TOLANI
© Esther Charles
Episode 27
After having my liberation bath, I ate and Chimaobi had me present before him.
“Next Tolani,” he tried to represent my supervisors for the defense.
I walked steadily to where we set the chair and I sat down.
“No no, bae. This is not entirely good. We want an A right?”
“Yes” I nodded,
“Good, you will have to give an almost perfect presentation. So walk in again.” He said to me as I walked back to the doorstep and walked in again, sitting on the chair.
“Baby girl, come here” he tapped his laps, as I came and sat on his laps.
“Now see, remember you are making use of a skirt, and you would not want to show my assets to your supervisors” he joked as I chuckled, nodding my head.
“So bae, when you are called, walk to your chair, stand in front of your seat as close as you can. By starting out close to the chair, you will have less work to do and are much less likely to expose my assets.”
“Bae” I laughed.
“Yes, I’m serious, okay?”
“Okay”
“ After standing next to the chair, put your knees together, make sure both your knees and most of your legs are lined up and squeezed next to each other. One leg should not be in front of the other. Ease down gently. Do not bend forward; make sure to keep your torso straight. Keeping your knees together, sit down smoothly by bending your knees. Decide how to place your feet. You have two main options for your feet: flat on the floor or crossed at the ankles. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Sit up straight. Do not lean back into your chair because this is a formal occasion, it’s most appropriate to sit in the center of the seat with your back not in contact with the chair, place your hands on your laps and then the desk if you begin to present.”
“Wow! Bae, you explained this so perfect.” I said, impressed.
“Yes! Now, try it.”
“Alright” I said, as I walked to the door again, turned around and walked, doing exactly what he asked me to do.
“Impressive!” He hailed me as he urged me to start my presentation.
After my presentation, he began to throw some vital questions to me, made some corrections and asked me to repeat it.
After several times of presenting. He asked me to rest my head while he gets to the police station concerning the Linda situation.
My dad had asked him to report to the police station, giving him the deputy Inspector general of Police phone number, who was my father’s childhood friend.
I was left home alone.
Bored, I called Ruth to know how she was preparing for the defense.
“Hello, babe? How far?”
“Tochi broke up with me again.”
“You and these small small boys. I have told you Tochi is up to no good. That guy de chop girls for my lodge, you …”
“Abegi! I didn’t ask for insult. How far, are you still going to see the Linda girl on Saturday?”
“No, I am not.”
“Then you have no option than to tell Chimaobi.”
“Sure, I have told him.”
“Jesu! I hope he didn’t hit you.”
“Stop that. Chimaobi is not a beast. He only misbehaved that day, and it won’t repeat itself.”
“Okay oo, so the wedding is still holding?”
“Absolutely!”
“Yassss! We should go and see that lady, the tailor I introduced you to, let’s know the styles we are going with.”
“Let’s defend first. Na this defense be my problem. I don’t know why I have been having this fear.”
“It’s nothing, we will perform well.” She said, as we talked for hours before I excused myself, cooked and waited for Chimaobi.
That evening, when Chimaobi returned with a new outfit for my defense. It was a white shirt and a fitted black skirt.
“This would make you look beautiful.” He handed the leather to me.
“This is beautiful.” I hugged him and wore the outfit.
Afterwards, we had our meal as we conversed.
“He said I should return on Monday. He has sent his men to look into the matter.” He said to me.
“Have you told my Dad?”
“Yes, I called him on my way home. We are advised to stay indoors on Saturday and Sunday. Linda is a serial Killer! She’s been in jail for 6 months in the UK.”
“Jesus Christ!”
“Thank God she gave you Saturday’s evening to visit her. After your defense tomorrow, we are getting some vital food items from the grocery. You and I are advised to stay in doors.”
“You are getting me scared! Is it safe to go for my defense tomorrow?”
“Sure, she won’t come for you tomorrow because the date scheduled is Saturday. The deputy Inspector general of Police would be sending some of his men for security services on Saturday to Sunday. Your dad requested for that.” He said as he molded the fluffy poundo yam fufu and scooping a chunk of meat from the soup.
On Friday morning, Chimaobi drove me to the school.
Getting down from the car, Chimaobi held my hands as we walked to the hall where the defense was to hold.
Getting to the balcony, about to step into the hall, a lady who was on a call and walking out of the hall with a strawberry drink brushed against my shoulders.
“Ouch! So sorry.” She shouted, looking at me as I looked at my clothes.
“Oh my God! I am defending! I shouted at her as Chimaobi held my hands and took me out of the hall.
“We need to rush and get you another shirt, this is bad.” He tried cleaning the huge stain with his handkerchief.
“What if they start?” I began to cry when Ruth walked towards us.
“What is it again? Why are you crying?” She asked.
“Na one yeye girl stain my white.”
“Hey! Wahala, how far, you should get one for her immediately.” She referred to Chimaobi.
“Sure, I will. Please stay inside the hall. Don’t go anywhere. I will be right back.” He kissed my forehead, and rushed out.
“Don’t worry, everything would be fine. Let’s go and wash it in Tessy’s hostel, in case he doesn’t return.”
“No, please.”
“See you, you think this Awka traffic is your mate? Let’s go wash it in Tessy’s hostel, she’s in school hostel.” She persuaded me.
“But you heard him, he instructed me not to step out.”
“Leave him, let’s sort other options in case he doesn’t return on time.” She held my hands, dragging me to follow her.
To be continued!
