Click HERE to read Episode 5 of the story
Rest is an uncommon
currency, that is why many people find it hard to come by, and Marv was not an
exception. He kept tossing here and there on his bed, trying to catch some sleep,
but no; the thoughts in his mind would not allow him sleep, as he switched between
different matters of the heart - from fear to fantasy. He could not say for
sure if all the pictures he saw were dreams or fragments of his imagination.
But for certain, they came from his mind.
“I am sorry Marv. We
have to let you go.” Mr Ojo, his Manager declared, handing Marv a letter.
“Please sir. Don’t do
this to me.”
“It’s not me Marv.
It’s the Board, and there is nothing I can do about it.”
“Mr Ojo, please, beg them
on my behalf. I would meet my target this new month. In fact, I would exceed my
target. I promise.”
“Marv, there is
nothing I can…”
“Please sir, I have a
lot to sort out, that is why I have not been forthcoming with my duties…”
“And you now have
enough time to take care of yourself.”
“I can’t take care of
myself without money sir.”
“Marv, there is
absolutely nothing I can do to help you. I am just a messenger, and I just
delivered the message of the Board.”
“Please sir…Please.”
Marv pleaded, as tears found their way down his cheeks.
Like a sprinter
heading to the finish line in a 100-metre race, Marv jarred up from his bed as
his alarm screamed. It was like he had seen a ghost in his sleep, and the ghost
had followed him down to his room in reality. He got up from his bed and walked
sluggishly towards the chair opposite his bed to reach for his phone, and put
off the alarm.
“Wait, what’s today’s
date?” He asked himself, as he checked his phone for an answer.
“Oh! So it was a
dream? Mr Ojo didn’t give me a sack letter. Oh! Thank God.” He realized, as his
mind went to the original conversation he had with Mr Ojo the previous day.
“Marv, why are you
late again?”
“Hmmmm…I’m sorry sir.
It was the taxi I entered. The driver…”
“Don’t bother with the
details.”
“I’m sorry sir.”
“Marv, the attendance
log of all staff was checked yesterday, and the frowns at your recent level of
lateness, plus, you have not realized even 10% of your month’s target.”
“I know sir. I’m
working on it sir.”
“You have to work
harder Marv. The Board has decided that you’re a big load, and they are ready
to cut you loose by the end of this month if you do not meet your target.”
“I will sir. Thank you
sir.”
Marv could not help
but wonder why his life had taken a negative turn all of a sudden. He used to
be a very promising young man, with different dreams and aspirations, but since
he got the medical report, his life had been a shadow of itself. He took a deep
sigh as he sat on his bed. In his usual way, since he got the medical report, he
reached for the Ruger GP100 Revolver in his drawer.
“Let’s find out if God
wants me to live today or not.” He said to himself as he opened the gun’s
bullet cylinder. As expected, the bullet cylinder housed the single bullet he
has been expecting to end his life one day – sooner than later. He was so
certain life had nothing left for him, and even if life did, he knew for sure
that he was already too battered and shattered to be worthy of whatever life
has for him. After rotating the bullet cylinder with his eyes shut, he closed
the bullet cylinder and cocked the gun, as he placed the gun to his head.
“Everyday is a good
day to die.” He assured himself, as he slowly placed his hand on the trigger.
Just immediately, his mind went to a text message he received on his way to the
manager’s office the previous day.
“Check your Whatsapp.
There are some messages there that would interest you.” His mind reminded him
of the content of the message. He has been so sad and depressed that he hasn’t
been checking his Whatsapp messages. The few times he did, he didn’t spend up
to a minute or two. Nothing seemed to interest him anymore, not even the social
media platforms he was addicted to.
“Who cares about a
stupid Whatsapp message at this point?” He asked himself rhetorically.
“Hmmmmm…maybe I should
check it out. That might be the last thing I would see before I leave this
world.” He provided answer to his question, as he picked up his phone. He
swiped here and there, as he put on his data. Before he could say Jack Robinson,
several social media notifications flooded his phone. He had a destination –
Whatsapp, and a goal – to check the Whatsapp message sent by the unknown
number. Although, he didn’t know how best to identify the message, but he
trusted his instinct, and his instinct didn’t fail him totally. After opening
two different messages he thought could be from the unknown person, which
happened to be the usual broadcast messages, his third attempt struck gold.
“Read the messages in
these screenshots, and thank me later.” The message read, with an emoji hand
pointing to some screenshot pictures below the message. Marv could not wait to
download the screenshots, as his mind dangled between anxiety and fear. The screenshots
took like forever to open, and when they finally did, Marv could not believe
what his two naked eyes saw. This time, his mind shuffled between more reasons
to end his life, and more reasons to find out more about the screenshot
messages. His hands shook as his face spelt indecision.
Wow! The story is
getting engaging, right? Well, let me say less. Join me tomorrow for yet
another episode of the story. Remember, the story remains, THE DAY TODAY DIED.
Enjoy!
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+2348072970850
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