I got home later in the evening to my hovel as people had rudely described it; but I didn’t mind cos it was cozy for me. Little had I stepped into my room than my landlady barged in with rains of abuses, demanding for her rent.
She was a beautiful woman in her late forties; a widow with three children of which only one, Juliet stayed with her, the other two were in school.
Dominiki…Dominiki!!!
She yelled, as she still doesn’t care how she wrongly mispronounces my name.
Madam Landlady my name is Dominic, not Dominiki
I corrected as I stood at my door post.
‘Na that one concern you ooh…e no be my biznes’.
‘Wey my money’…Dominiki??!
She asked, stretching her arm out with her palm opened.
Madam Landlady, I don’t have your money yet. I have pleaded with you to give me some time and I will come up with the rent.
I assured her looking so dejected and confused.
‘Which kin yeye time be that? Shey I tell you say na charity I dey do for this place?’
Madam Landlady, please bring down your voice, the neighbors are in
I begged her to save me the embarrassment.
You dey craze? Them swear for you?
She asked angrily, pointing at her head.
I dey ask for my rent, you dey tell me make i bring down my voice. This boy dey mad o.
Listen, I give you only two days, If my money does not enter my hand by then, you will see why I am called the original warri woman.
With that she stormed off, leaving me abashed for a while before finally going into my room.
I took my last garri as I didn’t see any sign of Stevo. I laid my hand and traced my way to the only place I could find comfort and peace; imaginations. I took my mind back to the events of the day, the insult at the gate of Maddison Enterprise, how I encountered Amanda and the fantasy world. I smiled to myself and nodded my head in agreement with my desires.
Na to just find way return back to that place like oo
With that, I slept off, wandering the shores of a dream world where sorrows and pains are not in existence.
‘Kpo kpo kpo’ ‘kpo kpo kpo’ a loud knocking on my door woke me up. I reluctantly walked to the door and opened it without asking who was at the door.
‘Gee’…wasup
Ah! Baba! I troway salute.
I went back to bed, as Stevo shut the door. I was glad to see him; by glad I meant, my belly was jumping for joy.
Bro how far? Why this your landlady dey para this early mor mor
Wetin she dey yan?
Guy, she bin wan come dey reason me funny matter o, say one thing one thing, wan drop levels o unto say my guy dey owe rent. I wan change am for am o
Lol…free her abeg. Bro wetin you bring jare.
I was more interested in the food he brought rather than the issue of my landlady and her troubles. I had a very nice porridge with smoked fish. Stevo has really done me a big deal this morning.
Bro how far your interviews and job hunting?
Stevo inquired as if expecting a response different from the usual.
Omo, d tori dey as e dey always be.
I narrated as it all went down and even how I met Amanda and the fantasy world of dreams. Steve laughed, he believed it was a made up story just to add humor to how bad my day was.
Steve left after a short while and I was alone once again. I pondered about the dream world and how much I wanna return, I was oblivious of the calls and text messages I was receiving from my phone. After an hour, I came back to reality only to find out I had missed calls from the secretary of Tifet & Tuff Towers, where I submitted an application 7 months ago.
Holy jinkees!!! How did I miss these calls?
I quickly dialled the number but it was busy. Then I noticed a text. I opened it to see I was already invited for an interview the following day; prior to reading it, another entered and it read thus;
Dear Mr. Williams
We regret to announce to you that we will
no longer proceed with the scheduled interview
with you and the processing of your start-up letter.
We have lots of candidates for this position and we follow strict measures in employing staff. You were unable to answer at the moments of calls, and for that, we have taken another candidate.
We deeply apologize; better luck next time.
Signed: Ms Becca Adiro
No! No!! No!!! What kind of devil is this??? Why this moment? I was angry at myslef but mad at that company for this kind of text and method of employment. ‘Isn’t it supposed to be on text or email?’ Then the person responds within the time/days given for the interview
Kai! These people just find yeye excuse to drop me. But me sef, why I go sleep dey day dream this kind thing, leave wetin I dey find since?
I angrily dressed up and went to Amanda. It is already obvious where my destination would be; after all there is nothing to do.
I set out for the desired dream world; little did I know that would be my last embrace of reality.
I met Amanda as usual with Ms Monica and they were both happy to see me; although it took a while before they attended to me seeing that the number of persons who patronized them that day were more than the usual.
Hi, Dominic. Amanda greeted spreading the soft cheeks of her face to reveal her beautiful smile.
Hi, Amanda, how do you do? I responded with gladness.
I am doing alright, came Amanda’s voice. Good to see you again.
Likewise. I replied now smiling sheepishly.
Sorry for the delay, shall we? Amanda offered her hand to me which i delightedly took.
I was given a VIP treatment as if I paid a premium fee for that day’s visit. I was sent to my dream world according to the storyline of my choosing. This time though I pleaded with Amanda to increase the dream duration so I can enjoy and maximize it to the fullest. She was reluctant at first but after much persuasion from me, she agreed. It was exactly 7:50 pm, Thursday 24th August, 2023.
I was cruising in my fantasy world, savoring every bit of life. It was an experience to remember. A short life well spent. I woke up after my session, only to discover some variance in my immediate environment.
Related story: Mr. Blue
