Previously On The One I Love.
Credit Temitope Daniel
. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. You came for the job?” She enquired again, though she knew.
“Yes.” The laides chorused..
“Another visitor is here… Mr Tolani.” He informed her.
“Let him in instantly.”
Tolani smiled and appreciated him. He approached her office slowly.
Stella and Favour stood up at once and glimpsed at each other. “The Madam, the C.E.O, I think.” Favour spoke.
“Miss Feyi right?” He asked and took few steos forward.
“Yes sir.” They both chorused.
Temitope Williams called Stella to know her state of health. Temitope ask her if she had no job.
“My friend and I are just jobless,
I can help you with that employment issue.” He replied her.
“Really? You can really do that?” Stella asked happily.
“It’s a thing that can be done easily. An assistant managing director for contracts is needed in this company. And your friend, she can be transferred to my second branch to head the Sales Department.” He explained.
Stella almost threw away her phone. “When should we come sir?” She asked.
“Since I just got you informed, come tomorrow morning.” He told her.
“I’m really grateful sir, I’m so grateful and will forever be grateful. Thanks so much sir.” She was appreciative.
“You’re welcome.” Temitope smiled and ended the call.
Tobiloba was the contracts managing director while Stella would be the new assistant to him.
CHECK THE PAGE FOR EPISODE 7
Episode 8
As luck would have it, Stella and Favour got the cleaning job canceled without delay. Another better choice had come, Stella was the happiest on earth, that day.
She was still jumping happily when Jumoke- a co-tenant in her mother’s house called her that there was a big problem. Her mother’s cough had grown worse. She also knew if it should start, it was always disastrous and frightening.
She left the house with her only friend and rushed down to her mother’s place. She had no money on her to cater for her mother, how would she pay to the Doctor if she took her to the clinic for better treatment?
Her mind striked Tobiloba. At least, he might be able to help her out. If he wasn’t callous, he should be able to help seeing tears on her eyes. She decided to give it a try.
On getting to her mother’s place, she told Favour to get a cab, they’d take her to the hospital. She had been using palm oil and salt on it but it had a little control over it. Her cough had grown to the stage of vomiting blood.
She took her to the hospital right away, without having any cash on her than the transport fare. She didn’t have Tobi’s mobile phone number likewise. She remembered she could collect it from his Grandma at home and from there, she’d visit his office.
*****
She called Tobiloba, crying profusely. Even Tobi the thick-skinned was moved. He told her he’d come and meet her at his Grandma’s place, she should wait for him. The last time he heard someone cry that much was the day his mother was dying in the hospital. She was just weeping that day, likewise him.
He had no mother any longer and knew how painful it was to loose a cherished mother. He promised himself he’d do anything to save her mother.
It was almost lunch time, an opportunity for Tobi to leave as fast as he could to visit his Grandma’s place. Immediately it was lunch time, he set out for his Grandma’s place instantly. He was praying within himself that nothing bad would happen to Stella’s mother. Though, it wasn’t that he loved her but anything that had to do with mothers, he did take it serious.
He arrived to the hospital with Stella. He made sure he settled part of the bill and promised to come with the remaining in the evening. He just went to the ATM to withdraw some cash.
“Stella followed him outside, she was just appreciating his kind gestures.
“I just did this because it’s painful to see someone groaning in pain and there would be no help. No strings attached, I don’t love you oh!” He frowned.
“All the same, thanks.” Stella smiled.
THE FOLLOWING DAY.
Stella walked into Temitope’s office with her friend, Fave. They were both looking smart and beautiful. “Please sit.” Temitope smiled and stretched his right hand, showing them the seats.
“Thanks.” The ladies chorused and sat down.
“So, how’s your health now?” Temitope was smiling.
Stella chuckled. “I’m now alright.”
“Don’t mind me, I just like being troublesome.” He grinned. “Yeah.
“Let me see your credentials.” Temitope stretched his right hand forward to receive the credentials.
Favour and Stella handed the credentials to him and patiently waited for him to speak.
“This is great!” He eventually spoke, smiling.
“Thanks sir.” Stella grinned.
“This is not an issue of thanks, they are both great.” He smiled.
Stella and Fave kept smiling.
“Because I don’t want to be sentimental, come for your interview tomorrow, Stella. And you… Fave.” He said.
“Alright, no problem.” Stella said.
****
Evening, 6:30pm.
Stella knocked at Tobi’s gate softly and patiently waited for his response. She was smiling as she awaited his presence. She prayed she wouldn’t be scolded for coming to his house that evening.
He finally came out of the house. “Who’s it?” He enquired, drawing closer to the gate.
“It’s Stella.” She replied.
Tobi opened the gate and took some steps backward. “Good evening.” Stella grinned.
Tobi shook his head and sighed. “What is it again?”
Tobi was already dressed, he had his car key in his hands. It seemed as if he was ready to go out. “I came to appreciate what you did yesterday. Thanks so much, may God always bless you.” She prayed.
“You are welcome. Is that all?” He asked her.
“Yes but… where are you going to by this time?” She enquired.
“And does it in any way concern you? Its my life, not yours!” He exclaimed.
“I’m sorry, just wish you to be safe. And, I was given a job in a company today, I was told to come for interview tomorrow.” Stella told him.
“That’s an achievement… though I heard same thing happened in our office today.” He hissed.
“Really?” Stella smiled.
Tobi gave her a angry look.
Stella took her eyes off him and dipped her hand into her handbag. “I brought you this..” She handed a mouth organ over to him.
Tobi was shocked. “Have you ever seen the picture before?” He asked her.
“Picture? What picture?” She questioned.
“So it means you’ve never seen it, how come you know I love mouth organ?”
“I just bought it.” She said, smiling.
“Come right in.” Tobi lead the way, Stella was still holding the organ.
Both entered while Tobi offered her a seat. He also sat down, looking moody. He stood again and walked to the shelf, he picked up the picture and gave it to Stella.
“Let me tell you what happened… That picture is the picture of where my parents and I took a group photograph and as you can see, I was holding a mouth organ. That day was the day my mother bought me a mouth organ as my birthday gift and took picture with me, including my father…” he paused, already going emotional.
He sniffed and continued. “That was the first and last day there was unity, peace and joy between my parents before my mother eventually died of cancer.” He started weeping.
“I’m deeply sorry I brought this to remind you of the past. I’m deeply sorry.” Stella also felt like crying.
“No, not that. I was going to the joint to drink as usual when you knocked but with this mouth organ you brought, I won’t go anywhere again.”
Stella felt like asking more questions on the issue of his parents but didn’t want to bring his pasts to his memory again. “Im really sorry.” She repeated.
“Since my mother died, I’ve found no joy rather than drinking, going out with friends. I’ve been down, I’ve hated ladies and everyone around me. Her death really hit me because I thought she wouldn’t die. She was the only precious jewel I could hold on to..” he continued weeping.
“It’s alright. But can you promise me one thing?”
“What?” He asked.
“That you are going to give up drinking.” She replied.
“I can’t… Don’t annoy me. Just get going…”
Stella exhaled deeply and stood up
Lets wait and see the next episode , your comments are welcome too
#Teampobs ✌
