Abeke

 Chapter 2

My name is Abeke Thomas.. A 27-year-old spinster,  and an Osun state Indigen that has lived all her life in the city of Ibadan. B.sc,  M.sc economics, but ended up as a radio presenter. I'm the Anchor of News updates on Vin FM. I love my job and I love cars too. I have a black Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2019 and live in a bungalow with three rooms. Now, my story begins.

"Beks, did you hear the story of the Nigerian American car racer?"
Rhoda shouted at me from the parlor. We were having a little hangout at my place and I was making lunch.
"Nope. What about him" I asked
"He wants to quit racing"
'Wow. Why?.  I heard he's good"
"I know right?"
I could hear the enthusiasm in her voice.
"Many say he's injured, others say he has issues with his company,  some.."
"And I say let's eat, I'm starving."
I interrupted while entering the parlor and setting the plate on the dining table. She rolled her eyes and I just laughed.

"Can't you be nice. "
"Let's eat. I guess Kunle won't be joining us."
"Yeap. He just texted me."
She showed me her phone which read;
I'm sorry I won't be around, my fiancee wants to see me. I love you guys.
"Fiancee already. That's interesting." I said to myself.
"It's been how many weeks now,3 weeks?"
"Nah 4 weeks. Let's do an interview with him. "
'With who?, Kunle? "I asked sarcastically.
"No beks" she replied hitting her hand on her head. " The racer guy."
"Why? He's not even in the country."
'Well, He's coming to Nigeria very soon and his story is good for the station, and," she added again without looking at me "it'll help you get a good come back."

I thought about it for a while. It's been 4 weeks since the scandal, and my boss being who he is decided to give me a break till it dies down. I really enjoy my break, watching car racing videos and reading up on new cars being produced. I've actually thought about getting another job, but to be honest, I can't. Radio presentation has been what I wanted from the beginning. I had to study Economics because that was what my mother wanted.
"Okay. But do you think Mr. Racer would be interested.."
"Well, I know you beks, I'm sure you'd think of something, I trust you," she added winking at me.
That got me laughing pretty hard.
"Let's just eat Rhoda."

We played different games the whole day, and as usual, I allowed Rhoda to win. Truth be told, Rhoda is just like a younger sister I never had, she's so enthusiastic about the radio. I still remember the day she started work. She was given 4 weeks to learn the basics and she got the gig in 2 weeks. I became a kind of her role model, She's funny and caring too.

Sunday mass today was short and the homily was Succinct, I really liked it this way.
"Good morning Sir" I knelt down to greet Mr. Akinlolu
He became a father figure to me after my biological father died, a very caring person and a disciplinarian too. He doesn't joke with the word of God and expects people around him to do the same.  I remember vividly well when I was in secondary school and I didn't go for Sunday mass and was flogged mercilessly that my back ached for weeks. I've never missed any Sunday mass after that incident
'Good morning Abeke. Hope you learned something today"
"We bless God.."
'I'm not happy with you o."
" What did I do wrong, sir?'' I asked, wondering what had happened.
"Your mother said you've not visited her for a long time."
"Ooh."
Ooh? He asked frowning a Little. "So it's true you're doing it on purpose?"
"No Sir, I'm not, It's just that I've been busy, besides, the girls go to her place from time to time so she won't feel lonely."
"Hmmm, I understand, but you can't compare them to her one and only daughter. "Abeke," he called me before switching to Yoruba, "mo mope Uomo daadaa ni e, I know you're a good child, please do well to visit her, Se o ti gbo?
'Yes, sir, I'll do that. Ese sir."

I got home and felt a bit exhausted, traffic was really bad. I decided to update Rhoda about the interview with the racer.
"Hey, Rhoda, I have a plan for the interview."
"I knew it.", she said jumping. "I knew you'd cook something up, you're a guru at these things"
"Thanks." I smiled at her.
"I was thinking of interviewing him at his house first, then write a story about him, then, I'd announce him coming to the station for an interview. What do you think?"
"It's okay. So who's telling the boss?, cause I'm definitely not going to do that"
"I will. Is he in?"
"Yes."

Mr. Ahmadu, everyone fears him, except me of course. He's the owner of Vin FM. Still wonder how he got the name.
"Good morning sir," I said after closing his office door.
"Good morning." He looked up, his face showed a glimpse of disappointment.
"You shouldn't be here."He replied looking back at the screen of his computer.
I told him about my proposal for good 10mins. He was only nodding throughout, not uttering a single word, I didn't get to finish before he interrupted.
"Why do you think it'll work."
"Sir, he is a very popular guy both at home and abroad, Everyone loves him, People would definitely want to know why he quit car racing and also why he wants to come back to Nigeria and stay here for good."
"Hmmm, It's okay." He said before looking down again
"So, is that a go-ahead sir?"
"Yes, Miss Thomas, you can leave"
"Thank you, sir." I smiled before leaving the office. 

When I got outside, Rhoda was already waiting for me, an anxious look written all over her face.I gave a serious expression, wanted her to be disappointed a little.
"He didn't approve?" I didn't reply. She looked at the ground, looking disappointed as I wanted her to. 

"Too bad," she said looking up. "Come on. Let's go."

"I've not said anything and you instantly jumped into conclusions"
"But your face says it all."
"He approved"Rhoda started jumping and dancing. I smiled at her reaction.
"So when is he coming to Nigeria?"
"In a couple of weeks from now, don't worry, the tabloids would definitely let us know. I'm so excited.