Within these walls

Chapter 10

It is frustrating when people that work for you are incompetent, but do you know what is more annoying when the incompetent person is elderly.

So, I have this small car that is being used as a taxi for me. The deal is he brings a certain amount at the end of the week for me and he keeps the rest for himself. Therefore, if for example he makes 100k a week and my money is just 20k, then he gets to keep the 80k. But this old man is out to frustrate me, every month it is one problem or the other. At this point, I am considering selling the car, because it is either the money he brings is not complete or something is wrong with the car every other month.

"How much do you think the car will be bought?" I spoke to my mechanic on the phone.

The amount he is saying is not corresponding to the figure I conjured in my head.

"You know what I will get back to you," I said.

I will need to think deeper about that before I make the final decision. Immediately I dropped the call, a call came in from the delivery person bringing my lunch, therefore, I stood up to go get it.

I was sipping my Ribena and humming to the song I was listening to when I bumped into Abduljalal and AK. I don't know why AbdulJalal is always in this office, but a week doesn't go by without him stopping by. Maybe he is working on something private with Ak I thought.

"Hi Salima," he smiled over AK's shoulder.

I am really not in the mood to socialize today sha, but let me be nice.

"Hi AbdulJalal" I gave a convincing smile.

"Somethings will never change, you still prefer the small juice box over the bottle or can?" asked AK.

"I am telling you it tastes better when it is in a juice-box," I laughed.

"I don't even understand. Which normal adult thinks there is no juice greater than Ribena."

"Please no Ribena slander here and it is not a juice, it is an essential liquid for existence." I rolled my eyes.

"I don't think it is an essential liquid for existence, but I think it is an okay drink," commented AbdulJalal.

"It is not okay, it is amazing, the best thing you will taste in this life." I defended.

The Ribena argument was not about to end soon, so, I slipped away to go get my food and luckily for me before the delivery man came back from looking for change, AbdulJalal and AK had moved to the parking lot.

"AbdulJalal why are you always in this office?" asked AK, as AbdulJalal slipped into his car.

"What? A man can't stop by to see his friend when he is in the area?" asked AbdulJalal

"Guy you live in Jabi, your office is in Garki, you don't have a business in Wuse 2. You know coming here every day won't get her attention, right? You need to speak up," voiced AK.

"I don't know what or who you are talking about," denied AbdulJalal.

"Alright then, time would tell," shrugged AK.

Lunch was shredded chicken with avocado and everything that makes up a salad. So, healthy but tasty. I was typing out a new post for my blog when Bimbo came in.

So, I have realized that the more money you have, the more you spend and that is just the cycle. Hence, diversifying my income. Aside from my job here, I am a silent partner in a clothing business that my friend runs, then the transport business and I have decided to take my blogging seriously. Whatever you do in this life, as long as it is not beyond your ability, work and have money. It stops alot of nonsense.

"Aunty Salima, I want to talk to you please," said Bimbo.

"What is it?" I asked looking at her.

"It is kinda personal, I hope you don't mind. Do you know if AbdulJalal is married or has a girlfriend?"

"What?" I chocked on my spit.

"I honestly like him and I want to know if I should pursue him or not." She added.

"First I think you are very bold. I like the energy of shooting your shot, life is too short to wait for who you like to notice you. But, don't you think he is too old for you?"

"No, he is probably in his late twenties and I am in my early twenties, perfect arrangement," she said looking very excited.

"If he is AK's friend, he should be in his thirties. But I don't know him like that to know about his marital status," I said.

"Please will you ask AK," she begged.

"Errm, okay. " I will ask him later.

"Thank you," she squealed and walked out of the office.

I went back to work, but I had lost concentration. Bimbo is bold sha, I mean I am pro shooting your shot, it is either you get what you want or get a no. if we are being honest, the no will hurt like hell or even bruise your ego but what it won't do is kill you. And to be frank AbdulJalal is quite the catch. But then again with these Abuja men, they will be acting sensible and flustering you when they have a whole family at home. The dating game is crazy. I opened the fridge in my office to get water and realized I had run out. So, I decided to go get from the kitchen. I met AK on my way to the Kitchen.

"Ehen! I was sent to you o," I said with a laugh.

"Who?" he asked.

"I was told to ask you if AbdulJalal is single?"

He looked at me pointedly and then smiled.

"You were sent, abi you sent yourself?"

"No joor, it is Bimbo. She likes him."

"Isn't she like 17," he asked while opening his eyes.

"Guy, she is in her twenties. A grown adult," I corrected.

"AbdulJalal is single but she is too young for him abeg."

"How do you know that without asking him? Besides he has been coming here often and they seem very close anytime he stops by, so, maybe he is interested too." I shrugged.

"I know he is not interested and the person that brings him to this office is not her," said AK and he walked away.

Well, I tried, I thought as I got my water and went back to my office.

Around closing time, Bimbo asked me if I had spoken to AK. The girl is ready, she is out with guns to spray her love bullets on AbdulJalal.

I told her that Ak said he doesn't know, she should ask AbdulJalal herself. We ended the conversation with her planning on how to slyly ask him, so, he doesn't think she is desperate but will also get what she is driving at. I am suddenly interested in this AbdulJalal and Bimbo situation, I can't wait to see how it will turn out. If it turns out well and they get married, they need to name their child after me, because I introduced them.