Every Woman: Episode 5

Oge was at work on a busy Tuesday when her boss called her into his office. What now? She wondered fearfully. I hope I have not done anything wrong.
“Good Morning Oge,” greeted Mr. Alabi when the door closed behind her.
“Good morning, Sir,” she returned his greeting.
“Don’t look so scared. I don’t bite!” laughed her boss. “Sit down.” He pointed to the chair in front of him. Oge sat down gingerly and looked at him questioningly.
“I called you into my office to tell you about the entrepreneurship conference holding in Town Hall, Ikoyi next Saturday.” He paused, looking at Oge. She nodded. “I want you to go represent the bank there.”
“Me, of all people?” she wondered aloud.
“Yes, you of all people. You are efficient and well-behaved, two assets that will serve anybody going for the conference.”
“Thank you Sir.” Oge smiled shyly. “I’d love to go.”

Eseosa turned on the radio to listen to her favourite rhythm and blues station after her mother hung up. The familiar voice of John Legend was very soothing for her and she drifted off into la-la land, where all her dreams came true and she married Mr. Right. So happy was she in her dream that she barely noticed when the music stopped. An announcement came on air. It was Coco, her favourite on air personality announcing the women’s entrepreneurship program at Town Hall, Ikoyi.
Hmmm… Eseosa said to herself. I’d love to go for the program. It will be the opportunity of a lifetime! I think I need something to distract me from my problems. And who knows, I may meet someone there! I really need to go, Eseosa resolved.
Jennifer hated Mondays. They were always hectic and she felt blue by noon. She had to listen to women talk about their problems and find the best way to help them get justice and protection away from their violent husbands. Oh, for a cup of warm cocoa! Just then, her secretary came in with The Punch newspaper for her to read. She impatiently motioned her away.
As she sank into her swivel chair, the bold print on the front page caught her eye. Man butchers wife to death and shoots himself in the head!it screamed. She took a closer look. It was Mrs Bewaji’s photo as the woman butchered to death.
“Oh, no!” Jennifer screamed aloud. “I had a premonition that everything won’t go down well with that woman but she refused to see reason. Now she’s dead.” Jennifer shook her head sorrowfully. I need to get my mind off this tragedy! What to do? She scanned the newspaper, looking for inspiration. There was an advert for the women’s entrepreneurship conference in the business section. That’s just what I need, she thought.

When Jadesola got to her hotel room, she flipped on the television set and threw herself on the king sized bed. Wow! I’ve had a very long day at work and I really do need a break. What can I watch now? CNN? Nat Geo Wild? Or one of our local TV stations? She settled for a local TV channel. Primetime TV was airing Love wins and she was curious to see what she looked like on the big screen.
“You this Joanna, only this Joanna, always this Joanna!” shouted her brother Tayo, played by veteran actor Olu Phillips. She smiled as she watched.
“I have told you to stop seeing that lowlife Akin. What on earth do you see in him?” Tayo went on.
“You seem to forget I’m no longer a child. I am seventeen, for God’s sake!”
“Did you just sass me?” Tayo landed her a hot slap across her face. She was still reminiscing about the set when an advert came on air about the women’s entrepreneurship program on Saturday. With interest, she listened and resolved to go for it. It would be good for her career, Jadesola reasoned.

Janet was depressed. She had just returned from her beach outing with Dare. While she was there, she dropped heavy hints about getting married to her boyfriend, who just didn’t seem willing to take any of them. With excitement, she had even described how happy she was for Toniloba, who got married only the weekend before. Dare just nodded and looked bored. When he dropped her off, he gave her a peck and murmured how much he enjoyed spending time with her today. It took all of her willpower not to crack a slap across his cheek.
Once inside, she flipped on the TV set to watch Love wins but the program had just ended. With a sigh, she snuggled deeper into her bed and listened to the advert of the entrepreneurship program. I’ll go, she said to herself. If I can’t get married, at least I should be rich!