The Road That Leads To You

CHAPTER ELEVEN

At twenty four, I can say that I had become an adult. I was a hundred percent responsible for myself, I couldn't turn my back on my responsibilities and I had to show up for myself. After my youth service (a compulsory employment of Nigerian graduates by the government where graduates are to serve their country for a year), a very popular news station that I looked forward to working with, reached out to me. Back then at school I was very present on social media (I still am), it was my happy place. I went into rural areas, crossed rivers in shabby and unsafe canoes, slept in huts in villages that were hidden from the outside world just to get raw information. I risked it all to get authentic news that I could share with my audience. I made those communities visible to the public which in turn brought help to them. I got recognized by a lot of prominent faces, and pages but I never knew that the almighty 360 News was paying attention to my work. They reached out to me via my email and a week later I went to their news station in Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja. It wasn't really an interview, at least it didn't feel like one to me. The HR was a very friendly lady who has an incredible fashion sense. She welcomed me with a genuine smile on her face and led me to her office. She shared with me the company's goals and told me that I would be a great asset to the company. I was thrilled to be seen as an asset by a news station of that caliba given that they're very picky and very keen on protecting their integrity so they don't just employ anyone. She hit the nail on the head when she said that they would love to have me on their team. Without further hesitation, I agreed and just like that, I got the job and was asked to start in the coming week. I thanked her and left. I didn't go straight home because I had to restock, my house was literally empty. I had to buy groceries, meats, fruits and vegetables, seasonings, water, toiletries and body care essentials. I decided to go to the supermarket close to my house and after shopping I went home. I live in a flat: it has a room, two toilets (one in my room and one in the corridor for visitors), a kitchen and spacious backyard. My black cat whom I named blue (because of his eyes) shares my bedroom with me, he has a bed beside my bed, a wardrobe that contains his clothes and toys and a tree house just the perfect length and size. I freshened up and made tomatoe stew and macaroni for myself and my cat. I called Miriam and shared the good news with her. She was so excited, more excited than me. I told her that she could come over after work because I made her favorite and we also have some catching up to do. She arrived at my place by 6:50PM with snacks and a carton of Capri Sun.

“These are for you girl.” She said

“Thank you so much love, this is actually telepathy cos I forgot to get Capri Sun when I was in the store earlier. You're literally a life saver.”

I dished out her food in a plate and asked about her day.

“It was cool. Stressful, demanding but worth it. It's just this doctor at the hospital, he's so full of himself. He doesn't know when to stop, he would choose his ego and laziness over the life of a patient.”

“Really? What did he do?”

“Intentional negligence. That's what I call it, the other doctors can cover it up as much as they want but they know that everyone knows he doesn't deserve to wear that coat.”

“Girl, give me the gist already.”

“Okay, so a man came in today with a swollen face and bruises all over. All he needed was a surgery because there was a glass inside his abdominal cavity, he was lucky that it didn't pierce his kidney. Could you believe that this man said and I quote, “Just a few bruises and he's acting like this? He's just looking for attention, I have serious patients to attend to.” Like what?!”

“He said that?”

“Yes! We were the only doctors available in that moment, the rest were busy. I couldn't do it, I left two patients briefly so that I could attend to that man. I begged him to help the patient because I knew he wasn't doing anything and he said no. I had to threaten him.”

“What kind of doctor is he? Does he even have a heart?”

“No, he doesn't. I told him that if he doesn't attend to him, I would report him to the management. He called be a b***h and reluctantly did as he was told. I hate him.”

“I think it'll do the hospital great good if they fire him. He would make a grave mistake one day that would cost a life and probably give the hospital a bad name.”

“I've been saying that but the bosses don't listen. Anyways, congratulations girl I'm so happy for you and I'm proud of you.”

“Thank you Mimi.”

“You always talked about them, how you want to work with them, how you can't wait to show them what you can do. And now, you're their employee.”

“I know, I'm so happy. They sent my appointment letter to my email an hour ago, I've responded to it so all I have to do is print it out.”

“I'm so happy for us right now, we are doing the things we love to do and that pleases me.”

“Me too Mimi. So, tell me about this guy, Henry.”

“Well, we've been talking for two weeks, we went on five dates and from what I've seen, I like him. He's accomplished, well spoken, educated and a gentleman.”

“What does he do?”

“He's an architect. He has his own company and it's doing really well and plus mark, he wants to settle down. He isn't desperate but he’s intentional and he knows what he wants.”

“I like him too. So, when I you saying yes?”

“Tomorrow. I won't be going to work tomorrow. I wanted to give him my response over the phone but he insisted that we have that conversation face to face.”

“My girl is taken!”

Miriam giggled and asked, “Tura, when will you move on with your life?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, as if I didn't know what she meant

“Girl, when will you let Jaden go? That dude is probably out there living his best life, who knows he could be married or in a serious relationship. You deserve love too Tura, put yourself out there.”

“I don't think about him anymore Mimi, believe it or not. I just want to focus on my career for now, I just landed my dream job, let me focus on that. I'm happy just as I am.”

“Tura, you can't fool me. I know you're happy as you are but you are intentionally avoiding men with the hope that Jaden will return. Yes or no?”

“Yes. I just feel that there is a reason behind what he did.”

“You know what? I always thought that when you become an adult, maybe you'd realize that it's just childish stuff. You know, things that kids do in school that they don't really understand.”

“It's not so for me Miriam. You know how I was back then, I was serious with everything. I took him seriously.”

“Did he reciprocate? No! Don't you see? Six years babes, no calls, no texts not even an email. Doesn't that prove that he doesn't care about you?”

She has a point. I want to experience love but I have to accept that it won't be from the man I love. I just have to decenter him.

“I've heard you, Mimi. I'll put myself out there.”

“Good. Jaden isn't the only sweet man in the world. Go out on dates, you're smart so you'll make the right choices. Forget about that guy.”

I walked Miriam to her car, we hugged and she drove off. I went back inside to work. I had other side hustles; content creating and graphic design. I had to complete a design for a client who opened a new fashion store and I had content to edit and post. Once I was done, I fed Blue and went to bed.