Chapter 5: Office Awkwardness

Monday for work, I jam Kunle for lift.

Because of that wahala night, I just avoid im eye, dey look ground.

But as I reason say we go dey jam for office, I force myself look up, try smile small.

Kunle no even send me.

E just come stand near me, still dey bone.

No wahala. Na me dey shame for here.

Then, people come rush enter lift, Kunle come dey my back.

We dey so close, I fit feel im body heat—and im scent.

E get one kind fine wood smell. I no sabi which perfume e dey use, but e sweet die.

That night, I smell am too. But that time, I no reason am.

Now, as e warm breath dey touch my neck, mix with that scent,

Everything from that night rush my head.

My face red, even my ear dey burn.

I just dey curse myself.

Na just mistake—e don pass. Why I still dey think am?

Kunle notice as I dey uncomfortable, e shift small.

E even clear throat, as if e wan remind me say na work we dey. When people begin comot, I fit breathe well.

As I reach my floor, I run commot sharp-sharp.

No too long after I sit for desk, Kunle message me for WhatsApp.

[You dey fear me like that?]

I freeze, I no even know wetin to reply.

Because of work, we don add each other for WhatsApp, but we no dey talk. Last time na just to send file.

As I no reply, Kunle send another message:

[That night, na you take advantage of me. So why you dey behave like na me wan chop you?]

My hand dey shake as I dey type, sweat dey my palm. My face wey just calm, come red again.

[No, you misunderstand.]

[That night na pure mistake. I think say na Tobi. If e pain you, I dey beg again.]

[Abeg, no vex. We dey see each other for office—I no want make e dey awkward every day.]

[Make we just pretend say nothing happen. Abeg.]

I fire message one by one, even add some crying sticker join.

After small time, Kunle reply, no smile:

[I dey play with you.]

[I no carry am for mind. You too no need worry.]

I come relax, reply quick: [Okay.]

My body for office chair even sink small. I carry headset, pretend say I dey listen to radio, but na my own heartbeat I dey hear.