SEUN

The President just called for an urgent meeting with me. According to him, the flashdrive that had all the recordings of the meeting I had with Mr. Jeje got misplaced and as such, he wants me to take the interview again.

"Engr. Yomi, he is not someone that is easy to book an appointment with." I state in protest. How did this flashdrive even get missen in the first place?

"I know that, Dr. Gomez. I am really sorry for the inconvenience." I know his only concern is how much sales he's likely going to make by getting such a big personality to be featured in his publication. I let out a low hiss, glaring at him. Whoever misplaced it should take responsibility, not me. Imagine the temerity to burden me with someone else's mistake.

Now, one challenge is the fact that I have not seen him for weeks now, and I pretty got my head back in order. Dad is back from his surgery and is healing well. As for the date, we never went on it and he never made an attempt to contact me since I told him of my marital status.

Well, that's good, because I cannot be labelled as the cheating woman, even though Gills was unhappy about the turn out of events. According to her, I am staying loyal to someone who is not worth it.

Truth is, two wrongs do not make a right. So, I choose to stay respectful to the marital vows I took.

"I'll see what I can do. Is that all?" I ask him, quite irritated.

"Yes. Thank you, Doctor." He grins.

"Don't thank me yet."

"Oh. I will. I know you'll get that interview done." He smiles.

I let out a sigh when I step out of his office. Rummaging through my bag for my phone, I finally fish it out before sending a text. I can't just call him like that.

Good afternoon, Sir. This is Dr. Seun Gomez. Please, there's something I would love to discuss with you in your free time. Thank you.

I hit send and watch the network providers deducted the SMS charge of Four Naira from my account. Hopefully, he gives a response and I can discuss it with him after.

I go ahead with my classes for the rest of the day. The ring of my phone startles me the moment I get back to my office. Quickly, I take it out of my bag, only to be met with my sister's name staring back at me. I hiss and pick the call. Not the person I want to be speaking with right now.

"Good afternoon." I manage to say.

"Good afternoon to you too." She replies.

"To what do I owe the honor?" I ask sarcastically.

"Dad has been asking of you." She replies curtly. Annoying human being.

"I'll stop by after work, if that's okay." My annoyance immediately subside at the thought of him. In place, nervousness sets in.

"Sure." The call ends faster than I could even imagine. No 'how are you?'. No 'thank you'. So much for a big sister. I snicker and roll my eyes before pulling out a bottle of water from the minifridge I have in here.

Uncapping the cover of the bottle, I hurriedly gulp its content before pausing to catch my breath. Since the day I left the hospital when he travelled for treatment, I have not seen him. Also, the fact that our relationship was not even the greatest before that time contributed to the nervous feeling.

Hopefully, the overall tension dies down a little, today. I am trying to prepare some lecture notes for my classes for next week. However, my thoughts are scattered. Not wanting to further engage in a battle of self-deceit, I set aside my laptop and pick up my phone instead. Still no response from him.

Quietly, I pack my things and head out. Guess it's time to face the bull by the horn.

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DAMOLA

"Dad has been asking of you." Is the first thing I say when I barge into Tinu's apartment. She lifts her head from her laptop to look at me.

"Has he said anything on why?" She asks, sighing before sliding off her seat to walk into my opened arms. This one is a workaholic sometimes.

"Morning, big bro." She states, giving me a hug.

"Good morning. How are you?" I ask her. She looks at me with teary eyes. Tinu and I are close, yet she still keeps a whole lot from me.

"I am fine, thanks."

"Nope, you are not." I shake my head, taking a look at her.

"I messed up, bro. I did. I messed up and I can't undo it." She heaves in a breath, looking upwards as if trying to control tears from falling.

"Is that why you have not come for the family dinner for two weeks straight now?" I ask her and she nods.

"Do you mind sharing?" I ask her.

"I don't want to talk about it." She states.

"How's your woman crush?" She chuckles, trying to change topic. I just sigh and she pauses to look at me.

"What did you do?" She asks me.

"Nothing."

"So, if you did nothing, what's the matter?"

"Why must I be the one to do anything for a problem to occur?" I ask her with raised browse. She waves off, dragging me to sit on her sofa. She shrugs and sits on the edge of the chair, placing her feet on my lap.

"Get yourself a boyfriend, stop stressing me." I slap her feet and she rolls her eyes.

"Massage them, please." She has on the best puppy dog eyes.

"What are you again? 2?" I ask and she nods with a laugh.

"So, two things." Sje says, showing me two of her fingers.

"One, why is dad asking of me? Second, what happened with your woman crush?" Chucking, I look at her doning a toothy grin.

"He has someone he would like you to meet." Her face contorted in anger.

"I am not interested in these things. They should stop. It's a waste of time, honestly."

"Well, there's little to which I can do in this regards." I shrug.

"Anyways, leaving for Kigali in about 3 hours from now." I add.

"You still have not responded to my question number 2." Thought she won't catch up on that.

"Ah... Dr. Gomez is a long story." I let two fingers play with my beards. I am still at crossroads on whether to let her in on the latest discovery.

"You're still not saying anything. But, I get it. You don't want to talk about it. Whenever you want to, you know I am always willing to listen." She states with a small smile. One that does not reach her eyes. I hate to see her like this.

"Likewise." I state with a smile. My phone beeps, signifying a new text. It's from her. She wants to discuss something important with me.

Well, that can wait till I return. Right now, business is all my mind needs to serve as a tool for distraction.

"Can I hop on that jet with you to Kigali?" Tinu asks after a moment of silence on her path.

"Nope. Flying Solo." I pat her feet playfully and carefully place them on the ground.

"Just wanted to check up on you. Take care." Dropping a peck on her forehead, I proceed to the next place in mind.

"Hi." She greets me when she sees me. Her compound area is filled with so many plants. She is a healthy living enthusiast. So, the little things she can plant, she does. She's the only person with an actual garden and staff that also work for her in that regards.

Kofo quickly makes way for me while I walk into her apartment. She closes the door behind her and walks to her work station to sit. She's a fashion illustrator also, taking a short course at London Business School.

"What do I owe the honor?" She asks.

"Just checking on you." I shrug, smiling. She returns the smile and nods.

"Hope you're good." We were not as playful as Tinu and I.

"Yes, sure." She answers. "You?" She adds.

"I'm very good. Going to Kigali in some hours. Just wanted to see you before leaving." I tell her.

"Thanks, big bro. Safe trip." She stands up to hug me and my heart melts. There's a special place the three women hold in my heart. Mom, Tinu and Kofo. I might not be so close to her in particular, but I don't joke with her nor any of the other two.

"I love you, okay. Just know you are enough." A look of confusion crosses her eyes when I say that.

"Are you dying?" She asks, worried. This makes me laugh.

"No, I'm not." We both laugh it off afterwards, and I observe her inhale and exhale in relief.

"Let me get going." The door closes to her biding me farewell.

While in the car, I contemplate responding to her message, but choose to ignore. We arrive at the airport and all necessary protocol needed for me to travel is put in place.

Right before take off, I quickly bring out my phone and just follow my heart, no matter how dangerous the path I am threading is.

Alright, Dr. Gomez. Leaving the country for a short while. Will let you know when I'm back and it's convenient to meet up.

Done.

AN:
How is your evening going?
Are you watching big brother naija? Who are you voting for?