Binary Hearts

2| Fractured Friendships and New Beginnings 🌆☘️

Back at home, Precious's frustration boiled over. She paced the small living room, her face contorted with anger. "Ada, why you dey always cause trouble? Na why you still dey find job till now! You just dey lose opportunities anyhow," she snapped, her voice filled with exasperation. "You don make my rich friend vex. You know wetin you don cause? You go need find another place stay before two days. If not, I go throw your things outside."

Adaora stood in the corner, heartbroken and mad at herself for what she had done. Her eyes welled up with tears as she listened to Precious's harsh words. She knew she had messed up and blamed herself for everything.

The next day, Ada woke up early despite being awake throughout the night, searching for work online. She saw Precious was already awake and decided to greet her. "Good morning!" she said softly.

Precious turned to her, her expression still hard but less angry. "Good morning. Uhmmm... I'm really sorry about yesterday," she said in a low tone, recalling how harsh she had been. "Please, I'm sorry. You don't need to go. Just stay with me."

"It's fine. I messed up yesterday," Ada replied, her voice filled with regret. "But I need to go. I don't think it will be easy to get a job here anymore. I can still get little jobs like cleaning service or cook at Ifo," she added.

Precious, feeling a pang of guilt and understanding, hugged her tightly. "I understand. I wish you didn't have to go, but I understand," she said, her voice softening.

They both made their way to the bus stop. The scene was chaotic, with different conductors calling out their destinations. "Sango! Sango! 2!" one shouted. "Abeokuta! Abeokuta!" another called. "Ifo! Ifo!" a third conductor yelled.

"Ifo? That's it. Goodbye, Precious, and thanks for the accommodation," Ada said before heading towards the bus.

As Ada was about to step into the bus, a loud horn blared from a black Jeep almost behind the bus. "Pimp!... Ada!" a voice called out from the car. Ada, still wondering who could be calling her in Lagos, hesitated.

"Madam! You dey go abi you no go?" the conductor barked. "Commot for road make person see customer!" he added impatiently.

Ada stepped back, allowing the other passengers to board. She turned to see who was calling her, but Precious had already disappeared into the crowd. The black Jeep's window rolled down, revealing the face of the man she had slapped the night before-Paul.

"Hey! Ada, over here!" Paul called out, his expression a mix of frustration and curiosity.

Ada hesitated, her mind racing. She had made a terrible first impression, and now he was here, seemingly interested in talking to her again. She approached the Jeep cautiously, unsure of what to expect.

"What do you want?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Paul sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I get it. Yesterday was a mess. I just want to talk. Can you get in the car?"

Ada glanced back at the bus and then at Paul. She nodded slowly and got into the passenger seat of the Jeep. The interior was luxurious, a stark contrast to her current situation. As they drove off, the noise of the bus stop faded into the background.

"I heard about your situation from Precious," Paul began. "And I think we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Paul, by the way."

Ada nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm Adaora. And yeah, I guess we did. I'm sorry for... well, you know."

Paul chuckled. "It's okay. I've had worse days. Look, I want to help. I know you need a job, and I have some connections. Maybe I can introduce you to someone who can help."