Within these walls

Chapter 5

Cover by @TheOmoope. Thank you.

It is one of those days I don't feel like leaving my bed and I had intentions of working remotely, I had called in already. Although some people are more productive from their comfort zone, working remotely for me translates to pretending to work but not doing anything.

I was on my praying mat scrolling through twitter, thirty minutes after praying zuhr when I received a distress call from one of my team members concerning an influencer we were working with for a project.

"I am on my way, Emeka" I sighed.

It was supposed to be a rest day.

I changed to jeans and a shirt dress, wrapped my veil roughly and wore my comfortable slides that my mother hates. Because I decided not to go out today, my brother took my car out, therefore, I had to get an Uber.

"We were not expecting you today," said the receptionist with a smile.

"Will you people ever allow somebody in this office rest," I rolled my eyes and walked briskly in.

My goal is to fix whatever the problem was and go back home in thirty minutes hopefully.

"Emeka what is the problem? I walked into the office my team members share.

"Remember how I said we shouldn't use this influencer, I heard he has ego issues. But Salim insisted he was good. Well, he hasn't put up the post for today. Sent him countless messages and he isn't replying," he complained.

"Emeka, you didn't want us to use him because you wanted your girl on it. And I told you, your girl doesn't have the engagement for that product. I even promised we will use her on a smaller project, so quit whining and let us figure out why the post is not up."

I honestly don't think I needed to be present for this issue to be resolved, because it isn't like the other influencers didn't post, it was just one. But then Emeka has a knack for blowing things out of proportion.

An hour of sending messages, making calls to the influencers personal assistant and figuring out what to do about the day's post, I strolled out of the office. It turned out that the influencer woke up sick and had to be rushed to the hospital. Being a high profile influencer, his P.A was going crazy about different posts of brands he was working with not going up and also making sure he was getting adequate medical attention. I am honestly not even mad, yes we have lost getting the post up at the peak period of the day but then it wasn't intentional. We often tend to neglect our health and work round the clock like machines, sadly, the end product of that is always getting completely down. We need to do more, take more rest and look out for ourselves. That work you want to kill yourself for, if you die today, they will get a replacement. So as you are relentlessly chasing the bag, don't forget to take care of yourself. Find time to live, have fun, rest and enjoy the little things life has to offer. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.

I sat down at the reception waiting for my Uber that has been four minutes away for over twenty minutes. AK and Mr Ahmed walked out of Ak's office and I just sighed. I didn't want to meet AK today, he called me about something earlier on and I told him I had a headache.

"Madam, I thought you were sick?" he asked with a smirk on his lips.

"I am, but Emeka and Salim had to drag me out of bed because things in this office just don't move without Salima." I said with a straight face.

"Good Afternoon Mr Ahmed," I greeted with a small smile.

"Afternoon Salima, what is wrong with you?" he asked politely.

"There is nothing wrong with her, she just didn't want to help me." Interjected AK.

"It was a slight migraine, I am better now. Thank you for asking," I completely ignored AK.

My phone rang before AK could say something and I was so grateful.

"You are here? Alright, I will be with you shortly." I spoke to the Uber driver.

"My ride is here, I have to go."

"What of your car? Did you get into another fight?" asked Mr Ahmed with a teasing smile.

"I am not always fighting," I rolled my eyes with a small smile.

"What do you mean another fight? You have shown yourself abi?" spoke AK.

"It is nothing you need to know. By the way, AK abeg tell Aisha to send the food she promised me, I am not joking with you and your wife," I called out while walking out.

"How do you have such bants with your staff. It is very admirable that you have created a comfortable working environment," commented AbdulJalal as AK walked him out.

"I mean I try to create a very comfortable working environment but I have known Salima since she was 10. She was mine and Aisha's school child back in secondary school and we have been stuck with her since then," AK smiled.

"Make sense, why you guys are always bickering," laughed AbdulJalal.

"She is a handful, her mouth will give you a run for your money. But she is also one of the smartest people I know. She knows what she wants and goes after it relentlessly, she is also extremely kind," AK finished with a proud grin on his face.

"Yeah, I experienced a different side of her a few weeks ago. Found her on the road having an altercation with a taxi driver. But she has also been very brilliant so far with the project, constantly updating me and coming up with good ideas. "he ended.

"That Salima for you," added AK when they got to AbdulJalal's car.

He bade him goodbye and walked back to the office.