Chapter 6: IOU Signed, Next Move

My colleague no even know say na him oga dey talk about. He face me, “You see am? Oga dey my side. You better sign.”

He reason say oga dey support am, dey shine teeth, dey feel on top of the world. For my mind, I dey laugh small. Who ignorance dey kill no dey know say e dey die.

Others, think say oga dey support am, begin pressure me again.

People just dey reason say make peace reign. Some dey talk say I too dey hold grudge, others dey yarn say “life no hard, just share am.”

“He help you that time. Na normal to treat am.”

Everybody get one advice or another. Some dey bring up old gist, dey talk about when dem borrow money, how dem dey always return with extra. Office wahala plenty.

“Five thousand—why una no just share?”

Another person talk say, "E mean say una go share everything wey happen for life?" People begin laugh, tension come down small.

“Abi, minus the food money, just give am two-two-fifty.”

One guy for HR dey calculate with biro for paper, dey form accountant. He try balance the math, but the wahala dey same.

I look all their faces, just note dem for mind.

For my mind, I dey tell myself, "Na all these people fit enter layoff list next." I dey note everybody behavior—office politics no be beans.

Any of dem fit enter layoff list.

I dey smile inside, dey observe. E shock dem say small money fit cause wahala like this.

My colleague dey shine teeth. “Everybody don talk. If you no sign, you no go last here.”

He dey feel invincible. He dey talk like say e get juju for office. Even dey shake head, dey threaten me soft soft.

He no know say na him own job dey hang.

Na that kain ignorance dey make pesin fall for gutter. I just dey pity am small.

As I dey look him face, I dey wonder why I ever beg for him matter.

Na that time I just dey reflect—some people no dey worth the stress. Next time, if dem say help person, I go look well before I jump.

Na my own foolishness—think say if person help you, you suppose pay am back.

I dey remember my mama words: "No be every help na help." Some people dey do am to tie you down.

But who for know say under help, na wahala dey hide?

I just sigh, dey wonder how I take enter this trap. For Lagos, help dey come with different price tag.

I sigh, carry pen, look the IOU.

Pen heavy for my hand. My conscience dey fight my pride.

I talk, “Okay, I go sign. But from today, nothing join us again.”

As I sign am, I feel relief. I tell myself, "E don end. No need reason am again."

He laugh, “Relationship? Even brothers dey balance account.”

He talk am with loud laughter. Dey tap me for back as if na joke. Some people begin dey clap for him.

I no talk again. I sign my name.

I write am bold, look am for eye, then drop the biro like say I drop burden. For my mind, I dey plot next move—this IOU na just beginning.

He happy no be small, but he no know say na that moment, I don win.

Na so e dey. Who dey laugh last dey laugh pass. I just keep my face straight, dey plan for wetin dey come next.