LOVE YOU ANOTHER DAY - Episode 10

Ola had hardly settled into the office when he decided to call Kemi. He was not well disposed to the edge in her voice when they spoke earlier that morning. He also knew he would be starting off the day's work on the wrong foot, if he did not clear his mind on the issue. He was someone who did not like being bothered by too many things, and that was exactly what the replayed voice of Kemi was doing in his head. 

He slackened his tie. Something he did subconciously every morning, as a mark it was time to get down to work. He was pacing up and down the office without realising it, as he anxiously waited for Kemi to pick up the phone.

"Hello de..." Ola was just saying into the phone when the door knob turned and Bukky looked in.

 He gestured to Bukky with his free right hand that he was on a call and watched as she took a further step into the office closing the door as quietly as she had opened it. And immediately, Ola knew he was not willing to go on with the call. He could not afford to discuss a seeming relationship issues when someone was privileged to overhear him, even if he could with another person around but definitely not Bukky, not after the happenings of the previous day. 

"...I've just got to the office. Will it be okay if I call you in another fifteen minutes?" The cold voice at the other end of the line was still evident as Kemi said he could call whenever he wanted but no way Ola was prepared to give anything away. So he continued, "Alright dear, I'll be calling you shortly. Take care."

There was a click in his ear to signal the line was dead before he could lower the phone and cut the line himself. He tried his best to appear unruffled as he greeted Bukky with a smile, that was a real contrast to the state of his head, and therefore looked very odd on his face. 

"Good morning." 

"Good morning. And how was the night?" Bukky returned without making further efforts to narrow the distance separating them. 

"My night was good, thanks. And yours?"   

"I should say it was invigorating. And thanks for yesterday."   

"I don't think that was anything. You would have done same for me, if I was in your shoes," Ola managed but it would not take anything for anyone to detect the obvious tightness in his voice. 

"All the same I still appreciate the kind gesture."   

"It's alright. It's one of those things friends do for friends," he said, a poor attempt at trying to liven up his own mood. 

"Anyway, I've got to return to my desk. See you around as you remenber to have a swell day."   

"You too," Ola offered, a little out of relief. 

 Bukky reached for the door knob but then on second thought turned around and stopped Ola who was just making for his seat in his track.

"There was a look about you when you walked in, and one that's still there in your eyes even now. Something is bothering you, right?"   

"You mean in my eyes...but there's nothing disturbing on my mind. Maybe my eyes are just a little tired. I'm fine though, thanks by the way for your concern." 

"You're welcome. Alright see you," she said before turning the knob.

 Ola let out a sigh of relief. He could not believe he was wearing his emotions on his face. He was happy however that Bukky had not walked in on him midway into his conversation with Kemi. It would have felt more demoralising than this, he reasoned as he resignedly drop into his chair.

Bukky believed nothing of all Ola said. She knew him too well not to know when he was bothered. But if he was not willing to let it out, what could she do, she wondered as she made for her desk. She could see her immediate boss, Ngozi Obikwelu, just arriving and walking into his office, so she hurried her strides.

You May Yet Read The Previous Episode: Love You Another Day Episode 9 (You don't want to miss anything)

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Once Ola was certain Bukky was gone, he dialed Kemi's number again. This time he wasted no time in saying how sorry he was about the previous night. He explained how the previous day had gone but careful enough not to mention a word of any part that involved Bukky. Kemi's tone appeared to warm up after he defused her insinuation that he was probably taking a walk away from the man he had been having slept with her, what she described as the ultimate motive at the back of the mind of most men with a woman. Ola was hurt by the claim but he nevertheless reaffirmed that he cared more about Kemi's heart than her body. 

Ola's heart was beginning to beat normal again for the first time that morning as he chatted and inadvertently scribbled on the pad in his front on the desk. But then, Kemi chipped in that she would be returning to Esa Oke, Osun State, her place of primary assignment for the NYSC programme in two day's time. The development was two days short of the earlier agreed date. 

All Ola tried to make Kemi change her mind fell on deaf ears. Not even the plea that he would love to see her before she left could make her have a rethink. She countered that, if Ola was serious about seeing her, he should be prepared to do so at her uncle's place before that set date. Ola knew that pulling that off was as good as impossible. Well, instead of admitting outright defeat on the issue, he told Kemi they should talk about it later.

But for Kemi who had earlier given in to Dave's insistence to pay her a visit the next day, it was a decided case and no going back. And the fact that Ola was giving excuses where Dave had prevailed was doing Ola's interest no good in the ongoing game of comparison that was already set in motion in her mind about the two men...