The office was already loud when Aduni walked in.
Phones rang like alarms. Printers spat paper in restless bursts. Somewhere at the back, two dispatch officers argued over a missing delivery note.
Monday.
The day the weekend came back to collect its debts.
Aduni dropped her bag on her desk and powered on her system. Before the screen fully came alive, Kunle from dispatch was already beside her.
"Three trucks didn't deliver yesterday," he said, not greeting her. "Ibadan route, Akure route, and the pharmaceutical consignment to Ilorin."
She didn't look up yet. "Why?"
Kunle hesitated. "Driver for Ibadan said traffic. Akure truck broke down. Ilorin… customer is angry. Very angry."
Now she looked at him.
"And you waited for Monday to tell me?"
Kunle shifted. Around them, the operations floor pretended not to listen.
Aduni stood.
"Operations meeting. Five minutes."
In the small briefing space, twelve men gathered around the table. Some leaned back. Some folded their arms. One or two still believed she was too young to be giving instructions.
Aduni didn't sit.
"Ibadan truck, reroute and complete delivery before noon. I want proof of delivery sent to my email immediately."
She turned.
"Akure breakdown..... where is the vehicle now?"
"Ore," someone answered.
"Send the backup van from the Ondo partner fleet. Transfer the goods. No excuses."
Then she paused.
"The Ilorin pharmaceutical order is priority. Hospitals are waiting. If that client cancels, we lose the contract and our name gets in the mud "
Silence.
"I'm calling the client myself. While I do that, dispatch a dedicated driver. That delivery leaves this yard in one hour."
One of the older supervisors cleared his throat.
"Madam, one hour is not possible."
Aduni met his eyes.
"Then make it possible. I know you're capable!"
The room went quiet.
Back at her desk, she dialed the client before fear could enter her voice.
"Good morning, sir. This is Aduni from operations. I understand your shipment was delayed. I'm personally supervising it. It will be delivered today before 4 p.m. I'm so sorry for any inconveniences."
A pause.
Then the anger on the other end softened, just slightly.
When she hung up, she finally exhaled a burden suddenly lifted... but there's more to do.
Outside her glass partition, the floor had changed rhythm. Men were moving faster. Calls were being made. Instructions were being followed.
Control had returned. But as she opened the weekly report, her phone buzzed.
Mum. She stared at the screen.
Another kind of pressure waiting. Aduni silenced the call and went back to work.
Because in this building, trucks, time, and men moved only when she did.
"Have you gotten through to her?"....a voice asked flatly
"It's Monday...she should be busy...!" A woman replied quietly
A silent home has lost it's vibe and joy. It didn't look like a home that raised kids happily despite all challenges. It didn't look like a home you can come back to..no love,no feeling only submission and silence
The older man looked at this phone with so much disdain...frowns again and again that wrinkles can remain permanent on his face
"You should have spent time teaching them manners rather than argue with me! I believe your daughter has blocked me... I can't get a message through!" Putting his glasses on the table...
You should be proud!" He added finally looking at her with so much gut
His eyes could have sent her six feet under if they had the chance.
"She can't be that rude.. I'll call her again!"...she shake over her phone
"It's no use... you've made Aduni a feminist or what is it called again?.... A version of yourself that you refuse to show to me.
Words sounded heavy than a bag of stones. She froze...
" Your love to me and this family is just one of your duties... it's not from your heart!".....his voice harsh and tired
"I've tried all I can for this family...is this how you think my efforts is?" Her voice bitter
"I'm not blind.. I'm not a fool either. I know when you change at me. Even though I did nothing wrong, pleasing a woman is always a difficult thing isn't it?" Leaning back...he replied rather casually.
She sighs... laughter suddenly erupt. The man didn't find it funny
"It's too late to turn back now... think whatever you feel like. What's done is done.
Obe ti ge omo lowo... Omo ti ju obe nu,kilomo fe shey?"...she hissed slightly and walked out