He called me into his office. He paced round for a while then paused to look with those scary eyes behind the rim of his glasses for a few seconds. “You can’t intimidate me anymore”, I thought, “I have come to set myself free”. He brought out some papers and muttered “are you tired of his job?” How can you make mistakes of this magnitude? I had omitted a zero from an amount of money a customer was to pay back.
I was dazed and feared the implications of this error. With no recollection of the need to or being invited, I was seated on one of the visitors’ chairs in his office and just gawked at the paper. I kept going over the figure hoping for a miracle to happen. Maybe a zero will miraculously appear. I was weak to my knees and bile rose to my throat. I barely noticed as he fumed over the room. His actions mattered less to me as worry had overshadowed fear.
He was already reading my resignation letter before I looked up. I didn't even recall giving it to him. He tore the letter and trashed it. “I will advise you to stay put till you pay back all these money”, he said. We spent hours addressing the modalities on how I’ll pay back. It was our first brotherly discussion even if it was partly to save his ass and mine.
Earlier on, I was delighted that I’ll be finally free from the bondage but my happiness was short-lived. I have just entered into another contractual 'one chance' agreement which will keep me here for longer than I wanted and could bear.
I had promised to call my spouse later in the day to tell her how my boss took the news of my resignation. Little did I know there was something else in store for me. She called when she didn’t get a call from me but alas, I couldn’t pick her calls. This kind of discussion has to wait till I return home at night. Her numerous calls were making me go mad has it came repeatedly. She hates when I don’t pick her calls and she keeps at it trying till I am forced to. Today is different, the little ego in me has been snatched out of my soul. She sent a text later which I read. Gosh! She came around to celebrate my freedom. She had been calling to let me know she was around. We had planned to visit the week after just to celebrate my resignation from this corporate slavery.
“Oga banker, tonight go sweet o”, the greeting from the gate-man. That was the first greeting I got when I got into my compound. I wasn’t even in the mood for his jokes. She was angry when I got in the room. Despite, she served me a cup of water and took off my dented shoes while I sat tiredly. That is one of the benefit of dating girls breed the traditional way. Unlike all the eyelashes fixing mannequins, who can cook only noodles. I narrated the events of the day to her and the anger on her face changed to worry. 'So, you are still working there', she asked. I was angry because my narration said so, “why the question again”, I thought. “The bright side is that I am not cooling off in the police cell which is the other way the scenario in the office would have ended”, I said. She shrugged and asked what I’ll eat. At least she is the silver lining in today’s dark sky. I can take solace in her comforting presence.
I ate my first decent meal in months that night. My roomie was more than happy to vacate the room for us. We had so much so to talk about. Her final year project and the lecturers who take themselves as a god. We talked about her 'toasters'. She knows I get irritated when I get to hear a particular name that helps her with materials for projects and assignment. 'I hope this nice guy wants nothing in return?', I asked angrily. “Why can't you come over to help me with the project”, she angrily barked back. “I told you he is just a friend”, she said in a softer voice.
I woke up late again this Saturday, the third time in a row. I was supposed to prepare for work but I have decided to work at my own pace henceforth. There is no way I can survive if my superiors keep shoving heavy duties on me. Come to think of it, I am expected to spend all the days of the week at work. No! I just got smarter. Debt or no debt, I decided to ease my mind today.
The aroma coming from the pot by the corner of the room makes me want to get married soon. Well, I decided to forget about work craze and enjoy today with my spouse. We might just visit the cinema and laze under the sun in bar beach. Happiness just found me.
