LOVE AND LIES
TEN
Weeks had passed and Nkiru was just happy with her job even though things had not been perfect between Kola and her. She would get to office on time, resume her daily duties and go back home feeling fulfilled and overjoyed. Nonso seemed to have stomached the fact that he could never get a lady like Nkiru laid. It was a harsh reality he intended to fight and succumb to. They would talk and laugh as usual but not without the boundaries. Nkiru had made sure anytime she needed to go see Nonso in his office. She would talk to him some lengths away. She wasnt comfortable but she was taking precautions. Nonso was not happy with this. It could be read from his countenance but he appeared to have given up. His voice would always carried this peace that suggested to Nkiru that he meant no harm.
One Monday afternoon, Nkiru had just finished the work of the day. She got a message from Nonso that she needed to see him before leaving. She dug her legs into her shoes tiredly and got her blazers. She swung it round and picked her way tiredly to Nonso’s office. She could hear him laughing while talking on phone. He gestured at her to give him a minute while the conversation continued. Nkiru stood refusing to sit. Nonso searched through a file and brought out an envelope. He handed it over to Nkiru while he still talked on his phone before he rolled his chair away from her direction. Nkiru stared at the letter. It was addressed to her and was from the headquarters. Nkiru walked away not minding the content. She got to her seat, flopped into it and tore the letter open. The heading took her aback. It was a letter of dismissal. She read it many times in apparent uneasiness. Everything seemed to her like she was in a dream. The reason for her dismissal wasn’t really stated. All that was said in the letter was that her service was no longer required. Nkiru flew up after she had confirmed the content of the letter to herself and hurried off to Nonso’s office. She found him still talking and laughing on phone. Nkiru stood panting profusely. Beads of sweat ran all over her even in the coolness of the air conditioner. Her face carried this look of anxiety and frustration. Her panting became excessive. Her eyes gave flickers of tensive glints. Nkiru had the feeling Nonso was behind it because there was this mockery in his voice as he talked on phone. His frequent laughs suggested to Nkiru he was mocking her indirectly. Nonso finally hung up after few minutes and stared at Nkiru to know what the problem was.
“Nonso, this is a sack letter!” Nkiru cried out in dismay.
“Really! I am not aware of that. ” Nonso cut in. He collected the letter from her and read it. He shook his head when he was done.
“I am sorry!” He told her and sat back.
“What do you mean Nonso? That I am fired?” A red glow shot out from her eyes.
“This is not from me. It is from the headquarters. I am sorry.”
“You masterminded this Nonso because I didn’t give in to your sexual advances, right? Nkiru said in rage.
“I don’t know anything about it. The only thing I am aware of is that the company has complained of losses and needed to get few hands off.” Nonso said and raised the two hands as a show of indifference rather than a gesture.
Oh my God! Nkiru cried. “I never believed you could go to this extent just because of s*x Nonso.”
“I won’t have you insult me in my office. I told you I don’t know anything about it woman. So can you please leave my office.”
Nkiru walked away shutting the door hurriedly behind her. Every staff of the bank stared at her. They knew what had gone wrong. Judith walked up to her immediately.
“I heard you shouting in Nonso’s office. What is it?”
“I am fired! Can you imagine Judith? Because I didn’t give this monster s*x. This devil!” Nkiru screamed angrily. Everyone in the bank turned to look at her.
“Take it easy, Nkiru” Judith consoled “But what was your offence?”
“That the bank can’t keep many workers” Nkiru sniffed in tears and handed Judith the letter to read. Judith read it in silence and eventually shook her head.
“This is not fair!” Judith sighed.”You need to go to the headquarters immediately.”
“I know this Monster is behind it and my God will fight for me. He will know that I serve a God nobody jokes with.”
Adamu walked in at this moment. He was dressed in his regular khaki shirt that had the badge of his company smiling at his b****t pocket. It was well-tucked into a black washed trousers that had a large military belt fastened round it. A pair of large soldier boots added a compliment and was obviously a perfect match with his shirt and trousers. His beret was barely covering his large head. He held a face that suggested he had been given an order.
“Madam Oga say make I wash am for your fings before you comot. Say make you no carry any fin wei belong to bank walai.”
“So I am supposed to be monitored like a thief.” Nkiru raged, glaring at Adamu with bloodshot eyes.
“This is serious!” Judith cut in.
“Na oga send me walai”
“I think you should speak to him first.” Judith admonished.
“I have spoken with him.”
“And what did he say? ”
“Nothing. He said it wasn’t from him but I know he knows a lot about this.”
“You need to get a lawyer!” Judith put in again.
“Madam I no get am for time walai.” Adamu cut in again.
“Will you shut up your useless mouth!” Judith and Nkiru shouted angrily at Adamu.
Nkiru picked her phone and called her former school friend who was now a lawyer. They agreed to meet the next day. She gathered a few things into her bag and left the bank. Adamu followed behind till she was out of the bank premises. Nkiru walked into the sun. First the hot sun didn’t suggest anything to her. Her legs seemed to wobble. A cold shudder ran through her blood. It appeared as if the whole world was crashing all over her. Her effort to keep her marriage had cost her her job. How would she pay her bills? And her own upkeeps? To depend on Kola was definitely not an option. She was confused. She loved her marriage and vowed not to give in to any pressure from outside. She shook her head, about to cry. She would realize now marriage wasn’t meant for the feeble-minded. It was made for the strong. It was made for those that could endure it. She walked quietly into the faint sun. She was not minding the hooting and whirring of cars. The only thing that kept ringing in her head was how would she begin. Where would she start from? She sighed. How would she maintain her marriage because Kola would turn worst if she would have to depend on him? She began to think. Several voices began to speak in her head.
“What do you think marriage is all about? You fool! A bed ridden with s*x and where you just enjoy all the fun you could imagine?” A tiny voice asked in Nkiru’s head before a sarcastic short laugh. “Is that what you think marriage is all about? You fool! It is a battle ground. Did you hear that? A battle ground where you have many things to contend with. It could be money. When it is there, I will use it to fight you, when it is not there its absence will also fight you. It could be emotions. It could be trust. It could be anything. So get ready because I am going to fight you with all I have got…”
Nkiru knew it was the devil that was talking in her head. Tears welled up in her eyes. The bright cloud seemed to darken and the faint evening sun had no impression to give as far as Nkiru was concerned. She was seemed lost in a labyrinth. It appeared to her that God had forgotten her. He had given up the battle or had equally stepped aside for her to fight alone. Nkiru began to cry.
For three years of her marriage, it had been from one predicament to the other. God had refused to give her a child. Now he had taken the job she cherished so much. Nkiru was thinking. What had been the purpose of her service to God? What had she gained? She thought to herself. All she had got was frustration, and dejection. Tears began to flow freely from her eyes. She dug an handkerchief from her bag and dried her tears. It didn’t occur to her that she had been trekking for minutes, dangerously on the highway.
To be continued………..
©Emmanuel Erondu,2019
