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Blind Spot!
Prologue: Blind Spot is what others, [the public] knows about you that you are not aware of. Goal is to try and minimize ones blind spot as much as possible. Sometimes painful to become aware of ones blind spot, but it is worth it- makes a better person out of you.
Chapter One: The Bitter End
Once Ngozi stepped into the office that morning, she knew something big was up in the air. It seemed everyone is talking but not verbally, which was highly unusual. She felt that all eyes were on her, she tried to look people in the eyes as she greeted them to search for clues but most avoided her eyes. Even her boss, Mr. Chuks who is usually a chatterbox is not saying much either, he faked a smile and immediately picked up his phone when she came into his office. She smiled to herself, “isn’t that the oldest trick in the book,” she said out loud, she has done it many times herself to get out uncomfortable situations when she didn’t want to engage in any conversation. She went into the rest room and surveyed her outfit just to make sure she does not have anything on her. She emerged satisfied with her looks; it had to be something else. She decided to face the project she has on hand at the moment and find out during lunch why everyone was acting weird around her. Things around her looked unfamiliar, her office has been remolded in her absence, she has been away for three month at University of Calabar, where she enrolled to get a computer degree. She is pleased with how far she has come in this company; she is now the Assistance Manager of Harchik Inc. a re-cycling powerhouse. She has worked hard to get to this point, but things has changed immensely not just in her company but in the country in general, gone are the days when workers got compensation based on the quality of work that they put in. She is convinced that most decisions are based on what one has to offer either materially or otherwise and also based on whom you know on top. She concluded that this is the root of the country’s problems; hard hard work is no longer a virtue to strive for. Ngozi’s phone rang; she picked it up “yes Liz.” Liz she was informed is the new secretary, she has replaced Esther, a young woman that she has mentored and helped for years. Liz informed her that Pat is on line two and that Mr. Duke is here for his 10 o’clock appointment. Ngozi thought she detected anxiety in Liz’s voice when she announced that Pat is on line two, she quickly dismissed that thought and said, “thanks Liz, tell Mr. Duke to give me five more minutes, meanwhile take him to the conference room.” Ngozi took a sip of her coffee and picked up the phone “hi honey, how was your trip? How is mama? Hope she is feeling better.” She paused to listen but Pat was silent. She continued, ‘Pat, honey talk to me, is mama dead or something? What is going on? You are scaring me darling, ogini?” She paused again, still no reply from the other end, but she could hear Pat breathing. Losing patience Ngozi said, “I have to go Pat, call me when you are ready to talk. I have a meeting and am already 10mins late. So you see I have to go now dear, let’s talk after my meeting, ok.” Before she could say goodbye, Pat caught in and spoke as fast he could “ Ngozi, I got married yesterday, the traditional igba nkwu was done three weeks ago, I am truly sorry it had to end this way.” Ngozi hung up and then dialed Pat’s phone number; her eyes welled with tears, her heart bitter like bitter leaf juice. “Pat please tell me what went wrong or better still what did I do wrong. When did all these happen? Who is she? Why? Am such a fool” There was no answer from Pat, it doesn’t even matter, it’s done- that harm has been done, she has become the bottom of the joke-a woman scorned.
Chapter Two: The Sweet Beginning
Ngozi couldn’t sleep after that bomb Pat dropped on her laps- how inconsiderate of him, after all she did for him and his siblings. She remembered the first day she met Pat, she was rushing back to her office after lunch for a meeting that hot afternoon when she bumped into him. He was personable and charming yet professional. He had come to Harchik Inc. to seek employment, it has been fifteen month since his graduation and he is yet to gain employment. His friends were all employed and making good living and he wanted the same thing, to be like the "big boys". Ngozi has bumped into him at the revolving door; she remembered her long apologies, partly because she has a knack for bumping into things and people. She apologized profusely “Excuse me, am sorry, I was not paying attention, was looking for my handkerchief, this Lagos is getting too hot for me. It’s all my fault, I am late for a meeting. I did not expect that long line at Sweetbites where I went for lunch, I usually bring my lunch from home. That way, I know what I am eating. oh well- you look fine to me, I have to run now. Take care.” She did not wait for his reply rather she zapped to her meeting. Ngozi was surprised to see Pat the next day, her secretary Esther had announced that a gentleman who refused to give his name is in the building to see her. Instead of inviting him to her office, Ngozi went out to see this mysterious visitor, she made mental calculation on who it could be; maybe her ex from university days. She did not immediately place the face staring at her, “can I be of help to you sir, I don’t think we have met before.” Just then she remembered, and bust out laughing out loud. She extended her hand towards him “My name is Ngozi Okei, please come into my office, Esther please hold my calls for now, ok, thanks.” Pat knew this was once in a lifetime opportunities, so came prepared to deliver. Pat felt at ease in Ngozi’s presence, they had gone to the same university, though at different times. Pat filled her in on the many changes at their beloved university. Pat left knowing that he had made an impression on her and was very hopeful something will definitely come out that meeting. It was destined to be, the way they met. Ngozi was the head of Human Resources and so, has a great deal of influence on who is hired or fired. Pat had met the right person indeed and he knew it. Ngozi is tough and does not make decisions no matter how trivial based on emotions. She took her time to look into Pat’s qualifications and was impressed with his academic excellence and personality. She was genuinely surprised no other company had snatched this young chemical engineer. She became his advocate and secured an employment for him in the company. Pat impressed his supervisors with his skills and work ethics and was quickly promoted and Ngozi got credit for hiring him. They talked from time to time but were never overly friendly but that changed during the end-of- year company gala. They sat together at the same table during the night’s event where she received an “Outstanding Employee Award.” Ngozi had too much to drink, so Pat offered to drop her home. On their way, Ngozi threw up and soiled her expensive dress that she was hoping to return the next day, now that’s not remotely possible. Pat dropped her off and they said their goodbyes. When Pat got home, he called her to see how she was doing, they talked deep into the night and very soon they couldn’t wait to hear each other voices. The bond between them grew day and night and they eventually moved in together against their family and friends wishes. Now Ngozi wondered why he never proposed to her all these years, but has now met and married someone else within three-month period. “This is absurd; who in his or her right mind does a thing like this to someone else,” she cried out loud. Now she knew why everyone was conversing behind her back this morning in the office. Her colleagues attended the traditional wedding when he was supposed to be attending to his sick mother. She hated them all, Pat, men, his mother, her colleagues. She has the right to know that the man she loves and cared for does not love her anymore. They have sleepin on her bed, driving her car, possibly laughing at her. Someone should have informed her of her Blind Spot.
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Writer Profile
nina
My name is Eucharia Nina Chika Igwe; I'm a citizen of the world. I love to write, among many other things.
I currently reside in the USA and would one day like to be a Minister for Health. Health and Wellness-related issues are my passion. I strongly believe that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.
High self-esteem is one of the things that has sustained me. Love starts with oneself and then flows out to the rest of one's environment.
I am a spirit-filled individual determined to make a whole lot of difference in this generation and in generations to come.
I do ask one thing of you: Always give your honest opinion about my writings. It is truly appreciated. Make each day a memorable one. Ndewo!!!
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Comments
Good One Timothy | Apr 11th, 2009
...guess a book is comming.You are a good writer...
I like this story
Timothy Ogene
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