matric number to be called,soon Molade and Shade went in,she stood near the door worried,the invigilator must have missed her number.....
Soon every student was settled in the hall,she entered into the hall too,walking towards a female invigilator,beads of sweat had begin to form a pool on her forehead,she wiped it away with her white hanky.
'Good morning ma' she courtsied,the woman turned to face her.
'What can i do for you?' she answered.
Hannah explained her problem to the woman,
'Is that all?' the woman asked.
'Yes ma' Hannah said.
'Which body cream do you use?' the woman asked.
'Ma?' Hannah was surprised,what was the woman talking about.
'You heard me' the invigilator continued.
'I don't have a special body cream,i use any cream i like.' Hannah answered in all honesty,she was getting irritated with the tone of question.
The other students had been given their answer booklet,she was beginning to get impatient.
'Why are you bleaching?' the woman asked again.
Hannah looked at the woman angrily.'I am not bleaching,thats my colour.'
'I see you're a good liar'
'I have an exam to write ma' with that Hannah walked away to the other invigilator.she explained to the man,without wasting time the man checked her exam card and showed her to a sit.
She was barely seated when the woman invigilator walked towards her.
'Don't seat' she ordered.
'ma?'
'If you seat,thats the end of this paper' the woman said.
Hannah remained on her feet,the other invigilator shared the exam script yet the woman would not let her be.
'As young as you are,you're bleaching your skin' the woman said.
'Excuse me ma,i am not bleaching,its my natural skin colour.' Hannah argued close to tears,she was not going to embarass herself by crying.
'I see' the woman said eyeing her.
'Even if i am bleaching,its my business'
'And not mine right?'
'Yes' Hannah replied,angrily.
'You're a bold girl i see.'
'This is an exam hall,and my skin colour is my personal business not anyone's'Hannah said speaking loud to attract the other invigilators.
The invigilator who asked her to seat,came towards her and asked what the problem was.
Hannah explained without mincing words all that ensued,the woman was about to talk when she had a call on her cell phone.
The male invigilator advised her to simply apologise and let sleeping dogs lie.
'I have done nothing to apologise for' she countered.
'I hope you realise that other students have started writing,its 20mins into the exam already'
Hannah maintained the frown on her face,when the woman returned to say the HOD just called her away.
'You are lucky indeed,or i would have taught you some real manners this morning.'
With that the woman walked out,Hannah sat down to write but she was already disorganised by now,she had just answered two of five questions when the invigilator announced that they had thirty minutes to go.She was able to answer only three,she didn't finish the fourth one.
She wept her eyes out,at the hostel,Rotimi had called to ask about her paper,she explained all that happened,he got all her exam no,matric no,the lecturer in charge and told her not to worry.
The other papers had been very cool,she tried her best and prayed to God to finish the rest.
On the day she wrote her last paper,Pink Shirt took her out on a date and asked her out.She was very happy to be with him.They were walking along a quiet pathway chatting and laughing like lovers,when he sat her down and said the words she'd always dreamed about.
'I can't date you Ade' she said calmly,though troubled within.
'Why?'
'You know i am in a relationship already.' Hannah protested.
'The only thing i know is that you love me' he said holding her hands,with the other one resting on the small of her back.Hannah's breath snagged in her throat.
'I......'
The air between them was thick with tension,how could she say yes when she had a boyfriend already,and she gulped at it,desperate to fill her lungs. 'I .....I....'Her voice trailed off.
'Hanny dear,You can't deny me,can you?i fell in love with you that first day at the restaurant,i can't deny my feelings for you' He tightened his grip on her,crushing her bosom against his shirt,the intimate contact thrilling her more than she'd ever been thrilled in her life.
Hannah was quiet.
'Pls say something' Ade pleaded.
She didn't know what to say let alone think,Closing her eyes,she dropped her head forward,resting it against Ade's shirt.Wrong move.
'Look at me and tell me what you feel.'
Hannah couldn't,she didn't want to see his eyes.
He made her,placing a finger beneath his chin.Their eyes met.
'Kiss me' he whispered,his voice felt like electric current.
Was that a statement or a an order,it had better be latter she thought as she..... ...... ..... .... ......
*****
'Jane lets get started,i've got loads of work for you' Tojudaniels continued.
'But--sir' Jane protested.
'I am Toju within the four corners of this office and each time we're alone.' Toju said.
Hannah remained quiet as he issued out orders and put her through some things.
She'd returned home a stressed lady,she had a cold bath and a lunch of boiled rice with plantain.Ajoke arrived soon,
'Good afternoon Jane.'
'Afternoon' Jane muttered.
'I didn't realise you left office already.'Ajoke said,but Jane kept quiet.'Look,you have to stop this silly game you're playing,and quit acting childhish'
Jane looked at Ajoke and continued eating.
'If you're bent on making trouble,i am not interested in it'Ajoke said sitting by her side.
'As you can see,i am eating,kindly let me be.'
'I won't stay out of your way if you refuse to speak to me.' Ajoke insisted.
'You can do as you wish.' Jane hissed.
'Do you really mean that?'
'Y.E.S' Jane said.
Ajoke stood up went inside,she returned in some few minutes time wearing a bump short and a tank top.She stood directly infront of Jane.
'And what is this supposed to mean? Jane asked.
'I can do as i wish,remember you said that,so i want to fight you'she said pulling her out of the chair.
'Are you feeling well?'
'I am' Ajoke pushed on her on the nearest sofa and began to tickle her,that was something Jane couldn't resisit.
'Stop' she screamed.
Ajoke intensified the tickling,in no time Jane was laughing loud and pleading to be set free.
'You're a cow' Jane said as Ajoke helped her up.
'You're a silly corper' Ajoke laughed too.
The ladies sat down and Ajoke asked Jane to tell her all that happened right from sunday afternoon and she did,
'Are you saying Mr Tojudaniels was your secret admirer?' Ajoke asked surprised.
'Don't tell you're not aware of that.'
'I hate to swear,but i had no idea he was the one.' Ajoke insisted.
'I was thinking you set me up.If then why did you leave us?'
'I left when i realised he wanted to speak to you alone,i read all the statement in his eyes and as you know,he's the boss.' Ajoke explained.
'But you promised to help me out,that was why i agreed to meet the admirer.'
'Well,i thought it was your manager,i could deal with him,but Mr Toju? I can't try it.'
'Now,that he has insisted i become his PA and work right under his nose what do we do?Jane asked.
'One has to be careful here,we'll watch his every move and you have to smart,i mean very smart.'
'Its not going to be easy' Jane sighed.
'I'll stand by you.'
Ajoke prepared a reconcilatory dish of Peppered spag with fried chicken for dinner,
'I'm sorry for my sore reactions this past day' Jane apologised.
'Its alright,i just want you to know that its good to hear people's side of the story before reacting.'
'You're such a darling' Jane said smiling.
'I have a crazy gist for you,i bet you won't believe it'
'Please ride on'
Jane's phone was buzzing,she looked at the screen and froze.
'Who is calling?' Ajoke asked.
'Tojudaniels'
Jacob picked his call,it was sweet Jackie,reminding him of their Lunch come weekend,he assured her he would be coming,he dropped his phone.
'Adetoun as i was saying........' Jacob turned but she was gone,he hurried to the balcony,she wasn't there,he saw her sobbing in her room.
'I warned you not to cry again' Jacob chided her softly sitting by the bed.
'I wasn't crying.'
'I want you to sit up and tell me all that happened.' Jacob said.
Adetoun sat beside Jacob and he held her hand to comfort her.
In a teary voice she told him her bitter story,Jacob was stunned that a young girl as Adetoun could have passed through all that and still be mentally strong.He pulled her into his embrace and she cried the more.
She remained in his arms for an hour,while Jacob soothed her pain with calm words and wiped her tears away.The househelp came in to inform Jacob that dinner was ready.
Jacob felt embarassed as Adetoun clung to him,he dismissed the help.
'I am not hungry.' she said quietly.
'You have to eat'Jacob insisted.
After much persuassion she agreed to eat in her room.the help brought her meal and yet Adetoun refused to take a bite.
Jacob fed her and she ate from his hands,she ate little,Jacob had never seen her this sad and depressed,he tried all he could to stop her from crying.
She finally slept in his arms,Jacob laid her on the bed,she held on to his arms even in sleep,he removed her hands and she woke up startled and crying again.
'Please stay with me don't leave' she said amidst tears.
'I am tired,i need some rest too'Jacob said.
'I want you by my side,please stay with me tonight.' she said softly.
Jacob was confused,he didn't want to hurt her or make her hurt herself,she was a poor girl in distress.Sleeping by her would not hurt either.
'Will you stay?' Adetoun whispered.
Jacob held her hands tight,'I will'
'Thank you'
With that Jacob got in the big bed,pecking her,Adetoun clung to him tightly and stopped crying.
**
Jacob noticed the increased vigour in Adetoun ever since she explained her story,she no longer sulked or cried as before,she was lively now.
She would wait up for Jacob and serve his meals since Jacob relieved the househelp of her work.
One quiet sunday evening,Jacob was relaxing in the sitting room.He called Jane and had a lengthy chat with her,laughing as he did so.
Adetoun watched him from across the room reading a magazine,she listened on his conversation.
'Who were you speaking with?' she asked when he dropped the phone.
'Jane' he said concentrating on the TV.
'The same lady you call everyday.'
'Yes.'
she stood to sit by him.
'Jacob do you really love her?'
'Ofcourse i love her.'
'Is she the one in those pictures strung over your room?'
'Yes she is.'
'But i haven't been seeing her around.' Adetoun asked.
'I told you she's serving,but she'll be home for christmas.'
'I can't wait to see her.' she said laughing.
'I miss her so much'
'I see it in your eyes,each time you call her or speak of her.'
'I have been meaning to ask you,what you want to do,now that you're hale and hearty.'Jacob asked.
'I am still thinking about it' she replied.
'I'll be so glad,if you'll go back to school,you're still very young.'
'I'll give you a feedback when i'm done thinking about it.'
'You're taking so much time about it.' Jacob said.
'So what are we having for dinner?' Jacob asked yawning softly.
'Something nice.'
'Pls get the table set,i'm turning in early.'
Jacob arrived at office early,he got into the elevator,he saw Sandra at her desk as he got out.
'Good morning sir' she said getting his suitcase from him.
She opened his door,dropped his case and walked out.
Jacob watched as she swayed her hips,he noticed that she had changed in a way this past month,dressing seductively and pushing out her cleavage,Jacob knew what that meant,but he expected sandra to know better than others.
He sat down and placed a cup of decaf coffe with milk,Sandra came in bringing in a tray,she returned to notify him of meetings and appointment he had for the day.As she dropped the files she bent a little showing her cleavage in the process.
'Sandra' he called quietly.
'Yes sir' she said.
'You need to get yourself a boyfriend fast.' Jacob said.
'Sir?'
'This happens to be the second time i am calling your attention to your newly acquired mode of dressing.' Jacob said staring her in the eye.
Sandra looked at her feet ashamed.
'The next time you bring out your cleavage this much or dress provocatively,i'll be forced to ask you to type your own sack letter.'he said 'Good day'
**********
'Pick it' Ajoke said,Jane picked Toju's call,answering him in few words,she dropped the phone.
'What did he say?' Ajoke asked anxiously.
'He asked if i could go out with him.'
'And what did you say?'
'I told him i couldn't.' Jane said.
'That was good of you,i am glad you refused him.'
'I am thinking you should report this issue to Jacob'
'I don't think thats a good idea' Jane said thoughtful.
'Can you handle this thing in a smart way?'
'I can pull this through to prove that i've got brains.' Jane said smiling.
'I am willing to trust you.' Ajoke said.
'You wanted to say something the other time'Jane asked.
'Yes,i'll tell you when the time is right.' Ajoke laughed.
The company was decorated green and red,Jane had forgotten today was the first day of december.She took in the cool fresh air as she drove in and parked her car.
She climbed the stairs,and walked into her new office,she was barely seated when the door flung open,Toju's secretary came in carrying Toju's case.
'Good morning miss Jane' she said
'Good morning,how are you?' Jane asked.
'I am fine,the boss is around and asked to give this note to you.' she said handing her a folded sheet walking away.
'Thanks' Jane said as she collected the paper.
Jane gave a sarcastic laugh,Toju had asked to meet her in his private lunch room.Jane wasn't taking a step out of the office,she brought out her phone and took some snapshot of herself before settling down to work.
Toju came in,about 20 minutes later,probably after waiting in vain.
'I asked to see you' Toju said sitting on his chair.
'I am busy' Jane said.
'With whose work?'
'The company's work.' she relpied.
'I own this company,i pay every staff in my employ.' Toju said.
'Thats none of my business.' Jane said typing away on the PC.
'I hope you know you're dealing with the boss.' Toju said stressing the word boss.
'I know' Jane said smiling.
'I am personally inviting you as my date for the end of the year closing party.'
'What party?'
'You'll know when you type the memo this morning.'
'Will you be my date?'
'No sir.'
'Toju.....call me toju.'
'If you insist.'
'Since you decided not to breakfast with me,how about lunch?'
'On a monday morning? Toju you should have something better to do,i am not having lunch with you now or ever.' she said'Please excuse me.'
Hannah' he said softly.
Hannah was confused,she was trying her best not to let out her bottled feelings.
'Yes' she answered.
'Please dignify my request with an answer.' he said.
'Ade....I ......I....' she hadn't finished her statement when Rotimi's call came in,she silenced the call.
'Who was that?' he asked.
'Its not important'she said trying to remove his hands from her body.'Ade i can't date you.'
The silence was killing,Ade felt something cold climbing down his face,with the back of his hands he wiped it away,the breeze was very cold,he stood some feet away from her.
'Is that your final decision' he asked.
'No no no,Ade i really care about you,but i am in with some one else,i can't cheat on him,i can't double date' She wanted to scream but against that she said a calm 'Yes'
Ade moved a feet towards her,
'Then i should leave if you have nothing to offer me.' he said coldly.
'No,don't leave,lets be friend' she said holding in his hands.
Ade felt like acid was thrown on his face,he disentangled his hands from her hold,
he faced her then.
'Friendship?' he asked,as though she'd offered him a consolation prize. 'I can't be your friend,Hannah.'
Hannah looked at him,were those tears she saw glistening in his eyes,or was it just the way the outside lights shone on them?
Ade's words crushed her.But deep down.she knew it was true.'We can try.....being friends.'
Slowly he shook his head.'No,that hurts most.'
'I'm really sorry about this'
That happened two week ago,she was finding it hard to let go,the more she tried to avoid him,the more of each other they saw.
Each meeting became awkward,he was doing well on his part,she thought not knowing how much she was hurting him.
Soon,it was the first week in December and Hannah would soon go home.she was happy just at the thought alone,she would get to see Bibi,Jane,Lucy and Jacob again,
she was returning from her club meeting when she saw Ade taking her a stroll with Rukayat,she had to mutter all the courage she could not to scream or do something silly,her feet felt light on the floor,she looked away and took the other path to avoid talking to them,she was afraid her worst fears would be confirmed. She wasn't suppposed to feel bad or jealous,after all she said No to his proposal.she walked home with her head in her teeth,feeling dizzy and shaking.
She prayed it was just an ordinary stroll with no strings attached, anything else she would simply fall and die.
She remembered Rotimi's request to see her before she leaves for home,she missed chatting with him.
She got into bed earlier than usual,disturbed at the sight of her friends taking a stroll.she had been thinking and thinking all evening skipping dinner.
'Hello ladies' Rukayat's voice boomed loudly as she walked into the room.
'Hi babe' Shade said.
'Hi' Cynthia said cleaning her face at the mirror.
'Hello babes' Rukayat smiled'I've got gist for you all'
Hannah was forced to open her eyes and ears and join in.
'You're back' she said pulling the duvet aside.
'Yeah,you know what girls' Rukayat said.
'What?' the trio sang in a chorus.
'I'm dating again.'
'Oh,i am so happy for you' Cynthia said.'No more big daddies'
'C'mon,i have to stop that.' Rukayat said.
'So who's the guy who turned you off your feet.' Shade asked.
'I bet you don't want to know.' Rukky said.
'Ofcourse we want to know' Hannah said nervous.
'Okay,i'll tell you guys'
'We are all ears' Shade said.
'You remember Hannah's boyfriend pool party'
'Yes yes yes' the girls chorused.
Hannah's heart beat fast than usual.
'There's this guy i met there,the one Hannah told us about,pink shirt or so' Hannah said grinning from ear to ear.
'And?'
'We got introduced at the party and being a sharp babe,i gave him my digits.'
'Hmmm hmmm' Shade said.
'So i bumped into him again on monday,we got talking and and .....and he asked me out' Rukayat said breathing slowly.
'And what did you say?' Cynthia asked smiling.
'I said yes,yes,yes just after our first date this evening,while we took a stroll.' Rukayat shouted.
'I am so happy for you' Shade said hugging her.
'So am i' Cynthia laughed.
Hannah stared blankly into the unknown.
'This calls for celebration' shade screamed.
'Yeah,the guy is so cool,and handsome,i love him already' Rukayat said giggling.
'Hannah? Hannah? Hannah!' Rukayat shouted,'Aint you going to say something?'
Hannah felt embarassed,she gave a quick smile and held Rukayat's hand.
'I am....... so happy......for you' she said from the tip of her tongue.'Yes,.....i am happy for you'
she said more to herself than to her friend.
………………………….
'I'm trying to believe you did say all those words to him' Ajoke said laughing.
Janet had just explained all that happened between her and her boss to Ajoke.
'Well,i did'
'I wish i was there to see the look on his handsome face,Oh You go girl' Ajoke said 'Give me a high five'
The ladies burst out laughing.
'Would you believe that shut him up through the day,he was just there,minding his business.' Jane said laughing.
'I hope you'll pull this through in one piece.'Ajoke said.
'You watch and see.'
It was just two weeks to xmas,and everywhere screamed xmas! Xmas! Xmas!.Everyone was agog with one activity or the other as the company was about to round up a financial year.
To be continued at 8pm
