Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

She got out of the white 2004 Toyota Camry, clad in a navy blue skirt suit. Her black laptop bag was strapped on one shoulder while she held her navy blue hand bag on the other hand. She locked the car and matched into the two storey building with an air of confidnece.




It was the end of another week in February and she was looking forward to a restful weekend. Her week had been busy; her work schedule had almost spilled over into her weekend, but she had made a decision a long time ago not to allow her work to take over her weekends. Those were the only days she had to recuperate and volunteer in church activities.



On her way to her office, she overheard a group of staff members deliberating on what gift they would get for Gbenga Lewis who was celebrating his thirtieth birthday that weekend. She erased the information from her mind, she doesn’t want to know anything about someone she was trying to give a wide berth.
A smile crossed her lips when she saw Shalewa and Nkiruka coming towards her. Shalewa was her father’s personal assistant and Nkiruka worked with her mother. The ladies were both single, they were probably in their late twenties if she wasn’t mistaken.
“Good morning ma,” they both choroused.
“Good morning pretty ladies.”
They both chuckled.
“I believe you are looking forward to a jolly weekend.”
“Yes we are.”
“Mr. Lewis’ birthday party is this Saturday,” Nkiruka injected.
“Really?” She groaned.



“Yes, he rarely celebrates his birthday, but, he is clocking thirty tomorrow.”
“It is worth celebrating,” Shalewa chimed.
Promise nodded in agreement, “Yes, it is. Later ladies,” she hurried away, hoping that, that would be the last time someone would mention Gbenga’s birthday party that day.
‘What’s with people and parties?’ She muttered to herself.


********


The loud bangs on her bedroom door drew her out of her afternoon nap. She groaned and pulled herself up.
‘Who is that?! Why can’t I get peace of mind in my own house? I might as well start looking for my own apartment. Assuming I was working in an international communications company, I would have…’ Her thoughts trailed off when the bangs got louder.



“Hold on!” She marched towards the door, “Don’t break my door.”
She unlock the door and opened it slightly. Her mother stood at the doorway, hands akimbo.



“What were you doing in there? I have been knocking for over an hour.”
Promise rolled her eyes and stifled a yawn. Her mother was the Queen when it came to exaggerating things.
“Where you sleeping?” Her voice softened when she noticed her daughter’s tired eyes.
She nodded and closed the door.
“What is wrong with this girl?!” Her mother started to knock again.



She stamped her feet on the tiled floor several times in annoyance. ‘What does this woman want from me? Oh God!’ She mused.
“Open this door this minute before I kick it down,” Her mother’s voice streamed into the room loud and clear.


Promise turned the doorknob and opened the door half-way.
“What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing mum. Mum I need to rest, what is it?”
Blessing eyed her daughter. What was wrong with her daughter? Why was she at home sleeping while her mates were out there enjoying their weekend? She had noticed little changes in her daughter’s character and attitude towards certain things since she returned from Abuja over three months ago. She would give anything to know what was going on her mind. How she wished she would confide in her.




Promised frowned when she noticed her mother’s lost look. What was she thinking about?
“Mum! Hello! Is anybody home?”
Blessing blinked and refocused on her, “Your father and I need you to deliver a birthday gift.”
Her frown deepened, “When did I become FedEx?”


Blessing eyed her again, “We would have sent your siblings but you know that they have returned to school.”
Promise shrugged she wasn’t going anywhere.



She wasn’t a courier service.
“It’s Gbenga Lewis’s birthday. We need you to attend his party and give him our gift. He is a good and reliable worker,” she smiled.



Her heart took a giant leap the moment she heard his name. Promise began to shake her head.
“What now?”
“Can’t it wait till Monday?”
She began to feel irritated by her daughter’s attitude, “Look here young woman. You are taking this gift to his party and that is final!”
She folded her hands across her chest, “With due respect mum, I cannot go. I am tired and I need to sleep. Why don’t you call your personal assistant? I believe she will gladly deliver the gift.”



She looked at her in shock. Something was definitely wrong with her daughter.
“Mum, please,” Promise stepped back into her room and shut the door.



Her jaw dropped in amazement. Where was her husband?
“Osagie! Osagie! Come and see your daughter,” Blessing went in search of her husband.



Promise la!d on her bed but she couldn’t sleep.



If her mother reported her to her dad, he would call her and probably cajole her into attending Gbenga’s party in order to deliver their gift. She doesn’t want to see him. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with him. How was she going to explain to her parents that the real reason why she doesn’t want to deliver their gift was because she was attracted to the Accountant?



She sprang up. She had to leave the house. She wasn’t going anywhere near Gbenga’s house.



********

Promise tiptoed towards the front door. Her parents were seated in the sitting room watching the television. She hoped to leave the house without alerting them. But, the moment she opened the door, her mother turned her head and saw her.
“Where do you think you are going?”
Promise closed her eyes. ‘Oh God!’
“Sleeping beauty,” her father approached her carrying a wrapped gift.



She opened her eyes and refused to look at him.