Made for me

"Why does society always see women as weak? Why do they always find a way to contain us?" Said Rose as she crossed her legs, looking at Ruth with eyes of interrogation! It'd been a long time since her face graced sleep. She doesn't smile much nor relate with people and doesn't seem to be amused by anything. For these reasons, her life to some people is rather boring, but she doesn't seem to care about people's opinions about her life. "Am a diamond in the dust" she would say to herself to clear her head and motivate herself. She has dark skin and has noticeable parted teeth. Ruth, on the other hand, is jovial and gets along with people pretty well. She's a good listener and more. If there was a word to describe her, it would be a box of flowers because she had that smile like a sunflower saluting the sunset. You can tell that she is a bundle of joy. Her round cheeks and pointed nose say a lot too. Rose loved her for numerous reasons but would often scold her for being too soft-hearted. "Is society really to blame," Ruth replied in a tin voice. "Not all women see the need to chase a career in life, you know? some just slay all their life." "Hmm not me dear I can't let myself depend on any man." "The Lioness herself," said Ruth as they both laugh at themselves like a group of hyenas that just stole a carcass from a careless leopard. Rose is the managing director of a brand promotion company called, Admade Branding Pro. While Ruth is her personal Assistant, Sidekick, bestie, and Gossip partner. The company is packed full of different personalities, behaviors, and employees. Like a cocktail, each of them has a vital role to play. From a clown to a gentle person and to some who feel that they are fountains of knowledge, they all work together to achieve the set-up goals of the company. Like a cake, they must all be up and animated to make it perfect. The boss wouldn't allow any slip-up-"Double up" she would say. Her voice to her employees is like someone screaming "Police". At once, they examine themselves and get back to their workspace with quick urgency. No one wants to be the scapegoat. At least not today. "Madam, I hear say you dey call me" (speaking in Pidgin Language) "Adamu yes I did" as she stared at her laptop with a gall expression on her face it was obvious she was irritated. "I learned that you left your duty without anyone knowing your were about, right?". "Madam I go buy Agbo that time. "My belly dey turn me that time"(speaking in pidgin again) "ok no problems. You can go". "Madam you said I should go?" "Leave!" She screamed at Adamu with a roaring voice as he fled from her presence like a monkey climbing up a tree to escape a predator. A moment of silence at the offices where everyone gets the information being transmitted. Like a curfew, everybody's movement is limited and supervised."Here is the Designs ma" said Timi as he adjusted his tie. "Impressive but a little touch here and there" "Am on it," said Timi as he left in a hurry. He knows the job description better than anyone, and working with Rose for 3 years now has taught him that you should always bring your A-game to the table. Those that are sloppy and not hardworking have their names highlighted in her list of liabilities. Reaching for the telephone sitting at her table, she punched her telephone keys to dial Mr. Tunde's number "Can you come to my office" she said."Ok madam" he replied. "You sent for my ma," said Mr. Tunde as he walks into Rose's office. Lifting his eyebrows to show that he is giving his full attention, and he is all ears to what his Boss has to say. "Tomorrow I was supposed to go with you to the studio to shoot the photos for our Premier Fruit drink company, but I won't be able to tag along because I have a meeting with another company". After completing the statement, she raised her face to look into Mr. Tunde's eyes for mutual feedback. "Of course, I can handle that" " I know you can," she said as she slowly turned her face away. "Am, not doubting your experience but you are kind of old school you know?" as she wears a cranky smile on her face. "Haha, I would say am rather authentic and my service is as old as fine wine" as he adjusts his belt while raising his shoulders. She burst into laughter "Who dash monkey banana" (speaking in Pidgin) as they both laughed together in agreement. Mr. Tunde is the oldest employee and the Marketing director of the company. He is a father of four and a born hustler. With a warm smile on his face, he worked majestically outside of the office. Fatigue starts to kick into everyone at work. It's almost time to go home and they round up sluggishly like a group of zombies. A typical evening in Lagos. You can tell that this place is no man's land. From the conductor shouting at the bus stop, to the hawkers selling in the traffic jam, you would know that this place is a land of the survivors of the fittest." Hey baby girl" said Ruth as she walked into Rose's office for a closing hour summary of work and gossip. "Did you see Ms. Chima this morning?" asked Ruth. "I think I did" Rose replied, wearing a confused look. "What about her, she asked" as she placed her hand on her chin. With a focused eye, she stared at Ruth. "Nothing!" she replied "What's nothing," asked Rose. "Is it just that some people's makeup could break our glass windows in this office". Her statement was not direct, but Rose knew where she was going with the statement, but didn't want to join her sidekick to mock her employee. After a few seconds when she thought about it, the urge to laugh kept kicking in. "She looks like she was wearing a Chinese mask" she replied, as they burst into laughter while they leaned on themselves because they could barely hold themselves. "She is devoted to her job and that's what I like about her," said Rose "She is" replied Ruth, as she nodded in agreement. Ms. Chima is a single mother from the eastern part of Nigeria, the Igbo tribe. She came to Lagos to search for greener pastures. She's the mother of a handsome boy who schools in a boarding school in Lagos. Finally, it's 6 pm and everyone starts retreating to their various homes. They are all in a hurry. I mean, who wouldn't be? In a place where the people are more than resources, you tell the amount of competition. Everyone in Lagos is always in a hurry and let's not even talk about traffic. Every unplanned movement will get you trapped in traffic. Driving home, Rose turns on the radio in her car and switches it to her favorite radio station, Ray Power FM. (voice from the radio) "Good evening Naija is your host Adekunle Okpe and on today's show we will be talking about internet frauds and bad governance, but before we start we will take a quick break and we will be right back. This is one of the ways she clears her head after a day of hard work. She would often listen to shows speaking about true love and within her, she would love something like that, but her lifestyle and romance don't seem to mix up. She could get herself anything on the market and she got a designer closet, but wouldn't mind a piece of love. Rose is 27 years old and has had a few failed relationships in the past, but she's not in a hurry to get into any for now, but time is not friendly with her. She's a strong woman. No matter how hurt she is, she would never let it show on her face. Arriving at home, she took a relaxing shower, then she lay on her couch to write in her diary and she wrote, "Hey, Monday, I guess you are just another day of the week. Your princess is still in her castle alone. No prince is charming out here, but I wish there was an adventure today. I had hoped to see knights fight in the arena, but still, you choose to be just another regular day". She then went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Her phone rang, "Hello Mama!" My daughter, how are you doing?" "Am fine Mama, how is your health? " We thank God" Olorun bukun fun e omo(God bless you my child) (speaking in the Yoruba language) "Amin" (Amen) Rose replied as her Mother rains prayer on her from the dept of her heart. Soon as she ended the call, she went to prepare dinner, and she opened the refrigerator to get some frozen Agusi soap which she had stocked and warmed up in the microwave after dinner. Rose said a couple of prayers as she instructed, then it was goodnight from the Lioness as she lay herself to rest after a busy day at work. Work the next day was hectic. Rose had fixed a staff meeting. Everyone hurried down in quick urgency. The last person entered just five minutes after the fixed time and was asked by Rose to stand while others sat for the meeting. In some other crucial meeting, everybody will stand. "I called this meeting to inform you that the estimated profit for last year was not meant, and to inform you that this time around it would not be so. To also remind you that no staff is bigger than the company. Every staff is replaceable. So if you like your job, bring your A-game. Is that clear? "Yes boss", they replied with a corresponding slacking voice. "A few employees will be presented with awards today because, even with a shaky year, some people still give it all and they are as follows. First on the list is Mr. Tunde". Clapping was rattling everywhere in the office. Mr. Tunde is everyone's favorite. Known for his reputation for being a man with integrity and loyalty. He is Rose's oldest employee. With a majestic walk, he came to pick up the trophy. "The second here is Timi Fashiola and the final call out is Ms. Chima. After the brief meeting, it was back to work for everybody. It was a quiet day at the office. The only thing speaking here are your staples, staplers, and PC keys. A lot of new goals were set and were something to take seriously. The pressure was simultaneously clipped to everyone. The silence is understandable and, at this point, there was nothing more relevant than pleasing the boss. Everyone is busy with something or nothing and nobody can afford to be idle at this point. " Sweetheart, hope you are still accompanying me to the Lady's get-together?" asked Ruth. "You know I am only going there because of you. I mean, what's so interesting in the gathering of successful ladies who come together to narrate their complicated life among themselves? Some of their arguments are annoying". " That's not true, you enjoyed the last one". "I laughed, but it didn't mean I enjoyed it, and at this point in my life, I should be far from people like that and you know why". "Because they are all stocked in life terrible reality". " Not only that Ruth, their gossip is too raw and they also carry around unverified rumors. I am not judging but I will go because of you". "Thank you dear, you are the best". After the day's work was wrapped up, they drove to the get-together. The other ladies didn't seem to see them come in because they were all animated and cut up in discussions at their table. These ladies here are all millionaires. You could figure it out, by looking at them. Their human hair, their big handbags, and their sunglasses say it all. Glamour and riches are all they seek. When they arrived at the place, the group of ladies were all carried away by gossip that they weren't even aware of their presence. "Hello ladies" said Ruth, to break their communication and bring them back to reality. "Hi", they all responded together. "Welcome come girls, you just in time you didn't miss much" said Lady T. She is the assumed leader of this group and if this was a group of fishes, she would be the shark among them. Her size and her loud voice help to keep them in line. Rose is the only one bold enough to speak up. She will often counter back any form of oppression projected against her. "This weekend we are taking my husband's private jet and we are going to Paris". Everyone was so happy when they heard her say that. Some even screamed to show how delighted they were, except Rose and Ruth, who refused to be part of what they assumed to be an insane proposer. "Count me out" said Rose as she wrecked the raising party with a simple word. "What do you mean and why?". "I cant just leave my work and just dash to Paris all in the name of having fun. I'm sorry I cant. "You should try to have fun sometimes. You are just too boring for my liking. You should try and relate more. No wonder no man is looking", said Lady T. "I would rather be a boring woman than be a parasite of a wife". Lady T didn't say a word. She was stunned and the statement took her unaware. Rose had given her a double combo of whatever hit she thought she made. This is because it was true. Many people think she might have charmed her husband with a spell that made him do all her bidding. She is a major beneficiary of her husband's wealth. Sprayed on his funds like a web and also the woman with action bottom. Whatever he does, he must first seek approval from her and he doesn't have a say in his own house. "If you are interested, you know where to find me". Then the 300 pound woman left their meeting. After she left, the conversation continued at a new pace. "Please teach us how to be courageous like you madam R". "Please don't add me to that list of ridiculous nicknames, I beg you". Rose responded to Ms Joy who was a participant in the get-together. "So any news on how to make more money? Asked Ms. Joy but no welcoming answer to the question. "Rose, I heard your numbers went up and that your new ride is evidence. Babe show us the way na? (speaking in pidgin language). "If you really want to follow my way, you will have to be a boring woman like me who spends extra hours working and has no time for play". "Wonder woman" replied Joy as they all burst into laughter. When the gist had finished, they left for their home as Rose went to drop Ruth off at her place. The display board inside her car has been beeping a red light since 30 minutes ago. The fuel level has gone down and the red light indicator has been on for 30 minutes now. There has been fuel scarcity for 2 weeks now and it's no longer a bearable. The petrol stations are chocked full of people waiting to get gas for their car. She didn't have the strength to fight for her turn. she just decided to save herself from the stress and went home. Her tired body was craving a bed to crash on. The next morning was chilly due to the heavy rain that fell all through the night. Rose was eating tea and bread for breakfast, to warm herself up for work, when she saw the daily headline on the Lagos news at 7am and it said, "Fuel scarcity doubled in less than 12 hours. In the process of digesting the information, she realised that she had run out of fuel yesterday. The beautiful day had started turning ugly. The economy here is the worst you could think of. I mean how can a country that is a major supplier of crude oil have a scarcity of gas? To make things worse than they already were, the rain started dripping. After grabbing her umbrella, she went into the troublesome rain. She then took a 4 minute walk to the bus stop. While standing on the road, herself and a few people, a car at full speed came and splashed water on them. They were all baptized with fresh mud water. "You are mad". "Not be very stupid". These and many other responses were thrown at the owner of the car. When he came out to apologise, the angry people kept raining insults on him. Rose was the leader of the 5-man mob. She took the lead and used her handbag to hit the boy's head. He then pleaded harder and they were calm. He then went to grab a bunch of money and was ready to settle in a familiar language . The language of paper. The angry men and women had switched from an angry mob to a cheering group. The person that owns the car was a young boy and probably one of those internet scammers. He must be high or something. He was like a rich tug and the smell of weed was stuck to him, but the mob didn't care who handled the money, all they wanted was a spice of the good life. Rose was shocked at their actions. Money does really have a loud voice. She now realized that most of the people in these streets were slaves to money. Bound in chains by the hunger in their complex stomach. She withdrew quietly out of the group and took a cab home for a change of cloth. When she finally got to work, she found some of her workers standing around looking jobless, but as soon as they noticed her presence, they quickly adjusted to their duties. She was not in the mood to punish anyone today. It was a regular day at work in the beautiful city of Lagos.