NoThe Accountant –
EPISODE 6
It was a good thing Deji had a good listening ability. Nike’s soft m*****g would have denied him of
hearing the footsteps approaching them.
‘’Shh.’’ He breathed in her ear as the sound grew nearer.
Just few metres to where they were Bunmi’ s voice declared. ‘’I know I saw her walked towards the garden but she kind of disappeared around this
spot.’’
‘’I don’t think it was Nike you saw. What could she be doing in this dark spot?’’ Kola said as they moved
closer to the small building.
“Hi guys, what are you two doing here?’’ A tight voice asked them. But the large figure came closer and
they were able to see the face behind the voice.
“Oh Deji, it’s you. We’re looking for Nike.’’ Kola responded after realizing it was his friend.
“’You mean your new found cousin?’’ Deji asked innocently, pretending not to know the moniker of the
girl she fell in love with in Ife and obviously still in love with.
“’Yes.’’ Bunmi confirmed nodding her head.
‘’She came around to thank me for the pool incident and headed back to the hall.’’ Deji narrated.
‘’Alright bro. Let’s go back inside. She will be somewhere in there. This is Deji’s get-away spot here.’’ Kola
said as he motioned his little sister to lead the way.
‘’And….Deji… Theresa is looking for you.’’ Bunmi called over her shoulder as the siblings chuckled and
walked away.
Deji didn’t find it funny. He knew he hasn’t been making the right decisions when it comes to Nike, but
what he was going to do about that, he had no clue.
Going back behind the small building he watched the duo as they entered into the hall, Deji saw Nike all
dressed up like nothing had happened.
“’Are they gone?’’ she asked trying to look composed, she failed.
“Yeah. They think you would be somewhere in the building.’’
She turned her back to me. ‘’Please help me with the zip,’’ her voice was appealing. He obliged, slowly.
“Thanks. I should go. This shouldn’t have happened.’’ She straighten her gown.
“This? Huh? We were just……’’ He bumbled.
“Good night Deji.’’ Nike announced not allowing Deji to complete his sentence. She pushed past him
hurriedly.
Deji made a fruitless attempt to stop her. He stood there dumbfounded watching her leave.
He waited few moments, ran his finger through his hair and then went quietly into his room.
He stumbled on his bed. What a mess! His
neat and orderly life had suddenly become a mess in just a matter of days of running into Nike. D–n!
He lost control tonight.
Just like many other cultures brought to the black continent by the Europeans, going to church on Sunday mornings was a well carried out activity in Nigeria. The former commissioner’s party was incomplete without the Thanksgiving service on a Sunday Morning.
As several people made their way to the church building, so were the attendants of the three-day party which was about to be concluded with this church service.
‘’Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his court with praise. Be thankful unto him, bless his name…’’ these were the words of the clergyman.
As the sermon continues with the clergyman quoting different chapters of the holy book, so were the thoughts of many of congregation entering different chapters of their lives.
Was it Ireti? She was filled with contempt about her son’s disappearing act last night at the same time the Williams’ siblings were looking for their new found cousin. How could both of them be missing simultaneously if they weren’t together? She hoped not.
Bunmi.
The youngest of the Williams’ family. She had been craving for men’s attention all her life. The ones she had liked didn’t show interest. Things had been a little worse since the new girl arrived. Kola, her brother, that had been her best company, at least once in a while had no time for her anymore. He only knew they still lived under the same roof when looking for Nike was the matter arising. If she had knew how much beauty she possessed, she would have advised her mother against accommodating the orphan girl.
She had been around all this while and Deji never looked her direction, except perhaps if he had to look for Kola. What the hell is wrong with these folks needing her when they need to find their cohorts? She thought. Perhaps she would do better looking for a hidden treasure in the Ultimate Search Reality Show.
Now she was really pissed her off by Peter. She thought he had a thing for her, but whatever item they were going to be was now almost impossible since her mother introduced the SLOT manager to Nike. He was immediately drawn to Nike. It wasn’t hard to tell.
Nike. She was going to so pay for being a major contributor for her single-hood after her much anticipated house party.
Deji Adelowo.
He was sitting next to his supposed fiancé but all he could think of was the girl from Ife. Can he really get over her? He was smart enough to figure out that the more time he spends trying to pretend he is okay with the Nike affair, the harder it becomes to get Nike to be with him. But then again, he needed to stay far away from her. Nike was just supposed to be opening chapter in the book of his life romance, but how she was becoming the story was a mystery to him. Deji’s situation could be best described as a dilemma.
‘’Ata nma ra nma ganga poro chineke mo…’’ came on. Like the choir knew what the congregation yearned for, they all rose to their feet to dance to the praise song.
The church service ended and so was the three day party. Pleasantries were exchanged among Mrs Williams’ and her guests. Deji managed to avoid contact with Nike. She also made it easier for him. He felt at least after this party he would be absolved from the torture he receives by her presence.
The Nigerian banks regulatory body, CBN, mandated all banks to ensure all their customers register for BVN. During the registration many provided wrong information which later hinder the operation of their accounts.
Deji, as a branch manager, was managing the aggravated customers whose voices were all over the banking hall.
As overwhelming as Deji was he could not help but notice a figure that just stepped into the premises. He looked up to confirm the face that hosted the gorgeous figure. The result startled him. It was Nike Akomolede.
He was professional enough not to give the customers any signs his attention was now divided. Though many thoughts ran through his mind, he had to keep himself under control to enable him manage the irate customers who couldn’t withdraw from their accounts due to the restriction placed on them as a result of BVN.
Nike conversed with the doorman, before she approached the stairs which led to the marketing unit.
Deji wasn’t the type that get his attention divided when attending to customers, but at that moment he couldn’t contain what was running through his mind.
He quickly signalled one of his assistant, Uju, to come to his rescue.
Uju knew the act was unusual of his boss, she was going to ask him about it later.
At 5pm the customers were all out of the hall. Their complaints seemed impossible to be contained, but somehow they were. Uju buzzed Deji up on Lync, a messaging application used in various organisations.
‘’How far boss?’’
‘’Kul. Thanks for the save.”
‘’Anytime. But can I ask u sth?’’
‘’I know what it is already.’’
‘’Really?’’
‘’Yea. You want to know why I asked you manage those customers.’”
‘’Well I’m curious. I know its very unusual of you.’’
‘’I’ll gist u about it later. Let’s finish up and get d hell of out of here.’’
‘’Noted boss.’’
Uju, 27, a single young bank staff who hails from the eastern part of the country has always had feelings for her immediate supervisor— Deji. She almost concluded Deji was gay, until he gave her hints that invalidated her supposition.
She couldn’t comprehend how a lady’s man like him would be single. Uju knew despite Deji’s mother referring to Theresa as his fiancée, the young man was still single.
Theresa was a beautiful lady, from a wealthy home. No doubt. Despite being a daughter of one of the richest man around, Theresa’s modesty was out of this world. A kind of lady any man would kill to have. Perhaps Deji wasn’t just any man. He had a lot advances from female customers which he had always turned down. Uju wondered what kind of woman his boss desires. She believed one day, she would find out.
Uju wasn’t done with her thoughts. She thought about how she had given signals to Deji to show how crazy she was about him. Probably he was interested too, but was avoiding going against the ‘’no-staff-to-staff-dating’’ rule of the bank. Well for Uju the risk was worth taking. She was ready to tender her resignation letter to marry her boss. After all his monthly credit alert figures were more than hers.
A tap on the desk by Amanda brought Uju back to reality.
‘’Are the accounts okay?’’ Amanda asked as the branch accounts has to balance before they can all leave the bank premises.
‘’Yes dear,’’ Uju confirmed and went on, ‘’sorry about the 405. You just have to be more careful you know.’’
‘’Thanks jare. I will.’’
Like many other organisations that dealt in cash, Royal bank’s policy ensures that any staff that causes the bank to lose any fund due to his/her negligence shall pay for it.
As a result of this, Amanda’s error of crediting a customer’s account with four hundred and fifty thousand naira in the stead of forty-five thousand naira was going to cost her salary for few months.
Several attempts to get in touch with the customer in which account was over credited proved abortive. Deji and his team could only restrict withdrawals from the accounts if eventually funds enter into it.
The deficit was going to be deducted from Amanda’s stipend on a monthly basis till the whole money was fully recovered. The banker’s nightmare.
As Deji shut down his computer and was ready to leave the banking hall, a voice came from behind.
‘’Deji, hold up!’’
Turning around he saw Doyin walking towards him. Doyin was one of the marketers in the branch.
‘’Doyin,’’ He said with a radiant smile which was hardly seen on the face of someone who have been stressed out during the day.
‘’Deji. What’s up?’’
‘’Paid my dues for the day. I’m surprised you’re still around.’’
‘’Yea. I’ve been busy with our newest addition.’’
‘’Oh. I see.’’ Deji merely muttered.
Nike came down from the stairs just in time. She was dressed in a black suit that had a white camisole under it. Her shaped was well noticed in the short tight black skirt. She must have been informed about the bank’s dress code as her skirt almost touched her knees.
….
Immediately she noticed Deji’s presence her countenance changed.
Without being told, Doyin could tell the two weren’t seeing each other for the first time. The look on
their faces was so intense that she became instantly suspicious.
‘’Hello Deji,’’ Nike said, breaking the awkward silence.
Deji seemed to be in trance the second time that day. How much effect does Nike’s presence have on
him? D–n! She looked even more attractive in a corporate outfit. How was he going to cope? Of all the
branches of Royal Bank, why this? He thought.
‘Hi Nike” he managed to utter.
“How in the world did you guys know each other?’’ Doyin asked amazingly
They both stare at each other again and smiled.
‘’Ife’’ Nike answered.
‘’How? When? …..’’ Doyin asked again impatiently looking from Nike to Deji and back to Nike. But was
cut off by Deji.
‘’Well, she can give you more details about it.’’ Deji said sharing a glance between the two ladies. ‘’I’ll see
you ladies tomorrow at the meeting. You’re welcome to our branch Miss Akomolede.’’
“Thanks.’’ Said Nike.
Deji excused himself after giving the duo a weak smile. His valet was already waiting at the car park.
While driving home Aremu asked, stealing a quick glance at the rearview mirror, ‘’I’m sure you’re already working your transfer to another branch?’’
‘’And why would I do that?’’
‘’Stop pretending like you don’t know what im talking about. Her presence makes you misbehave. You and I know something has to be done about that.
‘’I got it under control.’’
‘’I don’t believe you. The last time I checked, she drove you into getting drunk at the house party.’’
‘’Na u sabi. Please just drive without talking. I need my peace.’’
‘’Okay. Later things.’’
tbc
