Time In, Time Out

The continued ringing of the doorbell woke me up from the deep sleep. I have had a very hectic week at work. My immediate boss had informed me about a month earlier that the inspectorate from the headquarters of our company will be coming over to our branch for audit purposes. He wanted me to get my records ready and presentable. Since I was aware of the visit, I did everything within my power and office to prepare and welcome them.

Early on Monday morning, I got to the office in my new blazers and well-ironed trousers and shirt. I knew that I looked different with my silky neck tie and sunglasses. Though my colleagues knew that I wouldn't come late to the office, they were taken aback that I could resume earlier.

So, the week was a very hectic one for me as I was at the centre of the whole inspection. The inspectors kept demanding one receipt or document or the other. Sometimes, it took me up to twenty minutes to figure it out despite all my preparations. When I got back home that weekend, all I bothered myself to do was to eat and sleep.

The doorbell started ringing lightly, the sound was heard far away in dreamland with the hope that my neighbours would attend to it but it kept ringing. As the sound increased, I couldn't bear it. Steadily, I rose from the bed walking like I was tipsy until I got to the gate. The whole compound was as silent as a graveyard. All my neighbours were nowhere around.

A young man with a crash helmet was standing with beads of sweat on his forehead. His appearance showed that he is a delivery man.

Good afternoon sir.

He greeted me. My mouth was too heavy to reply to him. I just nodded my head.

I have a document for one Mr. Ken Obi. He lives in this address.

Upon hearing my name, I became more alert and yawned, stretched out my hands while nodding my head.

I am Ken Obi.

The delivery man whose name I later got to know was Oche asked me to sign a log book indicate that I have received the document. He zoomed off immediately. I was so anxious to know what is contained in the document that I didn't wait to open it as I walked back to my room.

Dear Tenant,

Quit Notice
This is to bring to your notice that the property, located at 14 Isaac John Drive, Ikeja G.R.A, Lagos state; now belongs to Craneburg Constructions Company.

All tenants are hereby advised to quit the property within three months of reviewing this notification.

Thank you for your cooperation.

As I read through this letter, hot sweat covered me from head to toe and my hands were shivering with the paper. I have just paid my one year rent two months ago. The rent was paid from the loan I got from my office. How on earth do the people want me to survive?

Craig Adderley

A lot of questions were popping up in my head. It was so confusing that I did not know what to think about. The sleep had suddenly disappeared from my eyes. I comforted myself and calmed to see if my neighbours also got the same letter.

In the evening when I was sure that all my neighbours were back, I met them one after the other to present my letter to them. I never knew that they were served the letter earlier than I. Mine only came late because I was only coming back home during weekends. That evening, I went back into my apartment, sober. It was like the whole world was crumbling on me.

Three months later, I was the only tenant left in the house as all others had packed out. Two of my neighbours packed into their own house while the other three rented.

I was ready for the worst to happen. On the day that Craneburg Construction Company was to take full possession of the property, the leader of the team happened to be my classmates. We met and exchanged pleasantries. Then I told him my predicament. He laughed and said to me,

Ken, you are so funny. You know what? That structure will not be pulled down. You can stay there for the next three years after which you may decide whether to stay or leave.

I could not contain my joy. Three whole years? Was it my faith or doggedness? I just knew that something was going to happen, good or bad. I bought time, I stayed and it turned out to be good news. I lived there for six years before moving into my own home.