Chapter 2: Work Wahala 

With a self-assured wobble to her gait, Sisi Eko enters her office building, her heels clicking against the tile floor. She’s eager to start another workday, but she has no idea that this one will go down as a memorable one, full of laugh-out loud moments and unforeseen obstacles that will make her coworkers shake their heads.  

Sisi Eko is surrounded by coworkers’ talk and the hum of computers as she settles into her cubicle, she can’t help but notice the pandemonium that is developing around her. The office gossip, Mr Okoro, has already started circulating rumors like wildfire during harmattan season. 

“Sisi Eko, I hear say dem wan promote you,” Mr. Okoro whispers, his eyes wide with excitement. 

Sisi Eko raises an eyebrow, not buying into his antics. “Abeg, make I hear word. Na so you talk last week, say dem wan promote you too.” 

Mr Okoro chuckles, scratching his head sheepishly. “E be like say my own promotion dey enter voicemail.” 

But Sisi Eko knows better than to trust Mr. Okoro’s tales. She’s been in this office long enough to know that rumors spread faster than a viral meme on social media. Instead, she focuses on her work, diving into her tasks with determination and grit. 

But as the day wears on, the challenges pile up like a stack of overdue files on her desk. The printer decides to go on strike, spitting out pages with more errors than a politician’s promises. The air conditioning system chooses today of all days to stage a protest, leaving the office feeling like a sauna in the dry season. 

And just when Sisi Eko thinks it can’t get any worse, her boss, Mrs. Adeleke, calls her into her office for an impromptu meeting. Sisi Eko’s heart races as she wonders what she could have possibly done to warrant such attention. 

“Sit down, Sisi Eko,” Mrs Adeleke says, her expression unreadable. 

Sisi Eko takes a seat, her palms sweating as she braces herself for the worst. But to her surprise, Mrs Adeleke breaks into a smile. 

“I just wanted to commend you on your hard work and dedication,” Mrs Adeleke says. “You’ve been doing an excellent job, and I believe it’s time we discussed a promotion.” 

Sisi Eko’s eyes widen in disbelief, her heart doing somersaults in her chest. She can hardly believe her ears—after all the challenges and wahala she’s faced, it seems like her hard work has finally paid off. 

“Thank you, ma,” Sisi Eko says, unable to contain her joy. “I go do my best to continue to make you proud.” 

And with that, Sisi Eko leaves Mrs Adeleke’s office with a spring in her step and a smile on her face, ready to take on whatever challenges come her way. Because if there’s one thing, she’s learned from today’s work wahala, it’s that with perseverance and a healthy dose of humor, she can overcome anything. 

And so, the day ends not with a whimper, but with a hearty laugh—a reminder that no matter how tough things may seem, as long as Sisi Eko is around, there’s always a reason to smile.