Chapter Five
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Working was indeed hectic. Tana and I couldn't interact often cause she was also very busy with her job.
Okay... Confession. I totally envy that girl, her parents are so supportive and she even has her own place. Her parents did not even object to that in any way, read the course of her choice, her life seemed perfect, although she has her own issues. Okay that's enough about my bestie for now.
Today's wahala is for Laila. I could not stop laughing when she stomped into my room. She was furious and I knew better than to open my mouth without her giving me the go ahead. Mr and Mrs Gregg were at it again, that's the only thing that makes her look so fierce, scary in fact.
I gulped when she sat on my bed, still wondering if I should speak, when she finally spoke up.
"Your parents want me to get married." She said with an unusual calmness.
I sat up on my bed, then I burst into a bout of unending laughter. She glared fiercely at me and I finally shut up, actually trying to contain my pent up laughter. The amusement was still very much present in my eyes. I thought it was typical of Nigerian parents to put pressure on their child, especially females,to get married. I mean Laila was twenty six. I know for a fact that she's been single for quite a while but I guessed this push from our parents was just what she needed to move on from her relationship with Tunde. That's a story for another day though.
The words my sister said next dropped on me like cold water, I found myself shivering.
"They've arranged for me to marry Yemi Adetokunbo." She said in that calm tone that was beginning to scare me. I knew Laila was trying to hold back her tears from falling. She always pulled a strong front in front of everyone else, she never wanted to be seen as a weakling, especially because of our parents.
She gave me a quick glance, I opened my arms wide and she fell into them, she finally let the tears flow. Her body shook from the sobbing. I, on the other hand was doing my best to not let the tears flow. I was supposed to comfort and console her.
I took a deep breath, cupped her face in my palms and said "Why are they doing this?"
My voice almost betrayed me, trying to be strong ain't easy. Laila looked me straight in the eyes and said...
"Dad owes them money and he wants to use me to get them off his back."
I wasn't at all surprised, Dad's firm had been suffering financial setbacks, that's why he didn't let us work there. That was the reason why he kept pulling favours from business associates, so that we could get jobs. But selling my sister off was so wrong. I didn't know what else to do but I couldn't let it happen.
Laila's the only one who understands me in this family, I would do anything for her.
"Lola, I know what you're thinking, but please don't do anything. I'll marry Yemi." she said to me in a pleading tone
I stood up abruptly "What are you saying Tolani?"
I called her by her native name whenever things got grave, and this matter was indeed very serious.
"Lola I've met Yemi he's a nice guy, and he doesn't seem to have any qualms about the marriage, besides everything has been fixed. I'm getting married in less than two months." She said. I was astonished, I sighed in defeat. When her mind's made up, it is finished.
"Tolani, so that's it?" I asked tilting my head, letting the tears flow. I didn't know how to react. I should have been happy that my sister was getting married, but I didn't want it to be so soon and certainly not in this manner. I did not want to sound selfish but I still did not want her to leave me now. She sat up wiping my tears, and hugging me.
"It's okay sis, just pray for me, I know everything's gonna be alright."She looked at me with a faint smile on her lips. I observed that her eyes were puffy from all the crying.
"I'll miss you." I said in a whisper, hugging her again.
"I'll miss you too." She said rubbing my back. She suddenly sat up with a mischievous smirk on her lips.
"Be doing as if I'm leaving today, we've got over a month to have fun babe."
"Abi, let's paint the town red cause you've got such a short time before you're off the single market." I laughed.
"I swear down." She said with a chuckle.
"Very soon, I'll have another nephew or niece." I teased with a wide grin on my face. Laila's smile morphed into an amused look, she was even blushing.
The next minute I was running for my life as she hurled her slippers at me.
"Shey you've started again."
She threw the pillow at me too.
"Sis,I'm saying the truth. More importantly, I can't wait to see your baby bump." I joked before running out of the room.
*******
Laila had told me the news earlier so I wasn't surprised when mom and dad announced it at the dinner table.
I had to pretend that I was happy with the way they were selling my sister off to the highest bidder. Many times I wanted to tell them off but I could not bring myself to do it.
I promised myself that night, that, I wouldn't let them do the same to me.
I wasn't so sure about that , but unlike Laila, I would resist with all my might.
I went on my knees in my bedroom that night to talk to God. I may not have mentioned it before but I'm a Christian and I've always yearned for a deeper relationship with God and so far so good, I had gotten far in that.
Being the first to give my life to Christ brought a difference, no matter how small, in the lives of every member of my family. The frequent fights between my parents had somewhat reduced. And even if my older brother was still a playboy, he had begun to retrace his steps slowly.
Laila was the second to follow in my footsteps, and we attended a Pentecostal church together with mum. Dad had never been a church goer and we still put him in prayers concerning that.
I closed my eyes and the words that came out were "Lord I'm thankful for everything, I know you have a plan and it's all going to work out in our favour, cause you love us despite our sins. I ask that you take preeminence so that your name only may be glorified. Amen."
I sighed and stood up, I felt peace afterwards. And with that I went to sleep.
*****
Another working day, I felt exhausted with my job already, it had been a month and I had received my salary the previous week. It was a huge sum, and I wasted no time in saving it up for my future plans. My parents still gave me allowances so it wasn't such a big deal for me.
Walking into the office that morning, I felt uneasy, I had to wonder if it had anything to do with my menstrual cycle. I was wrong after all.
My doubts were soon cleared when I got a call from Mr Oluwole, I gulped after the phone call, wondering why he would want me at his office. I took the elevator, my hands were clammy. I began to ponder on possible reasons why he would call me up to his office. I walked through the quiet hallway and on getting to the front of his office, I arranged my outfit, along with my wig. I glanced at my phone screen, using it as a mirror to check if my make up was in order. I still wondered why I was so self-conscious all of a sudden.
I thought I heard voices...
I knocked and that familiar groggy voice called from the other end.
"Come in." I opened and walked in gracefully.
I almost ruined that graceful walk when I set my eyes on a particular fine specimen in the room.
Gosh! His eyes were so deep. His dark blue blazer along with the Italian shoes, they all screamed money! His Rolex watch? To die for. He whirled his BMW car keys on his index fingers as he swiveled slightly on his chair, one thigh on top of the other. He even had the latest Iphone. I think I'm gonna faint.
"Lola?" Mr Wole's voice jolted me out of my reverie. I hadn't heard him when he called before, I was so lost and almost drooling over Mr Handsome over there.
"Sir?!" I answered, startled, little bit embarrassed too cause I was distracted.
"Sit. " My boss said coolly.
I did as I was told, the young man hadn't spared me a glance. He was so engrossed in his phone..or so I thought.
"This is my son Olatunji." He said,
I almost drifted into Dreamland again.
Wait did he just say son?
Realization hit me, then I saw the resemblance.
"Oh, nice to meet you sir." I said with a with a courteous nod and smile. He finally looked up and me and I'm sure my heart skipped a beat.
"Just call me Tunji, sir makes me feel old." He spoke up.
Okay now I'm going to faint. His deep baritone voice....God help me!
I could feel butterflies in my belly. His voice was so rich.
"Ye.. Yes.. Sir, I mean Tunji." I stuttered. What's wrong with me?
He smiled at me before turning to his phone again.
"Lola I'll be retiring soon, and my son is going to take over from me. I called you here so that you can acquaint yourselves." Mr Wole stated briefly.
I was shocked, I also wondered why he would call me to tell me that when he could easily announce that with all the staff present. I shook the thought off with the fact that it's probably because he was a good friend of my dad and he wanted him to know about it first. But then again he usually hung out with my dad at the golf course. I tried to connect the dots but I couldn't figure anything out.
But I was thankful for the gesture, cause I got a glimpse of my new boss first. An exclusive one in fact.
"Oh you'll surely be missed sir" I said faking a sad smile.
"Ah yes, I'll miss working here but I've been working all my life, lemme sit back and relax" He answered with a sigh.
"Indeed" I smiled at him.
"Thanks for the notice sir, I'll take my leave now, I have to get back to work." I said getting up slowly.
"No problem, but I'd love for you to show Tunji around the building some time later, I'm old now and I can't do all that" Mr Wole chuckled
"Uhmm...yes sir I will" I said hesitantly before smiling again.
Why would he want me to do that? Stella can do that nau. I almost frowned at the thought. How do I compose myself around this guy. I mentally face palmed myself.
This is gonna be one longggg day.
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