I noticed something interesting about one of my male colleagues.
Our office closes around 4:30–5:00 p.m., and once you’re done with your work, you’re free to head home. Simple.
But this guy? He never leaves.
Every single day at closing hour, you’ll still find him glued to his desk like his chair is paying rent.
Meanwhile, me? I’m usually among the first people to disappear once it’s time. No stress.
So this evening, the moment it hit 4:30, I packed my bag at lightning speed and headed straight for the door.
Just as I got there, I heard HR knock on his office door and ask,“Are you staying back today?”
He replied calmly, “Yes.”
Then HR asked, “What will you be having? Rice or swallow?”
Excuse me… what??
Since when did our office start serving food??
I quietly turned back, walked to my seat like nothing happened, and gently reopened my laptop.
Suddenly, I too had “work.”
Not long after, everyone else left. It was just me, that man, and HR remaining.
Around 5:30 p.m., a food vendor walked in carrying food… one for HR… and another for that man.
Ahhh!
As she was leaving, I quickly opened my door on purpose.
She spotted me and said, “Nne, you’re still around?”
I replied, “Yes oo, I still have some work to finish.”
HR heard my voice and called out,“Chinecherem, you’re still here?”
I said yes, I had some things to clear.
He said, “That’s good. At least you won’t go home late and start cooking. Tell her what you want.”
Ehhhhhh!!!
I nearly screamed—but I composed myself.
“I’ll have jollof rice, ma,” I said with dignity.
Five minutes later… hot jollof rice landed on my table like a blessing from above.
The joy I felt? Unexplainable.
I didn’t waste a single second.
After eating, I just sat quietly in my office, waiting for the perfect time to leave—so it wouldn’t look like I stayed back because of food. (God forbid.)
Soon, they locked up their offices and we all stepped out together.
As we were leaving, that my colleague looked at me and said,“So you stayed back today? Unlike you that always rush home?”
I smiled calmly. “I had some work to clear.”
He nodded… then asked,“So tomorrow you’ll go early since you’ve finished everything?”
I said, “Hmm… not really. From this month, once I’m done, I’ll start staying back to cross-check everything.”
He paused, looked at me, and said,“Don’t you think that’s stressful? You should be going home early.”
I said, “No, I just want to be more dedicated this month.”
The way he looked at me after that… he knew.
But he said nothing.
My dear, why should I rush home when I still have important work to do in the office?
I am a very dedicated staff abeg! 😩😂
