My Regret Part 2

"Are you scarèd? This one you're standing like an army recruit. Come closer. If possible, sit next to me so we can have a one-on-one discussion." he said and adjusted himself on the bed but I told him that manager was waiting for me

"Alright can I have your number at least? For proper communication."

"Maybe later when I come back sir." I told him and left.

He called me back and told me to pick up the empty can of malt he had left on the table. As soon as I bent to pick it up, I felt his hand on my buttôcks. I pretended nothing had happened and walked out immediately, refusing to look at his face. With me, I was boiling with anger. I didn’t want to risk doing something that might get me blamed or even sacked for a situation I didn’t cause. It was the first time a man had ever disrespected me like that, and it filled me with a mix of shock and rage.

I disposed the malt and returned back to my usual duty. Our assistant manager that was present asked me why I took that long but I told her that I was responding to some of his questions.

The next day, I was so sick that I couldn’t go to work. To make matters worse, my phone was broken, and I couldn’t afford to fix it or buy a new one to contact anyone. In the morning, I visited a pharmacist who diagnosed me with severe malaria. The treatment cost was ₦16,500, which I couldn’t afford. Desperate, I begged her to treat me on credit, promising to discuss it with my manager so he could deduct the amount from my salary to pay her. Seeing how badly I was trembling, she took pity on me and agreed to help.

After giving me the injection, she handed me the drugs, directed me how I'd take them and told me I would need two more injections over the next two days. She asked me to return every evening for the next dose. I thanked her and left.

By the third day, I was finally able to get back on my feet. It felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off my body. I boiled some of my yams ate and returned to work hoping to bèg my manager for the bill but I got the greatest shock of my life when some of my fellow workers whispered to me that manager was patiently waiting to confront me with the intention of firing me.

As soon as I arrived, he began yelling at me why I refused to show up without informing him. Before I could fully explain, he slápped me, accusing me of lyîng. I couldn’t comprehend why he was so annoyed that day, especially since I had always known him to be a good person. I thought to myself, 'Perhaps this is the devil’s plan to punish me.' Other workers arranged themselves at the corner observing. He then demanded I go home and bring a medical report to prove my îllness, warning me that if I couldn’t provide evidence, he would fîre me.

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