Where is Precious?

Damnnn

Precious don tuhama

Go on.

Could she be in the kitchen? I went to check the place.

"Precious?" there was no answer and she was not there.

Maybe she went out to buy something. I went back to the bedroom, hoping to find her bag or her clothes.

None was there. How could Precious leave without telling me?

I picked up my phone to cal her. It rang on and on. I sent a Whatsapp message to her, demanding to know why she left just like that.

She did not reply. I was appalled. How could she be behaving this way over a matter she was supposed to show understanding and support? Alright, maybe she was miffed by my outright insistence on abstinence. I had no doubt that soonest, Precious 'would get over it.'

I decided to forget about her for now. I took bread and tea for breakfast, then, I took a jotter and a pen. I wrote out the numbers I was expected to decode. I studied the numbers and tried to make a sense of them. I could not.

Maybe they stood for alphabets. I wrote the twenty-six alphabets and numbered them. I then tried to solve the puzzle. The outcome did not make sense.

I was about to give up when another idea came to my mind. I tried to renumber the alphabets, in reverse order. This time, the numbers formed the word: gravitas.

This must be it, I thought in excitement. I was finally able to solve the puzzle! But what was the meaning of 'gravitas'?

Was it an English word? I asked Wikipedia and got the answer. As a matter of fact, I loved, and still love, what it meant.

Without wasting time, I sent the answer through the Whatsapp number that I received the puzzle. Through out that weekend, Precious refused to pick my call or respond to my messages. I could not understand her grouse.

Keep it up.

CasNova:
Keep it up.

Thanks

Go on.

Through out that weekend, Precious refused to pick my call or respond to my messages. I could not understand her grouse.

Was she not a pastor's daughter who should understand the sanctity of my stand? I did not hear from the firm too until late Sunday afternoon when they sent a message congratulating me and directing that I should report to their V.I office by nine o'clock Tuesday morning.

That morning, I tried to look my best in the formal clothes that I wore. I had to set out early so that I would beat the traffic. This time, I realized only a lady and me were invited. I was called in before the lady.

I met a panel of three members who asked me sundry questions, ranging from educational qualification to professional qualification, including my membership of institute of public relations.

They said what their client was willing to pay me. The pay was satisfactory but I was puzzled by the use of the word 'client'.

They explained that all they were doing was on behalf of the client. Now that everything had been concluded, I would start the job that week.

"Can I know who the client is?" I asked.

The only female member of the panel smiled. "You will know in due course," she said. "All I can tell you for now is that he is a very reputable member of the society."

The head of the panel hemmed. "Tomorrow, you will start a three-day workshop," he said. "It is a crash programme to prepare you for the challenges of the new job. Before you go, you will collect a letter from the secretary that will detail the themes, venue and time of the programme. For now, accept our congratulation on your success."

He extended his hand for a hand-shake. I stood up to take it.

"Thank you, sir."

The other panelists took turn to shake my hand. It was the end of the interview.

I went to the secretary. She gave the letter for the workshop and explained that the letter of employment would come upon completion of the workshop. I thanked her and left the place.

The letter I got showed the venue to be Dolphin Estate, Lagos. The three-day programme would start by nine a.m. There would be morning and afternoon sessions with break in-between.

I was happy I would be starting something new. It suddenly dawned on me that I would have to resign my teaching appointment with immediate effect.

While I would not miss this opportunity, I would certainly miss my students and colleagues. Well, in life, change is a constant thing.

On getting home, I decided to call Precious. I wanted to share the good news with her. Once again, she refused to pick or acknowledge. I decided that in days to come, I would have to see her mother and explain things to her.

Nice update.

Interesting. Go on.

Ride on.

On getting home, I decided to call Precious. I wanted to share the good news with her. Once again, she refused to pick or acknowledge. I decided that in days to come, I would have to see her mother and explain things to her.

Her mother was an assistant pastor and I believed it was high time she intervened in this matter. I went to school early Wednesday morning to drop my resignation letter.

It was about the end of the month, so I would have to forfeit the salary for that month. I did not stay long as I had to get to Dolphin Estate on time.

By quarter to nine, I was at the gate of address of the venue. A uniformed security man attended to me.

"I am here to attend a workshop," I told him.

"Your letter of invitation, please?"

I showed him the letter. He only too a cursory look at it before opening the gate for me.

"Just go straight towards that door and knock," he directed. “They will attend to you."

I thanked him and moved to the door. I knocked at it gently. Almost immediately, a lady opened the door.

"Good morning, ma'am. I'm here for the workshop."

She smiled at me. "You must be Seyi, right?"

I nodded and brought the letter. She did not even bother to read it.

"Come inside."

I stepped inside the air-conditioned reception room.

"I am Rose," the lady went on. "You can sit here for now."

A lady was already sitting. She was the one I had met at the firm's office the previous day.

"We meet again," I said. "Good morning."

She smiled and reciprocated my greeting.

"I'm Seyi. Can I meet you?"

"I'm Sharon."

I nodded. "I'm pleased to meet you."

It turned out that Sharon and I were the only ones to attend the workshop.

When it was a few minutes to nine, the lady that had introduced herself as Rose came to us.

"Lady and gentleman, follow me."

We followed her to the corridor and to the first door by the left. She opened it and ushered us inside. It was a room designated for seminar.

There were a white board, a projector, four desks and four chairs.

"Take a seat," Miss Rose said.

While Sharon took the one to the right, I took the one to the left. "Your facilitator will be coming any moment from now."

She left but some back with a man in black suit.

"This is Pastor William, your resource person for this session," Ms Rose annouced.

The first session started in earnest. Pastor William presented a paper on Office Ethics. I already had writing materials, though he gave each of us a copy of his presentation.

From him, I learnt that Faith of God Chapel (FGC) was our employer and that we would be working at the national head quarters.

I could hardly believe my ears. FGC? It was not the denomination that I attended for church service, but I had heard a lot about the church. It was one of the biggest and richest pentecostal churches in the country. I considered working for a Ministry like this as working in the vineyard of the Lord.

By ten thirty, Pastor William finished his presentation. We were taken to another room for breakfast. Toast bread, tea, coffee and fruit juice were made availble and we could have much as we wanted.

Pastor William left as soon as he finished the meal. The afternoon session would not start until one o'clock, so we still had a long break. Meanwhile, Miss Rose announced that we could go to our rooms to relax.

Our rooms? I was nonplussed.

Interesting.

next please.

Next please.

Meanwhile, Miss Rose announced that we could go to our rooms to relax.

Our rooms? I was nonplussed. She smiled.

"Yes, this programme is residential, which means you will be lodged here until the end of the programme. Meanwhile, I will take your body measurements so I can get you extra wears and underwears you will use till Friday. While you are here, all your expenses will be taken care of."

She showed me my room. It was a standard room with a double bed, a chair and a desk for writing/reading, an eighteen-inch flat-screen and an en-suite bath-room/toilet. It was almost like lodging in hotel room.

After Miss Rose had taken my measurement and had gone, I switched on the television and relaxed on the bed. I was dozing off when she came to remind me that it was time for afternoon session.

It was a woman that came to present the second paper. The topic was Human Management. It took her two hours before she could round it off.

All the while, I noticed that Sharon hardly asked questions or made comment. She was beautiful and looked reserved.

That was the last presentation for the day. We went for lunch.

This time, they served fried rice, salad and chicken. Thereafter, I retreated to my room. Ms. Rose showed me the three packet shirts, three pairs of trousers, three boxer shorts and three singlets that were bought for me. I appreciated the magnanimity.

Later, when I tried one of the shirts and trousers, they fitted me perfectly. I lay on the bed as I watched the faith channel the television was showing. Later, to kill boredom, I would watch some movies on my i-pad. Around five p.m, there was a gentle rap on my door.

I went to open it, thinking Ms. Rose was there. It was Sharon I met at the door.

"Hello," I greeted.

"Hi," she replied and showed me the game of scrabble she was holding. "I got this from Aunty Rose. Do you want to play?"

Scrabble was a game I loved to play so I did not hesitate to ask her to come in. I offered the only chair while I sat on the bed. I then drew the stool to wedge us.

"How thoughtful of Miss Rose to have this," I said.

"Yes, how thoughtful," my guest echoed.

I noticed that she had changed from the formal dress she was wearing to a casual of t-shirt and jeans trousers.

We started the game. Sharon set the tone of the conversation, asking me sundry questions such as where I came from, what I studied in the univesity and my interests.

I answered her and asked the same questions. I could sense that she was not as reserved as I had thought. She told me she would prefer to relocate to Europe or America but that her dad insisted that she should take up this job. I smiled and told her that the job was not bad and that she could still travel out later after gaining some experience.

"You seem to have answer for everything," she teased. Was that true? I thanked her for the compliment. We played game after game. We felt at home with each other and it was as if we had known each other over the years.

"Won't your girlfriend miss you in the next few days?" Sharon suddenly asked.

Still following.

Go on

Go on.

"Won't your girlfriend miss you in the next few days?" Sharon suddenly asked.

I grinned grimly. "No. There was an issue between us and we are presently not on talking terms."

Sharon sighed. "What about you? Surely, your boyfriend will miss you."

She stared at some tiles before answering. "Right now, I don't have a boyfriend."

It was my turn to sigh. We played the game on. By seven in the evening, Miss Rose knocked at the door.

"Dinner is ready!" she called out.

How time flies. Sharon and I suspended our game and went to the dining-room. A hot meal of poundo yam, egusi soup and beef was served. I must say I enjoyed the meal. There were fruit juices to take as dessert.

Several minutes later, I was back in my room. I was not surprised when Sharon came to join me some minutes after.

"Hope you're enjoying yourself around here," she said.

I nodded. "Sure, I do. What about you?"

She nodded. "Can't say I don't."

She sat on the chair she was sitting on before we went for dinner while I sat on the edge of the bed.

She did not come with the game, this time around, which meant she only wanted to chat.

So, we chatted. She told me about her university days and some friends she missed.

"With social media, you can still maintain contact," I pointed out.

"Yeah, that's true, but it can still not be as effective as real contact."

We talked on and on until she decided to go. "I woke up very early this morning and I need to go to bed early," she explained.

I nodded. "I can understand."

She yawned again and stood up. "Seyi, it's a pleasure talking with you. Good night."

I smiled at her. "The pleasure is mine. Goodnight, Sharon."

She left the room. What a lady. How I wished my dear Precious was a good convesationist.

My mind paused to think about Precious. How could I be certain about referring to her as 'my dear Precious'? What if she had actually made up her mind that she would never relate with me again? I shook my head.

No, that could not be. Precious would definitely come back, I told myself. I lay on the bed but stared at the television. Gospel music was played on it, but my mind was hardly there.

I was thinking more about Sharon. I wondered if she was not giving me the green light. Then, I cautioned myself. I had just known her and she was only trying to be friendly. She looked nice and decent, though.

But then, I was just getting to know her. There was a soft rap at the door. Sharon must have come back, I thought in excitement as I quickly made for the door. It was a lady in t-shirt and bum-short that was there.

Interesting.

Go on.

Go on.

It was a lady in t-shirt and bum-short that was there.

 "Good ... good evening, Miss Rose," I stuttered. 

She was the last person I was expecting. And certainly, she was the last person I expected to see wearing braless top and bum-shorts. 

"Sorry to disturb," she said softly. "Can I come in for a moment?" 

"Sure," I replied and opened the door wide for her to enter.

 I motioned her to the only chair in the room. 

"Thank you," she muttered and turned the chair to face the bed where I sat down. "I just feel like chatting with you," she said, smiling briefly. 

"I could have told Sharon, but I have a feeling it would be better I tell you."

 I smiled to encourage her. "It's okay, Ms. Rose. I have listening ears." 

She grinned. "Call me Rose. Just Rose will be okay." 

I nodded and stared at her. "Okay, Rose." I studied her. 

Her pretty face looked calm. She should be in her early thirties. I had known her for many hours and up till now, she had exuded confidence in her conduct and discharge of duty.  

What could be the matter with her?  lucky. I can tell you categorically that to experience heartbreak to wasn't an easy thing. She nodded. Now, I had hints on what was the problem. 

"Are you heartbroken?" I asked. 

She nodded. "About an hour ago, the man I was going to marry called that he had cancelled the introduction plan." 

I was genuinely touched. "That's a hard one. Sorry about that." 

She sighed. "Thanks."

 I could imagine the pain and I knew the pang of disappointment was not easy, especially when one least expected it.

 "Perhaps you could reconcile," I suggested. 

"I don't think so. He has just confirmed the rumour that he is dumping me for my best friend."

 I was astonished. "That's incredible. Your best friend?" 

"Exatly. He told me to completely forget about him because they've already picked a wedding date." 

"Oh, oh. That's very mean of him. That your friend too is not a true friend. But, it's okay. Sometimes, life can be so mean and unfair. I believe in providence. The two of you were probably not meant for each other.”

She nodded again.  "When a door closes, another door opens. Cheer up, Rose. You have your life to live."

Nice story

Cool

She nodded again.  "When a door closes, another door opens. Cheer up, Rose. You have your life to live." 

Her face brightened up. "I'm happy I came to you. The way you talk has considerably reduced my burden." 

I smiled modestly. "It's okay, to God be the glory."

“I don't think my pastor will do better than what you've done."

 I smiled again. "As I said, to God be the glory." 

There was silence for some seconds.

 "I want to ask you a question," she said. "And I want you to be very sincere with me." 

 "No problem, go ahead." 

There was another pause for several seconds. 

"Could it be that I'm not attractive enough? I mean, why will he dump me just like that?" 

What a question from Rose. 

“I think it's beyond being attractive. Some men are not just satisfied with what they have." 

She stood up. "I agree with what you said. But look at me. Am I really attractive, or not? Be sincere."

 I looked at her as she wanted. 

Her height was average. Her chocolate colour blended with her skin. She had a pretty face. She was on the chubby side, but not fat. Her  chest region showed that she was a bit busty. The rounded breasts appeared to look firm. The waist was slim without visible signs of fat. Her thighs were curvy, down to her knees and legs. 

The bums needed no padding the way they were accentuated by the shorts she was wearing.

“You are beautiful and attractive, Rose," I said and meant it. 

Her next action surprised me. She sat down, covered her face with her palms and started crying.

Nice 👍

...

Waiting for more.

Next please.

Go on.