(EPISODE ): JUMAI

Mark Ademola looked through the window of the plane as it continued its descent. The atmosphere was clear, it was going to be an uneventful end to an uneventful flight, which was good. He was back to his world, the place where he belonged. Lagos was home. Crazy and sometimes frustrating but home all the same.
He craned his neck to see if he could spot his street or his house. It was a habit he had that was yet to yield any results. He saw several roads and several houses but never his own. He leaned back in his seat. He was not sure why he kept trying, it was never going to happen.
A few minutes later, the plane stopped and the ‘fasten seatbelt sign’ went off.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.” The Captain announced. “Local time is 9:15am…”
Mark ignored the mumbling P
ilot and unfastened his seatbelt. It was crazy that he still needed to go to the office after the strenuous week he just had but that was his life. He stood from his seat and reached for the overhead cabinet. He opened it and removed his luggage.
Chop! Chop! Let’s go.
“Could you help me get my bag, please?” A voice called from behind him.
He looked back to see who the voice belonged to. He stopped at the sight that faced him. She looked at him with the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. She was a few inches shorter than him, light skinned and a face that invited you to know the owner. Who is this girl? Why wasn’t he ever lucky to get a seat beside someone like her?
“My bag please?” She said again.
He had been staring. Why on earth did he let himself get caught staring?
“Whi…which of the…” He started to say.
“The green one please.” She said.
She was Hausa. Or was she British? Her accent was the loveliest he had ever heard. She had a veil covering her hair; she had to be Hausa. It was a flight from Kaduna, it made sense. Get the bag! He reached for the green bag and dragged it off the cabinet. He tried his best not to grunt under the weight of the bag, he had to make a strong first impression. He handed the bag to her.
“Thank you.” She said.
He nodded and turned back to face his seat. Oh Lord! He had to see the girl again. He turned around but she was gone. She couldn’t have disappeared into thin air. Maybe she had gone back to her seat. Maybe she is an angel. He looked down the aisle and saw the green bag a few rows behind him. There she was. Of course she wasn’t an angel. She was human just like him, just a higher version of human. He had to talk to her before they left the airport. He had to do it now.

***

“You were paid what?” Baban looked up from the newspaper and stood from the chair.
“15 million naira sir.” Dongo replied with a smug smile on his face. The two men behind him nodding with approval.
If you wanted things done right, you do it yourself. He believed that but sometimes you could not do the things you wanted done. Sometimes you had to send some of your most trusted men. Sometimes you had to send men like Dongo. But sometimes they made you wish you did not send them.
“15 million naira?” He asked, moving closer to Dongo.
“Yes sir, that’s a lot more than…”
“Naira?”
He did not wait for a response. He swung his right hand and in one swift movement knocked Dongo to the ground. He rubbed his hands together and stepped back. The stunned Dongo scrambled to his feet. Baban rushed back at him and knocked him back to the ground before he could find his footing. He spit on him and returned to his seat. He looked at the two men who stood behind Dongo and he knew they wished they could come to the aid of their friend. But he knew and they knew that they could not dare it.
Dongo struggled to his feet, this time slower than before.
“They paid you in naira and you collected it?” Baban asked, his voice low and deep.
Dongo stood and looked back at Baban, fury clear on his now swelling face. He did not mind his men showing their anger in their facial expressions, but that was as far as they could take it. Anger was good, insubordination wasn’t.
“Dongo, I’m asking you a question. You collected naira from them?”
“I collected 15 million naira from them.”
Baban stood and clapped his hands together.
“You wanted an applause for collecting 15 million? There you have it.”
Idiot.

***

Movement ahead of him caught his attention; passengers were disembarking already. Mark grabbed his luggage and joined the line. He glanced behind, he did not see her. He would have to wait for her at the ‘Arrival lounge’.
His phone rang, it was his boss. He answered.
“Mark, are you here?”
“Yes sir, we just landed. I will be out of the plane in five minutes.” He said.
“Okay, good. I was in Ikeja and I decided to stop by the airport to pick you. I am waiting for you outside.”
“Okay sir.” He said and ended the call.
No! No! No! This would have been great news some other time but not today. He wanted to talk to this beautiful angel from the north but he knew he dare not keep his boss waiting. What was he supposed to do now?
“Thank you sir for Flying with Nigerian Airways.” A flight attendant was saying to him.
He nodded at the attendant and tried his best to smile. His attempt failed woefully and it earned a frown from the attendant. She was the least of his concerns however, he needed a plan.
His phone rang again. He looked at his phone, it was his boss again.
“Hello sir.”
“I thought you said five minutes.”
“I’m out of the plane already, I’ll be with you very soon sir.”
He ended the call and got out of the plane. He knew he could not stop or wait. His best bet was to walk as slowly as possible and hope the girl would catch up with him.
It took an eternity of moon-walking, but soon he knew there was no point trying to delay anymore. It wasn’t meant to be. Since he was losing the girl, there was no point getting his boss angry too. He walked fast and soon was in the arrival lounge. He looked back one more time but she still wasn’t in sight.
“Sorry boy, no angel for you today.” He whispered to himself.
He headed for the exit. He knew where his boss usually parked and he still had to walk a few metres before he could get there. His boss had no patience for tardiness, it was a surprise he had not called the third time.
Six minutes later and he arrived at the car. He looked inside and his boss was not there.
“Mr Kazim.” He called.
The driver who had dozed off woke up and scrambled to attention.
“Where is oga?”
“One of him friend meet us for here, they go see something for back there.” He said pointing backwards.
“I just came from that direction.”
“Una miss each other be that.”
He felt like punching the car. His boss called and made him hurry when he was not ready himself? Maybe it was better to make use of the occasion instead of complaining. He opened the booth of the car and placed his luggage in it.
“Mr Kazim.”
“Yes oga?”
“I will be right back, I need to check someone.”
“Ah, Oga Mark, please…”
He ran away before the driver could complete his protest. He smiled with excitement. This is so meant to be.
He got to the arrival lounge before he stopped running. And there she was. She was with two other girls. If he hadn’t seen her first, he would have called them beautiful. Not anymore though, their beauty paled in comparison to hers. For the first time, he saw her smile. Her face was beautiful without the smile. With it, it was indescribable.
Time wasn’t his friend, he had to make his approach now.
What am I going to say?
He froze. He had not considered that. He had been so excited he’d forgotten how terrible he was at meeting new people. Girls especially. Maybe that was before. He was a more exposed and matured guy now. He was the MD of a very huge Foundation. He was just returning from a meeting where he talked with top government officials. How difficult could this be?
He walked towards her and stood in front of her and her friends. This is going to be easy.
She noticed him standing there and looked at him. His eyes met hers and he stood still and stared. He wanted to say something but his mouth was failing him woefully. It wasn’t his mouth at fault though, it was his brain. It had stopped working.
“What do you want?” One of the friends asked.
He looked at the friend for a second then back to her. She looked at him and he could tell his period of grace was almost over. He had to say something.
“What’s your name?” He asked and immediately wished he could take it back.
‘Hi’ or ‘Hello’, that is good. ‘What’s your name?’ that is not good!
He felt stupid but he had said it already. It was better to wait and see what happens.
And for a long time, nothing happened. She stood and stared at him and he could not do anything else even if he wanted to. Finally, one of her friends recovered from whatever spell was causing the muteness.
“Let’s go.” The friend said.
The three of them pulled their bags and turned away from him. He stood there for a few seconds and wished for the world to end. He should have known better. He never should have approached her without a plan.
This is what happens to silly boys who think they can just approach a classy girl in the airport.
He turned around to go but stopped in my tracks. She was standing just a few feet away, her face turned in his direction.
“My name is Jumai.” She said and walked away.
......continued in the next episode.

(episode2): LEFT BEHIND

 

She led choruses in the evening service we had the previous Thursday.But now, the sweet voice I heard has turned to a painful mutter of incomprehensible words. She held on to the corner of a table with her two hands, and wept as she said things I didn't understand.At this point, I knew this could only mean one thing but I didn't want to believe it. I couldn't just bring myself to believing it.
I couldn't.I was still pondering on what all these mean when an older man sitting two chairs before me stood up suddenly and shouted with a voice crackled, broken and almost lost.'Lord God! Please have mercy!'By now, my heart was heavy and I could not explain a certain fear that clinged to my heart.To remove all doubts, I approached one of our ushers so I can ask for explanations. I almost stopped in my stride as I became afraid of what his answer might bid for me.I walked to the rear of the church and stood in front of him but he didn't even take notice.His eyes were opened, he was looking at me but with his empty and hopeless gaze at nothingness, I realized he was looking through me. I called at him and touched the shoulder of his right hand before he blinked and looked at my face. 'Please Bro Paul what is happening today? Is the service elsewhere?' I asked with a voice fearful and low. The usher dropped his eyes from looking at me and shook his head. New tears began to streak through the corner of his eyes and his lips shook as he tried to hold himself from complete breakdown. He raised his head again and returned his eyes, with tears, to me. He started to speak but lost his voice again. 'My brother...' He finally managed to say. He held his very wet handkerchief to his face as he tried to stop the infinitely-flowing tears. Then he heaved so deeply I thought I heard his lungs relax. 'Bro Victor...' He started again amidst silent sobs. '...we are lost. The Rapture has happened. We are doomed for life.'Though I knew all along this would be the news, hearing it with my ears broke my heart. I mean I felt it in my heart. My heart sank, ached and broke. I staggered and almost lost balance as I moved backwards, trying to hide from the weight of the news; trying to escape from the impending doom the usher pronounced. But he wasn't done. The usher released all the pent up tears of anguish and pain he has bravely been holding back and cried with all his might.
All I could make out from his voice was 'God, Please. God, Please'. He said it over and over again amidst sobs and cries. As if to really show he was really desperate, Bro Paul threw himself on the ground and prostrated full with his two hands clasped and his eyes looking to the heavens. He begged God again and again, asking for mercy and pleading for another chance. He cried and wept continuously and when he couldn't say anymore, he just lied there and cried. By now, I had managed to sit down on a bench placed behind the church as I looked around in unbelief. I didn't shout or cry at first. I just sat there looking around with tears already blocking my visions. My nose became clogged with phlegm and my throat was dry. With tears flowing down my cheek, I raised my hand to my mouth as I tried to hold myself from weeping. But it did no good. I cried, cried and cried quietly, still with my hand holding back my mouth from releasing my voice with the pain and regrets it held. Many thoughts crossed my mind- the fire of hell, the great tribulation, the suffering that awaits and many others but only one stayed.I realized I would be alone in the world now. My mom would be gone. My dad would be gone. All my sisters and brothers would be gone. While only I remained just because I found pleasure in sin.The sudden loneliness this realization brought to my heart crushed it forever.I dropped my hands from my mouth and cried.Oh! I cried like I never did. I wept and called out to God to forgive me but even I knew I was lost forever.'Had I know! Had I know!' The thought tortured me.Liquids dropped from my nostrils and tears from my eyes, a heavy ache hammered at my chest as I cried again and asked to be forgiven of all my sins but even then I knew there is no respite for me. In the blur of my vision, I saw the sister- chorister still kneeling and recognized her voice as she sang that hymn of warning we always sang in our church. With her broken voice, sobs and tears between the words of the song, she added more pain to my already damned soul. '...oh! what a weeping and wailing As the lost were told of their fate They cried for the rocks and the mountains They prayed but their prayer was too late...'She sang on and on.The song had no melody this time, just sorrow.I stopped my ears with my hands and refused to hear more but the lyrics taunted me still. I knew all my prayers were useless but I anguished and cried to God more loudly. It was in the middle of this other round of hopeless tears and prayers that I laid my head on the table and slept for sorrow. When I woke up, I was on my bed, back in my room. My pillow and cover-cloth were soaked in my own tears. Though I wasn't wearing any clothes, I was covered in sweat. I searched for my phone and glanced at the clock. It was 4.22am. I had barely slept for three hours. I realized It was all a dream but the relief that filled my heart was swiftly replaced with a great fear. I stood up from my bed and looked around but nothing seemed out of place. I saw my roommate still sleeping with earphones still plugged to his ears. I looked outside and saw it was indeed darkest in the dawn. Having made sure I was still safe and not lost yet, I knelt beside my bed, used my pillow to cover my mouth and cried in desperate prayers. I prayed to be saved before it is too late. I knelt that way, weeping and asking God for mercy until I slept off. And indeed when I woke and looked at my time, it was 8:12am and I was late for church...THE END

#brownstories#ourfaith#repent#endtimeisnear#

(episode1):LEFT BEHIND

                                                                                 

It's been a long time I have kept this to myself but I think it is time for me to tell this story. Please read, so it won't happen to you too.It all happened on Sunday morning; it rained the previous night.I slept late on Saturday night and thus, woke up late. My church service starts by 8am but when I opened my eyes, it exactly 8:12am.I sprang up from my mattress, removing my blanket as quickly as I can and didn't even bother to bathe. Brushing my teeth within ten seconds, I wore my already pressed clothe sand ran off to church.My roommate was still sleeping but I didn't think he planned going to church at all. So without saying goodbye or waking him up, I left the room.When I stepped out, I saw some young students of the fellowship who meet in front of my hostel. They were just setting up in preparation for their service. I think they start theirs around 9am. The way the weather was, with the clouds dark and heavy, everywhere looked gloom and quiet but in my hurry, I took no time to observe or relish the remarkable atmosphere. As I walked and ran on the tarred narrow road, just some distance from my hostel, I saw two girls sitting on a pavement and crying. They were dressed for church but with the way they sat and clinged to each other, weeping, I doubt if they would still go to church that day.Though many passers-by like me walked  to stare at them, they were clearly unconcerned. They cried uncontrollably that even their shouts of pain made my heart flutter.I thought about going to them and trying to console them but I was late for service myself.My conscience tortured me a great deal but when I glanced at my wristwatch, it was already 8:32 am.'I am late. I have to go'. I told myself as i continued on my path. Well, after few minutes, I made it to church eventually.Except for a guy I saw who rested his head against a wall by the road, I didn't notice anyother strange thing till I got to church. But when I entered the church, it was another sight I beheld.The backdrop of the altar and the designs of the pulpit and walls of the venue were already set up but I didn't see the Pastor. In fact, I didn't see any of the church leaders.The church was scanty. Except for two ushers and three choristers I saw, most of the workers I knew were not present. There were some members present though. But every single person in the building was looking lost. The brother beside me was even fluttering tears without crying.I too was getting afraid.And then all of a sudden, a lady cried out just behind me.It was so sudden and the sound was so laced with pain and fear that I was afraid the worst had happened. This is when I dropped my Bible on a chair and had a deliberate look of the whole church. In the left corner of the front which was designated as choir stand, three sisters placed their heads on the table in front of them; shaking their heads and body in that manner some people do when praying silently. Just behind them was yet another sister who sat on the bare floor, with one of her shoesnowhere near her. Even her scarf was hung around her neck. I recognized the sister...

   ....... TO BE CONTINUED

YOU!

I remember you, just like yesterday; the moment you stepped into my life.It was a sunny morn,’ we were still in elementary school. There was primary one but you chose primary two. The moment I saw you, my heart knew one thing for true- it was you. Right from the door to your seat, I knew what we had was true, it was a chemistry that I learnt in biology, the velocity in your propensity that turned my brains off momentarily.

 I was shy to approach but you can’t hold emotions to keys and lock, so I came close. It was your friendship I wanted; I wasn’t  Caleb or any other random guy that just wanted the goodies over your chest. I wanted to know what you liked, what you ate, who you truly were, I wanted to get close, to know what you felt and what was in your head and what happened to guys like me that were always scared.

It wasn’t easy at first, but you let me into yourself, we became friends, I joined the choir, the daughter of our choir mistress. I loved you to death!! But how could I ever tell you what I felt. In primary four, I felt millions of electrons every time you passed my side with a smile.  I did all could, I became a regular visitor in your home, but I could never tell you how much I felt.

What a life!!!

When courage finally came, I got there late. Nnaemeka got there first, I came with the true gospel- love, He came with selfish desires-lust. You had it all…most endowed. Little wonder we clashed over you. I knew I could never have you. I just simply knew.

Your breasts were ample, full fleshed; your waist had that angle- sepesepe figure eight. You matured early, like a flourishing stream with a killer hour glass figure. Heads always turned to look whenever you made that move. I knew you loved me; but you fell for him!! He kissed you; I never got the chance to. I could never make my move, you betrayed me. Who didn’t you have?

Who? 

Men lusted after you. You always indulged them, fueling their “mountain dew” with your “sparkling grape juice.”

When I finally moved on, I let go of you. I chased Gloria: She was cool, dated Ogechukwu even though it was meant to be only you, I kissed Nene severally, desperately danced withChelsy and Adum at our SS2 class party. I got home that day; my light green shirt was thoroughly stained. I frolicked with Yetunde, to totally forget all about you.

I cut off communication as I normally do. Patiently waiting to forget you. I needed a reset, a brainwash, just anything that could let me go a day without thinking of you.

What did ever do to you?

Ehn, what?

Even though I did all I could do to keep you away, you never let me go. You begged me after secondary school. You told me the whole truth but I doubted you, how did you expect me to believe Nnaemeka never kissed and caressed you, that Caleb never lay his hands on your hourglass figure or that tolunever squeezed those huge frontal lobes on your chest? How?

Do you think I was a fool? I had informants about. They told me how each guy had his own half of your national cake. I loved my girls to be pure, and truthful, in all loyalty and honesty. I had plans for you; that is why I became a geek with books, not just caring about looks because I had our futures planned in my mind!!! Our beautiful kids, houses and cars. Your diamond ring, worth millions of dollars, swimming pools, our black mayback!!!

But you never came back. You went everywhere and expect me to take you back? Never!!!

Go somewhere else. You’ve made my life a living hell!! The love I have for you has suffered the wrath of hell, it no longer hears, feels or cares, our love is dead. I am sorry, baby girl I have found someone else. 

#Authorcredit: Joseph Muyiwa

anticipate!!

This is a brief  narration of  how falling in love with the right person feels wrong.....coming soon on brownstories..

#brownstory #you# lovestory#

(final episode): The JOB story

Abolore stood and took his leave, not caring to look behind. Jerry threw the papers close to him faraway from himself in annoyance. He couldn’t bear it all longer. “Jesus, he called, please give me wisdom in tackling this, I have no idea on what to do.’ He knew he was out of time: by tomorrow he should have made his decision at the final meeting with their Chinese partners who were looking to invest in the company’s initiatives.

This deal was no different; Jerry was just to inflate the prices again or agree with the fraudulent members of the board. He had nowhere to go, even the cousin of the CEO of KPMG was involved in the E1 000 000 deal. E1 000 000 was no small money. It was pounds, not dollars, cents or Yen. Not even Naira, the devil tried to mess with his head while he lay in bed, ruminating his next step as his beautiful Kemi laid her head on his hairless chest and their bodies lay close interlocked. She was tired, he was really disturbed.

He succeeded in hiding it from her while she served him dinner that night with his numerous teases directed to her. One look at the wedding pictures littered around his room reminded him of his fruitful marriage. With her, things worked the better for him so he fulfilled his promise of getting married to her even after a year and half of being engaged and three years of knowing her. Whatelse does a man need? She had been confirmed by God as his missing rib and he was yet to regret any minute spent with her. It was in those momentsat night she spent laying on his chest that he thought fast and well. Funny enough, that was the perfection of his marriage; she was truly indeed blessed. So he wasn’t surprised, that on their wedding night, she would be meeting a man for the first time. He loved her the more as she was more energetic, and full of life than ever.

As he pondered on what his response tomorrow will be at the final deal making, he ran a finger through Kemi’s hair and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. She smiled in her sleep as she turned over, adjusting the pillow, to continue her sleep. He left her as his face suddenly brightened up. He knew his answer already, so he switched off the bed side lamp and went back to sleep.

This morning the sun shone brightly. He dreamt that he was at a board meeting where he was about to receive a gift but as he stretched his hand for that gift, at a board meeting. A sharp light, so hot and bright, gleaming like the sun came over him and nearly cost him his sight. He yawned loudly as he raised his hands to cover his face.

“Wake upjare, sleepy head.” He saw Kemi smile at him as she opened the curtains brighter to wake him up from sleep.

“What is the time please?”

“Just seven thirty”

“Just seven thirty? It quickly occurred to him that he had an important meeting as he jumped out of bed. His wife beckoned to him to help her hook her brassiere and zip her jump suit. He immediately obliged and dashed for the bathroom

“Honey, take it easy o. I hope you don’t crash to the ground”

“Your breakfast is ready, should I serve it?”

“No, just help me pack it and please don’t wait for me, I might be late and I don’t want you answering queries on my behalf,” he replied with his brush and white foam pouring out of his mouth from the glass sealed bathroom; partly open. Before she left, she came to announce that his breakfast was ready. She got into the bathroom and kissed him goodbye.

“You look good; have a nice day, Princess”

“And you too, my Prince” she gracefully took her steps in order to avoid falling with the little water her shoes got in the bathroom. She was downstairs and was out with her hyundrai 2014 edition in no time. Jerry got her that car during her last birthday in the year. The car looked so new. Jerry jumped out of the bathroom as he heard his wife’s last honk leaving the compound. He rushed his dressing and picked up his files, car keys and food flask. He laid his head on the steering rim as he said a silent word of prayer, his phone had 10 missed calls already, all from work. He called Paul immediately.

“Paul whatsup?”

“I dey o. where are you, this guys will start soon”

“Are they there?”

“Yes na.Waiting for you.”

“Paul can you stall for me or start the deal, please just stall, I am just arriving the third mainland bridge was a bit too sleepy today.”

“No probs bro. God’s got you bro” that was Paul’s usual slang.

Jerry walked in and took the lift. He met Paul at the important stage of the meeting, the point where the prices were being raised for the deal to take place. Jerry had already made up his mind. He was immediately asked the price by the Chinese personnel- there were about three of them. Only one talked while they all deliberated in their Mandarin languages.

Abolore and Femi looked up for the signal.

“Mr Jerry, what is the price? I learnt earlier on, that the project will cost two million dollars. What then is to be our agreed price? You know how important this is and how quick we are expecting your company to follow through with this,” Mr Rivioneria said as a matter of factly. He starred into Jerry’s eyes as he pulled his ray-ban glasses off his face. Jerry looked round all the faces waiting for him to speak; he glanced at Abolore and his cohorts. He took a deep breath and stood up, pacing the conference room as he spoke.

“First things first, Mr Rivioneria, I have to apologise for attending this meeting late and I am sorry. This deal is important not just for us here at KPMG but for you, our multinational business powerhouse. The goal of business is profit and proceeds and every business step is a prospect ahead. This project is the deal breaker for us while the success spells out more investment for you.” Jerry paused as he got to the head of the table facing the large projecting slide that kept showing the developmental stages of the project. He turned to face them, laying his perfectly manicured hands on the table with a glittering ring on his finger. He leaned in, totally enjoying himself and savouring the wind; he asked them. “The question is:“how much are you willing to give?” Paul beamed at the other end of the table winking excitedly to him.

“Like we said earlier, we heard you needed two million but we can only offer between 1 mill and 1.5” Mr Rivioneria responded after a short consultation with his other business partners.

“Fine. The price we are asking is a million dollars for the project”

“That’s a good bargain;won’t you rather have eight hundred thousand? You know deals aren’t always their prices in business as things could get a bit cheaper.”

“Mr Rivioneira, if you were from here, in Nigeria; I would say you are an Igbo man. Those are the men that deal assiduously in the game of business and pricing of services and goods in the local markets. But you are definitely not one of them, are you? Our price is one mill for the asking. You have the money: Why don’t you just bring it?”

“Mr Jerry, you have a knack for business and figures and even a good speech. Your skill at bargaining is a really nice one with those catch phrases. I guess we just have to close the deal at your price, I couldn’t help but let the figures out carelessly.”

“There is nothing, you can do. But as we all say: in the name of business, in the name of profit and the gains. There is nothing to regret. Your money, your profit.” They stood to shake hands and tap each other on their backs. Paul clapped the loudest as the cheering attracted other workers in the office.

“Jerry, I can see you developed cold feet and didn’t carry out our deal and you call us friends. A chance to make real money; you blew away, swayed by sentiment. I hope you regret this.”

Abolorepushed past him angrily as he went to the lift, others followed suit, pointing fingers at him. Paul came around joyously as other workers came to sweep Jerry off his feet. Paul went about as the praise singer, singing and announcing from office to office: “here comes the deal breaker, orator and deal sealer. You did good brother.” After all the gyrations were over, Paul walked him to his door before going back to his own office to carry on some paperwork.

He put a call through to his wife but she replied him back how busy she was. He texted her back that he had a surprise for her back home.  She replied that she would be waiting and urged him to be home early, lamenting her enormous work load emanating from the law suit filed against her client. She promised to see him soon at home. Jerry was elated as he looked out of his window, muttering thanks to God under his breath with a low voice. He heard a knock after which his boss came in.

“Sir, you are welcome, have your sit sir,” he pulled out the sit for his boss as he attempted sitting on the desk, diagonally opposite.” Dr OlatunjiAsikomo declined.

“Come here and give me a hug, son. You did well.” They embraced lightly.

“You remember when I asked if you were still a Christian,” Dr Olatunji asked, hoping Jerry would remember as he cleaned the dust from his gold rolled glasses.

“Yes sir,” Jerry responded as he replied.

“You just passed your first test,” Olatunji announced. “That deal between my Cousin, Abolore and the others were a setup. I set you up after you narrated that story that cost you your former job, I spoke to my colleagues to set you up and I rumoured an inflated price to Mr Rivioneira. However, Mr Rivioneira never knew. I cast my bet on you, Abolore and my cousin cast the bet on themselves but a plan was hatched and you passed. You truly have changed, son; a true follower of the word.”

“Sir that was a big temptation.” A shocked Jerry responded.

“Yes but it had to be done. You passed quite well, CCTV Cameras were employed at every juncture. Dr Asikomo pointed to a small like glass bulb that worked as a spy camera.”

“Sirrrrrr…” Jerry stammered

“You better keep that stammer son because you have just been promoted to Director, you arenow a boss. No one has closed a deal with so much money like that before here. You spoke well and got us a well-deserved deal. That part was entirely real and I want to congratulate you son, with this.”

He handed him a car key. Jerry trembled. ‘That is for you, son. Faithful in little yields faithful in more. Keep doing well, shunning evil and doing good. Feel good to cruise the gift and have the rest of the week off, son. You didn’t commit the same mistake a second time even under pressure. Have a nice day.” Dr Olatunji went out. Jerry crashed to his knees holding the new keys in his hands. He screamed and sprang to his feet.

“I must hurry to tell my wife.”

The END



#Authorcredit :JOSEHP MUYIWA.