Ebunoluwa (God's gift) part 1

Why can't I sleep?! I went to bed by 9:00pm because I knew I needed to wake up by 5:00am to get ready for work and its going to be such a busy day tomorrow I can't afford not to have a good night rest. I have been tossing from side to side. Changed position more than I change clothes when going out on a date yet I can't sleep. Why?! I don't want to think. Don't you understand? The night is for me to rest. For my organs to rest but everything is so active like its a fresh monday morning. I don't need this now. I can't deal with this now.Oh no! Its day break. Brilliant!

Your eyes are so puffy! You look like you didn't get enough sleep. My friend and roommate tells me. Ofcourse I didn't sleep. I was too busy thinking through out. I think in my mind but I find myself saying something else. I'm fine Asch I say with a smile. She knows I'm lying but also knows better than to probe further..... Okay if you say so, Asch says. Today is going to be so fun she says with glee.

I love driving and Asch knows that but I decided to let her drive today. Asch collected the car keys and gave me a weird look but said nothing. I'm trying not to think so I put on my earpiece and put the volume of "Maybe by Emeli Sande" playing on my ipod on the highest. I think Asch has been calling me since. I'm not sure. All I know is I felt her remove my earpiece and she gives me that look I know all too well. Asch gives a particular look when her worry has reached its peak and when she is ready to fight whoever is in her way. I can tell them you are not feeling fine and you needed to rest. Asch says to me. Thank you Asch but I will rather go to the office. Okay she says to me but instead she picks up her phone and dials the MD's direct line. "Hello Mr Richard! Yes its Asch on the line.... Yes I'm on my way sir... No I'm not alone! Ehnnn my friend is down and she won't be able to come to the office today. Oh thank you Richard... I mean Mr Richard. Yes I will make sure I call you". I don't know what he said to her but my friend seems to be blushing. Mr Richard was nice enough and asked me to stay home to take care of you. Asch says. Okay now I have new questions emerging...." Is Asch sleeping with mr Richards? Their conversation was so casual." But I decided to keep quiet about it and act like I'm not really grateful she called the MD on my behalf. The ride home was so silent it felt like somebody died. "Maybe somebody died. The old me perhaps". I think to myself.

Asch it was wrong of you to ignore me and make a decision on my behalf. I expected Asch to retort instead she gives me a hug and smiles...." You are welcome Temi. Now I need you to go to your room and try to get some sleep. When you wake up, a lovely meal will be awaiting you and then we can sit and talk about why you really couldn't sleep. I will be all ears and if there is someone for me to punch, you know I will get right to the job. I know you are wondering if there is anything between Richard and I. Well there is. We have been dating for 3 weeks now".... I open my mouth to talk but she shuts me up before I could utter a word...." Haha! I know what you want to say. I should have told you and Yes I know he is my boss. I will be very careful and darling you will know all the details there is to know. Now I need you not to worry and allow me do all that for you". Asch wipes a tear off my face. I didn't even realise I was crying. #deepsigh Temi just let it all out and allow yourself to feel the pain of what happened. I think to myself. Its like I released myself as I buried my head on Asch's chest and just cried. Asch said nothing and just let me cry and that was all I needed at that moment cos I slept like a baby afterwards.


I open my eyes after a 3 hour sleep. The sweet savour of Asch's special spaghetti Bolognese filled the room and my stomach produced a rumbling sound in response to a sudden hunger. I walk into the sitting room and see Asch emerging from the kitchen with a tray.... Asch you didn't have to do this you know! " Yeah shut up and eat". Asch says in a motherly way. Asch and I met 3 years ago when I started working at Leeds insurance company. Our offices are beside eachother and we became fast friends. The friendship led to us getting an apartment together recently and it has been so amazing. She is like the sister I never had. Ofcourse we don't always see eye to eye but we always know when and how to come back to eachother. I don't tell her this often but she is the bestest bestest friend and roommate one could ever ask for although she can be such a mother sometimes. Like now..... Asch opens a bottle of red wine and pours some in my cup..... Okay Asch what are we celebrating? ( Asch only opens a bottle of red wine when an extrememly important visitor is around or when she is ready to go and beat someone verbally or physically. A half Nigerian, half Lebanese girl that only came to live in Nigeria 5 years ago from Dallas is crazier than most born and bred Nigerians). Asch puts on a serious face and says : We are going to beat the soggy you that I don't like out. She bursts into laughter and I joined her not knowing exactly what's funny. After consuming the lovely meal, I knew by Asch's face that its time to open up. Asch has many faces but I think this is the worst of them all. Its this extremely serious, business- like face that sends people shivering before approaching her and makes someone with a lot of confidence doubt him/herself. She rarely has that face on and that's what makes it all the more scary.


I'm nervously holding my glass cup which is still very full as Asch's gaze is tightly fixed on me. Asch I messed up! I say. She says nothing neither does she remove her eyes. I decide to meet her gaze before bursting into tears. I can't see Asch's face as my eyes are clouded by tears but I hear her say continuously : " I know! You don't have to say anything. I know" and I know my friend understands more than I might have explained and my tears is enough communication. We will fight this! Everything will be just fine. Asch says to me and those words were more than enough to convince me that everything will be alright. I feel like my whole system has been stuffed by something sharp and deep. I can't breathe..... Its like I'm involved involuntarily in a mortal combat and I'm losing. My opponent is about to strike me and I'm screaming inside for the unknown face to spare me but I'm choking on my words......Help!!! Help!!! That's when I wake up sweating in my cold room. Filled with so much fright. It seemed so real! God! It seemed so real. I'm so scared I go down on my knees, clasp my hand together, bend my head and close my eyes to talk to God although I hardly do. I open my mouth but nothing comes out . I find myself crying my heart out to God desperately wishing he will understand and help me though I don't have words to say. My mum tells me till now that "God knows the secret desires of our heart and hears us even before we utter any word". Right now I need the God of my mum to help me. I go back on my bed but can't sleep back. So I decide to dial the number....