CAGED

EPISODE TWO

7:55am

"Come on!!!! I'm running late here!" He pressed his horn harder and got an insult in response, from one of the frustrated road users like himself.

The traffic didn't seem to be moving and the clock was ticking fast.

"Save me Lord..." He pleaded under his breath as perspiration broke out on his forehead inspite of the chilly weather.

The black shiny phone on the seat beside him began chirping loudly. He looked at the caller ID, it read; “Tech Boss”

"Could things get any worse!"  He muttered to himself as he picked up the call.

“Hello Sir”

"Jade.... Where are you? It's 2 minutes to 8am. You better get yourself here now or get ready to have your ass whipped!" Blip....... The silence that followed was deafening. 

That was it, no chance to explain or reply. 

"Is this how my career will end after all the hardwork I've put into it?!" His mind was a mess.

He had been warned severally not to flop this or he would lose his job without second thought, and here he was stuck in traffic. He looked down soberly at the steering wheel, his thoughts were overwhelming. Beyond this charade of good and smart looks, deep down, he felt like a nobody, a failure. No matter how he tried, he feared that he would never fit in and might just end up like his father — an old fool living at the old people's home. That was his greatest fear! He didn't want to end up like him, which was why he put in his best at his workplace hoping for a chance at a better life. The programming of this game — his game —  was the only lifeline he had, but now, staring at the time that read 8:10am, he knew that all he worked for was gone and if it was gone, he too was gone. He wiped off a stray tear.

To be continued

Written by Asher Esther Orohuchari