ALMOST THERE

CHAPTER III: FATIMA!

I had closed from work but I did not want to go home because of what awaiting me. My cousin and my brother made life impossible for me. All they did was to eat,eat and eat! They never helped out with the house chores. They also liked of playing loud music which disturbed the neighbourhood a lot.

In fact, they were a handful and I just couldn't stand them! Mum was always insisting that I'd be patient with them but I was fed up. I sat in my chair thinking of where to cool my head. A lot of eateries and hangouts came in mind but there was one thing missing. I needed company! I hated being in public places by all myself.

I checked the time and it was already seven o'clock. It was getting late and I still hadn't made a decision as to where I wanted to hangout. I was so bored at the office. I decided to enjoy the view outside the office, just to kill my boredom. So I lifted the blinds and looked through the window and what I saw surprised me indeed!

It was Fatima! She was hugging and kissing a man old enough to be her father! I tried to figure out who he was but it was difficult because,they were both in the dark. They both entered a car which I presumed belonged to the man, and sped off.

I was so disappointed! I never expected such behaviour from Fatima. For she was a woman from a very respectable home. Then  I thought to myself, we're in the twenty first century where some young women fancy older men and vice versa. So I had no right to judge her. I only hoped that he wasn't a married man.

A lot of thoughts were running through my mind that evening. I began to wonder why Fatima never told me about her having a relationship with an older man.
I was curious to know who this man was. Then I developed a plan that since Fatima had decided to keep this from me, I would spy on her! I made a decision to stay behind the next day, to enable me  gather more information about the affair my best friend was having secretly with an older man!

I decided to head home now. I needed to rest and prepare for the next day. When I arrived, everyone was seated at my living room waiting for me. Mum started with her usual nagging about how I shouldn't stay out late because, we lived in  a "wicked" world full of murderers and kidnappers. She then served me dinner.

I couldn't eat much for I had no appetite. I kept thinking about what I saw. I never knew that Fatima could be this secretive. Anyway, I had devised a plan to get to the bottom of it, so I didn't care about that anymore. I cleared the table and washed the dirty bowls in the sink which awaited me while I was at work. "Let me handle Fatima first. Then I'll find a way to get rid of these lazy bums who have turned my house into a jungle later"! I soliloquized.

After cleaning up, I took a cold shower to calm my nerves and made myself a cup of green tea. I sat on my bed a sipped it slowly. Then I had this crazy idea of calling  Fatima to ask her whereabout. But I controlled myself. I didn't want to look suspicious.

The next day, I made sure to arrive early at work. Grace who was the office genitor, was very surprised to see me. "You're early today ma'am Hope all is well"? She asked. "Good morning to you too grace!" I replied and just walked pass her because,I knew how inquisitive she was. She would move from one office to the other, spreading rumours and gossips. So I never entertained or engage in long informal conversations with her. "Sorry madam, I never meant to intrude" she replied.  I pretended not to have heard what she said and entered my office.

"Have good day madam"! She hollered. But I slammed the door in her face! I prepared myself a cup of coffee to start my day. I was only anticipating the presence of one person; Fatima!
Soon, I heard a knock on the door. It was Fatima's assistant, Jerry!
"Good morning ma'am. My boss asked me to give these documents to you. She wouldn't be coming to work for the next ten working days! She told me to inform you that, there'll be a stakeholders meeting and she'd like you to attend on her behalf, since Mr. Tachie Menson would be attending a conference in Accra". He said.

I just took the document from him, thanked him and excused him.  My brain froze. " Where could Fatima have travelled to"? "This girl has really become secretive".
Does she not trust me anymore"? I thought to myself. Just then there was another knock.
"Please come in"! I yelled! It was Grace, the office gossip. I mean, the genitor. "What do you want Grace"? I asked. "Ermm.... Sorry ma'am but I left my dustor on your shelf" she replied. "Pick it up and leave" I shouted. She quickly picked the dustor and just when she  was about to leave and I stopped her. "Wait please come back" I said. She was surprised. "Ma'am,you mean I should....... ?She replied timidly
"Yh have a seat"I interrupted.

She pulled the chair slowly and sat down placing both hands on her laps. I could tell that she was very scared. "Relax I'm not going to bite your head off" I said. "I only need one thing from you" I continued. "And what could that be ma'am"? She asked nervously.
" I want you to tell me what you know about Fatima's trip". I demanded. She was in shock!
She could not believe I would ask her to do such."But ma'am I thought it was against work ethics for me to leak information about a staff's activities and conversation to another"?! She asked. "You what?... Just leave my office! I said.
She hurriedly got up and left banging my door.

I was so ashamed of myself. I couldn't believe that I could stoop this low just to get information about Fatima, while I had the option of calling her to clarify issues. I then thought it wise to wait for her return so we could talk. When I became less anxious, I started making preparations for the stakeholders meeting which was just in a couple of hours.