Mike woke up that morning feeling fulfilled. He had woken up to the events of the previous night playing on his mind. He could not have felt any better about it all. Another feather in his cap! The name Harriet now sounded like something out of his distant past. Even the memory of the face of the bearer of the name would henceforth matter in only one place; his collection of women whose hearts he had conquered and shattered.
It was a Saturday, so Mike was in no hurry to get started for work. He was not expected at the hospital until eleven. He checked on his bedside clock. The time was 5:35. He could afford to slug in bed for another twenty minutes before hitting the treadmill. Workout was part of his morning ritual. He could not remember the last time he left the house without using the treadmill. He loved to look after his body. He would give anything to ensure his body was in great shape. It was one of the tricks needed in the game of women hunting. He had learnt the tricks to a woman's heart over the years. Money, good looks and an athletic build! To some women, money alone would do the trick. To some, good looks in a man was the magic word. And some would give their ears to have a piece of a man with athletic build. And only two out of every hundred women would not be hoodwinked by a man who possessed these three qualities. And this two percent represented those women who believed men in the world was a waste of space. The lesbians. Who needed them by the way had always been Mike's argument.
Mike was reeking of sweat as he made his way into the bathroom, after thirty minutes of being on the treadmill. "No sweat, no sweet" said Mike to his reflection in the mirror. He was about dropping into the bathtub when his phone rang. He had to get the call. He left the bathroom having no need of the towel to cover his member that was dangling between his feet. Tunde was the one calling.
"Hello"
"Hello. Good morning. And why are you panting this way?" Tunde said from the other end of the line.
"You should know, bro." Mike returned.
"Workout?"
"Yup bro"
"Hmm. You still haven't told me what event you're preparing for in the Olympics. Hope it isn't boxing."
"Then, you're going to be my trainer. We'll make a great pair, I tell you." said Mike amidst a laugh.
"Sorry bro, there'll be only one place to go, if you make me your trainer; down."
"Then, I'd better take my search for a trainer elsewhere..."
"Now, you're talking."
"Who even needs lazybones like you, by the way?"
"Don't bet on that, man..."Mike was a little worried when Tunde told him there was an important issue to be discussed. He could sense the seriousness in Tunde's voice. It had to be something really important. Could Harriet have told him anything? That could not be it, he countered. Harriet would have no means of contacting Tunde, of that he was certain. He had always ensured his girls and Tunde never had up-close-and-personal interactions. There had to be another reason. But he knew Tunde better than to have asked for what the matter could be. Well, he had agreed to see Tunde later in the day. Until then, not too many things would matter, he concluded as he crossed to the bathroom.
* * *
Mike drove into the compound of Manny Hospital where he was a consultant doctor. Manny Hospital was housed on about five hectares of land. It was a hospital that boasted of state-of-the-art medical equipment that only few hospitals could rival in the whole country. Mike was a cardiothoracic surgeon. One who loved his profession. And only very few things gave him more joy than when he was at the hospital.
Appiah, one of the hospital's parking lot attendants was on hand to receive Mike. Appiah, a Ghanaian was happy to see Mike drive in. He was sure it meant another opportunity to get into the Range. He loved driving exotic cars. And Mike was one of those few individuals who afforded him the opportunity to get into one, on daily basis. He was already by the car as Mike lowered the glass.
"Good morning, doc"
"Morning Appy. How're you?" replied Mike.
"I'm doing very good, doc, thanks. And you?" Appiah returned in his pronounced Ghanaian accent.
"I'm ok. Could you help me drive this over?"
"No problem, doc."
Appiah took the wheel as soon as Mike got off. "I'll bring the key over, sir." He said and waited for Mike to take two steps away before engaging the gear and heading for the parking lot. The car should be what comfort was all about, he thought within himself. If only he could own one...
* * *
Work had gone all nice that day at the hospital. There had been no case of dire emergency. Mike was snaking through the streets of Surulere, on his way to meet with Tunde when he saw an ongoing drama ahead. A young man was forcefully dragging a girl out of his car. And all the girl's pleas had been met with a slammed-shut car door before he drove off. The girl was left to the embarrassing gazes of onlookers.
That served her right was Mike's first reaction. He was about driving past the girl when a thought dropped on his mind. He had no use of his second thought. It seemed all perfect. He could not believe it would come this easy. Even Tunde could wait. He stopped the car, got out and walked up to the girl, not minding people's prying eyes. Only the girl mattered now. She was very vulnerable and needed little persuasion to get into the Jeep...
N.B: Thanks for reading this episode through. Don't forget to leave your thoughts so far on the novella in the comment box. And let's meet again next week... Until then, be fine!
