"I got the email, sir! " I said with a loud voice as my tears gland started to do its job. That statement hit so hard and I knew at this point, I knew only God could save me, what did he mean by If I got the job my name wouldn't be missing, now that it is missing does it mean, "Oh! Good Jesus, please" I began to say in my mind "Have mercy on me after 14 months don't tell me it is a dream" was all my thought.
At this point, I wished I had printed the offer letter that was sent to me by mail, I brushed through the documents I brought to see if a miracle would have happened and I could have proof of my employment as Mr. Kingsley saw that I was not yielding anything tangible, he moved closer to Mrs. Joan's scattered desk
"Please check again" Mr Kingsley added, " what is your surname " he said to me
"Okoye" I responded
"Okoye?" the receptionist asked quickly "I thought your surname was Ginikachukwu," she said as she clicked her keypad
" you can go in " she added
I took an extremely deep breath of relief, I bowed my head for a while to imagine what just happened but stopped myself, I picked up my bag, adjusted my clothes well
"Please be very careful next time," Mr Kingsley said to Mrs Joan the receptionist
And she nodded
"Follow me, " he said to me as he took his leave
Everyone left the scene as I followed him just right beside him and then my brain tweaked, I came to a full realization that something was still wrong, I was familiar with that feeling, that feeling of dissatisfaction and cheating, I started to reduce the speed of my feet and I started to think of why that feeling was strong as I was ready to tackle whatever was the source.
I turned back and went straight to Mrs. Joan's desk, I hung my left hand that had my handbag to my waist, my right hand right on her desk, I snuffled
"Don't you think I deserve an apology?" I said calmly
She raised her head, closed her eyes for 2seconds, and laughed out loud
"What did you say" she continued laughing
"I. Said. Don't. You. Think. I deserve. An. Apology. For. Your incompetence" I said one after the other"
"You are very stupid!" she replied with a smile as it echoed multiple times in my ear. "My incompetence? You are very rude!!! , today is your first day at work and you are already in my black book"
"Your black book? How does that even make sense? I am in your black book because you can't just be respectful?" I cut in immediately "That is very low of you. Madam" I said quietly as I emphasized the last word. My attention was drawn to the huge sliver clock as the time read 8:23 am
"I could let you last just a week here, my eyes are on you, I dare you to prove me wrong" she snorted
"What is going on here, did I just fall into a trap? What called for a bet?" I thought to myself as moved my eyes to the clock again. One thing I can't stand is being dared, I hated playing the 'truth and dare game' because It is very boring to always have to choose 'truth' and keep on lying, hearing her say the word 'dare' unknotted some screws from my brain, I swallowed hard, I smiled, I leaned to her gently with my heart as ice and my brain paused, my face was fierce like a woman ready to devour her last enemy
"I. Dare .You and I will be back !!!" I said as I walked away, hoping to hear her say something but everywhere was dead silent.
I walked into the meeting room and about eight people were seated around the table as Mr Kingsley sat isolated at the end of the table, i walked to find somewhere to sit, found an empty seat
"Madam, did it perchance occur to you that we were waiting for you?" Mr Kingsley said looking straight at me
"I am sorry, I decided to ease myself before settling here, I am so sorry" I replied as I faced others " I so sorry" with my falsely sober face
"Just settle in already" Mr Kingsley
"Why is everyone so rude here" I thought to myself, I hate being rude but once that is how I am being spoken to, I can't stop myself from reciprocating such an attitude, I sat down quietly and the meeting went, well… I don't know how it went because I was extremely distracted by the dare Mrs. Joan placed with me, it was more like I was already strategizing my moves and how to play my cards. At intervals, I try to bring myself to consciousness so that my subconsciousness won't be too obvious, I don't know how these five pieces of cookies and a bottle of soft drink got in front of me but I looked around and I could see everyone got one so definitely it was shared.
One thing I realized was that anytime I become conscious of my environment, my eyes meet with Farid's, I feel he has been looking at me but I hope it is neither with love nor lust and I would prefer if he is looking at me because he is aware of the fact that I am lost in thoughts and hopefully he is using his eyes to call me back to reality. I became fully aware of this after about thrice our eyes connections and giving a tongue-in-cheek smirk which gave me butterflies in my tummy, goosebumps in my skin, and also annoying at the same time. I just can't explain it better.
"Everyone has introduced themselves except you" I heard Mr Kingsley loud and clear
My brain signaled to me and I looked toward him as he gave me a nod to go ahead
" I am Ginikachukwu Okoye, Human Resources Junior staff," I said softly
" Okay, Ginikachukwu Okoye, you are welcome," he said warmly
I smiled softly as I bowed lightly
"Let's all return to our respective departments and get to work" Mr Kingsley uttered as he stood from his chair and made his leave. Everyone started to move their chairs as they made say to leave the room, I remained seated as I watched everyone leave. As soon as everyone left, I rested my head on the table, feeling exhausted and heavy, I just wanted to sleep for nothing less than three hours but I need to get my ass to work immediately!!!. I struggled to raise myself from the chair and sluggishly walked through the tiny walkway of various departments, i passed by some colleagues
"Good afternoon" I greeted as I bowed slightly
"Good morning" they chorused
Just beside the Public Relations department was my department 'The Department of Human Resources" opposite the Department of 'Engineering, I opened the door and everywhere was sparkly the neat, the files were neatly arranged on the shelve, and the white desks looked so bright, the chair well arranged, the floor tiles were what was stopping me from going in. In the office already, were Mr Kingsley, the girl met earlier with Farid and another guy.
"Shut the door behind you" was what Mr Kingsley said without distracting himself from his laptop
With closed lips, I raised the side of my upper lip and closed my eyes slightly as I walked to the only empty table and chair in the office. After hours of working, I stretched my hands, and the cracking sound filled the room, I moved on to cracking my fingers also and that gave me so much relief. I could feel a shadow walking towards me and before I could turn
"Hi Ginikachukwu, I am Anita" I heard
I turned as I blushed "Oh! Pardon me, I was trying so hard to remember your name, nice to meet you" I gave out my hand for a handshake, and we shook hands and I could feel her hands, they were so soft and one could tell she was from a rich background, her hands felt like a hand that had never hadj to use the cutleries to eat or a hand that had never had a knife cut, I was tempted to ask what hand cream she used or what body cream she used but I knew for a fact that I won't be able to afford it at least not now.
" You are very pretty Ginikachukwu," she said with a pouty smile
I smiled brightly "Thank you, you are not bad either… by the way, Gini or Ginika is fine" I mentioned
"Let's go for lunch, Gini" she emphasized on Gini as we both laughed out loud.
" I am disappointed in the foolishness and nasty behavior you have displayed" I said outrageously as I locked eyes with an arrogant fool..