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One thing about this job of mine was that it came with a high level of stress. Customers, both literate and non-literate, on your neck all day long, some funny ones demanding to know why every fifty kobo was deducted from their account and why my bank of all banks should charge a hundred naira for the use of other banks' automated machines, and so on.
Not just me, even my colleagues in other units had their own day-to-day challenges. So, it was just natural that once it was past four o' clock in the evening, and customers started to trickle down, we became at ease and would try to relax.
Sometimes, some naughty ones amongst us would just make a funny statement that would become a topic of argument. Times like that happened today.
My office space was located upstairs and I shared the hall with seven colleagues, two ladies and five guys.
Udeme, one of the guys in commercial banking unit and a notorious playboy, just happened to tickle Tosin, one of my unit members. She let out a funny scream and the guys laughed.
"Hehehe, Tosin, is that your ringtone?" Mayowa, Udeme's drinking buddy and partner-in-crime, asked. "Udeme, you have just discovered this babe's weak spot o."
People began to laugh.
Tosin eyeballed Mayowa."What stupid ringtone are you talking about? Do I look like a phone to you?"
Some of the guys laughed again.
Mayowa said, "You don't know what ringing tone is? Hmmm, I don't like it when girls pretend."
"Abi o." Udeme joined in. "You want to tell me you don't sing to your boyfriend's ears when you are doing the real thing?"
Tosin hissed. "You think everyone is like those you sleep around with?"
"What's wrong with 'those' I sleep around with, Madam? Aren't y'all the same thing? Same ring tone." Udeme teased.
"Abeg, leave Tosin o. She doesn't have a ring tone yet," Janet said. "She's saving it all for the Bro who finally puts a ring on it."
"Ha! Ngbo Tosin, is that true?" Mayowa asked. "Ha, you have to change that decision o. You don't wanna to enter one chance, baby."
"Yes o." Richard joined in. "If you marry a guy who can't do it well, hmmhmm, na one chance be that o."
Udeme perched on Tosin's desk and leaned forward. "You must do the real thing before—"
"Udeme, leave this girl alone now. Why are you on her case this evening?" I spoke up.
"Abegi! Leave that one. Must everyone be like you, Stingy Sister Mary."
"Na you sabi." I replied.
"But seriously, girls, the world is changing and we need to change with the times." Janet said. "Me o, I can never date a guy, not to talk of marrying him, without testing the real thing. I don't want to end up marrying a man who can't satisfy me in bed. That was how my Aunty entered one chance and before we knew it, she was sleeping with someone else she mistakenly got pregnant for."
"Whatever you say, Janet, sexual purity is still the best." Tosin countered.
"What are you talking about now? Learner ni baby yi ke. This girl is really a learner," Mayowa rejoined. "Wait, if you want to buy a car, won't you test drive it first to know it is working well? Will you just buy and take it home only to discover that there is something wrong?"
"No! God forbid!" Richard twisted his fingers over his head.
"Ehn ehn, it's the same with marrying someone without being sure of their sexual capacity. It's a whole life of frustration ahead."
That was when Yvonne a.k.a Iron Lady, walked in. Yvonne was a tough lady who rarely smiled or joked with anyone, something many of our colleagues, especially the guys, attributed to pride especially since she was two steps ahead most of us that were her age mates.
However, she was notorious for donning miniskirts and short dresses that screamed 'Party Girl'. The funny thing was she was good friends with Mayowa and he used to talk about them going to clubs together, though their friendship was platonic.
She walked up to Janet's desk and was asking her something.
I turned to Mayowa. "Mayowa, so if a girl is not capable, you move on to the next one, abi?"
"That's right," he replied. "Until you find the best one for you. God no go vex."
Udeme and Janet laughed.
I shook my head. Why do people who are wrong always have facts to present and are bold enough to defend their wrong. Comparing test driving cars with sex outside marriage and even encouraging multiple partners.
"So Tosin, forget that thing o, the Bible was written for the children of Israel in those days when there was no civilization," Mayowa continued. "Things are different now."
"Say whatever you want. The Bible is still relevant for everyone," Tosin replied.
Udeme shook his head. "You are a naïve somebody."
"Come to think of it, Mayowa, no matter how old-fashioned and boring the Bible sounds on issues, I reason with Its principles," Yvonne said.
I jerked my head up. It took some seconds for me to realise my jaws were slightly far from each other. Yvonne was the last person I expected to hear that from.
Mayowa scoffed. "What principles?"
"You see," she said, "my parents were each other's firsts and it wasn't because they were Born-again or something. They just wanted to wait for each other. They told me staying faithful in their marriage and loving each other was easier because there were no sexual and emotional baggage, unlike some of their friends who constantly complained about their marriages."
I noticed Udeme and Janet had started to listen. Tosin's attention was intently focused on Yvonne.
Yvonne continued, "My mum even talked about one of her friends who keep complaining about her marriage, that sex with her husband was way different and less exciting unlike one she used to have with her former lover."
"Hmm," Udeme nodded. "That's true. My former babe kept complaining I don't love her enough. It's always Dayo used to do this, no ,Dayo didn't use to do that to me. I had to tell her to go look for Dayo. I aint gonna be compared to any man."
Mayowa chuckled. "Girls can be funny sha. What was she thinking? But Yvonne, I still maintain that waiting till marriage is a risky business."
"Well, my mother said they both had to learn their way through and today they are enjoying themselves very well. Waiting was worth it," Yvonne replied.
"Whoa, you discuss sex that deep with your mum?" Janet asked.
"Uh-huh," she nodded.
"Wow, that's weird."
"What's weird about it? I learnt a lot about relationships from her. She is my role model." Yvonne smiled and I saw affection for her mum in her eyes. "Chastity worked for her and that's why I choose to wait till marriage before giving any man my body."
"Hear, hear" Tosin pumped her fists in the air. Yvonne gave her a weird look and everyone burst into laughter.
Hmmm, lessons to take home today. Although Yvonne girl always behaved as if she didn't need Jesus in her life, knowing that she believed in the Bible made my heart sing. And now, I appreciate my Bible more because it carries instructions and principles that are timeless, flawless and always relevant no matter the times.
It says flee from sexual immorality, a.k.a, sex outside marriage or with someone who is not your spouse and I am going to stick to it. No Sex Until Marriage!
In the meantime, I made a mental note to minister to Yvonne.
…to be continued.