6:00AM
HE wakes to the sound of a neighbor's generator. Power is out. HE wonders why the heat didn't wake him, HE's grateful it didn't as HE hadn't slept well in a couple of days. A lot has been on his mind.
...
SHE is already awake, been up for about 15mins. SHE is used to waking up early these days as SHE has come to believe in morning devotion. SHE has never really been a religious person, but SHE has always respected the word of God and it's teachings. SHE prays for peace of mind, little did SHE know her prayers were already answered.
7:00AM
HE is still deep in thought as HE hears the world around him switch into gear. HE's not in a hurry, HE works for himself, but is slowly getting discouraged by "Bread & Butter" lifestyle. HE wants to move up, to expand, to start a Family. HE is ready.
...
SHE is getting ready to take a shower, SHE has a few places to go, a few people to see, SHE cant wait. SHE has been promised a job, a chance to work and get paid. SHE is excited.
8:00AM
HE rustles around the kitchen, wondering what HE'll eat, HE is tired of noodles and bread and boiled eggs. There is nothing. HE sighs. Hates himself for spending all that money on Hennessy and Power Horse the other night and the club, HE can bet his last dollar the club owners are having a full English breakfast, that's if HE even has a dollar to bet with. Bastards.
...
SHE sits in her bedroom, going over her proposal and generally basking in her anxiety. SHE sips tea as SHE generally checks for mistakes and ways SHE can improve on her write up. Her phone rings, its her Mother. SHE picks up.
9:00AM
HE is about to finish his work out session. HE loves looking good, that's the one thing HE prides himself for, his looks. Even though HE cant seem to be happy in a relationship, HE is a peace that its definitely not his looks that is the missing factor.
...
SHE is in tears as SHE tries to send a text message.
10:00AM
HE decides to drive out to look for something to eat. HE knows a joint close-by, HE doesn't mind their food, especially because it's cheap. HE grabs his phone and wears his flip-flops. His iPad flashes "1 New Email". It can wait. Hunger comes first.
...
SHE is standing at a bus-stop, dark glasses and a little less coordinated than she would have hoped. There is nothing SHE can do at this point, SHE has to go for her meeting. SHE wipes a tear as SHE tries to pull herself together.
11:00AM
HE is suddenly feeling good about today, HE didn't bother to drive back home after breakfast. There wasn't any power anyways and HE didn't buy diesel to power the generator. HE casually cruises to the next district, probably to see a buddy. HE is distracted by his phone as HE tries to change the song playing. HE nearly hits a pedestrian. His heart races as HE slams his brakes. Before HE could come out to apologize, the pedestrian dashes off hysterically.
...
SHE almost gets hit by a car.
12:00AM
HE is sitting with his friend on the edge of his car outside a mall. HE zones out repeatedly to the image of the young lady HE almost ran over an hour ago. HE is abruptly brought back to reality as his friend taps his shoulder. HE laughs in agreement. HE wasn't listening.
...
SHE casually strolls on the side walk. Her mind completely severed from its body. SHE cannot seem to understand why her world just came crumbling down exactly 4hrs ago. Her Father was no more. Her mother wakes beside his lifeless body, he had a heart-attack during the night.
1:00PM
HE is still at the mall. HE has structured his meeting for the day at that location, HE knows how driving in Lagos can be. HE decides to pull away from the car park and have a drink in bar in the mall. A cold beer should calm his nerves, plus the sun was in full effect anyways.
...
SHE sits quietly by the bar. Her younger sister works her, SHE contemplates how SHE would tell her the sad news. SHE cannot believe it. SHE doesn't even care about the job interview SHE just flunked. SHE wasn't going to get it anyways, the boss just wanted to sleep with her. SHE figured it out 10mins into the interview. Bastard.
2:00PM
HE has been in the bar / lounge for an hour now. Successfully rounded up one meeting but decides to hang around. HE is not in a hurry. HE is a bachelor and besides, HE is always welcome here. The owner is his friend. HE gets up to order another drink by the bar. The owner is there too behind the bar, he seems to be engaging a young lady who is by the bar. HE thinks to himself "Perv!", the bar owner has a reputation with women. HE goes to interrupt in a bid to try to play hero for this damsel in distress.
...
SHE is listening to the bar owner console her loss. He and her father were good friends and he has always been good to the family. Its no surprise her younger sister works here. SHE is grateful for his words as SHE learns her sister would not be coming in. The bar owner gave her the week off, she already knows about her Dad. An over-zealous Aunt had called her 5hrs ago. It was no wonder she wasnt picking her calls. SHE wonders if her sister even got the text SHE sent. SHE is distracted from her line of thought as a young man interrupts her conversation with the owner.
3:00PM
THEY sit quietly in a reserved area of the lounge. HE knew her father. HE had received an email about his death 5hrs ago, HE hadn't opened it, but HE knew her father. Her father was his client. SHE is feeling better now, words of comfort had poured in and SHE finds a safe haven in the fact that HE had also lost both parents earlier that year. SHE is grateful that HE is there. HE is not in a hurry to depart from her side. SHE needs him. HE needs her. THEY both don't know why. THEY would soon find out.
4:00PM
THEY share some finger foods from the lounge. SHE knows SHE has to leave soon and make plans to take her sister to Abuja to be with the rest of the family. SHE has been in close contact with her mom and her sister over the past hour. SHE is the head of the family now. SHE knows what lies ahead. HE cannot help but wonder what HE can do to help. SHE looks so sad as HE watches her pick the chicken wings. HE remembers her from the "almost" accident scene. HE doesn't tell her yet. That information doesn't matter just yet. SHE laughs. HE looks up and asks surprisingly, silently glad that SHE is laughing. SHE narrates how SHE almost got hit a by a car a few ago and how SHE can imagine the trauma her mother would have gone through to learn that SHE also had passed a few hrs after her father. SHE laughs at the thought. THEY both know its really not funny.
5:00PM
THEY both exit the lounge and head to the car park. HE unlocks his car with the remote. SHE sees the car. SHE remembers it. THEY both stare at each other. HE is in chaos as to what to say. SHE breaks the silence "It was you!". As HE tries to explain, SHE begins to apologize for being absent minded whilst crossing and her mind was on how she would tell her sister about their father. HE stops her and argues that HE was on his phone and it was his fault. THEY stand in silence. THEY know.
6:00PM
HE sits on his couch, mind totally on his day. HE was able to buy diesel so the generator is on. HE worries about how SHE is doing. HE gave her his number and intentionally did not collect hers. It wasn't one of those "Babe by Bar" scenarios. HE was tired of those anyway. HE unlocks his iPad and reads his emails, its from a close friend in Abuja, telling him what he already knew. Now HE wishes HE took her number, so he can call and check on her. His phone rings, HE doesn't recognize the number. HE picks up. HE smiles.
...
SHE just stepped out of the shower. Feels a whole lot better. SHE knows SHE is still going to cry, but for now SHE is a whole lot better. SHE puts the kettle on, SHE is definitely going to bed early tonight. SHE pulls out her bible and prepares for bedtime. SHE sits and stares at a photo of her Dad and her Mum. A tear escapes her right eye. SHE wipes it. SHE hears a whisper as cool breeze sweeps her bedroom, "It's ok!". SHE knows its her father. SHE wipes her face with her towel and picks her phone. SHE dials from a business card in her hand. The call connects. SHE smiles.
...
THEY both know.
...
HER father smiles in heaven and he looks left and right at both HIS parents.
...
The END.
HE wakes to the sound of a neighbor's generator. Power is out. HE wonders why the heat didn't wake him, HE's grateful it didn't as HE hadn't slept well in a couple of days. A lot has been on his mind.
...
SHE is already awake, been up for about 15mins. SHE is used to waking up early these days as SHE has come to believe in morning devotion. SHE has never really been a religious person, but SHE has always respected the word of God and it's teachings. SHE prays for peace of mind, little did SHE know her prayers were already answered.
7:00AM
HE is still deep in thought as HE hears the world around him switch into gear. HE's not in a hurry, HE works for himself, but is slowly getting discouraged by "Bread & Butter" lifestyle. HE wants to move up, to expand, to start a Family. HE is ready.
...
SHE is getting ready to take a shower, SHE has a few places to go, a few people to see, SHE cant wait. SHE has been promised a job, a chance to work and get paid. SHE is excited.
8:00AM
HE rustles around the kitchen, wondering what HE'll eat, HE is tired of noodles and bread and boiled eggs. There is nothing. HE sighs. Hates himself for spending all that money on Hennessy and Power Horse the other night and the club, HE can bet his last dollar the club owners are having a full English breakfast, that's if HE even has a dollar to bet with. Bastards.
...
SHE sits in her bedroom, going over her proposal and generally basking in her anxiety. SHE sips tea as SHE generally checks for mistakes and ways SHE can improve on her write up. Her phone rings, its her Mother. SHE picks up.
9:00AM
HE is about to finish his work out session. HE loves looking good, that's the one thing HE prides himself for, his looks. Even though HE cant seem to be happy in a relationship, HE is a peace that its definitely not his looks that is the missing factor.
...
SHE is in tears as SHE tries to send a text message.
10:00AM
HE decides to drive out to look for something to eat. HE knows a joint close-by, HE doesn't mind their food, especially because it's cheap. HE grabs his phone and wears his flip-flops. His iPad flashes "1 New Email". It can wait. Hunger comes first.
...
SHE is standing at a bus-stop, dark glasses and a little less coordinated than she would have hoped. There is nothing SHE can do at this point, SHE has to go for her meeting. SHE wipes a tear as SHE tries to pull herself together.
11:00AM
HE is suddenly feeling good about today, HE didn't bother to drive back home after breakfast. There wasn't any power anyways and HE didn't buy diesel to power the generator. HE casually cruises to the next district, probably to see a buddy. HE is distracted by his phone as HE tries to change the song playing. HE nearly hits a pedestrian. His heart races as HE slams his brakes. Before HE could come out to apologize, the pedestrian dashes off hysterically.
...
SHE almost gets hit by a car.
12:00AM
HE is sitting with his friend on the edge of his car outside a mall. HE zones out repeatedly to the image of the young lady HE almost ran over an hour ago. HE is abruptly brought back to reality as his friend taps his shoulder. HE laughs in agreement. HE wasn't listening.
...
SHE casually strolls on the side walk. Her mind completely severed from its body. SHE cannot seem to understand why her world just came crumbling down exactly 4hrs ago. Her Father was no more. Her mother wakes beside his lifeless body, he had a heart-attack during the night.
1:00PM
HE is still at the mall. HE has structured his meeting for the day at that location, HE knows how driving in Lagos can be. HE decides to pull away from the car park and have a drink in bar in the mall. A cold beer should calm his nerves, plus the sun was in full effect anyways.
...
SHE sits quietly by the bar. Her younger sister works her, SHE contemplates how SHE would tell her the sad news. SHE cannot believe it. SHE doesn't even care about the job interview SHE just flunked. SHE wasn't going to get it anyways, the boss just wanted to sleep with her. SHE figured it out 10mins into the interview. Bastard.
2:00PM
HE has been in the bar / lounge for an hour now. Successfully rounded up one meeting but decides to hang around. HE is not in a hurry. HE is a bachelor and besides, HE is always welcome here. The owner is his friend. HE gets up to order another drink by the bar. The owner is there too behind the bar, he seems to be engaging a young lady who is by the bar. HE thinks to himself "Perv!", the bar owner has a reputation with women. HE goes to interrupt in a bid to try to play hero for this damsel in distress.
...
SHE is listening to the bar owner console her loss. He and her father were good friends and he has always been good to the family. Its no surprise her younger sister works here. SHE is grateful for his words as SHE learns her sister would not be coming in. The bar owner gave her the week off, she already knows about her Dad. An over-zealous Aunt had called her 5hrs ago. It was no wonder she wasnt picking her calls. SHE wonders if her sister even got the text SHE sent. SHE is distracted from her line of thought as a young man interrupts her conversation with the owner.
3:00PM
THEY sit quietly in a reserved area of the lounge. HE knew her father. HE had received an email about his death 5hrs ago, HE hadn't opened it, but HE knew her father. Her father was his client. SHE is feeling better now, words of comfort had poured in and SHE finds a safe haven in the fact that HE had also lost both parents earlier that year. SHE is grateful that HE is there. HE is not in a hurry to depart from her side. SHE needs him. HE needs her. THEY both don't know why. THEY would soon find out.
4:00PM
THEY share some finger foods from the lounge. SHE knows SHE has to leave soon and make plans to take her sister to Abuja to be with the rest of the family. SHE has been in close contact with her mom and her sister over the past hour. SHE is the head of the family now. SHE knows what lies ahead. HE cannot help but wonder what HE can do to help. SHE looks so sad as HE watches her pick the chicken wings. HE remembers her from the "almost" accident scene. HE doesn't tell her yet. That information doesn't matter just yet. SHE laughs. HE looks up and asks surprisingly, silently glad that SHE is laughing. SHE narrates how SHE almost got hit a by a car a few ago and how SHE can imagine the trauma her mother would have gone through to learn that SHE also had passed a few hrs after her father. SHE laughs at the thought. THEY both know its really not funny.
5:00PM
THEY both exit the lounge and head to the car park. HE unlocks his car with the remote. SHE sees the car. SHE remembers it. THEY both stare at each other. HE is in chaos as to what to say. SHE breaks the silence "It was you!". As HE tries to explain, SHE begins to apologize for being absent minded whilst crossing and her mind was on how she would tell her sister about their father. HE stops her and argues that HE was on his phone and it was his fault. THEY stand in silence. THEY know.
6:00PM
HE sits on his couch, mind totally on his day. HE was able to buy diesel so the generator is on. HE worries about how SHE is doing. HE gave her his number and intentionally did not collect hers. It wasn't one of those "Babe by Bar" scenarios. HE was tired of those anyway. HE unlocks his iPad and reads his emails, its from a close friend in Abuja, telling him what he already knew. Now HE wishes HE took her number, so he can call and check on her. His phone rings, HE doesn't recognize the number. HE picks up. HE smiles.
...
SHE just stepped out of the shower. Feels a whole lot better. SHE knows SHE is still going to cry, but for now SHE is a whole lot better. SHE puts the kettle on, SHE is definitely going to bed early tonight. SHE pulls out her bible and prepares for bedtime. SHE sits and stares at a photo of her Dad and her Mum. A tear escapes her right eye. SHE wipes it. SHE hears a whisper as cool breeze sweeps her bedroom, "It's ok!". SHE knows its her father. SHE wipes her face with her towel and picks her phone. SHE dials from a business card in her hand. The call connects. SHE smiles.
...
THEY both know.
...
HER father smiles in heaven and he looks left and right at both HIS parents.
...
The END.
