” JANET ” (part 3)
By Emeka Nwobu
Smart upon Janet’s departure was lost in deep thoughts. He was once a victim of circumstances. He knows this wasn’t him but life must go on. Months back he was living his life responsibly untill that ugly encounter that changed his mindset abit about everything. He had remembered the supermarket he worked as a petty Accountant. He was trusted, extremely regarded by his boss and co – workers; though very few workers worked there. He had been managing his life ever since untill that fateful day. He had gone to the bank to deposit money as usual but things became unsual for him that day. He had not gone for days due to many activities going on in the store.
He was a very honest person and so his boss never doubted his honesty. He had ran errands that involved huge amount of money and never disappointed his boss; Mr peter, alias “sir P”.
He had gone to deposit money that fateful day and luck ran out of him. The events of that day is still a mystery to him till date. Although he was very tired due to over stress but could not come to terms with so many things. He had slept off in the taxi he boarded and unfortunately forgot his bag inside the taxi as he dropped and the taxi had left when he remembered.
He thought he was dreaming and was hoping to wake up from his slumber but it was no dream at all.
His bag was gone! the money was no more! About three hundred and fifty – five thousand naira(355,000) together with his boss personal money had disappeared within a twinkle of an eye. There is no trace, his inner mind had reminded him!
He felt deep pain inside him,as if he had been pierced with a sword. He could not believe this just happened. “why must it be today of all day”?, he had asked himself and no imminent answer. He was torn in between sorrow and deep pain. He remembered how good the boss had been to him and the errands he had ran successfuly and made up his mind to show himself to him and explain everything.
He made his way to the supermarket and found out his boss was in a very happy mood. He was worried on how to break this sad news to him as he seems very happy and excited . He felt withdrawn again but on a second thought, gathered energy and walked up to him and narrated the story to him.
” this is a super story! “, sir P had thundered!
” i cant believe this crap of yours at all “, he continued..
” you mean as old as you are, you slept off in a taxi “?
” just like that ” , he wondered
” you think am a fool ” ? He asked with his hands on his head.
Smart was trying to say something before he cut him short..
“hold it there please ” he stammered
” just go and bring back my money wherever you hid it or collect it back from whoever you gave it to ”
Smart was stunned, he couldn’t believe his boss will say such to him. He had pleaded and begged him to allow him even if it warrants working day and night without pay just to pay back the lost money but sir P couldnt listen to him. He shouted and abused him. Even his co – workers were in disbelief but could do nothing.
Sir P got Smart arrested and was thrown inside cell. Smart spent several weeks inside cell amid tears and couldnt imagine his world crumbling in this manner. He had to sell of his little properties to raise some funds for sir P. He sold off everything in his small apartment; fridge, television, speakers even mattress was sold and gave up his small savings as well. Some of his bossom friends contributed and even two of his colleagues at work donated their might.
The money gathered wasn’t enough but sir P had to accept it that way and release him amid pleas and pressure from even the police authorities themselves.
Smart upon his release had wondered why sir P , his boss, a man who is comfortable enough to use that money for charity could do this and even abandon him completely. He felt completely empty and dejected. He thought he was trusted and liked by his boss for his honesty and sincerity overtime but is not so, reality has dawned on him and he had to adjust to it.
It was in the midst of all this events that he encountered Smith whom have introduced him into what he is into just to shore himself up abit. Althought he regretted meeting Smith just as regretted waking up to that fateful day his world crumbled and left him in tatters.
he felt bad for himself and everything he represents but couldnt help it at that moment. It wasn’t his effort and neither anybody’s. His inner mind had reminded him about a quote, “when the rain falls on the leopard , it doesnt wash off its spots”. Which means…. that one is in trouble does not prevent him from doing what is right “. This does not matter for now maybe later and so he chinned up and sighed deeply as he awaits Janet’s arrival.
Janet reached the compound where she leaves with her elder sister, Cecilia, and and opened the gate gently because Smart had told her to comport herself and be very calculative so that no one will found out what she is up to and disrupt the process of being blessed abundantly. Smart is about to bless her and her family. In her lost mind, she had remembered Smart’s earlier assertions and was very confident of the outcome of her actions.
..TO BE CONTINUED
©️Emeka Nwobu
