HIS PLEA
A new branch of the PamTol company has just been established in the town of Soapy. Many people are employed by the management of the company, among who are Ìpìnlẹ̀, Ẹkùn and Àgùntàn.
Àgùntàn and Ìpìnlẹ̀ work in the same department, marketing department while Ẹkùn is in the control room of the company.
Ẹkùn has known Ìpìnlẹ̀ for long because they attended the same High School together. During this period, Ẹkùn has developed interest in Ìpìnlẹ̀ but Ìpinlẹ̀ seems not to be interested in him.
He made his intention known to her but she turned him down.
As it's being said that a guy who pressurized a lady is the one that a lady would eventually be involved with, he started trying different means of getting Ìpìnlẹ̀. He used her friends to talk to her go through some leaders that he knows Ìpinle respects to help him talk to her but Ipìnlẹ̀ maintained her stand, she can't be married to him.
This happened two years before PamTol company is established in the town.
Since they both have been employed by the same company and would be working in the same premises, it's another avenue for him to relaunch his proposal to her he reasoned because they both have matured more than before, seen different experiences and time is not on their side. Ẹkùn therefore thought having seen different sides of life she should know that the love he has for her is not a one time thing nor is it infatuation that led him to her, he sincerely hopes and prays that she will be willing to embrace his love for her now.
He said to himself, he will do all in his power to impress her now that fate has brought them together again.
A Proverb in the land says, someone you have known, you can't pretend not to have known the person before. As such, when Ìpìnlẹ̀ discovered that Ẹkùn too works in the company they were quick to re-ignite their friendship.
Interestingly, Àgùntàn and Ìpìnlẹ̀ have started to like each other since they work in the same department. Àgùntàn is the Departmental head to whom Ìpinle reports daily.
Most times when they go on break Àgùntàn and Ìpìnlẹ̀ usually go together. People have noticed this about them and have been calling them "Love Birds" of the company.
They really are Love birds because Ìpinle can't do a thing without informing Àgùntàn neither can Àgùntàn embark on any thing without gisting Ìpinle. In fact what they planned doing months ahead they will discuss it over, planning it together.
Ẹkùn discovers this and wasn't happy. It seems as if his plan will not work in this establishment, this he doesn't like, he wants his plan to work. He started thinking about how he would cause a breakup among the Love Birds.
To execute this his mind tells him of the need to get closer to Ìpinle, there is a need for him to start taking her out during breaks, if he starts doing this, he reasoned gaps would be between them and he would be able to penetrate her.
He tried taking her out but she wasn't interested in him taking her out. Therefore he decides to be joining them when they are going for a break just to ensure that they don't have privacy.
To his chagrin he discovered that their privacy couldn't be broken, as such he resorted to lies, he lied to her that he is romantically involved with another lady.
This breaks her heart when she heard that he is romantically involved with another lady, as such instead of being patient, asking Àgùntàn about what she heard about him she started withdrawing from him, snubbing him and would not give him occasion at all.
As there can't be a vacuum in life she started walking with Ẹkùn, developed strong affinity for him.
While on duty they will repeatedly call each other before they met for break at noon, at closing hour, Ẹkùn would be waiting for her at the gate so that they go home together.
People were amazed at the sudden change in her character. The elders among them know that ladies could change at any time, and only God knows who will eventually be the crown of a lady. But what baffles them is what could bring about such a sudden change in her stance about Àgùntàn.
Àgùntàn and Ìpìnlẹ̀ have the same personality, they barely socialize with anyone, they don't have friends they are each other's best friends.
Therefore no one really knows how to help them.
An elder among, Ìtùnú, who is the secretary of Àgùntàn, and whom Àgùntàn used to play with and buy things for took it upon himself to know what could have necessitated what happened.
Therefore, he set his friends up to work on Ẹkùn and Ìpinle. He gave them two weeks maximum to unravel what led to the distance between Àgùntàn and Ìpìnlẹ̀ so that they will know if it can be resolved or they should allow the new lovers to keep their love.
The person assigned to work on Ẹkùn after the fifth day delivered his report to Ìtùnú, he told him of how Ẹkùn and Ìpinle have known each other for long, the several proposal attempts made by Ẹkùn which was turned down by Ìpinle.
Ìpinle thought all was over until they got employed by the company and that was when Ẹkùn revisited what he has been saying to her for years.
Ìpinle maintained her stand thinking by that Ẹkùn would leave her alone. But Ẹkùn didn't, when he discovered her seeing Àgùntàn he couldn't withstand that, thence he devised means of separating them. The initial steps taken didn't work until he told Ìpinle lies about Àgùntàn and Ìpìnlẹ̀ instead of digging deep into what she has heard acted subcortically, wanting to show Àgùntàn too that she also has someone who is dying to have her, therefore she started seeing him.
He appreciated him for a work well done and promised to repay him one day.
Getting information from Ìpinle wasn't that easy but after the tenth day, the person assigned also got some information from her which he divulged to Ìtùnú on the eleventh day.
There is no changes from what the earlier person told Ìtùnú, therefore, they knew what and where the problem emanated from.
They booked an appointment with Àgùntàn and discussed it with him. He really thanked them for taking the pains to get to the bottom of the matter.
Since Ẹkùn and Ìpinle have been inseparable, and Ìpinle seems not to want to hear anything about Àgùntàn again outside the company premises, the trio decided to book appointment with Ìpinle at home.
When they were booking appointment with her, Ìpinle wasn't at ease with it, and wouldn't want to listen to them. They then lied to her that they wanted to expose some secrets to her about Àgùntàn and they are sure she would love to hear what they wanted to say.
While talking with her, they noticed that her face brightened up and she took her phone to call Ẹkùn but they stopped her, saying if she calls anyone they won't reveal the secret to her again. This made her stop and she promised to wait for them at home. They asked her that they needed her to get a secret place for them because "walls have ears" and they wouldn't want the matter leaked to outsiders until they complete their task.
She promised to get them a safe place, and would not let anyone know of it.
They were enormously happy about this. They in secret told Àgùntàn of what is going on, that he should act as if nothing is happening until everything is resolved. He appreciated them and was playing along.
They met with Ìpinle as they have said, and told her everything that Ẹkùn has done, all he has done he did to separate them. They played what they had recorded for her. She couldn't hold back tears from her eyes.
After listening to them, she started blaming herself saying something keeps telling her that Ẹkùn was lying but because I didn't know him before the major part of me keep saying he was telling me the truth, that was why I fell for his lies and did what I did.
"How can I salvage myself now?" She asked them.
Ìtùnú told her that there is no problem with that, Àgùntàn thinks of you everyday and seconds his mind is always with you, since you didn't give him occasion to talk that's what keeps him back, but now that you know the truth, getting him is easier or "can we call him for you?" He asked her.
"Yes, you can" she replied
Ìtùnú dialed his number and he answered the call, they told him they are with Ìpinle and she desires to see him. He was elated to hear this, telling them that after washing his car, he will be with her. He asked if she won't go out, instead of Ìtùnú replying, he gave the phone to Ìpinle who was fighting back mucus from her nostrils as she has been moved to tears that she has been deceived for long, replied she will be home waiting for him.
They were happy with what they have achieved that day and told Àgùntàn that they would be seeing him in the office as they ended the call.
She thanked them for being a wonderful mediator, for had it not been for them, she would have fallen for what she doesn't love, and would have discovered the truth when remedy couldn't be made.
They replied that she and Àgùntàn have been wonderful leaders in the company and they will always be ready to go the extra length for them.
Those people left for their abode.
Immediately after their departure, she knew what he liked to eat and started preparing it for him…
Thirty minutes after he appeared… she wanted to talk, Àgùntàn will not allow him to say anything as he puts his mouth to hers' kissing deeply and passionately. Running his hands through the furore of her plaited hair, Ìtùnú and his teammates have briefed me before coming to you, I guessed I would have acted as you have acted and maybe worse…. It's good to be good. It's our goodness that we are reaping the rewards today…. I didn't initiate what they did, for if they had told me this before, you know I would have gone against them… but they acted without telling me nor you, they also interviewed me without my knowledge too to be sure that I wasn't the cause of what happened, as Ìtùnú said when they were talking to me, for it will not augur well for him as an elder "to roof half of a building", so they balanced the equation. It was after they knew that I didn't nothing wrong that they went to your end, they decided to act swiftly because they suspected Ẹkùn, he is traveling faster than they can think and things may get out of hand if they didn't act swiftly. They wanted our joy, happiness for they know we are always happy together and our happiness rubs on them and the establishment that was why they did what they do.
She was happy to hear him speak after some months of separation. She asked to know if she has forgiven her, but he told her she never sinned, it's a person who commits sin that needs to be forgiven.
She laid her head on his chest as they walked into her apartment…. Your best meal is almost ready, she told him.
"I will gladly eat what you have prepared for I have missed your delicious meals" he said as she smiled.
"Thanks for the compliment" she replied
After they finished, they left for the stadium to watch an indoor game, she can play badminton, while he can play table tennis…. They however were not in a mood for any game, they are in a mood to be in each other's arms seeing life together as they used to see life before.
From there they went to Soapy Dam, for there are joints beside the dam where lovers do go, to enjoy themselves during sunset. They haven't been here before now. Today is a special day in the history of their lives. They wanted to enjoy it to the fullest.
In the meantime Ẹkùn has been expecting her, when he didn't see her he called her but she wasn't answering the call again, there is nothing to say to you again she said to herself. Although, Àgùntàn begged her to answer his calls but she totally refused. He has studied to know that when she refuses something she hardly goes back on it. He can though persuade her to answer one of his calls or call him back but he doesn't want to because he also knows if he is the one it will hit him hard.
He brought her back to her house after they had had nice time together, but she doesn't want to leave him therefore they left for his house together where she passed the weekends.
Ẹkùn has known that things have changed he didn't bother his head disturbing her again.
Weeks after the incident, he begged to see her, she turned down the offer but on telling Àgùntàn he implored her to see him, if she is not confirmed going alone, she can put her phone on and he will be hearing every of the conversation he has with her. This gladdens her heart.
When they met, Ẹkùn begged her to forgive him, it was because of his love for her that made him acted the way he acted.
She replied that she had forgiven him.
Then he told her that the purpose for calling her is that she knows that she loved Àgùntàn so dearly and Àgùntàn also loves her greatly. He did that with the hope of winning her heart for he thought if her heart could be off him for sometimes she won't like him again but he is mistaken. Now that he is not successful in winning her, he begged her to please make sure she married Àgùntàn. I am saying this because I know you ladies, you may see another person tomorrow and leave with the person, but I am convinced that with Àgùntàn you will blossom in all you do….
She thanked him for his advice asking if she can leave, and he replied that she can for that's what she wants to tell her, the main reason for calling her that she should for no reason leave the guy.
She left Ẹkùn for Àgùntàn's place….
(The End)
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