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By Dipo Tepede, 2 years and 9 months ago

Ladies Only! What a Dilema?

Average time to read5:08 minutes aprox.

Miss Rachel came to my office the other day. One of those wet

Lagos evenings. Heavy rain and everyone was trapped as it was rumoured that the 3rd

Mainland

Bridge
was jammed or it had collapsed, many remained on the

Island late or found other ways across to the Mainland.

Miss Rachel looked seriously worried. It was not the rain or that she did not know her way home. She has a car like most up and coming

Lagos girls and the car was working.

She has a problem.

You see, Miss Rachel is at the prime of her life. You know, that age when every woman thinks she should be married with children as that female Big Ben was constantly chiming away. Making loud rumbling grumbles about inactivity and lack of optimization.

Along with this, there is the family matter. Pressures and reminders that the Big Ben is there and the younger ones need a leader in this population contribution business. Pressures from friends whose weddings, naming ceremonies and engagements make up Miss Rachel's weekends in

Lagos.

Miss Rachel wants a lot in her life. In fact, she has a lot in her life. A steady boyfriend she has been hoping to marry for a long time. A good job. A car. Many friends. The sadness in Miss Rachel is from being trapped between a rock and a hard place.

She depends on this good job. She caters for herself and her needs and contributes her fair share to the family upkeep budget. Life could not be better settled.

But my colleague A.S. is the problem.

You see, he is an internationally acclaimed banker. He has worked all over the world. When he arrived as one of those janded boys in our company, every young lady, as most do in

Lagos, was eyeing him. The prospects of getting 'close' to him so that 'favor' can be granted sometimes because of his position. After getting tired of counting money, A.S. came to our company to count people. He is our top man in H.R. Good Salary. Good Benefits. Close to the Boss. Wife and Children.

But he wants Miss Rachel.

The tactic is to pressure a lady to submission. The pressure starts with extending the hand of friendship. A 'friend' to talk to on work matters. A shoulder to cry on if you need one. A little financial help here and there. 'Appointment' as the «my eyes and ears».

To a growing professional, this is the 'ideal' position to have in a company. So when A.S. calls a late evening 'meeting' at the other quiet building Miss Rachel is invited. There are other people there. Outside clients. Contractors. Guests of the company. It is a business review session. The first one goes well. Everyone is happy. This has to become a regular fixture in the business calendar. And the next one. And the next one.

But A.S. has his eyes and other things on Miss Rachel.

Miss Rachel has her eyes on her future. Husband. Children. Good House. Good Car. Good Job. Her ally in the company is A.S. A top executive who can 'assist' her progress. A 'friend'. A good man with honor and integrity. The type she hopes she will marry soon. Yes, soon as her boyfriend has the same qualities.

She has been with our company for 4 years. She has worked hard. She has been available when others have not. She will stay late to impress and will do her work diligently. So much so that some of the other HoDs will ask for her to do work for them as they do not have capable and committed staff. Everyone knows her here as Miss I Too Do. She likes this job.

Gifts from trips abroad for dedication to work. Financial Assistance from time to time. A little allowance for the weekend. Her 'new'

Mont Blanc pen. The Catwoman sunglasses. A bag to match her dress for her friend's wedding. This is not a problem as A.S. is a 'friend'.

Then the 'requests'.
«Lets have a drink»,
«No need to rush home»,
«Have you eaten at that Chinese restaurant near Eko Hotel?»,
«Why don't you come in earlier so we can go over this reports?».

It all seemed so innocent.

Miss Rachel was happy to be useful to a boss. Afterall, he is the H.R. oga. Can move her progress faster. Better position. Better salary. She can afford more and do the things she wants. To help her family. Her friends. Even her relationship. She enjoys her work. It is her life. It is her future.

Not anymore.

A.S. has come again. Promises of promotion. Promises of taking her on trips abroad. Promises of leaving his wife. Promises of giving anything she wants. She just has to be his 'Baby'.

«Baby? «
«At this age? «
«Ah! She cant be anybody's baby o! «

«Wait! What king of baby?»
«That kind?»
«With the prospects of a good future with her boyfriend? «
«Oh God!»
«But the other day you said…»

Miss Rachel has dignity. She cannot be anybody's baby at her age. She has worked hard and knows what she deserves. She has earned it!

But wait a minute.

«What if A.S. arranges for her to lose her job?»
«What if she has no job?»
«How can she cope without this lifesaver?»
«Her boyfriend. Loyal, loving boyfriend.»

What is a girl to do?

«If nobody knows»
«Just once»
«Let him have this and he promises to deliver»
«I will cleanse myself in church after this one time»
«Pastor said to fast and pray for forgiveness when we do wrong»
«I think he can keep it quiet»
«I will get the promotion and move to a new job for better pay»
«It will pass and I will forget, boyfriend will not know»

Then the first time.

«Oh God!»
«What is this?»
«What have I done?»

Then the second time.

«Oh God!»
«I am dirty!»
«I hate myself»
«Please, nobody should know»

The next time?

Miss Rachel was scared! Everybody at work is looking at her somehow. Those ones were whispering. Her colleagues begin to seem quiet. They don't talk anymore? No sister gossip?

That look.
That up and down look.
«Did that one just look at me like that?»
«Does anybody know?»

That Trip.
That late 'working' night.
That Party.

And A.S.?

He comes to our building often. Always stops by to say hello. A big smile on his face. Happy to be here. Even his fellow ogas say hello. He talks too much.

Then suddenly it all stops.

No Smiles.
No Gifts.
No late 'review' meetings.

«Maybe it is the problem with the authorities. «
«Maybe it is the pressure as oga kpata kpata is 'away'».
«Maybe.»

Miss Rachel broke down in my office.

«Please. Please Miss Rachel don't cry so loud before they think something is wrong»
«What is the problem now?»
«What do you want to do?»

She feels trapped.

No Promotion.
No Salary increase.
She can't resign as she needs this job.
Her boyfriend is there.
She can't face him.
One day he will know.
But she loves him.
What about her future?
What about Big Ben?
Where can she run?
How can she hide?
Who can she tell?

What kind of life is this?
Living a lie.
Just when everything is looking well.

«She must run.»
«She must hide.»
«She can start again»
«Again?»
«At middle age?»
«Husband?»
«Children?»
«Yepa!»

And our company marketing line?
What Pride?

She can't.
Can't.
Can't.
Can't.
Can't.

«Help!»

Help Miss Rachel

 

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12 comments

Gravatar #12. toyin
2 years and 9 months ago

I just stumbled into this site now. and i am impressed. as for miss Rachel, let's be sincere. Every lady does what she wants to do. If u give in during pressure, u must have had a thot like that in mind.

I am single and in my thirties but that doesnt mean i will drop my standards and disappoint God. There's nothing as good as waiting for His own time. and to think she even had a guy ready to marry her. Why spoil it and take up with a married man? it's a know fact dat married men will just use and dump u since they've promised «forever» to someone else.

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Gravatar #11. the Life of a stranger called me
2 years and 9 months ago

The Best Advice I can give her is to ask God to forgive her by saying a simple prayer and really meaning it. And sisnce God has forgiven her, she needs actively tell herself that she has no right beating herself down when she has repented and God has forgiven her. Since she has wronged her boyfriend, and wants an atmospher of honesty, she will have to tell him. And if he is relunctant to forgive her, then its really is his issue, as far as Im concerened, wse need to forgive one another expecially when its obvious the other is sorry for what they've done. I wish her the very best.

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Gravatar #10. Genesis
2 years and 9 months ago

Madam,
Abeg, pls,ejo,biko,sanu,what else shd i use MOVE ON!
You have made a mistake so what! why dwell on it ?
I won,t advise to tell your boyfriend there is no need he is not God that you need his forgiveness to move on and feel cleansed.
I dont believe in make a mole hill out of issues its already bad dont make it any worse.
Just dont go back to him no MATTER what he comes back with, cos i know his types he would want a taste again and would come with another story dont even be found with him before works start or after work just IGNORE him except it has to do with work that concerns you directly and learn to deal with him PROFESSIONALLY.He would respect you for that even if he doesnt say it out.
I have learnt over time that brooding over this kind of issues for too long can be devastating .
So if you want to live long for your family,boyfriend, loved ones and of course your beautiful self' FORGET IT EVER HAPPENED.

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Gravatar #9. balogun olukayode
2 years and 9 months ago

women are so vulnerable.

How I wish she had held up as she was certain to receive a visitation at that point but she gave up too easily.

How do you console her?

Well we are all human only God forgives.

She should come clean to God and her boyfriend and this will serve as a test of true faith and commitment between them.

What more can one add.

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Gravatar #8. temi
2 years and 9 months ago

Miss racheal should stop crying, and face the fact. The fact that you slept with another woman's husband, forget promotion or other things to follow, at least you enjoy some other things while it last.
This should be a sort of lessons to other women who go flirting around.
My advice for her is to ask of forgiveness, both from GOD and her boy freind becos no matter how you keep the secret from him, he will soon find out anyhow.Also she should try and forget what happened whish although is hard to forget, but she should take it as one of the lessons of life. Miss R should also move closer to God becos he is the answers to all prayers, God is a mercyful God, always willing to forgive and amend situations.
Thanks dipo for this articule even if it is not you who wrote it, at least some one as learnt that all that glitters is not gold and no matter the situation one find him or her self, there is always a way out of no way.The simple way which has some fun in it always turns out to have venoms full in it,so be careful

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Gravatar #7. Refinedone
2 years and 9 months ago

...She should just try her best to move on as someone already said.
fear and shame can be a very powerful emotion and could be very destructive, but should be faced and not to run away from( no matter how hard) as it is said if it does not kill you it will only make you strong.

She should not let him bully her ( that is A.S) show no fear and stand strong, but should not beat herself, yes she had made a very bad choice and must accept that, but MOVE ON.... we live to learn.

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Gravatar #6. ~Mimi~
2 years and 9 months ago

Sad.I was very sad when I was reading this.Why do people give up so easily?I know we are all human beings but I am just so sure,if she had waited just a bit longer and not looked for the easy way out with A.S, something better would have happened.No point crying over spilt milk,
she needs to tell her boyfriend.Whether or not he will forgive her is his decision to make.she took some actions and therefore there will be reactions and she will need to take responsibilities for her actions.That is the grown-up thing to do.He has a right to know.
If he says he cant stay,well there's nothing she can do except learn from the mistake and not make it with the next man God will send, because He will,He hasnt stopped making them yet.

As for her job,she shouldnt look to anyone in that company to give her a 'leg up' because at the end of the day man will be man...unless God intends to use him to bless her. A.S, typical man, making promises of leaving his wife,this gets to me so much!!!!!!!!!!and like broken records stupid women still fall for that line over and over and over again!It isnt his fault, that is how he played his card, she was merely the one who got snared.

If he starts harassing her however, she can either take it up with management or find another job.Hoping her CV is good.

At the end of the day, we make mistakes, but when a day breaks, it is a new slate for a new beginning. May God guide her. Amen.

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Gravatar #5. Tioluwalase chuksyy
2 years and 9 months ago

This will only teach you that not all the glitters is gold.

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Gravatar #4. Tioluwalase chuksyy
2 years and 9 months ago

As for the Bros, its terribly having to live a lie knowing that you broke the rule and broke the hedge. Though one there. I really dont know what to advise. Follow your heart. If the guy loves you if will forgive you. If you think otherwise pray about it.

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Gravatar #3. Tioluwalase chuksyy
2 years and 9 months ago

Hi. Does this sister needs help? Let her just forget about what happened and move. Fine no promotion but at least she still has d job. She must howeva be careful wit oga infact let her avoid him like a plague. Now dat he has tasted he's probbly disgusted

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