It has been two weeks now and I have not set my eyes on her. Not even a glimpse. Yet I wake up every morning with her on my mind. That perfect picture of her never leaves my head. It is what I see every morning when I wake up and every night before I go to bed. Sometimes I get angry with myself because I'm supposed to be thinking of a way to make my life better, maybe switch my job to one that pays better. And besides, I could possibly never see her again.
Using that to push the thought of her out of my mind, I rubbed my eyes and reluctantly rolled off my bed. It's a Monday, so I knew I had to get to work earlier than usual.
I stood up from where I was and walked to the bathroom to get ready for work, I wasn't the breakfast type so I didn't plan for any of that. Growing up as an orphan with just your 15 years old big sister to look after you made me get used to eating once a day. After taking a bath and putting on my red "The shervs supermarket" imprinted T-shirt, I walked towards the mirror and stood in front of it, looking at myself. I looked pale and had dark circles around my eyes. I used my fingers to rub my eyes hoping the dark circles would rub off but knowing deep down that they wouldn't. I was used to living a sad little life with the same routine every day, but with Atinuke now in my mind, I felt a little brighter. With her name coming back to my head I immediately recalled her stunning figure and a smile appeared on my face.
"Stop it Ejiro, she was a one-time thing that will eventually wear off" I screamed to myself hitting my head multiple times with my palms. It was then I heard my 7:30 alarm ring. That was a reminder that I had only 30mins left till I become late for work. I put off the alarm and hurriedly tied my hair in a low bun before attaching my detachable afro bun. After looking in the mirror for the hundredth time I picked up my phone and bag and left for work greeting almost everyone I walked past.
On getting to the supermarket, I met a new employee. He was tall and dark with a lot of beards. He was wearing the employee T-shirt but of a different color. He looked clean and also looked like he was rich, seeing that he wore Amiri jeans with his t-shirt. But if he was rich why would he apply for a job in a supermarket?
"Good morning Ejiro" Mr. David said interrupting my thoughts.
"Good morning sir" I replied smiling but switching to a frown almost immediately. He was my boss so it seemed unethical when I smiled and besides he was married.
"I hope your night was fine." he asked not waiting for my reply
"This is Andrew our new staff, he's joining us for the first time say so make sure he settles in well."
"Hi, Andrew" I said turning my gaze to him.
"Damn, he's fine!" I said again making sure my lips didn't move. This was the perfect coincidence. Maybe if I got close to Andrew it would help me get my mind off Atinuke.
"He's going to be working in the same department as you, that's why I'm introducing you both to each other" Mr. David said interrupting me once again.
"Perfect!" I replied out loud. I needed help over there anyway.
"Follow me, I'll show you around" I said to Andrew walking in front of him and making sure to sway my hips so he would notice me in that way.*** *** *** ***
After much work and hip-swaying, it was now time to get dinner and head home.
"Good night Andrew" I said waving at him and giving him a flirty look.
I walked over to Mr. David's office to sign out but didn't meet him so I took out the sign-out book from his drawer and leaned on his desk to sign. Suddenly I felt like someone was standing behind me. Hoping it was Andrew I leaned lower on the table and felt the tall figure move closer to me, feeling a little uncomfortable I turned to see who it was and to my greatest surprise it was Mr. David.
Feeling overly disgusted I yelled "Sir move back!" using my hands to make a backward sign.
"Errhhmm, I'm sorry Ejiro" he replied almost immediately, I could sense the fear in his tone.
I took my bag and said my last goodbyes before heading to "Chubbies" a restaurant where Sarah worked.
Sarah was my best friend, she has been my best friend for 4 years now. She was the first person to say hi to me when I moved into my apartment given that she lives a block away from mine. I always love to be around Sarah, though we love to live our lives low-key, I've known Sarah to be talkative, she's like an open book with different characters in it. Always has something to say about everything happening around her.
"Ejiro walk fast na!" I heard someone yell as I entered Chubbies.
Yep! That's my bestie, I increased my footsteps so that I won't hear her scream my name again cos people will surely look to see who she was yelling at.
" How far?" I said to her taking a seat in front of the counter.
"Have you packed dinner?" I immediately asked not waiting for her response.
"Yes, I have. How was work today?" She asked hoping to get a full gist.
"It was okay, nothing special happened," I replied, I wasn't in the mood to give any gist at the moment.
I sat in silence and waited for Sarah to round up so we could eat dinner and go home.
On getting home, I told Sarah that I needed her help with my makeup tomorrow and as expected she was excited to help me.
"Well, it's about time!" She said to me as we said our goodnights and headed to our different apartments.
As I got to my space, I immediately took a nice bath and lay on my bed. I was too tired to watch any movie, so I drifted to sleep.*** *** *** *** ***
I rolled to the end of my bed and stretched my arm to put off my alarm. Something inside me told me to close my eyes and go back to sleep but I knew I couldn't even if I wanted to. Sarah would be here anytime so I had to get ready ASAP.
"C'mon Ejiro, you can do this." I said to myself rubbing my eyes.
I stood up from my bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. Coming out. I heard a knock on the door and knew immediately that it was Sarah.
"Ace, isn't it too early?" I said to her as she came in.
Ace, that was what I loved to call her given that she had that "Bad Bitch" attitude.
"It's never too early to put on makeup" she replied pushing me out of the way because I was walking too slow.
I sat down and watched Sarah make me up while we were gossiping about our fellow employees and their dress.
"Wait o, why exactly are you putting on makeup? Sarah said cutting short our conversation.
" Can't a girl just want to look extra beautiful?" I replied knowing full well that I was only going through all this stress because I wanted to impress Andrew.
"I've been waiting for this part of you for four years now!" she said.
We both laugh before we continued our gossip...
I got to work early that day because I didn't want to meet Andrew at the supermarket if not it would raise suspicions about my makeup.
"Good morning Mr. David" I said making sure not to look at him as I walked to my post. I didn't want to make the environment any weirder than it was yesterday...
The day had gone halfway already and Andrew was still nowhere to be found. My makeup was already being washed away by my sweat, so I decided to ask Mr. David.
I picked up my phone and walked to his office and knocked on the door.
"Come in" I heard him say
"Good afternoon sir, sorry to disturb you. I only want to ask why Andrew is not at work yet sir" I said going straight to the point.
"He called in and said he'd be absent at work today because he'd be running errands for his dad today." Mr. David responded.
"What a waste of makeup," I said to myself
"Alright, Thank you, sir," I said out loud this time, taking my leave.
I walked straight to the restroom and washed the make off my face out of anger. I worked in silence for the rest of my work period.
After frowning throughout I signed out and headed to Sarah's.
"What happens to my handiwork?" Sarah yelled after seeing that I washed my makeup off.
"I got tired so I took it off, I'm sorry Ace."
"So much for waiting for this part of you" she replied frowning.
After eating dinner with Sarah at Chubbies, I waited for her to round up from work. I took that time to arrange my bag. I turned to get a bottle of water when I saw Andrew walk in. I immediately turned my face.
"Ejiro!" I heard him say.
"Hi Andrew, what are you doing here?" I asked in surprise pretending to see him for the first time.
"I came to get dinner, I just finished the errands I had to run" He replied smiling.
"Well, my best friend works here so I come here every day after work to meet her so we could walk home together" .....
" I told you to wait for me, Andrew!" I heard a familiar voice yell cutting us short. So I turned to see who it was. And there she was. I felt my heart stop beating and my belly tighten as a sudden heat rose from inside me. She was still as beautiful as she was weeks ago. Still had that rough hair bun on, with her cute round face.
"Hey! I remember you from the supermarket down the road" She said smiling and referring to me. Still had that beautiful smile on her face.
"Yeah, I remember you too" I replied almost immediately, straightened up yet again, and took a sip of water.
"Seems like you and my elder brother are getting along" she said smiling again
"Wait what!?" "Elder BROTHER!?" I screamed out loud almost choking on my water.
"Yes," they both replied.
You've got to be fucking with me!
I was seducing the elder brother of the girl I admired!
THIS DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN TO ME!!!
YOU ARE READING
Fantasy
RomanceAfter being straight for over 18 years, Ejiro meets someone that makes her doubt her sexuality. Will she follow who her heart beats for or does coming out as Queer Nigerian Woman make her ignore it?