Must Read: Three Women (short story) - Season 1 - Episode 4

6 years ago

Must Read: Three Women (short story) - Season 1 - Episode 4

The thought of getting a private office outside his home had been playing on Dapo’s mind for a while now, so he decided to take this day out to check around for a suitable location. It was always more professional when you had a location where people could actually meet with you when they want to; it always brought in the element of trust.

The shops he had seen so far weren’t bad at all. He figured he wouldn’t need so much space, since it was just going to be him a secretary. There was a particular double shop with a very good rest room he saw and liked, so he stopped to discuss with the shopkeeper.

“Light is good; good security and we have cleaners that clean up three times a week. All would be covered by your one-time payment; no extra charges.” The man in charge was saying. He didn’t sound like a fraud, and Dapo decided to take his word for it.

“How much is the rent?” Dapo asked.

“Five thousand Naira, monthly; and you’d have to pay for two years. Agent fees and agreement fees will be twenty-five thousand. That would make it a total of…”

“Sir, why do I have to pay that much for agent fees?” Dapo asked and the man smiled at him. “Haven’t you rented a shop before?
That’s how it works; I would never try to rip off a young man like you.” The man said and paused for a while before continuing “The other shop keepers would have charged you almost double of what I’m charging you for agent fee.”

Dapo looked into space for a while before speaking “Umm…today is Monday, right? I’ll come back before the end of the week to make the payment.”

“It’s a very good location for whatever business you have in mind, don’t waste any more time.”

“Okay. I have your number.” Dapo said and left the place thinking of the last thing the man had said, ‘don’t waste anymore time’, like he knew that Dapo had been fighting indecision to get a shop for a while now.

While walking out of the complex, he was deep in thoughts, and accidentally collided with a girl coming from the opposite direction. “Ouch!” The girl exclaimed clutching her head with both her hands. Dapo also felt a jolt of pain, but he was more concerned about how the girl was.

“Hey, I’m sorry.” He said and tried to check if the girl had sustained any injuries.

“Don’t worry, I am alright.” She said.
Dapo saw her face as she let her hands fall to the side, and his heart skipped a beat.

“What?” She said and tried to feel for any bump or cut on her face. “What? Do I have a cut on my face or something?”

“No, it’s just that…nothing really. Take care.” He said and left the girl confused.
It is amazing how fast the brain can dig up data; the girl’s resemblance to someone in his past brought back a lot of memories; memories so fresh, it felt like the incidence had taken place yesterday.

JULY 1998

After he had taken just enough bottles that he could handle, he told the guys he wanted to take a leak, and went in search of Kike. She had said she was going to get some stuff from the store across the road. He saw her coming out with two paper bags as he made his way out of the bar. She crossed over to him, and gave him a hug.

“Let’s get out of here.” He said and dragged her in the direction of where his car was parked.

“Hey, what about Chuks and them…?” She said. There was a frown on her face now.

“You know I hate goodbyes. Besides, they would never let me leave this early.” He said and walked on, she followed right behind.

While in the car, there was silence, like they both were deep in thought. Four years in the university was over, and even though it felt good to be through, the thought of departing the life and people he had known for the last four years of his life was a bit sad.

“I wonder when we’d get to gather like that again.” Dapo said with a smile on his face.

“Hey, it is not that bad; even if it takes 9 years for you guys to see again, you’d catch up like you never left.”

“That’s why I like having you around, you always know what to say at all times.” He gave her a side glance before continuing “I’m going to miss you.”

“I told you I’d be there before you even settle down, don’t worry, you won’t miss me for too long.”

“So you are going to be in the London in…?

“My Dad wants us in the Caribbeans from next week, but Mom and I would leave him after we get to America.” She said as she adjusted the front passengers’ seat to go flat, so that she was lying on her back. “So, I would be in London in about… three weeks.”

“Hmm! I think I can stay alive till then.” He said and they both laughed.

Dapo was going to spend some time in Britain with his cousins, and his flight was already booked for next week. He was so excited about it, but worried at the same time. It was hard for him to imagine his life without Kike, even if it was for a couple of weeks.

He was parked in front of her house now, and he felt her lean forward for a kiss; he responded, more in autopilot than with the heart. The liquor was clearing off now, and he felt a bit tired, physically and emotionally. “Hey, dude! Wake up.” Lola shouted into his ear.
He smiled at her, and they kissed again. She stared at him with a concerned look on her face. “Do you want to come in? You could take a nap in Kunle’s room, you look really tired.’
“Nah! I’d just be on my way.” He said and adjusted in his seat.

“Okay. I love you.” She said and planted a kiss on his cheek before getting out of the car.

“I love you too.