saying , in nigeria ; anyone who tells you that " let's take it outside " , is looking for a fight . . At this point , i don't know what to think .
It was actually a miracle how i was able to finish all of my work on time and , still have my regular break ; with my brain intact . it really shows that , what God can not do ; doesn't exist . During the drive home though , my mind wasn't on a break . I kept strategising , ploughting and planning how in the world ; i was going to impress my boss . The first thing that i made up my mind on was that , after the gala ; i will apply for another job . Today has tought me that , i don't really know how to mix business with pleasure .
" Sir , you have been quiet through out the whole trip . is anything bothering you?"
That , as you all know was the driver ; always observant as usual . but in this case , i wish he wasn't . How will i explain what is wrong with me to him? . Still , if i don't say something ; He will keep asking questions .so i told the normal nigerian lie .
" Oh, don't mind me . Today was really stressful ; i didn't have much time to rest . there's nothing to worry about . "
" well sir , welcome to the club . Nobody in this country has time to themselves . Infact , if not for the little breaks we get once in a while , i am very certain that ; some people will have lost their minds . . It is very common for people to be at work , stressing themselves to their limit ; not even giving their selves a break . before you know it ;their eyes , begin to turn white . That sir , is the beginning of their madness . so please sir , just take it one at a time . If you end up dying ; they will just find someone to replace you. That's how they are ."
Like i said before , this man is a calming factor in any situation . Everything he said is the truth ; no employer will like to dwell on a faithful worker that is dead . The least they will do is to give you recognition , after that ; he or she , tosses you away .. I can't kill my self because of a single human being that , for all i know ; is eating rainbow crackers . I am just going to wear what ever i see ; if she wants to kick me out , i don't care . If i die, she will still kick me out anyway. there's really no difference ; i am just making the obvious happen in the land of the living .
" Oh sir , i forgot to tell you . One of your co-workers gave me a package to give to you . they said it was from your boss ."
Since all of the years that this driver has been assisting me , This is the first time that i have held any murderess intention towards him . I felt like strangling the living -day -light out of him , with his seat belt . Why now , of all times ; did he bring up the topic of my boss? . I'm starting to think this man is a herbalist , or a worker in high places . It could be possible ; you can never know . but since i new him , he has never read my mind , so there's no way he could have known how i was feeling . nevertheless , i still used anger to collect the package from him . for the first time ; he failed to notice my mood changing . Maybe its because we just arrived at home , or he did ; but , he didn't want to say anything . Either way , It wasn't going to change anything . I just went inside the house , not even giving a glance to the driver . I went straight to my room ; i didn't even stop to greet my mom . it's not like if i had seen my mom , i wouldn't have greeted her ; i just didn't want to say anything to anyone . anyway ; the first thing i decided to do when i got into the room , was to ; take off my dress , after which ; i ran into the shower . I took a very , very long bathe ; trying to wash away all the thoughts going through my head . After that , i decided to open the package that the driver gave me ; let me see what new problems i will have to add to my human repository . To my surprise , The package contained a brand new suit. This is not like those ordinary suits that those simple CEO's wear . no ; this suit , was clearly customised . As soon as i finished checking out the suit and brand new pairs of shoes ; i closed everything back , climbed the bed and layed down to think about my life . Why are female bosses very complecated?. ; Or maybe , it's just mine . either way , the main issue has been solved .
The next few days were surprisingly normal and uneventful . It didn't even look like we had any special event coming up . It got to the point that i started to think that maybe , i must have imagined the whole conversation ; that occured between me and my boss. but , as soon as i get home and , ilook at the very expensive suit hanging in my closet ; all those doubts immediately disappears . another thing , that was annoying me ; was the way that time was moving very fast. I mean ; very , very fast . That is one thing about time , when you want it to be slow ; it will become fast . When you want it to be fast , it becomes slow ; This is exactly what was happening . I wasn't looking forward to the gala , but it's like the gala was looking for me . I watched the days and weeks fly by like ; flocks of birds searching for warmer climates . I really prayed ;gave to the poor ; i was even nice to those who treated me badly , just for God to make time very slow . But ; all i was just doing ; was delaying the inevitable . because ; before i knew it , the special friday was upon me . yesterday , i tried switching off my phone , so that ; if they are not able to reach me , they won't think it was my fault . but nevertheless , i still had to turn it on . Now though , i am starting to reconsider my decision
" My son , you are really looking take -away . Is today your weddingday? ; have you found a wife , and you don't want your mother to know about her?"
As usual , my mom started first with her complements ; then she followed it up with her weard questions . Before , my favourite day of the week was friday . but now ; i might have to choose another one .
" For the last time mom , it is just a regular company event . nothing more , nothing less .So please , calm down with your suggestions ." I replied to all her interrogatory questions .
What i thank God for is that , my sister wasn't around at the moment . i think she must have gone to her friend's house . I'm sure that , If she was hear ; i will never rest in my life . Another strange thing was that , rebeka sent me a message in the early morning , saying that ; i should not go to work . She said , i should go to the venue that ; she would meet me there . that is why , i ; quickly said goodbye to my mom and went outside to see the driver . As usual , he was ready with the car ; which was properly cleaned and shining . i gave him , the address that rebecca sent to me , and as usual ; he glanced at it once and gave it back to me . i took it and entered the back seat , waiting for this whole nightmare to stop . before The driver entered , he went round the car ; checking the fuel and oil , making sure it was enough . This took him about two minutes , then ; he got into the car , and we were off .