NOON
638 Words
9
Stella's office was closed for the day but few workers stayed behind to finish up their works. Stella sat on her chair rounding off the last account she would be auditing for the day.
As she right-clicked the computer mouse to save the changes she had made to the document, a message popped up on her phone. She reached for it and checked the message.
***Treaty Restaurant, Ikoyi. Five-thirty. Don't be late- Richard***
Who does he think he is anyway? She scoffed. She checked the petit wristwatch on her left wrist: 5:12. She had eighteen minutes left to make it to the date. Stella doesn't want to go on a date with her boss but she doesn't want to lose her job either. So, she shut down her computer system ad packed up her things hurriedly. In a rush, she raced to the elevator as she made a mental note of the time she will spend to arrive at the restaurant. Ikoyi was an eight-minute drive from Trust Insurance Plc.
The elevator tinged as its door opened. Stella trotted out of it and headed to the reception where she met a familiar figure. His back was facing her as he placed his thumb on the biometric attendance machine on the wall.
"John?" She called to aver her suspicion.
He turned around and saw her looking eagerly at her. Suddenly, he felt nervous and became conscious of his appearance.
"Hi um..."
"Stella. The name is Stella" She offered.
"It's funny I still don't know your name," He said as he broke into a nervous chuckle.
"I know, right" She affirmed as she was beginning to feel nervous herself.
"I... I didn't see you today"
"Yeah... Uh... I was busy" Stella replied as she checked her wristwatch: 5:18
"Shoot! I'm sorry I have to leave now" Stella informed.
"Yeah... uh... Your number?" John requested as he brought out his phone.
Stella recited her phone number in a rush as John quickly typed it on his phone. She walked to the biometric attendance machine and placed her thumb on it to sign out. The moment she was done, she said a hasty goodbye to John.
***
Mama John-as she was popularly called by the students-brought out a packet of chin-chin and a bottle of chill orange juice from the fridge to serve her young guest. She brought them to the table in front of her guest.
An hour ago, Mama John had brought Chidera to her house and allowed her to clean up in her bathroom. The benevolent lady also taught her about ways to take care of herself during menstruation. She went as far as giving her two menstrual pads to use afterward.
Chidera felt relaxed. However, she was still worried about her father and her sister who will be wondering where she was.
"I'm worried about my family, ma" Chidera voiced out.
"Do you know your father's phone number by heart?" Mama John questioned.
"Yes ma"
"Give me his number"
***
Pa Chukwu was worried. However, he kept his cool as he sat down on the armchair and dialed the number of one of Chidera's teachers. The number was unavailable and that made him more worried. His daughter has never been this late before. He heaved a troubled sigh as he tried dialing the same number again.
Suddenly, his phone rang disrupting his activity on it. He checked his phone and realized that it was an unknown number that was calling.
"Hello, who's this?" He questioned as he picked up the call.
"It's me, Papa. Chidera" The teenage voice ranged out from the phone.
"Nne (Dear), are you alright?" Pa Chukwu asked concerned.
"I'm fine. I'm at the house of the woman that sells snacks in my school" What? I don't understand you"
"Um, papa. Something happened today."
- Writer
