NAIJA TEENS

Chapter Sixteen

Chika

I crossed the road and entered the Cyber cafe. I was early today so not much people had arrived.

I walked towards my office and stopped when I saw Mr Richard.

"Good morning sir" I greeted cheerfully

He turned and smiled when he saw me " How are you dear?"

"I'm fine sir"

"That's good, I heard what happened last Friday, hope everything is fine now?"

I nodded and slowly entered my office, I didn't have the strength to talk too much today. I wonder how Mariam will act when she sees me. She looked really sad on Thursday.

Dropping my black Fendi bag on my desk, I flopped into my seat and powered on my desktop ready to start the day's work, I was really behind due to my absence on Friday. I had a lot of ledgers to type, proposals and many more.
  "Good morning Chika" A voice, unmistakably Tawa's greeted.

I twisted in my seat and smiled "Good morning" I returned to my desktop and typed in my password.

"You didn't come on Friday" She asked taking a seat in front of her desktop. I noticed her dress. It was a floral pink t-shirt, tucked into baggy jeans trousers. She was wearing a bold neck chain, more like a Cuban and large round earrings. She kind of dressed Alté-ish. It was nice.

"Uhm, yeah" I replied.

"Why?"

"I had to do something important, so I took a day off." I said. I was saying the truth but not the full truth. I didn't want to start telling anyone anything. I didn't want pity and sympathy for my best friend. She had all my love and that alone was enough.

"What? Did you go out?" She prodded

This one is a certified amebo o. What's her business?. " Yeah, I went out with my brother"

"You have a brother?"

"Yes"

I sighed when she kept quiet and opened my drawer to take out a book. I placed it on the table and clicked on Microsoft office.

"How old is he?"

I clenched my fist on the table hoping she'd see it and stop pestering me with her questions and groaned inwardly.

"He's twenty"

"Wow, he must be in the university then?"

"Yes ooo"

She still didn't grab.

"Does he stay with you guys?"

I turned to face her fully "You're distracting me, I have a lot of things to do. I'll give you his number if that's what will make you leave me alone" I raised a brow "hmm?"

"No!  I'm sorry, I tend to get carried away. I talk too much. I'm sorry" she apologized looking a bit embarrassed.

I nodded " I can imagine" and turned back to what I was doing.

Well, Mariam came to work quite late. I was almost done with my first assignment when she entered. I pretended I didn't see her. I didn't know what to say to her regarding Thursday's ordeal. She greeted Tawa and they both chatted a little before settling down. I could feel her eyes on me but I ignored.

"Madam Chika" she sneered.

I turned and gave her a bright smile.

"Hi Mariam! Good morning"