TECH BOYS (Alex and Frank)

 

 

 

ALEX AND FRANK

 

                        

                              Chapter one

“Guy how far na let me hurriedly finish this program before Mrs Ekeh leaves shey you’re following her too na? Alex popped looking at frank who was busy on his phone 

 “ no no...I’m not following her today there’s something I want to run in town” frank replied eyes still busy on the phone. Both Alex and frank were interns at windows media hub (WMH). Not friends from anywhere before.They both went to different university Frank studied electronics and computer engineering while Alex studied electrical engineering.

 

They met for the first time at WMH a big tech company in Lagos and having known each few weeks after they both came in as interns, they  realized through their conversations that they had the similar interests, similar goals passion for tech and hence, they bonded. 

   This day was six months after they became friends, few weeks earlier, Alex noticed Frank was acting strange. He didn’t go home with him anymore. He always stayed back at the office. 

He had wanted to ask the question this moment but changed his mind. Maybe when they we’re out during the weekend he’ll find out what was wrong with his friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                      Chapter two

8pm on Friday 

 

Alex and Frank were at their popular hang out bar... “valley good jolly” frank had two empty bottles of beer down and now unto the third one while on his phone smiling sheepishly 

 Alex who was just opening his second beer stared at his friend 

“ Guy Wetin Dey sup na” he asked 

“ nothing nothing...” Frank replied flashing his hands hesitantly with eyes still on phone

Well, whenever they we’re out like this, they we’re either talking about the annoying ladies at the office or the most dressed one or the Managing director of WMH Mr Thompson Dike and his consistent disturbance asking them to do one thing or the other over and over again whenever he was in town. Or even Ihuoma the most beautiful lady in their office department. How she is never caught unfresh, knows her work and snubs a lot. “A nose in the air attitude” Frank had termed her.

Or most importantly, a new tech project either of them was working on.

 

Before Frank started behaving strangely, they had both been planning on innovating a kind of technology induced generator which made no noise and could carry any electrical appliances you can think of no matter the voltage. 

They had been brainstorming on this. Reading books, all night browsing, YouTube streaming. They had a dream that one day their names will appear in history as the two boys who took this tech thing to another level. 

 

So this made them skip work sometimes, because aside from working as two interns, they also ran a cyber cafe where they offered services like printing, websites design, graphics and eccetra. This business was Frank’s idea and they both ventured into it as business partners. After all, the money they got as interns at the tech firm was not enough to make their dreams come through.

 

But two weeks to today, Frank stopped talking about their plans. He was either on his phone or hanging out.

 

“ franko....franko” Alex called him twice after staring at him for a very long time

“ guy Wetin na” frank asked 

“ Wetin be Wetin na” Alex replied 

“ tell me what’s up” he added 

 

“ Okay I will tell you so you stop disturbing me” Frank answered 

“ na this woman oo” 

 

“ which woman” Alex asked 

“Mrs Evelyn” Frank replied

“ yes Mrs Evelyn Afolabi Uzodike the MD’s wife....what happened to her “ Alex wide eyed waiting for a response 

“ she has just been all over me since the last time she visited the office”

 “ Jesus guy don’t tell me it’s what I’m thinking oo...” 

“ Omo think anything you want” Frank opted taking another gulp of beer with his teeth all out

 

“ wait guy you’re having an affair with the MDs wife” Alex asked surprised

“ this woman is rich man...she has money even including her husbands money. Turns out she is not getting enough attention from her husband. The guy is always busy with work and travels so while he’s away, I get to replace him” Frank replied with enthusiasm 

“ in fact she even wired hundred thousand naira to my account just last week oo...and we’ve been together for only a week then”.

 

Alex kept staring at him in bewilderment 

“ hmm guy I don’t know oo...but just be careful sha..but how do you still stare at Mr Thompson in the eye when you lash his wife...guy you get mind oo...that woman is probably in her late forties... Alex stated

 

“ what does it matter...Frank replied 

“As far as I’m concerned she came to me not me to her. And she has the cash plus I’m not the one who told Mr Tom not to be doing his work as a husband properly besides this is payback for all the many stress he put us through at the office whenever his around and pays us peanuts at the end of the month simply because we’re ordinary interns....plus to make am for this Lagos streets you gats Dey wise”  he added smiling boldly 

 

“ Frank I don’t know what to tell you oo... but just be careful Mr Tom is a very influential man” Alex warned 

 

“ don’t worry I got this and while I’m at this, take care of the cyber cafe okay...”  Frank ordered and staring back at his phone, he hurriedly stood up

“ my sugar mama needs me” he said smiling and dashed off

 

“ guy come pay for your drink oo” Alex shouted but frank already left the door 

 

“ if you run finish you must stin pay me” Alex murmured to himself

 “ that’s if he’ll even come back this night” he added and continued drinking his beer when his phone rang .it was an unknown number but true caller ID showed “Ife” his ex girlfriend‘s Name.

 

“ hello” sounded Ife’s voice

Alex absorbed it...it’s been a year since their breakup he was surprised when he saw her call...they had dated from their second year at the university into their graduation. Ife was in the arts. She studied English and literature. A beautiful girl so artistic in nature...she loved the arts so much and back then in school she took up photography as a hubby and later into a paying job while working in a photo studio.

She loved to write too. That was another reason she took up English and Literature.

 

Three months After graduation, Alex found out She had a fiancée. she had left him for a rich guy. 

He was devastated his girlfriend of three years had a fiancée he knew absolutely nothing about.

 She broke up with him, cut all ties with him,and even blocked his number so he wouldn’t call her. 

After months of frustration and self pity, Alex picked up the pieces of his shattered heart and moved on.

 

“ Alex how are you doing? Came the familiar gentle tone there was something about her voice that made him feel peaceful within. “Oh how he had missed that”

“ I’m fine Ife..He replied 

It’s been a while...how have you been? He asked

“ I’m....”words cutting, Ife burst out tears 

“ what’s wrong? Alex asked 

But she hunged up the call.

 

Alex sensed something was wrong...

Few minutes later, he saw a message in his phone. Ife texted him the address to her location . He wanted to ignore it...didn’t want to care what was up with her but at the same time, he wanted to see her badly wanted to have the feel of her lips again wanted to hug her tightly, kiss her forehead and tell her everything will be fine. 

Oh God He taught he had gotten over her until this moment.

 

After minutes of sitting and standing up, Alex changed his mind and started out for the location Ife sent him.

 

 

                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       Chapter three

  “ Ife,Ife.....no oo....Alex Shouted as he saw Ife lying on the bare ground with white substance coming out from her mouth.

 He called for help and the gate man rushed in....

  “ see madam car key for here” Ahmed pointed beneath the table. Alex grabbed it. Even though he didn’t have a car yet, his driving lessons hadn’t gone to waste after all. Quickly, Ahmed helped him and they both carried Ife to the car. With Ahmed opening the gate, Alex zoomed off.

 

**7am

Saturday morning 

 

Ife regained consciousness 

 

“ I’m sorry Alex, I’m sorry I cheated on you and left without any explanation ...” she stated seeing Alex sitting beside her

 “ stop it Ifemi...stop it” he cut her short and with this, immediately called out for the doctor.

 

Luckily, when she was brought in,the previous night, the doctor said that the overdose of drug she took hadn’t gone deep down her system and that Alex was fast enough to have reached out to her on time. 

At the hospital, she was stabilized and placed on drip. 

  

“ she’ll be fine” the doctor assured after examining her again

 “ she just needs lots of rest and close supervision” doctor Ahanna added

 

“Alex, I’m sorry I left you for Felix” Ife apologized, eyes filled with tears 

“ Ife please all this can wait...I need to call your parents”

“ No Alex my life is falling apart... and I won’t be fine if you don’t hear me out...my dad’s not even in the country and mom and I are not on talking terms” she explained eyes filled with tears

“ what happened? Alex asked wiping her eyes

“I broke up with Felix few months after our engagement. I caught him and my mom together. Alex my mom was having an affair with my fiancé. Turns out she has an obsession for young boys...I couldn’t confront her. I couldn’t even tell my dad...he has his own. Never at home “windows media” is the only thing on his mind...back at home, it’s just me I feel so lonely and I’m so torn apart.... I’m sorry I had to drag you into this my mess of a life...I wanted to end it all but I felt I owed you an explanation”

 

Alex watched Ife speak. He couldn’t put in place all he had heard. Windows media was the tech firm he worked at...Ife’s mom being obsessed with younger men, her dad not always at home. He was confused was it what he was thinking, could Mrs Evelyn and Mr Thompson Uzodike be....” he wanted to ask her but this wasn’t the time. 

 

“ Ifemi, just focus on getting better okay?....please I’ll be right here and we’ll do all the talking when you’re fine. 

With this, his phone rang.  Caller ID showed Franko...”oops”Alex signed when he remembered frank didn’t come out with his own house key the previous night. He didn’t pick up but texted Frank the address of the hospital he was at with the instruction “ call me when you get there”.

 

Looking back at Ife, she was already fast asleep. She must be so tired he thought. He remembered their first date together 

 “ my dad is Igbo he named me Ifeoma. My mom’s Yoruba she calls me Ifeoluwa so you can call me Ife for short” she had replied when he asked her name. 

 

“ I’ll call you Ifemi” he teased 

Knowing the meaning, this made her blink with red cheeks.

“I’m Alex” he added

“And I’ll call you Lexi” she replied admist the blush.

 

Alex’s memories were interrupted when he saw doctor Ahanna step in...

“Doctor everything’s normal now right? He asked after observing the doctor examine some parts of Ife’s body. 

“ yes Mr Alex...she would be discharged this evening. I’ll recommend drugs and therapeutic sections. She needs to be properly taken care of and not to be left alone.

“ okay doctor..thank you very much” Alex thanked doctor Ahanna as he made for the door.

Staring back at Ife, she still slept peacefully 

 “‘How could a mother do such a thing to her daughter. He could only imagine the pain and loneliness Ife had suffered all these while....And God....he would have never forgiven himself if something bad had happened to her....even after all these years, he couldn’t believe he still had feelings for her.

 

Few minutes later, his phone rang. Seeing Frank’s Name spring up in his screen, a quick glance again at Ife, he stood up and headed for the door.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                   Chapter four

 

“ how far Guy...what happened...Wetin u Dey do for hospital you made my heart skip.” Frank expressed 

 

“ I’m good...I’m fine nothing’s wrong with me... please if you won’t be home early drop the key for me at mama Bola place...I go collect from there...I’m coming home with someone” Alex replied 

“ hmmm

 

“We go see na” he waved to Alex as he stopped by a keke napep(tricycle) along the road side.

 

Alex rushed inside the ward immediately. Ife was already awake when he got in

 “ oh you’re awake. I’m sorry I had to drop something with my friend outside” he explained 

“ it’s okay..Alex...I should be the one apologizing for any inconvenience I must have caused you...Thank you so much Lexi” 

“ no my dear...I’m glad I could help...glad you thought of me...the doctor said you could be discharged today and you need close supervision... 

if it’s okay with you...you could stay at my place for now.

I mean its not the kind of place you’re used to but I’ll try to take care of you”

 

“No Alex, I’ll be fine...I promise” Ife tried to decline.

But Alex wasn’t going to take No for answer. He knew Ife had always liked to play

 “the strong woman I got everything under control” role.

but for once she needed to allow herself to be taken care of. He let her slip before not this time again. Even though he couldn’t yet afford the extravagant life she was used to. The very reason she left him for a richer guy in the past. But it was all in the past now. He had forgiven her and he still loved her. He didn’t realize it until he saw her again after three years.

“ No Ife, you have to let me be of help even for just a little while” he insisted 

 

“Okay Alex but at least let me pay the hospital bills” Ife asked 

 

Alex nodded almost immediately. Out of money as he was at the moment, he knew in his heart that he couldn’t afford seventy thousand naira. That amount was even more than his one month salary of thirty five thousand naira. 

 He was ashamed though but he wasn’t about to try to impress Ife again. He did it before but she left him anyway. So he was going to come as he was this time. Though hard as it was, because he still loved her. But he wasn’t going to be hopeful that they would be a ship again. He would just play his role in taking care of her. After all it would be just for a week and she’ll be gone and his life will go back to normal.

 

 

                  Chapter five

**Two days later 

 

“Alex who’s that beautiful babe in the room” Frank asked 

Alex quickly motioned him that they should talk outside.

 

“Okay Oya start spilling” Frank ordered as they reached outside 

 

 “Guyy...where have you been...your number has been switched off for the past two days. You didn’t even show up at work” Alex inquired 

 

“ see forget that work......u think say person fit use 9-5 make money? 

I had to satisfy my sugar mama” Frank replied sarcastically 

 “ that woman is so good to me....guy I go use her blow” He added in excitement 

“ Franko...that woman is not who you think she is” Alex warned 

 

“So how is it my business...me self I am not who she thinks I am” Frank responded with laughter 

 

 “Okay...you see that girl inside, she’s my ex...and Mrs Evelyn happens to be her mother. Apparently, it appears that Mrs Evelyn jumps from one young man to another because

 “her husband is not always around” she’s addicted to young boys. And, Frank you’re not the first. She even had an affair with her daughter’s fiancée” Alex had finished narrating when he noticed little chuckles from Frank which turned to big laughter 

 

Alex stared at him surprised. He didn’t know what had come over his friend.

 

“See, Alex let me tell you, that story of yours is so well said. But it’s non of my business. As a matter of fact, I came back home to pick up some of my cloths. I’ll be gone for a while and back before her husband comes back.” entering back into the room, He turned 

“ meanwhile your ex is beautiful..later you go gist me how e take happen” with a wide smile, he dashed into the house.

 

***later that evening,

 

Alex and Ife was quietly watching a movie in the sitting room. With both sitting far apart from each other, they had a plate of popcorn in hand.

Alex felt Ife staring at him from his side view. But he wasn’t about to stare back at her. Infact he had avoided any contact with her since she came around. She slept in the bed room while he slept in the living room. He never entered the bedroom to pick anything until he was sure she was asleep. 

 

“You’ve been avoiding me” Ife threw, breaking the silence 

 

“Me...no I haven’t” Alex denied 

 

“Lexi you don’t have to lie. Remember you’ve never been good at it. Besides I see and I’ve noticed all your actions since I came here” Ife replied as she left her chair and came to where Alex was sitting.

Alex tried to adjust but he couldn’t. It was pretty awkward for him. As she held his cheeks and her lips searched for his. He pathed his and hers came in. And catching himself quickly, he released her lips and went back a little. 

 

“I’m sorry Ife but I won’t want to take advantage of you or your situation” he said 

“No Lexi....you’re not taking advantage of anything. It’s me who wants this. I know you don’t want to talk about it but I’m sorry and I miss you” 

 

“It’s okay Ife....but if you won’t mind, I want us to take it slow this time around”  he replied. 

Although he wanted her too. He wanted to grab her lips and hold it for as long as but he was been cautious. Didn’t want to be hopeful. Didn’t want to get his heart crushed again and gush he had a girlfriend. Kachi was her name. A beautiful young girl in her mid twenties. He loved her but how could he still love Ife after all this years. He must be stupid he taught to himself.

 He would have told Ife he had a girlfriend but he couldn’t. Couldn’t find the courage to.

And for the past few days, he had been ignoring Kachi’s call. With the excuse of being busy.

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                           Chapter six

the Uzodike’s Mansion

 

Mr Uzodike was back. Moses the gateman ran to open the gate. Turns out Mrs Evelyn went out to buy groceries and only Frank was at home. He was sleeping in the masters bedroom. He was supposed to leave this evening. But, Evelyn told him her husband would be back the next day not knowing Mr Uzodike had change of plans. 

 

Moses was biting his fingers. “Oga go catch am oo” he whispered as he watched Mr Uzodike walk majestically into his house.

 

***Few seconds later....

 

Frank is on his knees begging. Mr Uzodike has found him in the bedroom. And was calling the police. He had accused Frank of being a thief. As he couldn’t find the dollar bills he left in his drawer and couldn’t quite place what frank was doing in his house talk more his bedroom. 

Frank was on his knees. Only underwears on. He was begging. Didn’t know what to say. Either he was really a thief or he would confess the role he was actually playing. In both cases, he was in deep shit.

 Shortly, Mrs Evelyn came in. Frank was a bit relieved she might save him but so deep was his shock when she said she had never seen him before. And didn’t know how the dollar bills got missing. 

Moses was called. He also denied knowing Frank to save himself but he was sacked at the spot for not doing his duties well as a gateman.

 The police arrived and took Frank away.

“You would rot in jail if you don’t produce my money” Mr Uzodike threatened 

 

***days later

 

  Alex who was still wondering what was up with his friend because Frank wasn’t picking his calls and he hadn’t seen him in days. Got a call from an unknown number. The voice at the other end sounded familiar. It was frank. Frank explained everything to him and how he’s been in jail for days now. 

Alex was devastated. He knew he did warn Frank but this was not  the time to throw blame games. 

So he decided to talk to Ife about the situation.

  “My mom needs to be stopped. Her obsession for young men has gotten out of hand. Maybe it’s time for her to pay for ruining my life” Ife expressed bitterly.

 

She insisted on going to the mansion and Alex also insisted in following her. So, together they both headed for the Uzodike’s mansion.

 

 

       

 

 

                          Chapter seven

 

   Mr Uzodike was devastated. He couldn't hold his ear enough from what he was hearing.

Evelyn was on her knees. She was begging both her daughter and husband for forgiveness. 

“ Ifeoluwa please forgive me...I beg of you. I had no idea Felix was your fiancée. Up until the day I stopped seeing him, he has been lying to me. I knew him as kelvin not Felix. I caught him with another woman and I ended the affair. But it doesn't justify anything. I am a terrible mother and a bad example to you and your sister. I let my desires get the best of me. I was always lonely because your father wasn't always around and I couldn’t even practice of control my urges” She narrated pleading with her daughter.

 

“ ever since I was a little girl I‘ve never felt what it meant to be close to my parents. I’ve always done things my way, alone. Yvonne was the only one that made me feel loved up until she got married and now have her own family to care for overseas.

 It’s just been me alone. It’s not a wonder that you didn't even bother to know or even see a picture of the man your daughter was supposed to be married to. Didn’t bother to know what happened, why we broke up or where I was all this while” Ife expressed as she broke down in tears

 

“For God’s sake did you both know I would have been a dead person by now if not for Alex here” she added pointing the direction of Alex. 

The eyes of both parents narrowed down to Alex who was already feet shaky when he heard Ife  mention his name.

One glance at Ife, she motioned him to tell them “go ahead Alex”

 

“Ehmm...Ife tried to kill her self” he announced 

Hands in head, Evelyn shouted in Yoruba “Olumaje” 

“Tufiakwa” Mr Dike exclaimed in Igbo 

(Both words meaning God forbid)

They had both ruined their daughters life. Now it was time to pick the pieces only if she would let them to.

 

“ Ifeoma nwam,...I have unconsciously been a terrible father to you in my pursuit for money and fame. I’m very sorry. I don’t know what to do to make it up to you” Mr Dike stated.

 

But Ife already wiped her tears. Going further to where Alex was standing, she held his hands and they both headed for the door.  Alex following put. 

“ I think you and mom will have to figure that out yourselves” she said and they both left.

Leaving the devastated parents alone.

 

***

“Alex, I’m sorry and I need to leave. I’ve made a big mess of your life already. Seeing that you work for my father and knowing the type of person he is, you’re automatically fired” Ife said to Alex later that evening at his apartment 

She knew her father. He wasn’t one who would let family get in the way of business. And since Alex knew so much already, inclusion of the ordeal between Frank And Evelyn,

There was no way Alex would be accepted back in WMH.

 

“Ifemi, you didn’t make any mess...I’m glad I could help” Alex replied but deep within, he knew was finished. No job, nowhere to start from. The rent at the cyber cafe they owned was expired. He had no money to pay before the due time so the place has been locked down by the owner. 

Even the house rent was due in three months. Frank was usually the one who covered all those things. Apparently, Mrs Evelyn was not the only sugar mama Frank had. It was kind of like a business a friend of his whom he met recently introduced him to. Dating older woman for money until it all went soar this time around.

 

“ I don’t think I will be going back to my parents” Ife outed interrupting his thoughts 

“I’ll be traveling to London. I’m finally agreeing to the masters degree program. I need to get my life back on track and God I’ve missed my sister Yvonne. I’ll be staying at her place for the main time till I get established”.....

Pausing a little, she noticed the surprise look on Alex’s face

 “I also spoke to her about you and how you saved my life. She had been doing a research and she found a company over there that has opening for young Africans in tech. One year internship after which you would be employed automatically. You just have to take part in their exams and you also don’t have to worry about it. My sister has friends there and they would help you. You just have to make sure you get at least fifty percent of the tests.” 

With this, she stopped and was waiting for feedback from Alex whose expression had switched from surprise to dumbfounded.

He opened his mouth to talk but nothing came out.

He tried again and this time, all he could do was kiss Ife in sordid excitement.

 

“ I’m sorry, I’m sorry” he apologized when he got himself 

“ it’s okay Alex. If you hadn’t come that night, I would have been dead by now. I owe you”

 

Two weeks later.....

Alex and Ife where on a plane heading to London.

 

(Mr Dike and Evelyn had contacted Alex and they both pleaded with him to help them talk to their daughter. After subsequent attempts, Alex succeeded in getting Ife to forgive and go see her parents. She forgave them, told them about her plans and they both gave her their blessings. 

Mr Dike begged her to allow him sponsor her financially at least to make him have the feel of a father and she accepted. Evelyn repented from her obsessive ways. She and her husband spent more time and they both decided to run the Windows media together as Co-CEOs. This would keep Evelyn busy and focused. She titled herself “ woman in tech”)

 

(Frank was released from prison. Alex had given him half a million to start something up for himself 

While recovering. )

 

Ife knew in her heart she was at peace. Although she and Alex might not end up together cause even though she loved him, she didn’t know and didn’t expect him to feel the same way for her after all these years. She was at peace in her heart because she finally got to clear her mind with Alex and he had forgiven her. 

Her family was in order for the first time in over twenty six years.

 

Alex was sitting close to the window. It was his first time being on a plane. His joy knew no bounds. Not only was he on a plane. He was living Nigeria for London. This is the beginning of his career in technology. He had always dreamed of this day. But never knew it was all going to play out the way it did. He missed frank and wished he was here with him. But he was sure Frank would be Okay he is a tough guy after all “Franko” he whispered smiling 

 

 

And taking a deep breath, he whispered again “London here I come”