Sounding Boards

If something must kill a man, as of today, mine would be of embarrassment. First class dose of embarrassment or maybe my lack of sounding boards like I just heard.

The glances and smirks of people walking along the corridor where I stood made matters worse. I couldn’t even afford to look straight to the man standing in front of me – the cause of my woes, or maybe not.

How did I end up here?

7 pm last night, I was in my room after dinner. The plan was to take a quick nap, wake up by 11 pm and then work on a job given to me by one of my lecturers.

He had given me some writing projects which included some articles. He said I had come in highly recommended and that had made me elated.

It was a regular thing that I do so, I knew within a few hours I would be done with it and being able to send it early to him. He mentioned needing it urgently the next day.

As I was about to sleep, two of my friends, Shola and Femi, strolled in unexpectedly as usual. The plan was to discharge them after like 30 minutes so I could still sleep and have enough time for the work I had to do.

But as we talked, a few minutes into the conversation, I heard a beep from my phone.

Lo and behold, it was a project I had worked on a few months back and they did not pay me then.

 I screamed because not only was it hefty, it came at the perfect time that I needed it.I had sulked over it then, dragged them on Twitter and it coming now after losing hope was a prayer answered.

“Guy!” Shola, my friend, exclaimed as I explained to him. “We need to go outside to celebrate this. This money almost made you enter depression.

“”Guyyyy, he was pained. I second Shola.” Femi affirmed. “We need to celebrate it. I just knew there was a reason why I am here.”

I laughed. “You people and flexing.”

“We only live once, guy!” They both chorused.

“I thought you had a job to work on.” Kola, my roommate, who had been silent all long interrupted. “You have been shifting it for a while and tomorrow is the deadline. You can celebrate later.”

“Guys, what do you think? Should we postpone it?”

Shola didn’t wait for me to land.”Nba! Let’s celebrate it now in the heat of the moment. Before you know it now another responsibility might come and take this money off your hand.” He rolled his eyes at Kola. 

“True! I still stand on we celebrating it.” Femi followed suit. “Besides, is it not Dr Oshin who gave you this job? That very cool man that speaks plenty big English. The man na chilled man. He no too dey stress.”

“Let’s go jare. Don’t mind this killjoy.” Shola gestured at my roommate. “After all, Otedola said: Money you don’t spend is not your money, let’s spend this money now.”

We all laughed. As I thought of it, I realised they were right. Before I would be called by my money sucking younger twin sisters who always know the right time to call and ask for money.

I will spend a little on myself. A few hours in that pepper soup joint nearby and club shouldn’t hurt. I will just sacrifice my sleep time and come back before 12. 

Off we went after I dressed up with my roommate shaking his head and my friends throwing jabs at him of how boring he was.

Few hours turned into numerous hours. Not only did I spend beyond what I had in my mind courtesy of my guys who kept ordering things, but I also got back at 5 am, eyes shot and completely drained. 

By the time I woke up early the next morning, it was with a banging headache, it was then I remembered I had not even started the job I was paid to do.

I knew I had messed up at that moment. With my banging head, I got on my laptop but there was little to how far I could be fast. Nepa decided to do their thing, I had to rush to the next room where a generator was on to charge my laptop.

I was in disarray, struggling to concentrate. I shouldn’t have listened to those guys. This procrastination got to this level because of their constant butting in every now and then. I had a part to play in it though but I shouldn’t have encouraged it.

My phone started to ring now. Dr Oshin was on the line.

What would I say that I wasn’t done with what he had given me 2 weeks to do? I rather just let it ring till it stops.

The call kept coming in but I couldn’t bring myself to answer.

Soon, I was able to come up with something. Not my best but at least enough to be presented.

It was past 10 am I dashed out of the room immediately, off to the department cause he mentioned we meeting physically in case he had some corrections.

Luckily or unluckily for me, I saw him coming out of his office. I quickened my steps to meet up with him.

He first stared at me like I was a stranger immediately I got to him before even uttering a word.

“See the time you are just coming.” He gestured at his watch. “I called you several times. Why didn’t you pick up your calls especially when you realise I was calling over and over?”

I bowed my head albeit slowly. “Let me have a look at it.” He shook his head immediately as he took a look. “When did you start working on it?”

I scratched my head. “Uhmmm, I_ I_ I_ have_ been working_ on it for__ a while.” My voice betrayed me completely

“You just lied! You know if you ask me,” His voice raised, “I will say you have no good sounding boards. Because if you have, you won’t come here with a shabby work or misuse opportunities like this.

Sounding boards? What does that mean?

 “Not only were you late, you didn’t even do a good job. Oh no, you don’t have sounding boards. I mean people who give you good advice. He said it out emphatically. And to say you came in highly recommended.”

“I am sorry sir.” I bowed briefly.

“Keep your sorry to yourself.” His voice thundered surprisingly for a supposed chilled man which attracted more attention from passers-by. I had really disappointed him.

“Thank your head, I did not depend totally on you.” He threw the paper at me and afterwards left.

I heaved a breath. As I turned to leave, I realised I could have done better. Way way better. Maybe if I had better friends or like Dr Oshin called it- sounding boards.

To read furthermore on friendships, click here.