“I’d have a strawberry Daiquiri please” I shouted my order to the over zealous bartender over the loud music at the bar.

He had been hovering around, trying to start a conversation since I got in and doing too much to get my attention.

I was at the bar because I needed to clear my head, not to make idle conversation. I would normally go for a run, write in my journal or engage in a worship session, but none of those appealed to me today.

What I really wanted to do was have sex, no strings attached sex, with a mind blowing orgasm, and only one person was capable of giving me that but unfortunately for me, he was out of town.

It had been a long, demanding week at work, and my only consolation was that I had met all my targets.

The bar man brought my drink in a perfectly decorated cocktail glass and with it came a complimentary bowl of peanuts. He seemed to be very pleased with his delivery.

I smiled at him, said Thank you and looked away immediately into my phone, so he wouldn’t get any ideas I would want to engage in small talk.

My mind went back to my job. I remembered how it all started.

I was 21years old and fresh out of the polytechnic with a Higher National Diploma in Secretarial Studies, not very sure what the future held for me and just basically going through the motions, applying for jobs here and there.

I had gone to one of the neighborhood supermarkets and the woman before me at the till had left in a hurry leaving behind her phone and her wallet.

“Aunty, aunty, you left your phone and wallet at the cash counter”, I panted as I ran after her, holding my size 36GG cup breasts that were threatening to fall out of my bra with one hand and the phone and wallet in the other hand.

“Oh wow, I didn’t realize”, she replied as she closed the trunk of her car, A Mercedez Benz C- Class. It looked like the latest model at the time even though I didn’t know much about cars.

“Thank you, thank you very much” She said as she took the items from me. Just as I turned to leave, she looked at me and said,

“Please I hope you don’t mind my saying this, but you need to get a firmer bra, I mean, better support for your breasts” she paused, she must have noticed that I looked embarrassed and continued immediately.

“Err, I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. My name is Rose Anele, let me give you my card, I have to leave now but please call me, I’d like to see you again.“

She reached into the wallet I just returned to her and gave me a copy of her complimentary card. I glanced over the card quickly and carefully fit it in the back pocket of my jeans.

I didn’t know that one meeting would change my life forever.

I later discovered that Mrs Anele was the founder of a Non Government Organization that catered to reforming and establishing young, abused, violated and damaged girls.

From street prostitutes, to under aged girls working as maids, and young girls living with relatives, who were being abused, molested or oppressed, Mrs Anele’s organization was committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and empowering these young girls.

I called her the following day and she gave me an appointment to meet with her on Wednesday morning, the day after I called.

I was curious as to what the meeting would be about. We had barely talked at the supermarket and so I had no inkling as to why she wanted to see me again.

Her office wasn’t very far off from where I lived. When I asked one of the okada riders that usually parked in front of our compound, he told me he could get me there in 10minutes.

I picked out my outfit carefully, I didn’t have too many clothes but I was eager to impress this woman.

There was something about her I couldn’t quite place my finger on but I knew I wanted her to be impressed with me.

I settled for the only white shirt I had, a short sleeved cotton shirt with a bib collar, tucked into a cream high waisted pleated linen skirt with bold brown buttons that lined the right side just at the corner.

I packed my braids up in a bun and laid the edges flat with clear gel. I had on very minimal make up – translucent brown powder, mascara and clear lip gloss was all I needed.

I wore my favorite brown sling back mid heel pumps and a black shoulder bag with a contrasting brown handle and flap.

I walked into the reception and the rich fruity, floral scents of the room welcomed me. I went straight to the receptionist, a young girl who couldn’t have been any older than me and introduced myself.

“I’d let her know you’re here, she’s expecting you, please sign in here and take your seat” the girl said with a smile.

I typed in my details on the computerized screen by the reception desk and went to sit at the lounge where she directed me to. It was a tastefully furnished room. Simple decors in earth tones and a hint of mustard but very beautifully done.

About 20 minutes later, I was ushered into her office. It was serene and calm and had the same sweet fruity, floral scents as the reception.

Behind her was a large abstract painting of 3 young girls that appeared to be in pain. Her office was decorated in hues of beige and cream. I fit in quite nicely with my outfit.

To her far left was a tall window that overlooked a major highway. The light brown curtains were pulled back and held neatly with metal hooks leaving the inner curtains made from a soft cream voile lace fabric embroidered intricately with brown silk threading billowing lightly.

Not too far to her right was an in built, top to bottom wall shelf that held her books, awards and decorative pieces all strategically placed to create an aesthetic appeal.

She was on the phone and beckoned to me to sit on one of the chairs opposite her.

When she eventually got off, she apologized for keeping me waiting and offered me a drink.

She told me about her organization and all the work they did, then she proceeded to ask me a few questions about my educational background, my family, my career goals and what I was doing at the moment.

“To be honest ma, I have never thought deeply about a path or industry I’d like to follow. I just know that wherever I find myself, I will put in a 100% and I will thrive. I have an interest in administrative work and management.

I am good at organizing things and making sure things run smoothly. I don’t have any work experiences but I’m willing to learn on the job” I replied when she asked about my career goals.

It seemed to be all she needed to hear. She asked me if I was ready to work and if I would like to resume the following Monday as the company secretary.

I couldn’t believe it. Just like that, I had gotten a job, one I wasn’t even actively searching for.

We discussed the salary and she started me off with N100,000 monthly and other benefits to come after the 3 months probationary period.

I thanked her profusely and she dismissed me with a smile wishing me luck.

On my way home, I passed by my favorite okrika retailer, he always had nice neatly used clothes and had been my go to person from the time I was a student at the polytechnic.

I picked out a few clothes and promised to pay him at the end of the month. That was a norm for us as I was one of his favorite, long-standing customers and I never failed on my payment promises.

I went straight home and into my room to sort out my ‘new’ clothes. I mixed and matched all the pieces, till I got 6 looks I knew will allow me fit into the picture of my new job space.

Until I had some money to buy a new set of bras, my plan was to use a needle and thread to make some adjustments to the ones I had for some extra support.

Everyone I came across at the office earlier was very well dressed and it was impossible not to notice that Mrs Anele herself was a stylish woman.

During our conversation, she mentioned the importance of dressing well and having a good attitude. She commended my outfit.

She said the way I present myself would be partly instrumental to my success in life.

In 12 years, I had gone from the girl who bought okrika clothes to the woman who shopped in high street stores and once in a while indulged in luxury brands.

I had added a BSc degree in Mass Communication to my qualifications and gone from company secretary to Head of Protocol and Public Affairs.

The past 12 years of my life had been one of growth, born out of sheer determination and the will to succeed, but not without its own challenges.

I owed it all to God and of course Mrs Anele who had been a steady source of support. She was tough but it was all geared towards the success of the team and her organization.

My name is Oritsetimehin Ayole, I am 33 years old and the last of four children.

Over the years, growing through life and building my career, I have set my own rules and live by them.

I know I have stepped on some toes in the process and that’s what makes my life interesting, at least I think it is.

I must have been seated at the bar for almost 2 hours. I looked at my watch, I wasn’t too far from being accurate.

My glass was only half way gone, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next, go home or sit out longer.

I bent over from the bar stool to adjust the ankle strap of my Charles and Keith platform pumps.

Just then my phone beeped, it was a Whatsapp notification. I opened the message, it was my friend Sope.

Sope : Timbae, where are you?

Oritsetimehin : Hey B, i’m out o, having a drink at Q-Bar, what’s up?

Sope : Oh, I wanted to come over to your house, I could do with some company, I need to talk. *sad face emoji*

Oritsetimehin : Oh! How serious is this?, I’m just taking my last sip, should I drive down to yours or go home and wait for you?

Sope : Come to mine if it’s okay? , Tayo is out of town.

Oritsetimehin : Ok. I’d be with you soon, I’d just order some food.

Sope : Ok mama, you’re the best, thank you *love emoji*

I called out to the bartender to make me 2 take away cocktails and a platter of small chops.

I made my way to the car after my order was out, it was about 10pm and for a city like Lagos, the night was still very young.

Listening to my mid 90’s R and B playlist, I rolled down my car windows so I could enjoy the evening breeze blowing against my skin.

Traffic was light as it was a public holiday and at 120km/hr, I drove to Sope’s house.

************************************************************************************************************************************************

In this first episode, we get a peek into the life of Timehin, the main character of this story.

I’ve had to do quite a bit of editing to bring my writing style up to date. It feels good to be writing again even if it’s already created work.

Hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think in the comment section and don’t forget to share.

Sending you love and light,

Jay