Operations Manager | The Ink Well Prompt

Trinity Kubassek

Only one shining star could be seen glittering in the sky that hazy night. The cool Harmattan wind causes dryness on the skin, driving people away from the streets. Along with her thoughts, Jemila waited for a cab at the end of Ajose Adeogun Street. She wore a thick black pullover, covering her head and hand from catching a cold. Quite early in her growing days, she had come to understand her nature for being allergic to cold. As a stranger in Lagos, she won't toy with her first harmattan experience. All the commercial buses that are passing by are either filled up or not going her route. So, she stood, waiting for the right bus that she would convey to her residence on the mainland part of the city of Lagos.

Good evening, damsel!

A soft-spoken voice said from behind her and she was a little startled because she didn't see it coming.

Good evening.

Jemila said, replying to the voice, and turned to see a very good-looking young man.

Are you so cold this evening that you have to wear a pullover?

The young man said, trying to begin a conversation.

It's kind of complicated

Jemila said with a dint of smile which sent a welcoming message to the young man.

Well, my name is Henry Ekong.

He said, waiting for Jemila Usman.

Oh! You are Hausa. It's nice to see a Hausa woman who can speak in English.

Henry teased her.

Wow! That's not so nice of you. There are many of us who can speak in English and in other languages.

Jemila and Henry while getting the formality of knowing each other, a bus going to the mainland stopped by with the conductor shouting:

Oshodi, Oshodi ooo. Palm Grooves don't come inside.

She hopped in and tried to wave goodbye to Henry but to her amazement, Henry was just right beside her, probably going to the mainland too.

Do you reside on the mainland?

Jemila asked Henry in furtherance of their discussion.

No. I'm going to pick my car from the automobile repair shop. It broke down two days ago when I went for a business meeting on Allen Avenue.

Before long, they arrived at Oshodi and boarded the same cab to Ikeja where Henry was going to pick his supposed car. Fortunately enough, the automobile shop was just two houses away from Jemila's residence. They exchanged contacts and kept in touch.

M&W studios

Henry would pick Jemila from work and drop her off at home. This was such an advantage to her as she would not spend so much on transport. Jemila who was from a humble background started saving up her money. She thought highly of Henry who told her that he was the operations manager of a logistics company and that the job came with an official apartment and a car.
One evening, as they were on the third mainland bridge, held up in traffic, Henry's phone rang but he refused to take his call and this infuriated Jemila.

Why aren't you taking your calls?

Jemila queried as he found that Henry's countenance had already changed, saying that something was beginning to bother him.

Never mind. It's just one of those clients who is seeking a quick delivery.

They drove in silence while the phone kept ringing. This didn't go down well with Jemila who was already suspecting that Henry was not being truthful or hiding something from her.

Two weeks later, the same scene reoccurred. This time, Jemila copied the phone number and when Henry had dropped him off, they bid each other goodbye, then, Jemila called the line trying to make an inquiry. At the end, she found that Henry was a mere driver in the logistics company and not the operations manager as earlier indicated.

The following day, Henry arrived at Jemila's office as usual for him to pick her up. She came out of her office but didn't get into the car. Henry was surprised at her attitude and came down from the car.

Jemila! Jemila!! Are you alright? Come, let's get going.

She looked at him with disdain, hissed, and moved on.

Mr Operations Manager!

On hearing that, Henry paused. His secret had been exposed. He tried to get her attention to explain but couldn't find the words. As he moved toward Jemila to begin to talk, she looked at him again and said

Don't even try to sell me a dog.

Immediately, Henry knew that their relationship had hit the rock. He wasn't confident enough to tell Jemila the nature of his job from the beginning, it had all been falsehood all along. Jemila walked away, she never looked back. She can't imagine herself ending up with a liar.