A Nigerian Christmas: Twelve Days Before Christmas (IN WORKS)

°THURSDAY°

               
         
         ~16th December, 2021~

If the ground could open up and swallow someone as a wish then I would be wishing it so many times. The pressure from not being a failure made me stay up all night, praying and hoping this was it and we didn't have to start all over. I could not close my eyes for too long cause I was too nervous about today. Everyone on the board would be watching what I have dedicated time to mostly 24 hours. Anxiety got the best of me in times like which luckily didn't get me killed.

I didn't need any sleep as I would be doing that on the plane to Lagos. I was going home earlier as an excuse to run away from "I told you so" faces. I am proud of my work but sometimes one cannot be too sure. The nervousness to see my family and the nervousness to watch the boss's facial expressions as they watched the short film as Francis would call it made me almost wee my pants as Francis played the advert.

Silently they watched the advert, while I watched their expressions which was very unreadable for one who was good at reading people's expressions. I kept reminding myself to stay calm and collected like a boss but I was so far from calm let alone collected. My emotions were swinging like jangilova and looking to Francis for help was a lost course. The advert rolled to a stop and before I knew it they were all laughing and agreeing to the advert. It was like music to my ears as I let out a long sigh from holding my breath for an unsure period.

They all walked out of the room, Mr Doyle stopped to congratulate me on my first big assignment so did Mrs Elebe. I appreciated her for everything as we walked to our office and handed her a Christmas present and farewell gift. I was not going to be around for her farewell party which lowkey I am happy about. I would pick reconciling with my family rather than attending any of Wanse's farewell parties after attending several parties since I joined Wanse.

Mr Doyle summons me to his office before I can sit in my chair and take in my new joy. I walked into Mr. Doyle's office which was some distance close to Mrs. Elebe's, my soon-to-be office. No more close cubicles with annoying colleagues.

"Miss Olaseni." Mr Doyle smiles, showing his pinkish gum. "Congratulations... Your leave was approved yesterday but you would still be working for the new project you delivered."

"Thank you, boss. I really appreciate it."

"You better might be the last I might do for you."

I chuckle knowing he was pulling my legs.

"Happy Holidays Tumini."

"Same to you Mr Nathan." he laughed

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"I knew you had it in you. I am really happy for you." Demola says as they walk to the supermarket next to their office. "I would miss you... First Christmas without you."

"In just four years we've met Demola." I chuckle.

Blessed with friends I could call soulmates, after leaving Lagos with a broken heart and a bag full of disappointment. Demola was the first person I met, at first I took him as a random stranger who wanted to ask me on a date. But I had explained my life history to him hoping to scare him away and see me as baggage, he had laughed out and told me he just wanted to ask if I was a particular person who later bailed on him and we ended up sitting together and talking the night out.

"That story won't get you far dear." he had said after I told him my usual story I tell guys moving towards me. "Men like to pity girls like you." he laughed.

"Is not like she would be gone forever." Amina scolds him, always the mother of our little group. I just felt blessed to be with them after losing my best friend to whatever argument we had after what had happened finding solace in the hands of Damilola, my sister's boyfriend.