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Two Flames on a Candle (Episode 3)

Chima's nightmares did not stop. On some days he slept peacefully, other days were rough. His productivity levels were dropping and he was afraid someone at work would notice. His fears were too late as Bayo noticed and called him for a chat. Bayo was Chima's supervisor and they were almost friends. They'd have been friends if Bayo was not a maniac. Bayo was unpredictable, on some days he was cool but most of the time he was a raging furnace. Word had it that his descent to his present state began when his fiancee left him to be with another man.

Bayo was nice to Chima when he called him to his office. He even flashed Chima a smile. The first since the year began. He pointed to a seat and when Chima sat down, he cleared his throat and began.

"I noticed you have been down these past few days. Anything the issue?" he asked, surprisingly gently.

"No, not at all" Chima lied.

"You know, I would understand. Yours is a young marriage, is the wife troubling you? You know how women are." Bayo was sexist most of the time, and he never hid it. The only days Bayo was not sexist were the few Mother's Days in the year.

"Miriam treats me just fine. Thank you" Chima answered and tried to swallow.

"Well. Whatever it is bugging you, you've got to fix up." Bayo could not pretend to be nice anymore. He did not really care about Chima and all he wanted was results.

Bayo was already raising his voice, "I do not want any sloppiness. Please fixup. Fix up. Okay?"

As though surprised at his outburst, Bayo slunk back in his seat and whispered, "Please take care of whatever this is before it kills your soul". 

Chima looked into Bayo's eyes, he could see vulnerability, pain, and regret. He saw an emptiness he could not explain. Chima opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. Time froze.

"Hey! Leave my office" Bayo ordered. 

Chima scrambled to his feet and made for the door. 

"I think you should have this" Bayo said as he handed Chima a card.

"She helped me when I went through a rough patch" Bayo added.

Chima smiled mischievously saying nothing. Bayo looked at him and pointed at the door with an exaggerated scowl on his face.

The card Bayo gave Chima had the name Deborah Oluwagbemiga Ph.D. None of the names rang a bell. He didn't know how to feel. He was going to see a shrink.

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