Sunday 19 / April / 2026
Sometimes journalists go through stressful days when deadlines are pushing them to the limit, and a strong coffee is the only way to make them stay awake.
Coffee is stimulating but there was nothing I could do this Sunday morning to give me the energy I wanted. I had a couple of media interviews to do and I wished I could cancel them. However, journalists know that they cannot pass up good stories even if it would kill them. So I did the twenty-minute journey struggling to stay awake. When I entered the CEO’s office, the pretty secretary took one look at me and asked,” are you alright?”
I lied and said “yes” even though I was near exhaustion. She motioned me to sit on the sofa and I gratefully did just that. The seat was so comfortable that I fought-off the urge to close my eyes and doze away. The secretary was not just a pretty face and she understood my problem.
“Perhaps you could use with some coffee?” She asked.
I nodded eagerly, perhaps too eager because she added,” shall I make it strong?”
I told her that would be great. She came back with the coffee and I gratefully accepted the mug with both hands. By the time the big boss had the time for me, I felt a little bit invigorated. The man noticed my unsteady steps as I made into his office and inquired gently,” did you have a rough night?”
By now it was common knowledge and there was no need to deny it. But I had to decline his offer of another coffee since I was anxious to finish my business before I collapsed on his luxurious white carpet. I don’t remember how many questions I asked him but when I had enough, I thanked him and left.
I took the lift down and then my mind went completely blank. Where did I leave the car? It took me three laborious minutes to find it. It was very tempting to recline the seat and sleep behind the wheel. I had to move on to my next interview and I did not relish the drive to another executive. I am not sure how I avoided an accident because I was half asleep when I reached there.
This time, I did not have the luxury of meeting a lady secretary with a smile and hot coffee waiting. The man scowled at me for arriving a couple of minutes late. He pretended he did not hear my apologies and rushed me through the door to the office of his boss. As luck would have it, the big shot said he did not have much time.
“An urgent board meeting in ten minutes time. We need to make it quick,” he said without any trace of apology in his voice.
It suited me fine. When seven precise minutes passed, the rude secretary walked in to announce that the chairman was ready to start the board meeting. I left gratefully not sure I got everything from my source. I was past caring by now because all I needed was a bed.
However, I dreaded the drive back home but I made it in one piece. However, all I managed was three hours sleep because the editor was in a hurry to release the story to the world.
