Okay, I deliberately poured him ice fish water. But he deserved it nii, after I had warned him on several occasions not to stalk me again.
I don't know if it was a crime to be a fine girl o. I had warned Ekene sternly to stay away from me because I wasn't his type, but it seemed he sold his ears so that he could not adhere to my warnings.
He'd pester me in the class, on the streets, in the shop and anywhere he saw me. I had spelt it out to him that I couldn't date a broke guy.
Yes, he was handsome, tall and dark with packs, but he was a known broke ass nigger, abi na packs wey I go chop when hunger wire me?
I couldn't be his girlfriend, I never dreamt of it. I was a very beautiful girl with expensive tastes. I needed a man who would be able to take care of me ; a rich man.
My friends laughed at me the day Ekene came to my lodge without my permission. I don't know how he knew my lodge and my room, I was shocked to see him standing before me when I opened the door.
I pushed him away and shut the door immediately. Good enough, I didn't throw the water that I washed the ice fish I used in cooking for my friends that afternoon.
I waited for a while, thinking he was gone, then I opened the door and went outside to throw the water away, only for him to tap me from behind.
I didn't wait to think twice, I just emptied the whole content on him. I even saw some fish particles on his head.
Bad enough, he wore a white shirt, so he looked like American flag. I was ready for whatever he was going to do.
It was my lodge, I knew if he tried anything funny, my lodge mates who were outside already and my friends that came to visit me would join me to teach him a bitter lesson.
So, he just looked at me, blinked back a tear and left. Since then, he stopped stalking me. He avoided me till we were done with school and I never saw him again.
After many years of searching for a job in futile, I got frustrated. I decided to try my luck in one of the biggest Companies in town but never really hoped for anything positive because I heard the company had gotten enough staff.
I was very shocked and happy when I got an email from the company that I was chosen as one of the lucky people to be interviewed for a job.
I stayed up, days and nights, reading, researching and rehearsing what to say during the interview. Already, I was a first class student, all I needed was to be bold and able to answer the questions to their satisfaction.
On the day of the interview, I went earlier than the scheduled time. We were ten people waiting at the reception, all aspiring for one position. It therefore meant that just one person would be picked, after the interview.
It got to my turn. I said a quick prayer before entering the sophisticated office.
I looked up and was about to greet my interviewer who happened to be the owner of the company, only for Ekene to smile at me. He was my interviewer.
The office was very cold because the air conditioner was on, but I swear, I was sweating from my butt down to my legs.
I needed to pee...and poo as well.
I stood in front of Ekene, looking stupid and helpless. He seemed to enjoy watching me look frustrated because he took a while before telling me to sit down.
What was the need of telling me to sit when obviously I'd be kicked out of the premises soon? I wondered as I sat with just a half of my buttocks.
"Feel comfortable, there is no fire on the seat, don't be afraid," he said, smiling at me.
It was the most frustrating day of my life. I heard my stomach crumbling and I knew it wasn't hunger that caused it because I had eaten to my satisfaction before leaving the house; it was tension.
I didn't know whether to apologise for what I did to him some years back or not. I braced myself up, ready for whatever he was going to do to me.
What if he decides to pay me back by asking me very difficult questions he knew I won't be able to answer? I thought as I faced down. I couldn't even look at him in the face.
After going through my file and nodding in satisfaction, he surprised me by asking me very simple questions. I gave him the correct answers with explanations. The look on his face told me he was more than satisfied.
"You may go. If you are qualified, you will get a message via your email, three days from now," he said, still wearing that brilliant smile on his face.
I left the office, shaking like a dry harmattan leaf. Wait, is it that he forgot what I did to him or he just forgave me like that? Maybe he won't even give me the job, I thought.
When I got home, I lost my appetite for food. I checked my email every second, even though it wasn't up to three days yet.
On the third day, I woke up early in the morning and grabbed my phone. I went straight to my email to check if I was lucky enough to get the job.
Lo, I saw it! I got the job, just like that. Ekene gave me a job, after I had suffered on the streets for many years, seeking for a job. A guy I once insulted and sent away, after draining a dirty fish water on him, gave me a job.
I was asked to start work immediately and I did. I got to the company and was warmly welcomed by all the staff.
I was shown to my office. It was very large and beautiful. I worked as Ekene's personal assistant.
Working with him was another experience I never saw coming. He never even looked at me, no matter how beautiful I dressed.
I prayed for an opportunity to talk to him, tried everything I could to get his attention, I was almost begging to at least have a word with him, but I got none.
He had told me strictly to call him sir or boss and I did, though it felt heavy in my mouth. For crying out loud, this was one broke guy back then in school, everyone detested so much. He was always quiet and lonely.
He once told me while stalking me that I'd make him the happiest guy on Earth if I accept him. He told me he didn't come to take advantage of me, he wanted to marry me. I had laughed at him.
He begged me to give him the opportunity to talk to me, but I refused him. He told me he wasn't going to remain like that forever, that he'd succeed in life and take care of me, but I didn't believe him.
So, here am I, trying to talk to a guy who once begged to talk to me but I rejected him.
One Monday morning, he called me to his office and I was glad that I was going to express myself to him finally.
When I got there, he told me to sit down, but rather, I knelt before him and pleaded for his forgiveness. He smiled at me and told me to sit down and I did.
"I forgave you a long time ago, after realizing that it was your words and actions that got me angry and madly motivated to get to where I am today.
The water you poured on me was like an eye opener, a reminder that six packs without money is useless. So, right there, I made up my mind to do whatever it takes to make it in life.
The smell of the ice fish didn't stop, even after I washed it off. It kept smelling, reminding me that I didn't need ordinary soap and water to quench the smell, I needed expensive perfumes and colognes.
For me to get those perfumes, I needed money. For me to get money, I needed to work hard. You motivated me to work really hard and I'm here today because of you, so I should be the one to tell you thank you," he said.
I felt even more uncomfortable.
"So, you've forgiven me, just like that?" I asked.
"Yes, I have," he said.
I was very happy. Now that he has forgiven me, maybe he'd consider taking me back as his girlfriend, I wouldn't mind. He was very handsome and healthy, if he just asks me out now, I'd scream a yes! I thought.
While we were still talking, a very beautiful lady walked into the office. She looked sophisticated.
"Good morning ma," I greeted her. She answered me and went straight to Ekene. I didn't understand what was going on till they both kissed briefly in front of me.
"Alright Angela," Ekene called me, "my wife and I will be going on a vacation, remember you are my PA, so you'd be coming with us, in case I'd be needing anything business related. So, get your stuff ready and book us a flight," he said.
I was agape. Wife? I didn't know what to say, so I just replied 'Yes sir," blinked back a tear, just as I made him blink back some years ago, and walked out of the office, looking stupid.
My people, as I'm talking to you, I'm helping Ekene... sorry, my boss and his wife to get their luggage into the plane, while he is in the first class seats, kissing, romancing and having fun with his wife.
I'm frustrated, I'm trying to blink back the tears in my eyes. No...I don't want to cry... I'm not crying.... okay fine, I'm crying 😭😭😭
THE END.
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A fictional story by #YourFavouriteStoryTeller
Ima Udott.