The Guy I Never Met

It's Okay To Be Tired

CHAPTER 6: It's Okay To Be Tired

It was 5:30pm in Nigeria.

Ola dropped his phone on his desk and rubbed his face with both hands. The laptop screen was still glaring at him. 3 tabs open. 12 unread emails. Deadline in 6 hours.

Traffic earlier took 2 hours. Meeting ran late. His boss sent "quick revisions" at 5pm.

He was tired. Not just body tired. Brain tired.

He picked up his phone. He didn’t want to complain. But he needed to talk to someone who got him.

His fingers moved:

Ola: Hey. Are you there?

Ola: Rough day.

Kemi: what's up. Are you okay?

He exhaled.

Ola: I don’t know man.

Ola: Meetings back to back. Deadline tonight. Traffic was crazy.

Ola: I feel like I’m running and the finish line keeps moving.

He waited.

Ola: Sorry for dumping this on you.

Kemi: Ola, don’t apologize.

Kemi: It's okay to be tired.

Kemi: You don’t have to be strong all the time with me.

Ola: I just feel behind. Like if I don’t finish tonight, I’ll fail.

Kemi: One day at a time, okay?

Kemi: You’ve handled hard days before. You’ll handle this one too.

Kemi: Drink water. Stretch your back. You’ve been on that laptop too long. I know that laptop is fighting for his life already. Give yourself a break.

He laughed a little. She sounded like his older sister.

Ola: Yes ma 😂

Ola: Thank you. For not saying "just push through"

Kemi: Because that’s not helpful.

Kemi: I’m so proud of you, Ola. For working hard. For showing up even when it’s hard.

Kemi: I’m always rooting for you. Always.

Ola leaned back in his chair.

Ola: You make it feel less heavy.

Kemi: That’s what friends are for.

Kemi: Work can wait till tomorrow if you need. Your health matters.

Kemi: Have you eaten today?

Kemi: Please tell me you didn’t skip lunch because of work.

Ola glanced at the time. 6:00pm.

Ola: I just had something small not long ago.

Ola: I had bread and coke. I’ve been so busy I forgot.

Kemi: Olaaa 😩

Kemi: Bread and coke? That’s not food, that’s survival.

Kemi: After you’re done with work, go and eat something proper. Rice, stew, anything.

Kemi: You can’t be running on empty calories and deadlines.

He smiled at his phone.

Ola: Yes ma, noted 😂

Ola: I’ll order something when I’m done. I Promise.

Kemi: Good. Send me picture proof o.

Kemi: I don’t trust you people and your "I’ll eat later".

Kemi: Take care of yourself. Nobody else will do it for you.

Ola: You’re doing it for me though.

Ola: Thank you, Kemi.

Ola: 2 more hours and I’m done. Promise.

Kemi: Okay. I’ll be here with you.

Kemi: Send me updates. Or voice notes. Or just "I’m still here".

Kemi: You’re not doing this alone.

He didn’t reply for few hours. Just worked.

Then:

Ola: Done.

Ola: Thank you, Kemi. For real.

Kemi: Proud of you. Now go sleep.

Kemi: Tomorrow will be easier. I promise.

Ola: Wait. Did you eat dinner?

Kemi: Me?

Kemi: Nah. I didn’t cook.

Kemi: I’ll just eat tomorrow morning.

Ola: Kemi??

Ola: Why?

Kemi: I don’t really like cooking.

Kemi: I cook when I have to. I just don’t enjoy it like that.

Ola: What??

Ola: That means you’re lazy 😂

Kemi: No I’m not lazy!

Kemi: I don’t like cooking. There’s a difference.

Ola was grinning at his phone now. The stress from earlier was gone.

Ola: Hmm. I enjoy cooking a lot o.

Ola: I really love cooking.

Ola: I would really love to cook for you one day.

Ola: I would love for you to try my food.

There was a pause.

Kemi: Okay...

Kemi: Let’s wait and see if your cooking is as delicious as you say it is 😏

Ola: It is. Just wait.

Ola: Now go and at least drink water. Don’t sleep on an empty stomach.

Kemi: Yes sir.

Kemi: Goodnight, Ola. And thank you.

Ola: Goodnight, Kemi.

Ola closed his laptop. For the first time all day, he didn’t feel like he was drowning.

Because someone was in his corner.

And maybe... he wanted to be in hers too.

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TO BE CONTINUED...