KELENNA

Senator Suites

Alright, how certain and confident was I that I knew where I was headed to when I left the house?

Because now I am standing at the side of the road with no idea where to step my foot next, except going to the stores downstairs to get some provisions I have not gone out to anywhere before.

I brought out my phone and stared at the lock screen like some magical next step manual would appear on it.

After a few seconds I sighed and kept it back in my bag not understanding why I even brought it out in the first place.

My sight wandered forward into the bush across the road, and for a moment I distractedly thought of venturing into... wait what??

Geez my crazy mind! Instead of thinking of what to do now, it's thinking of wandering into a bush!

A damn ugly roadside bush! How the heck is this related to my current problem?!

The way my brain sometimes functions shocks me, I sighed out in exasperation.

Before I got another stupid thought I turned to my right and walked slowly along the road, hoping I found something right.

After thirty minutes of walking along the busy streets of Owerri and making sure to take note of the way back, while looking around for nothing in particular...

Okay, that was a lie, because I was actually looking for something... anything that would make me leave the house the next day and get myself busy.

I've never felt so lost, I just realized that I actually came here with nothing in mind, I looked at a tailor's shop, thinking of going in... to do what?

Will I be like 'Hi good day, my name is Kelenna and I'd like to work for you.'

No. I don't even know how to sew, it should be to learn the skill, but I'm not sure I can afford any requirements need before being accepted, and I need a paying job for now so I can survive.. and I also don't know what Jideka's plan is yet!

Omo that guy don de frustrate my life now. I brought out my phone and called him again, this time around it was switched off. Way to go bro, hmph!

I walked a little farther and saw a barber's shop, Emmi's Hair Cutz, it looked pretty great as it took the whole down floor of a new building.

From what I could see from the outside, the lights, aesthetic, compound, music and bustling of activities going on, I already know I'd have to fork out 100K or more if I wanted to be an apprentice here.

Unless I'd apply to work as a cleaner or something, there's no other way.

The lights suddenly went off and I needn't be told that NEPA or EEDC, whichever name they're answering now has as usual taken the light again.

Igwe should arrange their award already and fix a date, the whole country would surely attend!

Shrugging, I turned to leave when two guys came out, each holding a 10 litre gallon and crossed over to the filling station across the road, I gazed at their dressing... Oh, their workers even wear Ankara uniform? Wahala.

I rolled my eyes and walked off even faster, I no go fit do wetin de here.

On my way back, I glanced at the tailor's shop again Senator Suites... what am I even going back home to do now?

At least this shop looked decent enough, what's the worst that could happen? Whether it's apprenticeship, internship, workmanship, or employee boat, I don't care right now.

The worst that could happen here is that I go back and remain doing nothing, I traced my fingers over my jaw for a brief moment before I damned it and entered a building, moving to the second floor where the shop occupied two spaces.

I paused at the entrance, took a deep breath before pushing the glass door and stepping inside...

The first shop was used as a showroom, several exquisite senator designs and other cloth styles lined up in mannequins, the ambience of the place was cozy and tempting you to swipe your ATM card, well, jokes on the luxury fashion because I'm on a one way express to receiving an award of lack.

Perfect instance of 'you can see but you cannot touch', nevertheless, I moved further in after roaming my gaze around, not seeing any sign or hearing any sound of anybody in.

I paused at the door that connected the second shop, it was slightly ajar.

"Hello!" I called out and knocked lightly.

No response... I knocked again.

Still, no response. If the owner wasn't around why leave the shop open like this then? Not even bothering to at least lock the protector?

I raised my hand to knock the third time, but stopped mid-air, and withdrew. I better leave before I enter any situation wey I go need explain tire without evidence!

But, just as I turned back and took two steps... I heard little snifflings... glanced back at the door, it stopped... well maybe I missheard?

Whatever though, I shrugged and walked on, but I had barely reached the glass door when I heard it again, this time around it was soft whimpers, and they got louder with each step I took.

This seemed to be a girl's voice... it came again, louder, like whoever it was, was trying so hard to control their self but failing terribly at it.

Ha! Thank God I decided to leave sha, before whatever is wrong with the person escalated and I would be roped into it.

Reaching the door, I held the handle and twisted it, ready to retire back home straight from here.

But when I stepped out of the shop the voice finally broke into soft unrestrained cries, I listened for a few seconds... no this isn't a girl's voice... It's a woman.

A woman was crying inside, and judging from the way her cries were getting bolder each second she's about to start yelling anytime soon.

I closed the door quickly and strode out in fast strides, but I only got to the stairs when I stopped, hissed loudly, ran a hand through my hair and threw my head back in... annoyance?

Why am I even suddenly annoyed now? I sighed and turned back, come what may?

I stood in front of the inner door again, this time around the cries had subsided a little, I thought I was going to witness a huge breakdown of cries by the time I returned, but the lady seemed to have gotten herself together.

Still, I knocked one more time, and received no response again. Whoever in there certainly knows someone is out here at this rate.

Rolling my eyes with a soft sigh, I pushed the door open and stepped in.