Ifeoma Obi is a very intelligent lady. A graduate of Economics from a top-rated University in the world. Coming back to Nigeria only meant that she would have been done with her MBA. Luckily for her, that became a reality in 2021.
More than ever before, she wanted to leave America because she had just come out of a bad relationship. Her parents were influential and though that had its own advantage, Ifeoma’s result was outstanding, thereby making the job hunt easier. She secured a job at a renowned corporate firm, and she loved it there.
She quickly learnt to distinguish herself at the firm. She became reputable and was recognised for her warm smile and her potential to make everybody feel great about themselves.
Among her colleagues was a man named Richard. Richard is charismatic, handsome, and persuasive. He had a way with words that made humans believe him, even if they shouldn’t have. He was also a professional at manipulation, and he had a unique way of twisting truth to his gain.
Richard and Ifeoma laboured carefully together on several projects. He began to show her he cared, complimenting her work, and spending greater time with her. Ifeoma was doing her best to be careful. She had just come out of a bad relationship and didn’t think it was the right time to enter another one. She liked Richard, but she locked her heart to love…or so she thought.
The pressure from Richard was much, being evidently trusting and seeing the best in people, Ifeoma misconstrued his movements as authentic affection. She fell for him, thinking that he felt the same way about her.
However, Richard had different plans. He changed into gaslighting Ifeoma, making her agree he had feelings for her when he actually had feelings for her friend, Nkechi. Richard managed to convince Ifeoma that she was misinterpreting his movements, causing her to question her own perceptions and emotions, wondering if she had made another mistake of being jilted.
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Meanwhile, Richard changed into secretly dating Nkechi. One day, Richard announced that he and Nkechi had agreed to marry. Ifeoma walked into the celebration at work as every one cheered. The company did not allow couples to be in same company, so Nkechi was going to leave. In complete shock, Ifeoma put herself together and joined in congratulating them too. Ifeoma couldn’t wait for it to be over. She didn’t want to leave abruptly so it wouldn’t look obvious her heart had been shattered.
When the cheering was done, she went to her office, waited for a few minutes, took her bag and keys and as she was about to leave, Richard walked in and closed the door.
“Leave my office now” She told him. “I can explain” he responded. “I am trying my best to be as calm as I possibly can. If you do not leave my office now Richard, I will scream”. He looked into her eyes, and he saw they were filled with rage and tears, for the first time, fear engulfed him, he knew what he did was unpardonable.
He also didn’t want office drama, so, as she requested, he moved to the side and she passed by him, opened her door and signaled him to leave. He walked to the door, paused, looked at her deeply again, but this time, Ifeoma couldn’t handle the pain, so she looked away and he left.
She locked her office door, walked briskly to her car, drove out and began to cry profusely. She called her parent’s house to confirm if her mother was at home. She didn’t want her mother to hear her voice on phone because she would begin to panic and Ifeoma didn’t want that.
Once she was told her mother was at home, she increased her speed. Immediately she got home, she ran into her mother’s arms and began to wail. She took Ifeoma to her room and allowed her cry. She kept petting her until she was calm to speak. She narrated all that happened to her mother and her mother consoled her and assured her everything would be okay.
Deciding she could not bear to be inside the same office anymore, Ifeoma left the firm and travelled to America. After staying away for three months, she felt better. She returned to Nigeria, got another job in Abuja and as usual, became good at her work. She got promoted after a year and six months. She however wasn’t going to give love a chance any time soon.
Two years later, tragedy struck. Nkechi abruptly passed away because of an undiagnosed heart situation. A co-worker called Ifeoma to tell her. Though Nkechi’s betrayal hurt Ifeoma deeply, she never wished for her to die.
The news shattered Richard. He also later left the company. Over the years, he had come to understand the extent of damage he caused and the pain his moves had inflicted on Ifeoma, it became worse after Nkechi passed on.
Consumed by guilt and remorse, he decided to look for Ifeoma to apologise and ask for her forgiveness. He reached her, she told him she had forgiven him but asking her for a relationship was insulting and he should never mention it again.
Richard was alone together with his guilt, a painful reminder of the consequences of his moves. He discovered the tough way that the wounds we inflict on others can leave scars that time may not absolutely heal.
Ifeoma’s story is a sad tale of betrayal and the devastating results of manipulation. It’s a stark reminder that it is critical to deal with others with kindness and recognise that our actions can cause harm to others.
