It was a Tuesday morning, and Joojo found himself at his workplace – growing fintech giant WealthSprout Solutions – as usual, focused on his tasks while surrounded by his colleagues, Patrick Yao, known to everyone else as PY, and Frank. As they were huddled around their workspace, Joojo remained resolute and attentive to his work, while the other two engaged in conversation.
Those two could talk about anything and everything. At that moment, they were discussing whether Jose Mourinho’s recent sacking from Roma was an indication that he was finished. Frank seemed to be convinced that the legendary football manager was past his best, while PY disagreed vehemently with him.
As they debated this matter, Joojo simply smirked at them from behind his laptop screen. Their supervisor was on leave, and the one taking over his duties was a bit of a laissez-faire personality, so it was obvious they were taking full advantage of that.
Then, after about ten minutes of that debate, their convo took an unexpected turn toward relationships.
Or more accurately, the lack of respect women had for relationships.
Frank, with a serious expression, shook his head. “I dey tell you, chale, you no go fit to trust women these days ooo. You try aaa, them go show you shege.”
“Proper shege, my guy!” PY nodded in agreement. “Proper shege. You no see that nigga ein tweets about the girlies wey he sheda dey vibe them on Valentine’s Day?”
“I see ooo, I see! Herh, chale, my heart. See how them all make happy sey them dey cheat on dema boyfriends. Eii! Pure wickedness!”
“Pure wickedness ooo. Wey that nigga too, he come dey blast the guy mohm, the way na he dey bore me. Kwasia, ibi who wey e make the commitment? Inobi the woman?”
“I shock give am sef. Abi them give to am since then. Ah, he really make I shock give am…”
Joojo, glancing up from his work, couldn’t help but shake his head at the conversation.
Another thing about these guys: they were extremely loud about their ‘Fear Women’ agenda. Whoever had broken their hearts had done a big disservice to humanity, because they were relentless. Anything that had to do with displaying the bad side of women, you’d find them lifting it high and shouting it from the rooftops. The way they spoke, you’d assume that they were being silly like a lot of other people, but they took the agenda very personal, and trumpeted it for all to hear and know.
Joojo usually chose to observe their banter without engaging, because they could sometimes go a little insensitive with their statements, which he didn’t like. For example, they almost always scoffed at relationships or marriages that looked happy, insisting the man was a simp who had just kowtowed to his wife or girlfriend’s whims, or that it would fall apart. As a guy in a happy relationship, he disliked the idea of having such words spoken to him or about him.
Frank leaned in, lowering his voice dramatically. “See eh, if you know the stories I hear before, about girlies wey dem dey dump dema niggas for others, eh, you go cry. Women, you never know what they’re up to.”
PY chimed in, “True, chale. And if you no make lucky wey you get some woman she dey find her way to the top, the more popular they get, the more likely they are to leave you for someone else. Happens all the time.”
Joojo raised an eyebrow, curious about where this conversation was headed but not taking it too seriously.
PY, with a mischievous glint in his eye, suddenly turned to Joojo. “Chale, Joojo, your girl, she’s getting quite popular with that YouTube channel of hers, right?”
Joojo’s attention moved from the screen to PY. He nodded. “Yeah, she’s doing great. I’m proud of her.”
PY smirked. “Hm! Okay oo. But chale, you, just be careful. Once she come hit diɛɛ, you for do then lock am down sharpest. Before she go trade you in for some other famous nigga.”
Joojo’s straight look turned into a slight frown, not appreciating the direct shot at Abena’s integrity. “Uhh, where from this, if I may ask?”
“Oh, ibi friendly advice kɛkɛ. That be all.”
Joojo shook his head. “PY, that’s not fair. I know Abena, she’s a genuine girl. Her success won’t change who she is.”
Frank chuckled from his seat. “Boy, make you no dey slack oo. You figure sey ‘Fear women’ just be motto? Nahh, chale. Ibi real thing ooo. Married women sef dey show dema husbands shege, na you, mere boyfriend.”
“Tell am, chale. See, just dey gee. Coz your babe diɛɛ, she fine roff. Before you realize, then other niggas go start dey move to am. If anything, you for move fast.”
“For real. If you make serious sef, e for catch some time, you for make she stop dey do YouTube. Cut off the exposure, so sey she go dey give you and you pɛ.”
Joojo took in a deep breath, and let it out. This was why he disliked engaging them when this topic arose; you could always count on them to try and pollute you with their insecurities.
He shook his head. “Abeg, I’m okay. I trust Abena, and that’s all that matters. Thanks for the advice, though.”
The two laughed scornfully. “Ayoooo! Abi we, we do wana part!” PY declared.
“Oh, of course. Make we just dey pray sey we no talk ‘I told you so’ in the future,” Frank added.
As the conversation continued between themselves, Joojo focused back on his work, rolling his eyes and shaking his head as he immediately chose to ignore their words. He knew the strength of his relationship with Abena was solid enough, and wasn’t swayed by their humorous yet misguided warnings.
Why should I marry her just because I’m afraid another guy will steal her? And make her stop doing YouTube? Ebei! What kind of insecurity is that? I don’t need their advice. I love my Foriwaa, and she loves me. That’s all that matters.
***
Later that evening, Joojo was at home, happy to just lay back in his couch and chill after one busy day. As he idly scrolled through YouTube on his phone, the words of his colleagues resurfaced in his mind. He shook his head once again. Their skepticism was baseless and not worth bothering his head over.
As they were talking about those girls in that tweet, weren’t they the same ones lambasting that crazy girl who went after others’ boyfriends? That one, they now knew that it was the girl who was to blame, and not the guys who were in relationships, eh? Tweakai! As for those guys, they need healing.
As he continued scrolling, his stomach rumbled. “Ei, chale, I no chop ooo!” he exclaimed to himself. “Let me go get some of the jollof in the fridge.”
Getting up, however, a subtle voice seemed to whisper in his mind.
Go check out one of Abena’s videos.
Joojo raised an eyebrow. “Check out one of her videos? What for?”
As he marched to the kitchen, however, the voice repeated its whisper, a slight hint of urgency growing with each repetition.
Curiosity getting the better of him, he shrugged and navigated to ‘Fozzie’s Lit Reviews’ and selected the recent upload.
Watching Abena on the screen, in all her charisma and stunning beauty, Joojo felt a swell of pride flood his arteries.
Yep, that’s my girl! The most beautiful woman in the world. The blessing to end all blessings!
However, as he scrolled down to read the comments, a sudden and subtle unease crept over him.
The comments section was flooded with praises for Abena’s beauty. And many were from guys openly expressing their admiration, some in playful banter, others more overtly appreciative. Phrases like “absolute goddess” and “too beautiful for words” dominated the section, literally outnumbering the comments actually talking about the video’s content.
Closing the comments section, he took a deep breath.
Of course, he couldn’t deny the reality of Abena’s attractiveness. Nobody in their right mind could. But the comments suddenly left him feeling a twinge of insecurity. The sheer number of admirers expressing their infatuation with her was now making him question if PY and Frank’s warnings had a grain of truth.
A moment passed by, and Joojo shook his head. “Chale, chale, chale, let’s be serious. It’s no big deal, just harmless admiration. My Foriwaa is one talented and beautiful bombshell, it’s natural for people to appreciate that. It doesn’t mean she’d suddenly trade our relationship for fame. Boy, let’s be serious.”
Nodding, he slapped himself on the head and smiled. Those silly comments were working on him more than he would have expected. “There’s nothing to worry about,” he declared to himself as he took out the container of jollof. “It’s just comments, that’s all. They can admire all they want, but that beauty is mine and all mine.”
Yet, while he heated the food, a subtle worry within lingered, refusing to go away. The comments, though intended as compliments, had fueled a tiny flame of insecurity. And even though he firmly chose to shake off the unease brought on by the online admiration, it refused to die out.
***
The night draped Joojo’s room in darkness as he lay in bed, surrounded by the hushed stillness. A few minutes before midnight struck, and after indulging in a few episodes of Avatar: the Last Airbender, he was trying to sleep.
As he did, he decided to gather some delightful thoughts.
Thoughts of no one else but Abena Foriwaa Frimpong.
He smiled as the images swirled in his mind. Images of the warmth of her smile. Images of those devastatingly delightful contours of her body. Images of the numerous sweet words she often whispered to him. Images of their sweet and passionate kisses.
Damn! I can’t believe that queen is mine!
However, amidst all these lovely thoughts, a harsh inner voice began to stir, whispering seeds of doubt that soon grew into a relentless scream of insecurity.
Wake up, Joojo! You’re being a fool by trusting her so blindly. What makes you think she’s going to stick around for long? You think she won’t find someone better, someone more suited for her growing popularity? Wake up, chale! Wake up!
From a lovely dream to a nightmare.
Tossing and turning, Joojo tried his best to silence the voice, that had now brought with it the images of the countless comments from admirers and the flattering words that echoed in his mind.
“Where the hell are these voices coming from?” he wondered worriedly. The room, once a haven of sweet thoughts about his incredible girlfriend, now felt like an oppressive dungeon as the weight of insecurity settled upon him.
He gritted his teeth, doing his best to fight back. He recalled Abena’s sweet gestures, the moments they shared, and the love they built together, all in an attempt to fight this attack.
Yet, the insidious doubts battled back, clouding the memories with whispers of inadequacy.
Why do you think someone like her would stay with you? For what reason? She’s destined for greater things, and you’re just going to be seen as holding her back at a point. Face the truth, Joojo. You were the same one who said she was out of your league when you first met her. You really think that’s changed? You’re joking!
As the night pressed on, Joojo found himself continuing the battle with the negativity. The echoes of the harsh inner voice continued to reverberate in his mind, doing its very best to drown out the once-soothing whispers of love and trust.
Why in the world was he suddenly feeling this way? He had nothing to fear! He had a girlfriend that was devoted to him, no matter what this voice tried to insinuate. This was a ridiculous attack.
Yet, it wouldn’t let go of him. Questions of doubt and uncertainty fired away at his psyche, bringing Abena’s loyalty into question.
But what if she leaves… but what if…
Well, where did this mental onslaught come from? I hope he fights it off quickly…
