Love in the bar episode 3 – 4

Love in the bar episode 3
Throughout the ride to court, I sit stiffly beside Dapo. I am self-conscious and tongue-tied and wish I could just disappear into thin air. I don’t want to be here and I know I don’t have to be. I guess he just enjoys playing the game with me.
He does not talk to me too. I guess he felt if he did, I will rebuff him. I wouldn’t have but I won’t be comfortable too. I just want to be out of here. He sits quietly through the hassle of the ride, probably thinking of his arguments and how he will play them out.
We drive into the court compound and park. We enter the court room and find our way to the bar. The bar is the term used for where lawyers sit in court.
I bring out my writing pad so as to jot some important points and I prepare to observe and file away everything I can in my brain. Dapo sits beside me, opens the file before him and before long is engrossed. He only raises his head when the court clerk clears his throat and announces the presence of the judge. We all stand up respectfully.
We had to wait quietly though for the judge to read through the case and become acquainted with it over again. After a few minutes, he looks up and Dapo stands up immediately to present his case.
“My Lord…..” he began
From the first moment he opens his mouth, I was transfixed. He states his case with confidence and a bit of arrogance if I may say so. That didn’t deter me from admiring him though. You could see he knows what he’s talking about and that he did his research well. I’ll like to think my notes helped too.
He argues his case intelligently and cross-examines the defense witnesses expertly. I was awed and I could only pray to be as good as him one day.
I remembered to take notes amidst it all though. I recognized some weak areas in the defense strategy and hope to present them to Dapo, maybe he can strengthen his case through that.
Before long, it was over and the case was adjourned to sometime next month. We stood up once more as the judge went out. I gathered my notes together.
“So, how was your first day in court?” Dapo asked
“Interesting enough.”
“Enough? Why enough?”
“Oh it’s not to shade the proceedings in any way. I just feel maybe there’ll be more excitement if it were
a criminal case.” I shrugged
“Well, you are right. Criminal cases are usually more interesting but these kind of cases bring in the money.”
I shrugged again.
“You are not interested in money?”
“Not necessarily. I just want to see justice served.”
“Really? I’ll better keep the appearance fee then. Since you have no use for it?” he raised his brow
“Don’t you dare.” I laughed.
‘Okay then. If you insist.”
I smile as I follow him out of the courtroom.
The ride back was uneventful but this time, we talked. The car was not as silent as a tomb. I mentioned the areas I noticed where the defense case was weak and he accepted my suggestions gladly.
“I’m glad you worked with me today, Leona. It was good.” He looked into my eyes and quietly walked away.
I sit quietly on my chair watching him as he once again walked away.
Episode 4
By the third week, I have settled in to a form of routine. I was able to prove my ingenuity to my boss when he gave me a file to prepare and told me to accompany him to court. He actually praised me, in his words ‘I like how you handle yourself.” Since then, I excelled in all the work he gave to me.
I was happy albeit stressed but I was learning and that was enough for me. In the three weeks, I appeared in court three times, that is an average of once a week. All the other time was spent doing research for senior associates, writing briefs and running from Dapo.
Since the episode in his office, I couldn’t bear to face him. I avoided him at all costs and he didn’t approach me either. He probably does not want a wide-eyed idiot staring at him all day. So embarrassing.
I was at my desk, working on a file for Sunmola. Junior associates are at the beck and call of everybody in the firm and we usually have a lot of grubby work to do. Sunmola and I are fast friends despite her seniority in the firm. We meet for lunch every afternoon and even spent last Saturday together at the movies.
A presence across my desk broke my concentration. I looked up, and straight into the face of Dapo, what could he want? More work for me. I frowned slightly.
“Why the sad look? Aren’t you happy to see me?”
I rolled my eyes, waiting for him to tell me why he’s in front of my desk. “What do you want?” I asked uncharitably, still feeling the sting of embarrassment.
“I just came by to see you.”
“Oh.” I peered at him curiously. “I would have offered you a seat but….” I gestured to the empty space before me.
“No problem.” He smiled. “Quick question, will you go out for a drink with me after work?
Uh? A drink? That came out of nowhere. “A drink?” I repeated aloud.
“Yeah. You know, those things that come out of bottles into cups and you sip?”
“I know what a drink is.”
“Oh? I would have argued that in court.”
“Very funny.” I laughed in spite of myself.
“So, would you?”
“Why?”
“Why? Well, let me think…it could be the fact that you annoy me and I want to give you a good dressing down or it could be that I like you and want to know more about you….” He trailed off
“Hmm, I’ll wager the former.”
“Really? Why?” he looked genuinely surprised
I shrugged. “We’ve not been best buddies since I started.”
“Hmm, it depends on your view. Well, would you like to find out? We could clear the air over a drink.”
“I’ll like that.”
“Cool. I’ll see you after work then.”
“Okay.”
I was excited and at the same time nervous. Why did he want to have a drink with me? Does he like me
or am I getting ahead of myself here? I decided I’ll better wait to solve the mystery. It’s just a few hours and I can wait. Maybe.