ALL FUN AND GAMES - EPISODE 2

EPISODE 2

Aisha stared at Alhaji Ibrahim hard as his words had given her a rude shock. “You cannot fire me, Alhaji Bello.” She replied.

            Alhaji Ibrahim slammed his table hard. “This is exactly why I'm firing you. I am your father, forget about Alhaji Bello.”

                        “So this is personal?” Aisha asked.

Moira cleared her throat. “Can…Can I leave?”

            “Yes, Moira!” Aisha shouted, not for a second taking her eyes off him. Moira slipped out quickly. Aisha continued unperturbed. “What is going on?”

He took a deep breath. “Aisha, don’t make me regret sending you abroad all your life. You seem to have forgotten that you are a woman, you just tear men apart as if they are not worth your time.”

            “So this is about that loser, Hakeem, right?”

Alhaji shook his head in disagreement. “No. This is about you, my dear.”  

            “Then if it is really about me, save it for home. This is business!” Aisha interrupted.

He swallowed. “I can’t let you do this to yourself, you are gradually becoming your own man which is wrong. Very wrong!”

“You know what is wrong? It's you being so unprofessional about this. My personal life has nothing to do with my work ethics and I have served and ensured that this enterprise is the biggest and fastest growing in Africa. I don’t deserve this from you.”

He nodded. “Aisha, I know all that and that's beside the point. You are not happy and you know it. I can’t sit back and watch you hurt yourself this way. I am your father and I care about your happiness.”

                        “And that is why I am getting fired?" She laughed sarcastically. "Look how happy I am now, Dad. Ecstatic infact!”

            He took a deep breath. “I want to give you time off from here so that you can have fun, meet people, get people to actually know and like you.”

                        “I am affable, Dad!” she replied.

                        He snorted “Only the magazines like you, let other people see who Aisha really is. That sweet little 5-year-old I once knew is still somewhere in there, I know it.”

            She scoffed. “Wake up dad, she grew up!”

                        “I want her back.”

She shook her head in disagreement. “There is no way in this world that you are getting her back and if you want me fired, I want a letter to that effect and I want reasons, facts, figures and I want it forwarded to the HR. Everything will go through due process here, because, I, Aisha Bello know how to remain professional. Good day, Alhaji Bello.” She replied and stormed out of the office bumping into Moira who had been eavesdropping. “Moira? You were spying too?”

            “Come on, Aisha. Why are you so difficult? Alhaji has a point there.” Moira replied catching up with a fast walking Aisha.

Aisha stopped and stared at her. “What point could he have to fire me? He wants to give me time to mingle? There are dating sites, if I am so sick of being single, I’ll pick someone from there. Not Hakeem!”

Moira pulled her hand. “Aisha, let’s go and have lunch.” She said with a smile.

“It’s morning!” she replied angrily. “Moira, this whole thing might look like one big joke to you, but it is not to me. This is my life. I have worked hard all my life to be here and I have earned it and I am not letting go so easily.”

Moira hissed dryly. “All your life? You talk as if you are forty! Aisha, you are twenty seven! Have you realised that? Your youth is fast drifting away and you have not lived the life of a youth, I agree that not everyone can jump in and out of clubs, and some people are definitely powerful, but Aisha, have you realised that I am the only friend you have…left.”

“The others were losers. They'd rather skip in the sun and dance in the rain while I raked in money. Where are they today? Who has heard about them? They are where they were, probably waiting for the next rain or sun to dance.”

Moira took a deep breath. “But they are happy, Aisha. Are you?” she asked and walked away.

 

++++****++++

            “You have no idea how excited I was when I got your text.” Vicky said as she took her seat opposite Craig.

Craig took a deep breath. “I hope you'll still be excited after this meeting.” He muttered under his breath.

            “What did you say?” she asked with a smile.

Craig smiled back. “Nothing.” He swallowed. “I…I don’t know how to tell you this.”

            “Really? Is it possible for you to ever be at a loss for words?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Vicky, Daniel is really into you.”

            “Daniel?”

He nodded in agreement. “Yes, Daniel.”

            “Well, I am not interested.” She replied.

He nodded. “Could that be because you think you like me?”

She smiled. “I don’t think I like you. I know I like you.”

            “But I am not going to date you.” He replied.

She stared at him and then fought back tears. “That was harsh.”

            “I am not sorry for telling you the truth. Don’t waste your time chasing a man that'll never love you back, go instead for the one that loves you.”

She snatched her bag angrily from the table and tried to get up to leave but he held her back. She responded to his grip with a firm slap. “In case you think I have no pride, I do. Also, you can go and tell your friend that you failed. I own my feelings, not you and not him.” She replied and walked away angrily leaving Craig to nurse his cheek.

Daniel and Bolu came out of their hide out. “Na wa o! Na by force to date babe?” Bolu rolled in pidgin English as he grabbed a seat.

            “I am sorry, man.” Daniel said.

Craig shrugged. “Na big deal? I don chop the slap wey you suppose take, so just free me.” Craig retorted.

Bolu smiled trying to lighten the mood. “Oya guys, maybe we should return to the mall, we have been rotated as usual.”

            “I hope they left me in the furniture section.” Craig said, standing up.

Daniel shook his head in disagreement. “No. The Games section. PS 4 demo”

            “I’m gonna love the demonstration.” Craig said with a smile.

Daniel nodded. “Lucky you, I have been sent to the Kitchen Utensils region. How am I supposed to sell Pots and Fry pans to women? They already have these things.”

            “Sorry bro. Your luck.” Bolu said.

                        “Okay then, let’s go make some money.” Craig said leading the way.

 

            ++++****++++

            Aisha walked into Moira's office. “Hey Moira.”

            Moira closed her laptop. “What are you doing here? You are fired, remember?”

                        “Funny.” Aisha said taking her seat. “I'm waiting for due process to take its course and except it I get that, I'm going nowhere”

            Moira folded her hands. “So what help do you need from me this time?”

“Who told you I need your help?” She asked.

Moira smiled. “I know you, Aisha, you act like you can handle everything, but this one, you can’t handle it, and you need me to come up with an idea.”

“Your ideas have never been all that great. So don't flatter yourself please” Aisha replied rolling her eyes. “Anyway...Hakeem is still in this country, and I don't want him here please send him away, anywhere, maybe Saudi.”

                        “I am not a genie, Aisha. But I came up with a plan to sort out this out.” She said and passed her laptop to Aisha. “Open it.”

            Aisha stared at the laptop suspiciously. “What is there?”

                        “Just open it. What are you afraid of?” Moira asked laughing.

            Aisha opened the laptop and immediately closed it. “Dateme.com? What is that?”

                        “You need to start dating.” Moira said with a smile.

            Aisha scoffed. “This is your great Epiphany?”

                        “Easy Aisha…I am good at these things, we are going to pick one of these ‘hotties’ for you and you can start dating immediately.”

                        “How does this restore my position here?”

            Moira folded her arm. “You counter your daddy with your own offer.”

                        “Alhaji won’t be convinced.” Aisha replied as she stared at the laptop. “These guys are so ugly.”

Moira shrugged. “Well they are the best we can find at this time of the year. It’s January and most guys are already in a relationship, by February, there would be more men in town because of the regular break up around that time, the Valentine gift fever, but right now, we can’t afford to wait till February.”

            “Moira, what do you suggest that I do? I'm at a loss.”

Moira smiled. “Aisha, I like your humility.” She replied with a grin. “You are going to give Alhaji reasons why you shouldn’t be fired and then you are going to-”

The door opened and Alhaji walked in with an envelope. “I knew I would find you here. Here’s your letter, Ms Bello.”

“You are so desperate to get rid of me, aren’t you?” Aisha asked as she opened the envelope. “Severance pay of 100 million plus add-ons?” Aisha said with a soft chuckle. “You are really firing me, Alhaji Bello.”

Alhaji took a deep breath. “That would be all.”

Aisha sprang to her feet. “Dad, we need to talk.” She said as she swallowed.

Moira picked her phone and walked out immediately.

            “What are we talking about?” he asked as he folded his arms.

Aisha pointed to a seat. “Please have your seat, Dad.”

            “I know I'm not in your good books right now so you can quit pretending because I am not changing my mind.” He warned, taking a seat.

Aisha took her seat opposite him. “I have an offer for you, Alhaji Bello.”

            “I knew it wouldn’t last.” Alhaji said with a scoff. “Let’s hear it. Everything is business to you.”

She smiled. “You raised me that way and I am not about to change for anything. Here’s the deal, I am going to be in a relationship soon and you can reconsider firing me.”

            “A relationship?”

She nodded. “I am going to try to date, fall in love, you know? Those love stuffs?”

Alhaji shook his head. “I don’t know what to say to you. You are going to try to date? Fall in love? Those love stuffs? Do you know how you sound?”

“Like a Man. I have heard that before, and Dad, you know you need me here, your competitors are going to pounce the minute they sniff that I am out of here, not to talk of the fact that I can join another company and they will be dying to have me.” She replied.

He folded his arms. “Cheap Blackmail.”

            “I know. But I am not bluffing Dad. I am going to date and make you happy, in turn, you keep me here.”

He took a deep breath. “You are going to leave my house today, you will have your own place, and you won’t have access to your inheritance until your wedding day.”

WEDDING WHAT????? Aisha’s head spun like a carousel. “Wedding?” she asked.

He nodded with a smile. “The ultimate aim of your relationship is to get married, isn’t it?” he asked. Aisha remained silent. “So, you have a week to go out with someone and show me that you are serious. You and I know that you won’t find any man except Hakeem within that short period.” He replied with a grin.

Aisha swallowed painfully as her Dad grinned and walked out chanting Hakeem’s name with pride. Moira walked in almost immediately. “This man has no idea of what I can do to stay here.”

            “Easy, sweetheart. Do I start checking out the men?”

Aisha nodded. “Immediately.”

            “So, we have over a thousand guys ready to pick from, where do we start?” Moira asked as she tapped on the laptop.

Aisha folded her arms. “Prune them down by height, he has to be tall. If his look is nothing close to Theo Walcott or Christian Grey, cut him out. I don't want a fifteen year old boy showing up at my door step and finally, he must be running a successful institution.”

            “Zero.”

Aisha stared at her. “What do you mean by zero?”

            “You are not going to find that man here. We might as well do interviews?” Moira replied. “I can send a poster. Husband needed.”

Aisha hissed. “Get serious, Moira.”

            “You are the one who should get serious. You are not going to find that man on dateme.com, if I had that kind of man, he won’t even know what dateme.com is.” Moira replied.

Aisha rolled her eyes. “What are you trying to say?”

            “Get real, Aisha.”

Aisha waved her away. “Okay, let’s keep the husband search aside. Alhaji has also kicked me out of his house.”

Moira burst into an awkward laugh. “Alhaji is on a roll, no offence. What’s next?”

            “I get my inheritance on my wedding.” Aisha concluded.

Moira grinned. “I would do anything not to be you right now.”

            “My Dad said that I should leave the house today, what am I going to do?” Aisha asked.

            “What happened to the house you bought in December?”

Aisha rolled her eyes. “I want to sell. It’s too big.”

            “I’ll live with you.” Moira said, grinning. Moira loved the idea of living in one of the best houses in the city. “It’s just that the house has no kitchen stuff, like pots, cooker, and those stuffs.”

Aisha nodded. “It’s new. What did you expect?”

            “We can go and buy some things for the house. And maybe move in tonight.” Moira suggested.

Aisha nodded. “Why don’t we send someone? I am in no mood to shop and have the press suggesting my marriage in their column tomorrow.”

            “Let them say, it’s just two ladies having fun.” Moira said, grabbing her bag. “Let’s go.” She said pulling Aisha’s hand.

 

++++****++++

Craig walked up to Daniel. “How is it going?”

            “No movement.” He replied. “That is why I hate this section for sales. I mean I could have been in the cloth section; it is not so depressing over there. Here, I have to endure people looking at the stuffs and walking away.” He added.

            “These things won’t sell themselves, Daniel.” Craig said. “Moreover, you have such a cold stare, I am sure anyone that comes here won’t want to buy.”

Daniel shrugged.

Craig smiled. “I am tired of beating those kids at FIFA, maybe you should go and do the demo while I stay here for you. What do you say?”

            “Thanks man. You are amazing!” Daniel replied and walked away.

Craig took a deep breath and stared at the pots. “You guys are really boring.” He said.

            “Hi, Can we get some pressure pots and an electric oven gas cooker?”

Craig raised his head and stared at the ladies before him. “Pots and Cooker?”

Aisha stared at Moira. “He doesn’t even know what he sells.”

            “I know…it’s…it’s just that why would you want pots and a cooker?” Craig asked with a smile.

Aisha scoffed. “Do you want to sell these stuffs or not?”

He nodded. “I want to, but these things are precious, am I sure you will treat them well? You sound so harsh.”

Moira giggled. “This one is crazy.”

            “Obviously, let’s go somewhere else.” Aisha suggested.

Craig grabbed her hand. “I am so sorry, sometimes, my sense of humour is really weak.” He said with a smile.

            “He is cute, Aisha.” Moira said.

Craig smiled. “Please? Would you buy from me?” he asked.

Moira yanked her hand. “Of course, she will buy the pots and the cooker. We would have these and that.” Moira said pointing to the pots and cooker. Aisha took a glance at the items and threw her face away. “Come here, Aisha.” Moira said and stepped aside with her.

Craig immediately changed the price tags on the Cooker while the ladies talked in a distance. He smiled as they returned to him. “Here are your pots. Do you want frying pans too? We have non-stick.”

Aisha nodded. “Okay, we’ll have that too.”

“Great. In all, you are paying two hundred and thirty-three thousand naira. Two pressure pots at fifty-four thousand naira each and a gas cooker for a hundred and twenty five thousand naira.” He said to them.

            “So we have to pay so much to be in the kitchen?” Aisha asked as she swiped her card.

Craig nodded with a smile. “You’ll love the taste of the food.”

Moira stared at his name tag. “Craig?”

            “How did you know?” he asked.

She stared at his tag. “The tag.”

            “Oh…Nice to meet you.” He said stretching his hand at Moira. She took the hand with a smile and he turned in Aisha’s direction. “Nice to meet you.”

Aisha hissed. “The car is outside.” She said and walked away.

            “I am Moira.” Moira said to him with a grin and hurried after Aisha.

 

++++****++++

            “Where are you moving to?” Alhaji Ibrahim asked as Aisha closed the door of the moving van.

She smiled faintly. “What do you care, Dad? I am keeping to my own side of the deal already.”

Moira smiled. “We’ll be staying at Osborne, sir.”

Aisha eyeballed her coldly. “You’ll be sleeping outside tonight.”

            “Please take care of Aisha.” Alhaji Ibrahim said to Moira.

She nodded. “You can always count on me. I’ll take care of her.” She replied grinning in Aisha’s direction.

Aisha rolled her eyes. “Hop in now or you’ll join the moving van.” Aisha said as she started her car.

Moira joined her in front. “We should go clubbing tonight.”

Aisha gasped. “Moira, we have been friends since forever, why are you acting as though you don’t know me.” She said as she started the car.

            “I am only suggesting that we have some fun tonight. Maybe to celebrate the new house.” Moira said.

Aisha shook her head in disagreement. “Pick another person. You’ve got the wrong girl.”

            “I know. Yet I love you.” Moira said with a smile.

Aisha nodded. “It’s not like you have a choice.” She replied.

 

++++****++++

            “I can’t believe that you made all that money in no time.” Daniel said.

Craig shrugged. “I am the boss. Two pressure pots, and one gas cooker.”

            “How are you sharing the proceeds? You made money off the chairs and some stuffs here. You should share.” Bolu said.

Craig shook his head. “I can’t share.”

            “Really? Eat alone, die alone.” Bolu said.

Craig nodded, “I am willing to take that chance.”

Daniel fumed. “Why did I leave my stand?”

            “You weren’t attracting customers. One glance at the ladies and they were smitten.” Craig boasted.

            “Talking about ladies, can you help talk to Vicky tonight when we close from here?” Daniel said.

Craig scoffed. “You don’t get it man, do you? That girl slapped me. I am not ready to be hit by another lady, not in this life.”

            “What if she is an angel?” Bolu asked.

Craig smiled. “Yeah. Like the one who came here to get the cooker and pressure pots, she is really beautiful. But she didn’t smile at all.”

            “I saw the lady o! I was outside when they were carried to her car; she doesn’t look like your type of girl.” Bolu said.

Craig frowned. “What are you trying to say?”

“What he is trying to say is that you should pitch your tent elsewhere.” Daniel said smiling.

 

            ++++****++++

                        “Why don’t we call someone to set this thing up?” Moira asked as Aisha fixed the plug for the Gas Cooker.

            Aisha hissed. “What do you know how to do, Moira?”

                        “I can cook.”

            Aisha nodded. “Of course, you can. Look, this is just about following the manual and when I am through we get to use to the cooker.” She said. “If I were you, I’d wash the pots and get them ready.” She said.

Aisha turned on the gas and picked up the manual and pulled off the price tag. “I wonder why I didn’t take this off since.” She said looking at it. She then stared at the manual. “Why do these things have different brand names?”

Moira joined her. “The tag is not the same as the name on the cooker.”

Aisha pauses. “Did he cheat us?”

Moira snarled. “Nah…he is too fine to do that.”

            “I see. Well, he has some explaining to do.” Aisha replied and grabbed the manual and tag.

Moira stared at her. “Eh, you are not going to embarrass an innocent person, are you?”

            “I think he cheated us, now that I think of it, I think I got a good view of the price and I am sure it is not this.”

Moira groaned. “Come on, Aisha. Are you even sure of this?”

            “Moira, are you coming or not?” Aisha asked as she picked up her keys.

Moira nodded. “Come on, let’s go.” 

 

 

 

 

ALL FUN AND GAMES - EPISODE 1

Hello Everyone!

Happy New Year!

Welcome to another exciting series, 'All Fun And Games' . I hope we have another successful time together.

FIND ME ON TWITTER @tomi_adesina , Facebook page: http://facebook.com/moradeadesina

From: Tomi Adesina

###*****###

ALL FUN AND GAMES – EPISODE 1

EPISODE 1

Aisha waited anxiously for twelve midnight with her glass of champagne in one hand and her smart phone in the other. If there was anything she hated more than waiting, it had to be waiting. She looked through the room as it buzzed with excitement but with nothing really to excite her. To her, the others were a bunch of playful lot who couldn’t wait for the next opportunity to have a party and tonight, New Year’s Eve, had provided them with that avenue.

She stood in her red gown isolated in a corner of the room, but not totally isolated. She still drew the attention of everyone in the room as they turned heads in her direction flashing faint smiles at her, which of course were reciprocated with a firm stare when she noticed, if she noticed.

The others couldn’t wait for the countdown to New Year that they had started counting from hundred. ‘Who does a countdown from hundred to the New Year?’ Aisha thought aloud as she stared at them disdainfully. She could see Alhaji’s eyes all over her from a distance but she simply looked away. She wasn’t ready for his lengthy sermons on how a ‘sexually active female should learn to mingle with the male species’. Whenever he spoke like that she almost thought he was no longer her father but a farmer talking to his animals in the farm.

He beckoned to her as he stood with his friend in the crowd. She shook her head and turned away. At least there was some serenity on the roof top, she had planned to go there once the fireworks went out at midnight and the rest would be deep into the party.

​“Nine…Eight…Seven…” The room echoed as the clock ticked. For the first time, Aisha turned at the giant clock and watched the second hand tick. “Three…two…HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!” They all shouted and hugged one another. Aisha flashed a smile at her father and walked over to him. “Happy New Year, Dad. Greater heights this year.” She said as they clinched glasses.

​“Happy new year, my princess.” He replied and kissed her forehead. “It’s another year and I don’t want this year to go-”

“-without you bringing him home.” She said completing his throttle. “Dad, try to change the words next year, I am getting too used to them, and moreover they sound really tacky.” She added as she sipped her drink.

​He nodded in agreement as he surveyed the room. “I know they sound tacky but, can I help it? You are my only child.” He said, turning his head over his neck.

​​“Who are you looking for, Dad?” she asked as she noticed the divided attention between her father’s speech and an unending search around the big hall.

​He smiled victoriously at her. “Wait for it.” Aisha clenched her teeth as she saw Hakeem approach from a distance. “Hakeem is here to celebrate the New Year with us.” Her Father announced.

​​“He could have at least worn a tux.” Aisha said as Hakeem approached them in his kaftan apparel. “Dude just has the worst dress sense.”

​Hakeem bowed before Alhaji as he got to them. “Happy New Year, Sir.”

​Alhaji Ibrahim nodded. “Happy New Year, Hakeem. How is Father?”

​​“He just returned from Dubai last night and he sends his apologies for not being able to make it here.” He replied and stretched out an envelope to Alhaji Ibrahim. “He also sends this.”

Aisha rolled her eyes as her Dad tucked the envelope into his pocket. “I’ll call him, please excuse me, I’ll leave you two young ones alone.” He said, grinning mischievously in her direction and then he walked away.

Hakeem reached for Aisha’s hand and she yanked it away aggressively. “Damn, Hakeem. You are plain stupid. When did we get so comfy?” she yapped at him.

​He swallowed as people started to stare at them and murmur too. “You have a way of humiliating me, don’t you?” he asked.

​​“And you have a way of maintaining a high level of stupidity, don’t you?” she asked back.

​He nodded. “For you, I’ll be a fool.”

​​“For me? Or what you think you can get from me?” she asked.

​He shrugged. “Aisha, can we go outside?”

“Never, Hakeem. You are not having me alone for five seconds.” She replied and walked away. “Where’s that idiot, Moira? She must be partying herself away” She thought as she walked across the pulsing room.

​Hakeem watched her leave and turned in her father’s direction.

​++++****++++

Somewhere in Ebute-Metta, the New Year vibe was a lot different from the uptown ones. Honestly, you might want to be Craig and the guys rather than spend your New Year with a bunch of office guys in a Porsche hall.

Craig flicked the ‘banger’ in his hand at a group of ladies and then retreated to his friends. “How about that for tackling back?” he shouted as the cracks went off.

The ladies were in no mood to surrender to Craig as they prepared for a re-launch in the final battle of the Ultimate street fights. Craig watched keenly as the ladies prepared their arsenals and threw the crackers back at him and his pals. This time, the bangers came in multitude. The ladies had devised an entirely different strategy and decided to throw their ‘bangers’ at once. Craig and the guys scampered, thus rendering them the losers of the contest.

​“Now that’s what we call tackling back!” The ladies shouted back.

Craig fumed as he had lost to the ladies. Bolu jabbed him from the back. “This is why I hate you. How could you just throw one at them?” he asked angrily.

​“They are ladies and I didn’t think they would return it in trillions.”

Bolu hissed dryly. “There you have it; we are losers again this year. All thanks to you.”

​“He is never the loser.” Daniel chipped in as the ladies approached them.

​“Hi Craig, don’t you want to have a taste of winning?” Vicky asked.

Daniel’s heart burned as he had always admired Vicky. No. He admires and wants every lady, but they end up wanting Craig for the most obvious reasons. Craig was like a gold fish in their ocean. He had the stunning looks, athletic physique and charisma. He isn’t your regular street guy by the books, but for reasons that life provided he found himself there and he did do well in the streets.

​“Why not? For you, I’d rather be a loser.” Craig replied and walked off with Vicky and the other girls.

One more thing, Craig is a charmer. He knew his way around women and how to get tothem. Bolu smiled at Daniel. “Hard luck, bro. Better luck next time.”

​“That bastard knows I like Vicky. Why is he always doing this to me?” Daniel asked.

Bolu shrugged with a smile. “Vicky went to him.”

​“He could have turned her down, but he didn’t. He is doing that to spite me…again.” Daniel complained bitterly.

Bolu nodded. “Sorry bro, don’t let this ruin the New Year, let’s go and join them in the bar.”

​“Were we invited?”

Bolu swallowed as his excitement went down. “Dude, it doesn’t matter, are they going to kick us out of the bar?”

​“I can’t watch them kissing.”

​“So, where do we go to?”

Daniel looked around. “We can get some drinks and talk about our plans for the New Year here.”

​“Here? Out in the cold?” Bolu retorted.

​“Yes, that’s why we are getting drinks. You won’t feel the effect. Trust me.”

++++****++++

Aisha sipped her drink slowly as she forwarded a mail to a client. She then picked up the land phone and dialled. “Have you received the mail?” She paused for a while to get a response after which she smiled. “I know how much people are dying to ferry their stuff on my gambit, but, you have to pay to do that, and I won’t even be lenient for old ties sake.” She replied.

She cringed as the noise from the hall went up and disturbed her conversation. “Alright…Alright, in the spirit of the New Year, I take a thousand dollars off it. That’s the best you are getting.”

The door opened and a tipsy Moira walked in. Aisha shook her head and rounded off her call. “Pay your money before I change my mind. Happy New Year.” She replied and hung up.

​“What are you doing here?” Moira asked with a bottle in her hand.

Aisha dragged the bottle from her and hurled it in the bin. “Classy ladies don’t get drunk. And as you can see, I am working.”

​“In case you haven’t noticed, Aisha, there is a party going on around you.” Moira said as she sat on the desk and dropped her legs on Aisha’s laps.

Aisha eyeballed her and threw off her legs. “This is what happens when you drink irresponsibly. I’ll make you some coffee.” She said and walked over to her mixer.

Moira continued sloppily. “Aisha, this is New Year’s party. You should get a break from work and catch up with your generation. Times-a-passin” she added.

​“I am in touch with my generation.” Aisha replied as she handed Moira a cup of coffee. “Drink this.”

Moira took a sip and spilled the rest. “Eeww!!! There’s no sugar.”

​“What’s ‘Eewwish’ about coffee without sugar.” Aisha asked feeling irritated at the mess Moira had made on her desk. She grabbed a cloth and started to clean it up.

Moira smiled. “You could be a darling sometimes.” She said as Aisha wiped the spill on her dress.

Aisha pulled a grimace and threw the cloth in Moira’s face. “Do it yourself.”

​“I take back the compliment. You are a monster.” Moira said as she threw the cloth on the desk. “I overhead Hakeem reporting you to Alhaji.”

Aisha nodded. “Good. Now I know where his balls are.”

​“You’ve seen his balls?” Moira asked with some shock.

Aisha scoffed. “Are you this dumb, Moira or you are only dumb when drunk?”

​“I am not drunk, I heard you say his balls clearly and if you think I didn’t hear you right, we can play it over again. Now, say what you said. Exact terms.”

Aisha shook her head and sank into a seat. “What did Hakeem tell father?”

​“That you were so rude to him and blah blah…blah” she replied yawning.

​“Can you try to close your mouth next time when you yawn?” Aisha said.

Moira nodded and yawned again. “Like when?!”

Aisha sighed.

++++****++++

​“You know my buddy likes you?” Craig whispered into Vicky ears.

She chuckled softly as though he had said something more romantic to her.

Daniel boiled from a distance as he saw this. “I knew it was a bad idea to have come here.” Bolu said to him.

​“I don’t know why I said we should still come here, but, all I know is there is going to be a beat down here.” Daniel said.

Bolu took his hand. “Let’s go man, it’s not worth it.”

​“She is worth it.” Daniel replied as he strode across over to Craig’s table with Bolu chasing behind. “Why are you not my friend, Craig?” Daniel shouted.

Craig smiled. His smile did upset Daniel as it made Craig look more attractive to the females on the table as they blushed carelessly. Craig cleared his throat. “Why so angry?”

​“This is not a good idea, Daniel. Let’s go.” Bolu whispered into Daniel’s ear.

Craig stared at Vicky. “I am sorry, he is not usually like this, he has had too many to drink.” He said.

Vicky nodded and stared at Daniel. “Hi Daniel.” She said waving at him.

Daniel swallowed as he stared at Bolu and then back at her. “Hi.”

Craig excused himself and walked out of the room with Bolu following. “What did you do in there?” Bolu asked.

​“Look Man, the guy is crazy about her. All I did was talk to her on his behalf.” He replied.

Bolu smiled. “Oh…Well, I... I never…”

​“Of course you never knew. You guys never know anything, but are so quick to bring your gloves at me.”

Bolu took a deep breath. “You can’t blame him, you are the one everyone likes. It’s hard to live in your shadow and it becomes a constant pain, if you know what I mean.”

​“You guys have a lot of work to do on your self-confidence. It’s a new year! Grow out of it.” He replied and walked away into the chilly night.​

++++****++++

Aisha walked into the hall with her briefcase in her hand. The hall sparkled as though no office party had been held there the night before. She smiled satisfactorily and walked out bumping into Moira who was approaching from the elevator.

​“Aisha, who comes to work on the second day in January?” she asked, looking unsettled.

Aisha smiled. “We have been doing this for the past five years since I took over, I don’t why you are asking me this today.” She replied walking away.

Moira stopped her. “I don’t feel good today.”

​“You could have called in sick.”

Moira took a deep breath. “Like you take people serious when they call in sick?”

​“You are right. Why would I take anyone that has had too many to drink serious? If I take that from you, the other members of staff would do the same thing. You all except one, and that is me, were virtually stoned.” She replied as she pushed her office door open. “Good morning, Moira. Where did you leave your manners?”

Moira rolled her eyes and took her seat. Aisha and Moira had been best friends since they were kids; they did everything together, went to the same schools and graduated together. Aisha had always been exceptional-from her curves and edges to perfections, academic prowess, adroit negotiation skills that put her ahead of everyone in the business field. Moira loved her friend for everything except one. Aisha was not willing to stoop for anyone, and most especially, a man.

​“Aisha, when are you going on a date with Hakeem?” Moira asked.

Aisha stared at her. “Moira? Hakeem? What are you saying?”

​“I just feel you should give him a chance, he really likes you.” Moira replied sounding serious.

Aisha shook her head sadly. “Your taste amazes me. Hakeem is not in my class.”

​“Really? Then who is? You are the only one in your class; in fact, I think you are the whole school!” Moira cut in sounding a bit offended.

Aisha took a deep breath. “Moira, go to your office.”

​“It bothers me that you have decided to embrace the single life; you have never been in a relationship with anyone. You ruined what you could have had with…erm…what’s the name of that American boy? Trent! You won’t let him breathe all through college and now you have Hakeem all over you, why are you so hard on him?”

Aisha folded her hand. “Do you know how much we have lost since you started talking about this nonsense? We have lost ten fruitful minutes that could have been channelled into sealing deals and raking in money. Moira, I need you to go to your office!”

​“I don’t even know why Alhaji put you in charge of this place.” Moira replied.

Aisha smiled. “Since I took over this place in the last five years, I have raked in more profits than all the last fifteen MD’s. I am on Forbes’ list as the most successful young African person. Why won’t my father want me here? He is the envy of all his competitors! The only time he comes here is when there is a party or shareholder meeting. He trusts me, I am sailing this ship perfectly, Moira. Does that answer why he put me in charge?”

​“You need to get married.” Moira replied.

Aisha smiled. “Love is for the weak.”

​“Oh really?”

Aisha nodded. “Yes. Now, if you don’t mind, some of us have work to do.”

Moira nodded in agreement. “I hope you marry this work.”

​“I am married to it.”

++++****++++

​“You know the best part of this set of chairs is that they give you a manly feel.” Craig started. “There is something special about a chaise lounge, you just have to slide down and enjoy the comfort it provides.”

​“So, when my husband gets the entire manly feel, what do I get out of it?” A customer enquired.

Craig smiled. “Do you see this smile, it is satisfaction. When your husband is happy, you are happy. Moreover, he can enjoy the chair after a long hard day’s work; you can enjoy it all day.”

​“Are you insinuating that I am a full housewife?” she asked.

He shrugged with a smile. “Not necessarily, but this is ten am on a Monday morning and you are here, looking this fresh and unstressed, it’s obvious you have not been in the labour market.”

The woman blushed faintly. “Are you single, honey?” she asked.

He smiled. “Yes I am.”

​“I…I wish you the best. I’ll have the chairs.” She said and walked away.

Craig turned with a grin in Bolu and Daniel’s direction. The Shop owner walked out of his office into the open. “Did you sell those chairs?” he asked. Craig nodded confidently. “Good. Send the proceeds to my office.”

​“Yes sir.” Craig replied as his boss walked away. Bolu and Daniel joined him. “How much is the commission?”

Craig smiled. “I sold it ten thousand higher, after that self-profit, my commission will come from him.”

​“You are such a bad guy.” Bolu said.

Craig nodded. “I know. EBay has got nothing on me; I am the king of the market.”

​“Is that a line you learnt yesterday?” Daniel asked trying to get into the discussion.

Craig smiled. “A thank you is fine. You got her number, right?”

Daniel took a deep breath. “She told me that she knows what you were trying to do for me, but she rather be with you.”

Craig laughed. “Your sense of humour has improved. I am proud of you. I can feel the New Year blooming at me.”

​“He is serious.” Bolu said. “She was serious.”

Craig stared at them. “Errr…I…I had no idea, but, I…I don’t want her. Seriously.”

​“I know, but, she doesn’t know that.” Daniel replied. “She likes you.”

Craig shook his head sadly. “What do you want me to do?”

​“Help tell her that you are not interested in her.”

++++****++++

Aisha laid back into her seat and watched the profits rise in her favour on her Forex trading. She laughed as it swayed positively and she immediately closed up to avoid any loss. “Good money for me again.” She said aloud.

There was a knock and her secretary walked in. “Good morning ma.”

​“Morning, what can I do for you?” she asked.

​“The Chairman sent for you.”

Aisha’s eyes popped. “Chairman? What is Alhaji doing here?” she asked expressing concern at her father’s presence which was unexpected. “I hope this is not Hakeem’s work.” She mumbled as she grabbed her digital tablet. “Get all the documents regarding our last trades ready and bring them to us.” She said and walked out briskly.

The journey to her father’s office was not meant to be a long walk but Aisha decided to stop at Moira’s office. “Moira, my Dad is here.” She announced.

​“That’s...strange.” Moira replied as she closed her laptop. “What if this is the Hakeem effect?”

Aisha clenched her teeth. “I’ll kill that guy.” She replied. “I am going there now, want to come?”

Moira grinned. “You came to ask for my company. Admit it.”

Aisha rolled her eyes. “This is not the time, Moira. Are you coming or not?”

​“Of course I am. I won’t miss the chance to watch your Dad scold you because of Hakeem. Let’s go, baby.” Moira said, smacking Aisha’s backside.

Aisha shot at Moira. “Moira?”

​“Don’t be a killjoy. Let’s go!” Moira said, hopping out.

Aisha opened the door to her father’s office with a smile that she had planned to fade if she saw Hakeem inside. However, no Hakeem. Wider smiles. “Good morning, sir.” She said.

Alhaji Ibrahim stared at her. “How are you?”

​“Fine, Sir.” She replied.

He turned in Moira’s direction. “How are you, Moira?”

​“As good as always.” She replied.

​“Why can’t you pour some of the joy you feel on Aisha?” he asked.

Aisha looked stunned. “What does that mean, Father?”

He took a deep breath. “Aisha, we have a very serious matter to discuss. Do you mind if Moira stayed?”

​“Moira can stay and you know it, Dad.” Aisha replied.

Alhaji Ibrahim took a deep breath. “Ms Aisha Bello, you are fired from here.”

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