TOBI

We both agreed on the surgery option and had earlier on been informed that it would be performed tomorrow. After giving the Doctor our thanks, we proceed to her ward. The sight I am met with crashes my heart but for her, I know I must stay strong. Tubes were connected to her body. She could not breath without the support of the oxygen mask clasped to her nose. She is also on drip and the only sound in the room is that of the heart monitor. I am not a 100% positive I made the right decision but miracles could happen.

The doctor assured that the hospital team, in collaboration with the specialist doctor they are bringing, would do all it takes to ensure she lives.

"About Seyi. Don't you have other family members that she could stay with?" Farida asks when we are finally seated in my car. Yeah, I offered to take her home and unlike the other time, she actually complied this time. First, it is my little way of expressing gratitude to her for turning up, even though it was late. Secondly, it is few minutes to 12am and it is unsafe to leave her or even let her book a cab as she had already given her friends her car to go home with. The third reason is a thought I'd rather not explore or give a thought to.

"Nahh I would rather she stays with me, even though I'll be bad at the job of caring for her." I respond to her and she just hums, in her thoughts.

"Your address, please." She calls it and I quickly type it into the map. We both don't talk as I turn on the ignition and start driving in accordance with the map's directive. Soon enough she breaks the silence.

"And she can't stay with me because I share the house with my best friends." She states and from the corner of my eyes, I see the slump of her shoulders.

"Or." A crazy idea comes to my mind. She looks at me, waiting for me to speak.

"You could move into my house for the time it takes for my mother to recover so you can be with her." I shrug.

"Ehn?" She asks, shock written all over her face. I am sure the word she used just slipped out of her mouth.

"I know you are joking." She looks at me briefly before turning to look at the road.

"I am very serious." I state, because I seriously am. I cannot take care of Seyi all by myself. She needs someone who she also connects with a great deal. Even if contrary to what the said person suggests, she is not family.

"But I am not family." She states. Is she a mind reader or what?

"Still, you are close to them." By them, I mean my mom and sister.

"That decision is too extreme, abeg." Yeah, I know it is which is why I don't respond to what she just says. Engrossed in the music booming out of the car's speakers, we both don't say anything again as the drive continues to her house.

In accordance with the time projected by the map, we arrive at her place. Her neighborhood does not look bad at all. It looks cozy and as expected, everywhere is quiet.

"So, here we are." I announce, stating the obvious. She just rolls her eyes at me.

"Thanks for the drive back. I really appreciate it." She states.

"You're welcome. It's the little I can do." I say in response, watching a smile grace her tired face.

"I'll do it. But we need to discuss rules." I nod my head at what she says. Of course, I understand what she is referring to and there definitely has to be rules.

"Thank you." I know she is not still certain about this. I could hear the doubts in her voice and won't be surprised if she changes her mind later on. However, the fact that she is willing to compromise for Seyi's sake, I am grateful.

I wait to make sure she is safe inside her house before driving off to mine. I don't know why this idea came to my mind. Like I said, it's a very crazy one. Firstly, it's not like the both of us are even the best of friends. We are cordial, yes but friends, definitely not. Secondly, strange as it might sound, my mom and my sisters are the only people I have lived with when it comes to the opposite gender. Even my house keeper does not live with me.

Truthfully, on my path I don't like so many people in my space. My sister, fine but another person asides her or my mom and I start to get uncomfortable. I really don't know how this will work but we will figure out a way.

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FARIDA

By the time I get home, the girls are already asleep. Well, I do not expect them to still be awake as it's already past 12. I quietly enter my room, careful not to make too much noise so I don't disturb them. As I peel off the clothes on my skin, I know there is an immediate need for a nice warm bath. So, I waste no time in going to the bathroom to run water into the bath tub. My room is the only one in this house with it as Bukky and Tamara are not fans of it. When we were getting the house renovated before moving in, they had theirs taken away. They were already damaged, anyways. For me, I had a new one re-installed. A fancier one. Let me just say I have a mini jacuzzi in my bathroom.

I am not a rich girl but my pay is good enough to live a good life and also, I have two side businesses. One is a spa in Lekki and the second one is an event center I built. When I just started working, I got a good deal for a land in Ajah so I bought it after paying in installments. At first, I didn't know what to do with it but with time, I started developing it. Throw in a few partners and investors and the business is in full bloom. Although, most people don't know the owner since they are majorly in communication with the manager. I know I like to spend money and spoil myself so with other sources of income, I am okay. At least I don't do spending that will increase someone's bp.

While waiting for the tub to be full, I scrub my face using my face scrub from St. Ives and rinse it off with warm water before drying with my face towel. I had taken off my hair bonnet and now left with the neatly plait all back which usually sits beautifully under my wigs. I have very long natural hair but its volume is not very much.

By the time I am done rinsing, the bath tub is at the level I like so I turn it off and step into the warm water. Immediately, I let out a sigh due to the relief it brings. Before sponging my skin, I let my mind run through all that has happened today, sending a silent prayer to God to heal Madam Yeni. She does not deserve to lose her life in this manner.

And then my mind drifts to the topic of my last discussion with Tobi. How did I agree to such? I know it is in Seyi's interest and there were no other solutions asides that. Plus, nothing could happen, right?

The water's temperature suddenly feels hotter and I close my eyes to rest a little. Tobi's face is what immediately occupies my mind's sight. Sharply, my eyes snap open. It's like this man wan jazz me. If it is not ment, why will his face appear to me. Abeg o.

Instead of dwelling too much on that thought, I immediately start sponging my skin and soon round up with my bath. At this point, sleep is already consuming my being. I just hastily dry off my body and put on my night dress.

The green light on my phone consistently blinks and I open up to see that it is a message from Tobi which was sent about 15 minutes ago, which means I must have spent so much time in the bathroom because this message wasn't even there when I left.

I'm home. It states. I don't know whether or not to reply it but when I yawn again, I know I have to get this done with ASAP.

Alright, thats great.

-Me.

I dont even wait for a response before I sleep off.

••••••••••

The next morning, I wake up by 6am, really cranking. My first act is to kneel beside my bed and offer a prayer to God. It is when I pick up my phone that I see his response to my message from last night.

Thank you. Good night, Farida.

-Annoying Tobi (ANT).

Since today is a work day, I have to turn in and there's so much to do today. On getting to work this morning, I am immediately informed that Mr. Bankole requests to see me immediately I clock in. I don't even bother going into my office but just head for his immediately. The briefing was to inform me of the fact that I will now be heading the whole of Retail management while he goes ahead to fill in Madam's position. It's the resolve drawn from the meeting he had with the Board of Directors today. This is for the mean time till Madam hopefully bounces back. His eyes hold sadness when he mentions that part and I sigh, completely understanding.

"Why me?" I ask this question because I think there are people with more experience than me in other sub departments under Retail management.

"Simply because even with the amount of time you have worked here, your value speaks volumes. The BOD saw you competent enough to fill in for the department." First of all, him praising me is very very weird but I still mutter a 'thank you'.

"You start today and will be occupying this office while I move there."

"How about my normal job?" I ask.

"Well, pick someone you think will be competent enough to handle it."

"Okay, Sir." I clear my throat before asking the next question.

"Any news from the Doctor?" I ask him.

"Yes. The surgery is by noon today. I'll be going. Want to come along?" He ends with a question.

"Am I allowed to? Seeing as it is work hours?"

"Yeah, you are allowed to." He answers. I just nod my head in response, while we proceed to discuss rules pertaining the whole situation with Seyi.

"We come to work separately and leave separately. I don't want people getting ideas or insinuating anything." I state.

After we both agree on some ground rules, Tobi calls for a meeting to inform the other staff about what's happening. He just simply stated that Madam is sick and it will take a while for her to return. After that, he brings up the slight shift in responsibilities and also announce Jones as the person filling in for my position. While others were ecstatic about it, even though they were not thrilled about the situation we are in, I notice those Agbaya women eyeing me and whisper to themselves before they start laughing.

"Do you both mind sharing what's so funny?" Tobi asks them to their utmost surprise.

"We are sorry, Sir." Dumb people.

"Kindly excuse us." The shame on their faces made me jubilate internally. I like how he publicly humiliated them.

"I am sure she is sleeping with him." I hear one of them say angrily after the meeting, on my way back to the office I'll be working henceforth. When I make a stop at their joined cubicles, they stare at me in utter shock.

"Now, you both must think I am very dumb since I have chosen to ignore your immaturities. This is a last warning." I send a glare to the both of them before walking out, not waiting to hear their pretentious apologies.