I couldn't sleep. Sweat covered my body despite being bare-chested. The heat gradually increased but my sleeplessness had more to do with the events of the day. My mind heaved with doubt and fear. What if God answers prayers? I gritted my teeth as memories flashed through my mind. I had said things against him that were almost unforgivable. I tossed. Did he really provide the food? If it was him, he sure had a funny way of doing it. I groaned. What was I supposed to do?
"God, I have a lot of things against you but I've also done a lot of wrongs. I can't blame you for what happened but you know you could have prevented it."
I frowned. I was doing it all wrong. I slipped to the edge of the bed and knelt.
"People say you are real and tangible. And that you can do all things. Please help me even if I don't deserve it. Please, help me because…" I paused. Why should he? I sighed. "Please, just help me. And, thank you for the meal. It tasted good."
I laid down and stared into the darkness. I couldn't wait to see how he would help, if he decided on looking beyond my faults.
***
Disappointment couldn't describe how I felt. One month after I prayed and I was yet to receive a call informing me of the cancellation of my debts. If that was far-fetched, God could have sent someone who had the capacity of clearing my debts. And if that was too much, he could have provided the money through Sean or a couple of my friends, but, he didn't. I stared into the mirror and a well dressed, clean-shaven man stared back at me. I glanced at my wrist-watch. Quarter past six. I tiptoed across the house and gently eased the door open. Tola had advised that I start looking for a job but I had ignored him because God was supposed to miraculously clear my debts. My eyes stung. He had disappointed me, again. Tola would make fun of me if he knew I ended up taking his advice.
I walked to the end of the street and took a bus. I glanced at my wristwatch. Thirty minutes after seven and I was still several miles away from Shellar Investment Company. I had never felt so riled since I resumed using public transport. The bus stopped at every junction and the driver was foul-mouthed. To put it lightly, I was angry.
l glared at the bus conductor. "Please tell the driver to stop."
"Brother, wetin happen?" He asked. (What happened?)
"Nothing. Just stop."
"Chillax. Remain small mo we reach Shellar." (Relax. We will soon get to Shellar.)
"Alayé, stop this bus." (Mister)
He hailed the driver. "Stop. Person won comot." (Someone wants to alight).
"Y u no tell me sotey?" The driver shouted. (Why didn't you tell me since?)
"D guy yan am now na." The conductor's voice rose. (The guy just told me now).
"I no sabi wetin dey do dis alakowe people. E be lyk say book dey comot dem sense." The driver looked at me. "Abeg, con down. No dey waste time." (I don't understand what's wrong with these educated people. It's like reading makes them lack sense; Please, get down. Don't waste time).
My chest tightened. "You see say you no get brain. Why you go talk say book comot my sense? When your bus take one hour travel twenty minutes journey I no yarn anything. No just try me this morning ooo." (You see you don't have a brain. Why would you say reading affects my sense? I didn't say anything when your bus took one hour for a twenty minutes drive. Don't try me this morning.)
The driver banged his hand on the steering wheel. "If I try you wetin you go do! Ansa. Wetin you go do?" (What will you do if I try you! Answer me. What will you do?"
Several passengers motioned for me to be quiet and I grudgingly obliged. Not that I was afraid of getting in a fight—that was a common occurrence on Lagos streets, I just didn't want to get a crease on my suit. I got off the bus and the rate at which it drove off startled me. I wouldn't have had to alight if that had been the speed it had started with. Getting a bike took me only three minutes but it was more or less the worst decision of my life—after dating Zara. Few blocks to Shellar and the bike man and I ended up in a puddle. My hands shook as mud dripped from my hair to my suit. I walked dazedly towards Shellar, while ignoring the concerned words of those around. The gateman eyed me sceptically but allowed me in when I explained. He even managed to show compassion by directing me to the company's general restroom. I dropped my bag as I entered and fixed my gaze on my reflection. I gritted my teeth against emotions and gently released a breath. After several attempts at wiping my suit, I concluded that only a thorough washing could completely get rid of the stains. I fixed my hair the best way I could and headed out. The interviewers might feel compassionate when they get to hear about the unfortunate events that led to the stains. My mouth widened as my brain quickly took stock of what was about to happen. It was unavoidable but within split seconds I calculated how I could manage the situation. Unfortunately I saw none.
"Ouch." I groaned. I laid splayed on the floor with the lady struggling to her feet. For a minute, I truly desired to vanish. Why on all days?
"I'm so sorry, sir. I wasn't watching where I was going."
I got up and barely nodded before stepping around her.
"Wait, your cloth is wet."
"Yes, it is." I shrugged. "It can't be worse than it was."
She held my gaze and gasped. "You?"
My cheeks burned. "Oh. Good morning ma'am. I didn't know you work here."
"Of course you didn't. Did you end up finding the lady?"
I looked away. The embarrassment was becoming more than I could bear.
"You didn't, right?" She smiled. "I thought you would. Your confidence was something else."
"I guess it was."
"Sorry, I meant that as a compliment."
What did it matter? "Thank you, ma'am."
"My name is Kemi Akinrinde. And you're Jay, right?"
"Yes. Pleasure meeting you Mrs Akinrinde."
She glared at her finger and smiled. "I'm not married. It's just a game I'm playing with my sister."
My brows rose as something ticked in my brain. What was it about rings and games?
"Okay. Do you know where the interview is taking place?"
She slowly took me in. "You're here for the interview dressed in this?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Which of the positions did you apply for? If I may ask."
"Financial advisor."
"Do you have a link in the company?"
"No."
She slightly shook her head. "You won't get the job."
My stomach sank.
"I don't doubt the fact that you're competent but your dressing puts you at a disadvantage. Is it possible for you to go back home and wear something else?"
My eyes clouded.
"The interview is not until eleven. There's still time."
Doubt filled my gaze. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. You can leave your bag with me."
I scanned my bag and released it to her when I confirmed there were no valuables. Not like I was expecting a lady with such a nice smile to turn out to be a thief, but, I had gone through several episodes of shock in recent times.
I smiled. "Thank you."
"Don't take long."
"I won't."
I should have known. I shouldn't have been definite when I told her I would not take long. I held my head in my hands as tears burned behind my lids. The cab I boarded had been on a spot for two hours. And we've approximately spent four hours on the road. I didn't need a prophet to tell me the interview has already been completed.
I sniffed. "God, if you can see this, please, do something. You've disappointed me over and over but it's fine. I need you now."
© ADENIKE ONI 2020
Next episode will be released on Tuesday (27/10/2020) by 17:00 GMT. Kindly share story with others if you like it. Thank you very much. Stay safe😊
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