Triumph - Episode 14

 

The next day Kenneth went to see Kunle Adeife and he began by expressing his gratitude for all the assistance Kunle had so far rendered.

 ‘’Never mind,‘’ Kunle said, ’’I asked you to come very early because I’m going to be away from the city again today and I may not be back until two weeks time.’’                                                        

 ‘’That’s a long time,’’ Kenneth said with a tone of despair.

 ‘’Yes, the nature of my job takes me round the country very frequently,’’ said Kunle.                             Kenneth gave a gentle nod.                                                 

 ‘’As Dele told you last night, you must get set to show up at Xenon Leisure Centre at Surulere on Monday.’’  

‘’Yes, of course, for sure, I certainly will be there.’’ 

 ‘’Dele is a good man and will surely fulfill his promise.’’   

 ‘’Thank you Mr. Adeife,’’ said Kenneth

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. ’’I’ll forever be indebted to you.’’  

Kunle laughed. ‘’That’s that,’’ he said, ’’the other thing I’d like to discuss with you pertains to your first request. I remember you told me you don’t have a home.’’  

 Kenneth nodded affirmatively.  

‘’Frankly, there is very little I can do for you in that regard,’’ Kunle said.  

 The remark made Kenneth’s spirits sank, but he did not express his disappointment rather he said drily: ‘’It’s okay sir. I really appreciate all you have already done for me, I will look for a way to fix that.’’                                                                                                      

Kunle studied his stricken face momentarily, scratched his shaggy brows and tilted his head to gaze at the white ceiling and the chandelier that hung from it and holding the golden tip of his pen close to his lower lip as if lost in thought, later he dropped the pen on the table and lowered his gaze as he took another long look at him. 

Leaning back on his chair, he cleared his mouth and said: ‘’an idea just crossed my mind.’’ 

 Kenneth pricked his ears and leaned across the table at once. 

 ’’My company has a reserved apartment at Magodo GRA Phase 1; it’s a mini one-bedroom flat which was rented for my new IT engineer. The company had already paid one year rent just days before we hired him but to our surprise, he declined to move into the apartment because he preferred a three-bedroom flat for his family convenience. So, the mini flat has remained vacant since then and my other staffs who I felt could be interested in occupying the apartment turned down the offer for the same reason. Worse still, the owners of the place are not ready to give us a refund- that was three months ago. In view of all this, I believe it will not be a bad idea if you move in and hopefully spend the next nine months there. I believe in nine months’ time you should be able to get accommodation of your own which you’ll be able to pay for, more so that you now have a job.’’ 

Kenneth was agape with surprise by the time Kunle rounded off, his eyes began to glimmer appreciatively; he found his words incredibly exhilarating to be true. ‘’Mr. Kunle,’’ he said lyrically, ’’did you mean what you just said?’’                                                                                       

Kunle smiled. ’’I mean every word of it.’’ 

A broad smile then creased his face. ‘’How can I thank you, Mr. Kunle,’’ he said rising to his feet and bowing to him, but the latter motioned to him to seat. 

‘’You don’t have to do that,’’ Kunle said, ‘’ I once was in your shoes. I will be out of town today and will not be back until two weeks time. Will you wait till I come back before we sort out the apartment?’’ 

Kenneth’s smile disappeared from his face, he sighed heavily and shifted uneasily in the padded-chair, ‘’I wish I could, Mr. Kunle, but by tonight I won’t have a place to lay my head.’’                            

Kunle gazed at him, ’’Really?!’’                                                             

‘’Yes.’’ 

 ‘’In that case we shall go to Magodo at once and I will inform the property manager that you’re moving in today.’’