Meanwhile, somewhere in Lagos.
Bayo ignored the first few rings of his mobile phone and focused his attention on the TV screen. His phone rang again and he groaned in annoyance.
“What is it, Tega?” He growled when he picked up the phone.
Wednesday, 17th February 2016.I had walked as far as possible but I couldn’t find her. I hoped Laide would come to my place that night but I couldn’t just sit around and wait for her to show up. I sighed and ran my hands over my face as I fought back tears. I couldn’t imagine where she could be. She didn’t go out often so there weren’t many places she could’ve gone to.
Later that night, I sat down for a long talk with Laide after the disappearing act she pulled. I knew it was a difficult time for the whole family but she needed to learn how to handle problems with more maturity than that. She narrated her ordeal, about how she wandered and got stranded in an unfamiliar place without money. She met someone who helped her get home and I was grateful to the person.
I tried hard to believe her, I really did. She pushed me towards the kitchen where we grabbed a pack of juice to go along with the snacks and watched a few episodes from a comedy series to get rid of the gloomy mood. When we were through, I returned to the bedroom to finish packing my suitcase and Lara joined me. "What're you up to?" She asked“My boss has to be in Abuja by Sunday and I
Saturday, 20th February 2016. I stared down at the envelope I held in my hands. I couldn’t believe that he had the nerve to ask such a thing of me.“Please, I want you to think about it. We were friends once before we tried to be more. We can remain friends, can't we?” He pleaded.
Sunday, 21st February 2016.The Murtala Mohammed Airport was full of travellers that day. When we got through luggage check and had gotten our boarding pass, I waited anxiously for the time to board the plane. “Attention please, this is the last call for all passengers headed to Abuja, please proceed to the gate.”
Monday, 22nd February 2016.The following day, I was up bright and early. Dressed in a white T-shirt and a pair of jeans, I made my way downstairs where I spotted Mr Jacobs in one of the restaurants. He was also casually dressed so I didn’t feel out of place.“Good morning, sir,” I said as I took a seat.“Good morning Miss Fayola, did you sleep well?” He smiled and I blinked in surprise.Well, he looked happy that morning. “Y-yes sir,” I stuttered. “Did you?”“Best sleep I’ve had in a while.”Oh, that explained his cheerful mood. I guessed being away from the office worked wonders for him. Once we had breakfast, we discussed the schedule for the day. The plan was to accompany him to inspect an apartment building under construction. By noon, we arrived at the site where we were given protective gear before w
Tuesday, 23rd February 2016.The following day, I got in touch with my family. I was even more worried to hear that dad’s condition was worse and he was running out of time. I was on my way to the shower, my towel was tucked tightly around my body when my phone rang. I glanced at the Caller ID. It was my neighbour, Mama Tope.“Eniola, I have some important news to tell you.”I frowned when I heard the serious tone in her voice. Her next words were spoken with a sense of urgency that immediately made me reel in shock.“No,” I whispered. “It’s not possible.”“Hello, dear. Are you still there?”I could not find the strength to reply and next thing I knew, I blacked out.#I woke up with a pounding headache.I slowly opened my eyes and waited for them to adjust to the dark surrounding. I recognised my hotel room easily but something was o
I stopped a few steps away from the table and waited for a reaction but he turned his attention back to his coffee like I simply did not exist. I gulped nervously but moved forward. I quietly slid into the opposite chair and greeted him.There was no response, not that I expected one. He handed me a brown envelope before he set down his mug and walked away.My shoulders sank in disappointment.I was done for but how could I blame him though?I accused him of something terrible without checking the facts first. He had been nothing but patient with me all the while and that was how I repaid him. I had to find out what happened the previous night.I stared at the dish the waiter placed before me and picked at the meal. I forced myself to eat because, despite my lack of appetite, I knew I needed some food. I had been unconscious for most of the previous day and already felt the pangs of hunger when I woke up.Besides, it might be th