The following week, Friday precisely, it
was raining cats and dogs, and the usual Lagos flood was battling for land
ownership with the sons of the soil, so many people had their shoes in their
hands as they waited for buses at the bus stop ,Onome was not left out , as she
went to make her hair, she was busy trying to get back to the hostel and didn’t
realise her phone was ringing all the while ,she finally got to the hostel and recalling all that had happened the
weekend before she decided to go home for the weekend, she knew Mrs Sylvia was
a bit suspicious . As soon as she picked
her phone to call her aunt and tell her she was going to be home for the weekend and saw Alex’s missed calls,
she immediately called him back;
Onome: Hey
Alex: hi, have been calling like forever
Onome: so sorry , went to make my hair and
got to the hostel under the rain, didn’t even have an idea my phone was ringing
Alex: awwww…sorry dear, was just told by my
boss that I have training in Lagos; I’m actually coming with my boss.
Onome: wow! So when is the training?
Alex: it starts on Monday. I would love to
see my baby
Onome: same here, but my aunt is already
suspicious, so I have to be careful
Alex: so? Onome I mean well for both of us,
I can come see your aunt if you wish
Onome: wow…ermmm ok!
Alex later got introduced to Mrs Sylvia ,
the relationship was no longer a hide and seek game, the two love birds kept on
dating, three years later , Onome was in her final year, she got too busy with
project and all sorts, in fact sometimes she used Alex’s name to get away from
home to be with other friends, Alex in that same year had to go to the UK for
his masters, Onome wasn’t sure if she could cope without Alex for the next one
year ,she was really sad, but Alex reassured her of his love and also pleaded
with her to wait for him that he would definitely come back for her , but Onome
was really scared about Alex not coming back again or coming back with another
girl, she had so many things running through
her mind.
Alex : I would come back for you
Onome: I know, I’m just scared
Alex: of what?
Onome: a lot! What if you come back with
another girl? What if you get a job there and don’t come back?
Alex : I
am not coming back with another girl and yes if I get a job there , I
will come and take you there,.
Onome: I love you baby
Alex : I love you too……and by the way even
more than you think
Onome: *smiles*
A month later Alex left for the UK , Onome was
still working on her project,
Coincidentally , Onome had same project supervisor with Mimi , so they always
get to meet often even when they don’t want to. One Wednesday morning they were
both waiting for their project supervisor (Mr. Lanre) , Mr Lanre was in a
meeting with some lecturers in his office, so his secretary asked Onome and Mimi
to wait a little, as Mr Lanre was busy at the moment, so both girls sat
patiently opposite the secretary , Mimi started the conversation;
Mimi: see how she said the *at the moment*
same way MTN will say * the number you have called is not available at the
moment *
Onome: lol….you are just a silly girl
Mimi: so how’s our Alex?
Onome: did I hear you say ‘our’?
Mimi: hahahahahaha….relax jor
Onome: he’s fine, he called yesterday
Mimi: so when are you going to visit him?
Onome: babes!!! Relax…he’s in the UK for
his masters ….to study not play! Moreover he just left some weeks back, I had
better get done with school and go for my NYSC, He will be back soon .
Mimi: I know, but you know what they say,
life isn’t a dettol advert, if you don’t take care of your man, sweetheart,
another woman will!
Onome: (looked at Mimi like she was sizing
her up and finally got hold of her words) not to worry , mine would be like
dettol advert…silly!
Mimi: just saying
At this point the secretary beckoned on both girls to come see Mr Lanre
Mimi & Onome: Good day sir
Mr Lanre: Ehennnn…
(adjust his chair ) how are you girls doing?
Mimi& Onome: fine sir
Mr Lanre looked at their work, Onome was in
chapter four while Mimi was in Chapter five, Mr Lanre asked Mimi to go ahead and
start putting her work together, as hers was certified okay, he turned to Onome
and said ‘I am not pleased with your work , take note of the corrections I am
making , write it again and bring it back tomorrow, you can see your mates have
started typing their project work’
Ok sir…replied Onome.
As soon they left Mr. Lanre’s office, Mimi
said to Onome;
Mimi: Looks like you want to stress
yourself
Onome: How do you mean?
Mimi: trying to write this project all by yourself is
tedious, just give that office assistant five thousand naira, he would give you
a project of your choice from the Head of department’s store and then you can just
copy and paste….finish
Onome: I knew it
Mimi: knew what ?
Onome: you were too fast with your project,
I knew there was more to it .
Mimi: I am just advising you as a friend
Onome: Thanks but I had rather I do it
myself
Mimi: whatever.
