Episode 2

Refined Version

Traffic was terrible. We had been stuck for a while, and an awkward silence filled the car.

He kept stealing glances at me, but I pretended not to notice, doing a perfect job of looking out the window as if I were deep in thought.

At one point, he started to say something but stopped. Then, after a brief pause, he began talking about his day at work—rambling about things I wasn't quite following. I smiled politely, nodding here and there.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm really bad at making conversation," he admitted.

That made both of us laugh.

I decided to make things easier and started talking about my school days. From there, the conversation flowed naturally, moving from one topic to another. If anyone had seen us, they would have assumed we had known each other for years. I never imagined he could be this lively.

Finally, we arrived at my apartment. I sighed in relief as his driver pulled up in front of the building.

"Thanks for the ride, sir," I said as I got down.

Without saying much, he simply gestured for the driver to move and they drove off.

A Call from My Boss

I was lying on my bed, lost in thought, when I heard the front door open. Simbi had arrived, but I was too distracted to notice.

My phone rang.

An unknown number.

I answered hesitantly, only to hear a familiar voice.

Me: "Hello?"

Shola: "Hello. I was just checking on you."

Me: "I'm okay, sir. Thank you for the ride."

Shola: "Oh, it's nothing. After our little bonding this evening, I was wondering… would you have dinner with your boss tomorrow?"

I froze for a second.

"I'm alone here, and having a friend around would be nice," he added casually. "Just to pass the time."

Me: (surprised) "That would have been nice, sir, but I have other plans."

Shola: "Okay then."

Before I could say anything else, he ended the call.

I stared at my phone in disbelief.

Just then, Simbi's thick fingers wiggled in my face.

I gasped.

"Oh my God!" I screamed as we both squealed and jumped in excitement.

"When? How?" I kept asking, admiring the sparkling ring on her finger.

She grinned so hard her cheeks looked shiny. "This evening!" she announced.

"Iyawo wa (our wife)!" I cheered, hugging her tightly.

"Ayo, I nearly fainted. I couldn't believe it!" she gushed.

I touched her cheek gently and continued staring at the ring. "Have you told Oke?"

"She knows already."

"I'm so happy for you, dear!" I said, hugging her again.

As we pulled away, I adjusted my top dramatically. "They will know you have capable friends. It's me that will be your chief bridesmaid. They must see me well!"

Simbi burst into laughter. "Oke isn't coming home tonight," she said.

"Na she sabi," I replied, waving it off.

"So tell me, how was your first day at work?"

"It was fine," I shrugged.

"Just fine?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Yes now. Fine." I made a funny face.

"Okay oh. I'm going to sleep. Too much excitement for one day."

"Alright then. Good night! And dream about me," I teased.

She turned back to look at me. "Why would I dream about you? Are you the one I'm getting married to?"

"Rubbish girl!" she laughed, heading to her room.

Three Months Later

It had been almost three months since I started working at the refinery, and Simbi's wedding was fast approaching.

Oke had decided to stay on campus to oversee some responsibilities she had been assigned, which meant our apartment was beginning to feel too big for just me. With Simbi moving out soon, I knew I couldn't sustain the three-bedroom flat on my own. It was time to start looking for a new place.

Work had been hectic. My boss was cool, but my days were packed—attending to meetings, handling schedules, making sure he met deadlines. Our friendship had grown over time, but nothing beyond that.

A Disaster at Work

It was another bright morning at the office.

After settling in for a few minutes, I picked up my notepad and pen to brief my boss on his schedule for the day.

For some reason, I felt uneasy.

I didn't want to go alone.

Lately, my confidence had been failing me around him, and I wasn't sure why.

Still, I pushed the feeling aside and walked toward his office.

"Knock and enter"—that was the drill.

I pushed the door open—

—only to knock him straight to the floor.

His nose started bleeding instantly.

"Oh my God!" I gasped, frozen in horror.

Could this day get any worse?