Adaora, a brilliant yet self-doubting programmer from Ifo, Nigeria, faces the harsh realities of life when her mother falls ill. Armed with exceptional tech skills but struggling with low self-esteem, she ventures to a city in Lagos seeking for job...
As they pulled up to the airport, the morning sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting a soft glow on the terminal ahead. Adeola's thoughts, which had been swirling with excitement and anxiety, were momentarily interrupted by the sight of her parents waiting outside. They stood together, a familiar and comforting sight, yet the moment was charged with anticipation. Adeola's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively smoothed the fabric of her sleek white dress, mentally preparing herself for the reunion. The high neckline and the way the material hugged her form gave her a sense of both confidence and vulnerability.
Tunde, sensing her unease, parked the car and turned to her, his face a portrait of calm assurance. His eyes, warm and steady, locked onto hers, offering the reassurance she needed. "Ready?" he asked, his voice cutting through her nervous thoughts like a soothing balm.
Adeola took a deep breath, forcing a smile as she nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They stepped out of the car, and almost immediately, Adeola's mother spotted them, her face lighting up as she waved enthusiastically. Her father, standing tall with his hands in his pockets, maintained a more reserved expression, his gaze fixed on the approaching couple. As they walked towards her parents, Adeola could feel the familiar tension knotting in her stomach. This was the moment she had both eagerly anticipated and dreaded. Would her parents approve of Tunde? Would they see the qualities in him that she had come to cherish?
Her mother reached them first, engulfing Adeola in a tight, almost crushing hug. "Oh, my darling, it's so good to see you!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.
Adeola returned the embrace, a warmth spreading through her chest as she inhaled the familiar scent of her mother's perfume. "I've missed you, Mum," she whispered, her words heavy with the weight of their time apart.
Meanwhile, her father stepped forward, his movements deliberate and measured. He extended his hand to Tunde, his gaze scrutinizing but not unfriendly. "It's good to see you, Tunde," he said, his tone formal, though not without a hint of warmth.
Tunde shook his hand with confidence, meeting his gaze evenly. "Likewise, sir. I hope the journey wasn't too tiring."
Adeola's father nodded, his eyes flicking between Tunde and Adeola as if weighing his thoughts. "It wasn't too bad," he replied, before gesturing towards the exit. "But let's not stand around here. Why don't we go somewhere more comfortable to catch up?"
The suggestion was met with unanimous agreement, and soon, they were seated in a cozy café near the airport. The small, intimate setting was perfect for their reunion. The atmosphere was warm, the smell of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet aroma of pastries. As they settled into a booth, Tunde's ease and charm quickly became apparent. He engaged in the conversation effortlessly, his thoughtful insights and genuine interest impressing Adeola's parents.
Adeola's mother, ever the observant one, couldn't help but notice how well Tunde fit into their dynamic. At one point, she leaned in towards Adeola, her voice low and conspiratorial. "He's a good man, Adeola. I can see why you're so fond of him."
A blush crept up Adeola's cheeks, her heart swelling with affection and pride. "He is, isn't he?" she replied softly, her gaze drifting towards Tunde, who was engaged in a lively discussion with her father about business.
The day unfolded with a surprising sense of ease and connection. They talked, laughed, and reminisced about the past, all the while, Adeola found herself marveling at how well Tunde and her parents got along. It was as though they had always been a part of each other's lives, seamlessly fitting together like pieces of a puzzle that had finally found their place.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the café, Adeola's father stood up, signaling the end of their time together. A white Rolls Royce had arrived to take her parents to their home in Victoria Island. Before they parted ways, her father extended his hand to Tunde once more, this time with a firmer grip and a look of approval. "I'll be expecting you tomorrow for the legal deal," he said, his tone carrying a note of finality.
Tunde nodded respectfully. "I'll be there, sir."
With that, they exchanged farewells, and Adeola watched as her parents were driven away. The day had gone better than she could have imagined, yet the sense of impending change lingered in the air.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Meanwhile, at Paystack, Adaora was already knee-deep in her work. The open-plan office buzzed with activity, the sounds of keyboards clattering and quiet conversations creating a familiar, comforting background noise. Adaora's focus was absolute, her mind immersed in the codes and algorithms that filled her screen. After a few hours, she decided to take a short break and made her way to the coffee machine. With a steaming cup of coffee in hand, she walked over to Chidi Okoye's office.
Chidi looked up from his desk as she entered, a small smile playing on his lips. "Good morning, Adaora," he greeted, gesturing for her to take a seat.
Adaora returned the smile, her steps light as she crossed the room. "Morning, Chidi," she replied, taking a seat opposite him.
For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them, the kind that often accompanies close colleagues. But then, Chidi cleared his throat, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Adaora," he began, his voice careful, almost hesitant, "I'm sorry."
Adaora blinked, taken aback by the unexpected apology. "Sorry? For what?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Chidi hesitated, as if weighing his words. "I just heard about my dad meeting up with you... about me," he finally said, his tone laced with a hint of embarrassment. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Adaora's expression softened as she realized what he was referring to. "Oh, it's nothing," she said, brushing off his concerns. "It's normal for a father to be concerned about his son's life. Really, it's totally fine."
Chidi's eyes searched hers, looking for any sign of discomfort. "Thanks for understanding," he said, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "I know love shouldn't be forced, and I get that. But..." he paused, his gaze intensifying, "I'll wait until you realize Tunde isn't right for you."
Adaora felt a knot of unease tighten in her stomach at his words. Clearing her throat, she stood up, suddenly feeling the need to put some distance between them. "I should get back to work," she said, her voice a touch strained.
Chidi nodded, watching her with an unreadable expression as she left his office. Adaora walked back to her desk, trying to shake off the lingering tension from their conversation. She was relieved it was over, but something in Chidi's tone made her realize that this wasn't the end. It was just the beginning of a subtle, quiet battle-a battle for her heart that Chidi was now fully committed to.
