"Alright, sir, I'll give you a call back shortly." Zainab said before ending the call. I heaved a sigh of relief and quickly jumped from my work desk to the office canteen.
"The usual, please." I tapped the counter right before heading to an empty table, close to a blowing fan. I was exhausted already from the numerous calls I had to attend to, and Zainab's was the cap. I found her amusing yet lovely. Her voice was captivating, and even though I was getting frustrated by her inability to get things right, I found it difficult to rebuke or express my anger. I was a customer care representative for Sun-Tech Solars. Well, the job never condones any attitude other than being civil and respectful to our clients, and I did my best to absorb the hurt and drama. My meal was consumed almost as soon as it arrived, and I returned to my desk.
"Mr. Tunde, there's a client that asked to talk with you specifically, a Miss Zainab." Kola, my colleague, said to me as I resumed my desk. I checked the time only to realize it was 14:07.
"Thank you." I said to Kola and picked up my headset, where Miss Zainab had already waited for me.
"Hello, Miss Zainab. Apologies for keeping you waiting."
"It's fine; I'm sure you enjoyed your meal even though you didn't invite us."
I chuckled at what she said. "I'm sure you're bigger than such meals. I ate it in haste, though. So, what about your device? Is it working fine now?"
"Oh yes, you're just good at what you do. I called to give you feedback and appreciate you. Thank you very much."
"You're most welcome, Miss Zainab." I replied with a smile. I tried my best to remain formal, even though I wished the conversation with Zainab could continue and perhaps I could enjoy some after-work chat with her.
"I hope I'll always get across to you whenever I call. I enjoyed your customer relations, Mr. Tunde. Can I have your personal contact information?" Miss Zainab said.
I was excited but knew I could only discreetly give her my official line without my organization getting to know it. "Excuse me for a minute." I said. I disabled the voice record and monitor temporarily. "I've picked your digits, Miss Zainab; I'll call you after work." I said. The conversation ended shortly after, and the rest of my shift was uneventful.
When I got home that very evening, I put a call through to Zainab after I had freshened up. She sounded excited to talk to me, which amused me further. I practically spent the evening talking with Zainab as we talked about issues surrounding work, life, etc. I stylishly pushed her to a WhatsApp chat, which enabled me to prepare something light for dinner.
I enjoyed Zainab's company, as it was a relief for the hard time I was experiencing during the process of my divorce from Atinuke, whom I had been married to for the past three years. As much as she tried to mend the marriage, Atinuke and I seemed not to meet on common ground. I had filed for divorce, which prompted Atinuke to leave the house two months ago. I got the space I wanted, but the peace I sought was lacking. As much as I missed Atinuke, my ego would not make me succumb to withdrawing from the divorce process. "Perhaps Zainab is the angel sent as a replacement for Atinuke," I thought to myself as Zainab seemed to tick all the boxes. It's been three weeks since Zainab and I have been talking, and we quickly grew fond of ourselves. I confessed my feelings to her as well as the troubles I had in my marriage, which she was sympathetic about.
Zainab agreed to meet up with me after much persuasion, and I had to travel a two-hour journey to where she resided. My heart found a soft spot for Zainab, and I desired so much to see her. Locating the restaurant we agreed to meet was not difficult, and I was glad to make it right before our agreed time.
I had barely settled down when a familiar scent of Atinuke's perfume sent shivers through my spine. I knew I was not mistaken as I watched Atinuke walk into the restaurant. Her peach gown, laced with beautiful ornaments, was attractive, and she glowed differently from when I last saw her. I hated coincidences, but seeing her in the same venue for my date was not one I was comfortable with. I watched as Atinuke walked to a corner of the restaurant that had fewer illuminations. I tried as much as possible to take my mind off her, but my control over my mind was compromised already. My phone rang at that instance, and Zainab's call came in, which caused me to panic. The option I had was to seek an alternative venue while I escaped from my about-to-be divorced wife.
"Hey, Mr. T," Zainab said on the phone as she fondly called me. "I'm at the restaurant; where are you?"
I froze for a split second, trying to digest what Zainab had just said. I looked over at Atinuke also, only to realize she was on a phone call. "You are at Fresh Meal Restaurant?" I managed to ask after finding my voice, speaking almost in a hushed tone.
"Yes, are you here already?"
"Are there two of these restaurants in town?"
"Not at all. Oh, I've seen you. Let me come to where you are."
My heartbeat spontaneously became erratic. I watched as Atinuke stood up from her seat and walked up to me, her perfume filling my nostrils more than her presence choked my reasoning. "Atinuke?" I managed to say this after swallowing a gulp of my own saliva.
"Is that how to welcome me after two months of cutting me out?"
"Well, I'm sorry, but right now, I am here to meet someone important."
"You mean Zainab?" Atinuke said, chuckling. "My dear Mr. T, well, for your information, I'm Zainab. Can I at least sit?"
I covered my face with my left hand and laughed at my foolishness for a few moments before gesturing her to the seat opposite me, where she sat. The waitress took our orders. We stared at each other for a while, and many unanswered questions flooded my mind. "So, you acted as Zainab?" I asked unbelievably, and she nodded with a smile in affirmation.
"Thanks to an app on my phone, I was able to disguise my tone. I'm sorry."
"Hmmm"
"I'm sorry, Tunde, both for disguising as another and also for giving you tough times. The past few weeks I was Zainab to you made me realize many wrong things, which I am willing to work on. Please, my own Mr. T," Atinuke said with a sober expression. "This was the best way I thought of to save our marriage." She continued and drew her chair back to kneel.
I swiftly dashed to her side, lifted her up before her knees could hit the ground, and gave her a bear hug. I missed her! "I'm sorry, my baby; my ego got the better of me. Tonight, let's just have a date as a couple. I'm sure I'll have gray hair with you by my side." I whispered in her ears as I helped her to her seat.
We lodged at a nearby hotel and made sure her belongings were taken back with us to our home the following day.