LACES & STRINGS EPISODE TWO

 

LACES & STRINGS

Episode Two

There were three women who always sat at the gatepost of my office building. They worked in the same company as me, and every morning, they were my first point of contact.

Each time I walked past them, I would drop to my knees—both knees—to greet them. It didn’t matter if they acknowledged me with warm smiles or ignored me completely, leaving my greeting hanging in the air like an unfinished sentence. I still did it. And on the days they snubbed me, it hurt.

But now, I know better.

It wasn’t just unprofessional to kneel in a corporate firm—it was unnecessary. A reflection of how little I thought of myself. So that morning, as I approached them, I simply bowed my head in greeting and kept walking.

The shock on their faces was almost comical. I didn’t need to turn around to hear the whispers that followed me. I could feel their eyes trailing my back, confusion thick in the air. I laughed it off.

Not my business. Not anymore.

When I stepped into the office—a space filled with over twenty people—I did something different. Normally, I would greet each person individually, making sure I was seen, acknowledged, validated. But today?

“Good morning, everyone.”

Simple. Direct. No excess.

The reaction was immediate. Some people responded, others didn’t. And for the first time, I was perfectly fine with that.

I didn’t need their validation.

I wasn’t that girl anymore.

I am Témì Otégbayò.

I am finding myself. Loosening the laces and strings that have held me down for too long.

—

During lunch, I kept to myself. No unnecessary conversations, no mindless gossip, no distractions. Just me, my thoughts, and my food.

Then came Tara.

She walked over, standing in front of me like she had done countless times before.

“Temi, you will follow me to the bank after work today.”

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. The old me would have immediately agreed, no second thoughts. I was that girl—the one you could call on anytime, the one who never said no.

But now? Now, I was me.

I looked up, gave a small smile, and said, “Tara, I would have followed you if you had told me earlier. But I already have an appointment after work.”

She stood there, staring at me, processing my words. Seconds passed before she finally responded.

“Oookayyy…”

There it was. The realization. The recognition of change.

She noticed it. They all would.

To be continued

Story created by Ini Crown, Author of “When Hearts Meet”.