It is two days to Rita's birthday bash and Jane her best friend still couldn't secure her leave from work.
Despite it weighing heavily on her, she kept assuring Rita that she would make it.
But then, Rita being overly dramatic had her patience running thin, as she would always threaten Jane that their friendship is hanging on a very thin thread.
Fortunately for both girls, Jane's application for leave went through and was approved few minutes to the close of work that day.
The commencement of Jane's leave tallied such that she doesn't have to be at the office the next day as that is when her leave begins.
She immediately started making plans to travel down for Rita's birthday party. As she browsed the internet for available ticket bookings, she kept smiling from ear to ear as her evening was made.
Jane's happiness was so glaring that her colleague Austin who was closing and stepping out of the office came back and started teasing her.
Madam Jany Jany (as Austin fondly calls her), this one you are smiling like this, I can see that your boyfriend must be doing his work very well.
Which boyfriend? Mtcheewww! Jane responded with a deep hiss.
Ha!, Austin exclaimed.
He continued: Don't tell me a beautiful girl like you is single to stupor, I won't take that from you because you are too beautiful to still be in the street.
Jane rolled her eyes and shook her head while still engrossed in her phone checking for Bus bookings.
Austin however, wasn't backing down as he continued with the yabbing.
Don't worry my sweet, sweet Jany, I will arrange you for one of my aged uncles, he has money and is currently looking for a fifth wife. Austin said jokingly as he gave Jane some reasonable distance to avoid her hitting him.
Jane, having buried her head on her phone all this while trying to secure her travel ticket, looked up to Austin and asked: Don't you have a wife and children to return home to?
Don't distract me please I am very busy. Jane told Austin off.
Hmph! Busy doing nothing, Austin said as he made it for the door to dodge the slipper Jane threw at him.
Useless man. Jane said laughing.
After successfully booking her travel tickets for the Moro, Jane started packing up for the close of work.
Midway into packing, she looked up to the ceiling in excitement, raised both her index fingers and said: It can only be you God, You are the only one that can run this type of miracle.
Rita and Jane have been best of friends since kindergarten, and it's a yearly ritual for both girls to always turn up for each other's birthday. Not even Jane's newly over demanding Job could prevent her from showing up for her besty as she was pumped for the occasion.
At the break of dawn, Jane was already at the park to avoid missing her ticket turn.
Her trip was scheduled for 7am, but by 5am, Jane was already at the bus station.
As she struggled to locate her Bus to secure her seat, she heard her phone ring but thought she'd check on it once she's successfully inside the bus.
But then, locating her bus was gradually becoming a futile exercise as it was almost 7am departure time.
They kept announcing the buses code and their various destinations, with the location where each of the buses were situated at the park, but since the speaker wasn't clear, Jane struggled to locate her bus and sort guidance from the Park guides.
As she walked towards the location of her bus, her phone kept ringing, and she knew definitely it would be Rita calling to know about her movement.
I know if I do not pick this call, Rita won't relent, Jane thought as she reached into her bag for her phone.
She didn't bother to check who was calling as she swiped the green button and let out a hello.
But she got confused hearing Austin's voice asking her to come to the office immediately as her attention was urgently needed.
She checked her phone screen to confirm if really it's Austin or her hearing was being tricky because she ought to be on leave.
You do realize Austin that I'm on leave, so whatever my attention is needed for can wait. Jane said authoritatively.
Ok, no problem I'd just tell the Boss that your boyfriend is more important than the job, Austin responded as he ended the call almost immediately
Jane hissed, dropped the phone in her bag and then discovered her bus was no longer where it was parked.
Not wanting to believe that she had missed her trip, she went back to the booking area and her fears were confirmed as the bus had gone.
Jane did not know if to cry or yell.
Firstly she spent so much in acquiring the ticket online as it was express.
Secondly, she had gotten to the park quite early for her to be missing her trip.
Lastly, how would she explain to Rita that she's about to break a tradition that has lasted over two decades?
Just as she was thinking of what to do and how best to salvage the situation, She heard her phone ring again, she couldn't tell this time around if It's still Austin or Rita.
She reached out to her phone again, and this time around her eyes shun, as it was her supervisor calling. Immediately it hit her that Austin might not be fooling around after all because her supervisor would not be calling her that early unless something was wrong.
Good morning Sir, Jane greeted.
Good morning Jane did Austin call you? Mr. Jonah asked calmly with his baritone voice.
Yes sir, he did, Jane stuttered.
How long will it take you to get to the office as it's a matter of urgency?
I'm right on my way sir, Jane responded as she flagged a taxi.
Trying so hard not to panic, she first texted Rita and informed her of the latest development, snapping her ticket as proof that she actually did make the effort to come. She also informed Rita she was headed to the office as a matter of urgency came up. She then proceeded to call Austin but he wasn't picking.
Jane's panic worsened especially since she could not get a hold of Austin, or ascertain what was wrong.
Her palms became really sweaty and her hands shaky as she started having a nervous breakdown. She managed to get a grip as she soon arrived at her work place and went straight to Mr. Jonah's office where she met Austin seated and sat beside him.
Mr. Jonah brought out several files and then asked Jane the filing for a particular company called Q & K whose contract they have been bidding for years and finally got it.
Jane stared confused as she could have sworn she had filed the company's details and was awaiting financial authorization from their account officer so she can commence rendering procurement services to Q&K company. But after series of search, it was obvious that Jane didn't file it and this made Mr. Jonah very upset with her that he gave her a query and issued a five-month slash from her monthly salary.
Jane was so devastated as it seemed everything was happening to her all at once. Currently Rita's birthday party became the least of her worries as that was what got her in trouble at her workplace. She was so engrossed in being there for her best friend that she neglected her primary duties.
When Rita heard what had transpired at Jane's office, she felt terrible as she knew how dedicated Jane was to her work. She apologized for mounting so much pressure on Jane, and promised to support her financially all through the five months she will be earning below her salary.
