WILLIAM

Bad day

Episode 1

Written by FARUQ HAMZAT

William

I woke up early, just as I always did, the sun barely peeking through my curtains. After a quick stretch, I headed to the bathroom to take my usual morning bath. But before I dive deeper into my morning routine, let me take a moment to introduce myself. My name is William, I’m 27 years old, and I’m the only son of Mr. and Mrs. David. I’ve got dark hair and a fair complexion, and some would say I have a baby face—handsome, or so I’ve been told.

Once I finished getting ready, I made my way downstairs, the enticing aroma of breakfast wafting through the air. You see, I don’t have a maid to help around the house, but my mom had come to visit, and I was thankful she had prepared a meal before I woke up. It was nice to have that motherly touch once in a while.

I sat at the dining table, savoring the warm food on my plate when I began to think about the day ahead. It was Monday, which meant a long week of work lay ahead of me. Just as I was about to finish my meal and head out, my mom interrupted my thoughts.

“Good morning, son,” she greeted, her voice cheerful.

“Morning, Mom,” I replied, trying to match her enthusiasm.

“How was your night, son?” she asked, her smile broadening.

I couldn’t help but wonder why she seemed so cheerful. Since her arrival, her behavior had been somewhat peculiar. Back home, my parents were frequently frustrated with me for not introducing them to a girlfriend. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to; I just felt unprepared for a serious relationship, which was one of the reasons I had moved out. The pressure to settle down was overwhelming.

“It was good, and yours?” I replied, forcing a smile, hoping to keep the conversation light.

“Good too,” she said, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

“Okay, goodbye,” I said, getting up from my chair and moving toward the door, but she called out to me once again.

“What is it, Mom?” I asked, my patience wearing thin.

“You’re getting engaged this weekend,” she declared, and I burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.

“Why are you laughing?” she asked, a confused look on her face.

“You’re joking, right?” I managed to say between chuckles.

“I’m not joking. Since you haven’t brought home any woman, your father and I have decided to take matters into our own hands and help you out,” she said with an unexpected seriousness that silenced my laughter instantly.

“Guess who we’re talking about,” she continued, a smile creeping back onto her face.

“No matter who it is, I’ve already told you—I’m not ready,” I replied, my frown deepening as I began to feel a sense of dread.

“Whether you like it or not, you’re getting engaged this weekend. Your father and I are tired of your excuses, and the person we’re discussing is Anna Jackson,” she said, which made my jaw drop in shock.

What? Anna? That crazy girl!

Anna Jackson was someone I knew from a distance—our friendship was largely a formality due to our parents’ connections. She was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, with Mr. Jackson being my father’s best friend. Although both families were relatively affluent, my father was slightly wealthier than hers. Anna managed one of her father’s companies, while I oversaw one of my father’s ventures. She was 25 years old, incredibly assertive, and, frankly, quite ruthless. I remembered the stories of how she had fired nearly all her father’s employees for the most trivial reasons.

“Mom, that’s not happening!” I exclaimed, my frustration bubbling over.

“It is happening, son,” she countered firmly, her voice rising to match my own.

“Mom, why are you doing this to me?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm, but the rising panic was hard to disguise.

“You can ask your father that question,” she said, turning and walking back into the house, leaving me standing there, utterly bewildered.

I felt the walls closing in around me as I processed what had just happened. My mother was always supportive, but this was a new low. The pressure to settle down was palpable, and I felt like I was being suffocated by expectations.

I took a deep breath and stepped outside, the fresh air hitting my face like a cold splash of water. I needed to think. The drive to my father’s house was filled with a mix of anxiety and anger. My mind raced with thoughts of what this engagement could mean. I had no feelings for Anna, and I didn’t even know if I could stand being in the same room with her for more than a few minutes. Memories of her domineering personality flashed through my mind, making me dread the idea of spending my life in such a situation.

As I navigated the streets, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life was spiraling out of control. The weight of my parents’ expectations felt heavier than ever, and I was unsure how to respond. Would I really have to go through with this?

Short part from episode 2

I drove straight to my father’s house, my mind racing with a mix of anger and confusion. How could they do this to me? Confronting him was my only option, even if I wasn’t sure what I would say. When I arrived, I stormed into the living room, where I found my father tending to the garden, seemingly unfazed by my sudden entrance.

“Good morning, Dad,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady…

See you in the next episode .