FARIDA

On the Friday before the trip, I travelled to Abuja after work. I needed the break and the mind calming effect of. I needed a break from the stress accumulated from working in Lagos. The call from Tabitha and the mind-boggling realization that I have to travel to that state again.

Right now, I am at Jabi Lake mall, sitting across the water and admiring the view. There is not much to see here but there's one thing about the water and the calm that comes with it. So, I have been sitting here for hours, actually.

A lone tear slips from my eyes when I remember what my family did to me. The fact that my parents did not really care when it happened broke me. How do you do that to a child you call your own? And now, they want to see me. After four years. What right do they have? I was not the one who said not to ever show their face in my presence, they did. Sometimes I am thankful it happened. It availed me the chance to push, like really push and here I am, today, not just by my power or my might but God's blessings also. The God that I serve is sha a very good God because he lifted me above whatever madness was happening around me at that time.

Dealing with this stress is one thing on its own, dealing Tobi is another stress. Yeah, I'm allowed to call him by his first name in my head.

Today is my last day here and my flight to Lagos is by 4:30pm. I am going back to the Lagos wahala again. After enjoying the cool air, I head back to my hotel.

The way I am dreading this thought of going to Lagos ehn, one would think I am just going there for a visit. It seems like I will apply for all my accumulated leave over the past years.

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TOBI

It was time for our trip and Miss. Lawal had not arrived. I wonder what is keeping her. When I called her number earlier, she did not pick and I initially thought it was because I was the person calling but when my mom called and she did not pick, I had a hunch that something must be wrong. She is never a minute late to anything.

"I'm sorry I am late, ma." It was not her usual vibrant voice that I heard. I did not want to belive it was her so I looked up, away from my phone to see that indeed, it was her speaking.

"Farida, what's wrong?" My mom asks. I could hear the worry in her voice.

"I am not feeling too fine." Farida answers in a meek voice.

"Sorry, dear." Mom says.

"Should we just leave you to rest?" She further asks her.

"No. I'll be fine, ma." She works too hard.

When her eyes meet mine, I notice that they were puffy. This is not the usual confident woman I know. There is no mistake. She definitely was crying. What could have gone wrong? Her hair is scattered, with the failed attempt she made at packing it in a ponytail.

"Good afternoon, Sir." When she spoke, there was no trace of sarcasm this time. This confirms my suspicion. Something is wrong with her but since she is not really a fan of me, I decide to keep my thoughts to myself. It's not like she'll let me in on whatever the problem is, anyway. We climb the airstair into the Private jet and are seated and belted. My phone beeps, signally a message.

Go and talk to her. I know something is troubling her. She is not sick.

-Sweetest mother.

I roll my eyes at my mom, ignoring her. At least, I'm not the only person that thinks that way.

Is it not you I am talking to?

-Sweetest mother.

I am not going. Sorry.

-Me.

You know we are not really friends. don't worry, she'll be fine.

-Me.

Soon enough, we prepare to take off. Our journey to Gombe begins. Fifteen minutes into the flight, I feel the need to ease myself. When I pass by her, she is fast asleep. She looks troubled but still sleeps like a baby. She looks so peaceful in her sleep; you won't know how annoying she could get. When she shivers in her sleep, I quickly turn off the AC directly facing her and lower the seat a little, before calling the attention of the hostess.

"Get me a blanket." I say to her.

"Alright, Sir." She leaves after few minutes and returns with a blanket.

"Thank you." I collect it from her and she excuses us. I then proceed to cover her sleeping frame with it. My gaze lingers on her legs a little, taking in how beautiful they are. Coupled with the anklets, her feet are small and quite attractive.

Quietly draping the blanket on her body, I watch as she snuggles into it, making low cute sounds. I chuckle a little and just keep my hands to myself by placing them in my pockets before going back to sit.

When our flight finally lands, Miss. Lawal wakes up, stretching as she does. Her hand touches the blanket and she looks around, confused.

An SUV meets us at the tarmac and drives us to the hotel in which we would be lodged. The receptionist welcomes us with a smile, introducing herself. After informing her that we had already made reservations for three rooms which includes a VVIP suite for my mom, she gets onto her computer to check for our details.

"Here are the cards to your rooms and to your suite, ma." She informs us, handing each room's key to us.

"Thank you." All three of us say at the same time.

"10th floor. How about you both?" My mom asks.

"8th floor." I state.

"Same here." That's Farida.

"Nice."

"We'll meet later for diner. Let's rest." Mom states and bids us farewell till later.

"I guess it's time for us to go up." I grin, mockingly.

"Or do you want to take the stairs?" The way she daggers me from head to toe before she walks pass me, punching the call button on the elevator. Shaking my head, I walk close to her, standing behind her and placing my hand on the wall in front of us.

"What was wrong with you today?" My voice comes out like a whisper. Even for me, the question comes off as a shock. Thankfully, she gives no response as she subtly removes herself from my shadow and steps into the already open elevator. I go in after her and there is an awkward silence that engulfs the atmosphere. It is obvious she is not comfortable with me being around her but I cannot leave the elevator for her so we are stuck for the next few seconds.

I watch as she reaches into her bag to bring out an inhaler. She squeezes some of the medicine into her mouth and tries to catch her breath. My gaze softens, just looking at her. There is a lot that is off about her today.

Immediately we get to the floor, she rushes out and starts walking to her room. Coincidentally, we both stop at the same place.

"Oh, great. We are neighbours." Her high-pitched laugh, the roll of her eyes, they easily give off her displeasure.

"See you later, Miss. Lawal." The last thing I hear from her is a snicker before getting into my room to have a nice warm bath and sleep.

••••••••••

Another new day. In another city. I have never been to the North asides Abuja so this should be fun. After having my bath and picking out an outfit, I get dressed.

The three of us meet up to have breakfast before leaving for the convention. Seeing as today is the first day, it starts with registration of companies represented and their delegates. Convention materials were given in a maxi purse; basically jotters, pens, lapel pins and wrist bands.

To be frank, I wonder why people host these very boring conventions. They could spice up the event because to be truthful, how many people are really following on the long talks?
Even if they follow the talk, how many of them actually practicalize what is discussed here? Close to none.

Don't get me wrong. The topic discussed is quite intellectual but the speakers gave a very shabby delivery at it. If this is how the delivery would be for this 'Three days convention', I better get ready.

"Hi." I hear a guy's voice beside me during lunch hour. Turning back to respond to his greeting, I am met with a smile, not directed my way, though. He is speaking to Miss. Lawal.

"Hi." She sounds calm and nice. Two things that she is not.

"I was hoping to get your number and maybe we could hang out sometime before the end of this whole convention?" I roll my eyes. Corporate toasting.

"Sure." She says, handing him her business card.

"I am Rufus." He extends his hand for a shake.

"Farida." She states, still smiling.

"See you around." He says.

"Yeah. You too." Immediately he leaves, her smile drops and she clears her throat. Rufus wasn't the only man who came here. About five more men came here to 'greet' her. Indeed. They have seen hot babe, that's why.

Did I just call her hot? Well....if we are being honest here, she is. So I am really not surprised.

"I see you've been socialising quite well." My mom smiles at her.

"Yes. I'm building a little army of my own for the election." Now I understand her game. It's basically politics. Make friends with a lot of them so she can later on convince them to vote in our favor. Smart.

"You see why I like her?" The question is directed to me. I snort and act like I did not hear. On my own, I also did some socializing with people. So, we are all in this together.

"Nice one, Farida." I compliment.

"Thank you." I notice that her sarcastic 'sir' isn't added to her response this time so I just smile.

AN: Next Chapter coming up during the weekend.
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