Blooming

4.

𝑭𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺

Cosmos Prints was located at the Rear of Shagari road. Though originally known as Murtala Road, the printing press had masked away the name due to its popularity. A three storey building that houses the biggest printing press in the state.

From the sharp bend that will lead one to the Company's gate, Tall tress and well trimmed flowers were arranged  all the way into the company. A big parking lot was to one side plus a Masjid which was painted in white and green. The whole building was itself white. Behind the Masjid lay a telltale of a lounge where huge couches were flanked by a short fence and a shade atop. All around were scattered trees which give the atmosphere a seraphic grace. That was the Men's lunch area. Moving further from the masjid, You meet the magnificent office building. An interior decorators Paradise which was designed by the gifted hands of the best.

The abundance of trees and flowers in the building gave most of the office floor to ceiling windows a breathtaking view. The ground floor houses the main reception, A mini kitchen, and the Machine room which took almost the whole floor with its industrial sized printers and packaging machines. Near the kitchen was a staircase that will lead you to the first floor which has a mini reception and almost all the staff offices. The Top floor was mainly for the CEO and the standard ICT and main Packaging hall. No one was allowed to the top floor except the staffs.

The First day Halima had set foot in Cosmos, she concluded that there was no where she would rather be.
What She loved the most is the careful attention to detail. From the painting on the walls to the Plants arranged in beautiful vases on all the floors. Impeccable service aside, the ambience alone is enough to have customers trooping in.

Her interview had been done swiftly with ease all thanks to her connection from the Top. The CEO was her Mother's bosom friend. The job had came knocking on their door the week after she was back from her masters. She had welcomed it with open arms as she was in need of a job at that time. Money had never been the reason to drive her into making choices. Passion had. And she loved the idea of working in a printing press that paid well and would question as well as sharpen her creativity.

From Wedding souvenir packages, to Stickers, Stationary and Graphic design related works, Cosmos had risen to top both National and international standard.

She had blended in quite easily with the other staffs and had found a niche for herself in its many segments.
She had risen up to the rank of the Office secretary  within four years purely based on merit.

...................
"Let me gist you what happened to my neighbor. Her Husband's girlfriend came to her house. Can you believe that she even gave her food and she ate? It was when she was leaving she said greet our husband. I swear when she told me I nearly sprained my ankle with the way I flew off my chair in surprise." Says Ummu Nana her hands fervently trying to emphasize the gravity of What she was saying.

"What! Wallahi it is ambulance that will take her out of that house. I will beat nonsense out of her body. Shegiya. I hope it is not that your neighbor who you introduced us at Maina's wedding?

"Ita ce. But what is wrong with these generation. They don't have any shame. How can a woman follow a man to his house? Ah ah." Ummu Nana said with a worried expression.

"Don't get me started on those Desperados. When they see men, they are like honey bees in danger. Can you imagine I saw a text on my husband's phone the other day. The girl was begging him to pick her calls. I sent her number straight to block list after insulting the decency out of her. That is if she has any left."

"Yours is better ai Ummu Sabreen do you know that yesterday at Shoprite a girl dropped her number in My husband's cart? I was enraged but I composed myself and pretended not to have seen it. When He thought that I wasn't looking, the hypocrite folded it and put it in his front pocket. As God will catch him, he forgot to remove it so I picked it this morning and sent her a befitting text. The audacity! How can someone stoop so low? Sha, next time she will think twice before dropping her number in someone's cart."