Must Read: Choice & Consequence - Season 1 - Episode 4

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: Choice & Consequence - Season 1 - Episode 4

”I’m sorry, but you were not successful this time around.” The receptionist said scattering some papers on her table.This time around abi?



Another time go dey before? God nor go let una use me take play ball.After several unanswered calls and emails I was at the venue of my last interview. It was an Audit firm on the Island along the ever busy Sokoya Road.


It was not like I jumped from one great company to another with ease. I got some stupid interviews every now and then but the financial ones were not common. Quite regrettable I must add because that was what I was really interested in. A member of our local congregation had collected my CV before I was invited for this interview. I guess it didn’t matter that I had sent my CV (online) to this same company over and over again without as much as an acknowledgment.


”Really, what happened this time around?” I asked in confusion. ”I don’t think you guys are being fair, you know. I had to leave my house all the way from the Mainland to the Island to hear this. All you guys had to do, was at least send an email or SMS.” I spoke softly because this was the receptionist and she was a young girl like me. I was careful to also use the words ‘you guys’ as opposed to ‘you’. It didn’t leave her under the line of fire however it didn’t absolve her either. At the end of the day, she owed me nothing and I was careful to appeal more to her emotional side than act like a complete jackass.



”I am sorry.” She said again ”but I am only a messenger here. Nevertheless, I will give your feedback to the Human Resource Department. I understood how you feel because I live on the Mainland myself.”
It looked like she was about to cry and I felt sorry for her. I was about to take my leave when I saw the gentleman (I wrote the test with) walking with a lady carrying a file. I was amazed; I could not believe my eyes. I knew he had been employed because during the final interview, they had mentioned the day I was due to resume if successful. I don’t mean to sound haughty but that man knew nothing and that is me sounding generous in my description. He was virtually whispering in my ear during the selection process and copying from me during the written test. So how did he land this job? I wanted to know.


”Is that not the HR woman?” I asked pointing at the young lady with the ‘copy copy’ gentleman.


”I’m afraid she is not” the receptionist answered avoiding my face. She was such a bad liar.

”For God sake, that is the woman I handed my documents over to during my interview.” I said clearly exasperated. ”I even know her name.” I concluded in anger.


”You will need an appointment to speak to a member of staff Mr Ferdinand Ok…”
”Mrs Obikwe!” I yelled surprising myself. I took long strides in her direction and she looked up from her file with confusion etched on her young face. She reminded me of what Abike would have been like if she decided to tread the professional route. I didn’t think she was older than me but in my quest to find a job, age was inconsequential.

”Good afternoon ma. It’s in regards to the interview I had with you last week. I was wondering if you could talk to me about the criteria for your final selection.

She could not deny that she didn’t know me.


She personally conducted the 2nd stage of my interview and was full of praises. I eyed the gentleman who was starring with his mouth agape.Shift jo! I nor come look Uche face o, so stare all you want! If you like, continue to open mouth until fly enter inside.She appeared shocked herself but I could see she was in better control of her emotion. She excused herself from the gentleman and we moved some steps away. I could see the gentleman smiling with the new staff tag around his neck.
”I believe you received an email explaining our position.” She announced quickly cutting to the chase.

”No I didn’t.”

”You should have received a text then.”

”I’m afraid not. I even had …”



She raised her hand cutting me short. ”I am sorry about the omission Mr Oki. It a regrettable error on our part and as the person who oversees the recruitment process, I take full responsibility for that.” She finished starring me in the face.

I was grateful someone had the grace to apologize – a rare feat in the white collar organisation.



”If it means that much to you, I will ensure you receive a rejection email the moment I am back at my desk. However, I don’t see what that would do for you after this conversation we’ve just had.”

”Well, I don’t see the need. I thank you for your time but I will like to ask one last question.

Is there anything you can tell me that could help in subsequent interviews? I mean, I thought it went well but apparently it didn’t.


Can you give me any information at all Mrs Obikwe? I could see sheer shock written all over her face and for the first time I saw her lose her composure.

”I am sorry but … I don’t know what you want me to say. It is not in my position to say anything of that nature. It is not our job to make personal observation or recommendations on a candidate’s performance.”

”It’s okay you can tell me anything that would help – off the record of course.” I continued like a young rouge, trying to play a fast one on an unsuspecting member of the public.

”Mr Oki, there is no time for this. I have made the position of the company quite clear already.


If it would interest you, you were not the only person that was not accepted.”

I took note of her careful approach to breaking bad news. Using positive indicators while conveying terrible tidings. For instance ‘not accepted’ as opposed to ‘rejected’ – she was indeed a master of her craft. I was beginning to hate anyone associated with recruitment process. As someone who had practically strolled into his first role, I was not used to these sort of tactics.


”I am going to be honest with you Mrs Obikwe. For instance that gentleman at the side was asking me questions the whole time we were here on interview.” I whispered in a low tone. ”How is it possible he is there today and I am here? Why bother to advertise for a role if you know the successful candidates already?

Where is merit in the scheme of things? How can Nigeria ever improve, if we keep giving the available positions to those who are clearly unqualified?”

I had long lost the plot but I had nothing else to lose. What was she going to do to me anyway – beat me? I didn’t think so. I only hoped my words would have the desired effect and touch her hard heart but I had stepped on the tail of a scorpion.

Mrs Obikwe pointed a finger at me and spoke in a harsh tone. ”I don’t have to put up with this anymore. I have granted you audience when there was no duty on my part to do so. .

I have spoken to you like a gentleman believing you are one and I hope I am not mistaken. I can call the guards and walk you out of this building this very minute, but I would give you one last opportunity to do so on your own.”
I walked out without a word into the scorching Lagos sun.

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Petra sat on a chair swinging her long legs about. She was wearing a short dress that left little to the imagination. She had become a regular fixture in our small room, sometimes even sleeping off. At such times, I would leave her, gently closing the door behind.

”Guy your babe is around” Charles would say teasing me.
”Don’t you dare.” I would say in jest. ”You know I am in a committed relationship Charles.”
”Well I hear you say that but you never act it.” He would reply shaking his head.
”And what would you like me to do? Push her out of the room? That would be killing an ant with a hammer you know. I am a gentleman o.”

”Guy your conscience dey worry you so free me. If I put pepper inside your nose, you know how to ward me off don’t you?”
I knew he was saying the truth but I was drawn to her like a moth to flame. I enjoyed her company and her hilarious tales from the Secretariat. I loved the stories she told from her days at the University. I enjoyed the way we teased and the rough play we played at times. For instance, there was a day we took a cab to a neighbouring town at her insistence. It was a task she had been assigned to courtesy of the Local Government Secretariat. We got into a small car packed full of passengers. We were barely out of the village when she dumped her handbag on my lap and slipped a hand beneath my trouser. No one in the back seat knew what was going on or so I hoped. I stole a quick glance at her and she smiled and sq££zed harder. I don’t know how I made the 20 minute journey in one piece – thank God for long shirt worn.


So how could I drive her away – she was the occasional bolt of lightning to my dark days in the village.

Today, she was playing a game on my phone but I could not tell her to stop. She had downloaded ‘Talking Tom’ and played it anytime she was around. She would occasionally laugh and Tom would mimic her laughter. I hated that game because it ran down my battery but I loved to see her play it! Suddenly, my phone began to ring and everyone in the room, knew who it was. It was Abike’s favourite tune and her caller tone. It was an oldie but a baddie especially if you were born in the early 80’s. It was Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time after Time’.
Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and I think of you
Caught up in circles confusion is nothing new
Flashbacks warm nights…

Petra coughed twice and handed the phone over to me while I stepped out of the room.
”My babe what’s up?” I asked.
”Not much, just checking up on you. How was your night?” Abike asked yawning.
”Well blissfully unaware of my surroundings until mosquitoes began to feast on me.”
”Seriously have you started using the mosquito net yet? I bought the treated one o, so don’t tell me mosquito. You should take better care of yourself dear. I can’t be around all the time to ensure you do these little things.
”It’s okay sweet pea, don’t bother about me. I am as tough as an old boot.” I said laughing.

”Well that’s not what you said the last time you had malaria and you were shivering in my arms. Remember that episode in school, when I nursed you like a baby and made pepper soup for you?” She paused for a while and continued. ”Baby I miss you so bad, I ache physically. I am thinking of coming down this weekend because of the public holiday this Friday. It’s going to be one long weekend and I can barely contain myself.”
”Ermm! Don’t do that Abike. I think it’s a great idea but I am trying to cut down on the travelling around. You know I am coming at the end of the month so don’t bother your pretty …”

”Wham!” Petra slapped my butt as she walked out of the room. She paused by my side and slipped a hand into my back pocket. I froze like a wooden statue as she pinched my butt. ”Abike hold on” I said putting my hand over the speaker. ”Where are you going?” I shouted as she brushed past me.
”What do you care?” She answered walking in the direction of her room.

I returned back to my room with my heart beating fast. These days it was a usual occurrence but I was not complaining. Charles was preparing something in the tiny kitchen. It was his favorite past time but he s----d at it. I could perceive the burnt yam even while I was outside so one can imagine how the house smelt.

”Guy you wan die abi?” Charles asked while dumping some leaves into the pot.

”I am not complaining am I?”
”I see wetin she do you just now.”
”Uhmn!” I said not willing to divulge any more information. I knew where he stood on this issue but he was too much of a gentleman and didn’t want to rub it in like a contentious or moral person would do. There was this thing about me, i was free to talk about a girl before i had anything to do with her. However from the moment i began dating, my sexual affair was off the table. I never understood guys who bragged about things they do in private.

”She likes you, you know. I think the fact you are in a committed relationship appeals to her. Some girls are wired like that.” He reached out for a dirty napkin and wiped a large spoon which he promptly inserted into the pot. I made a mental note to avoid that meal like a plague.


”Charles, I beg drop topic.” I said punching something on my phone. I could see my battery was nearly red, no thanks to Petra.


”So when are you going to smash it? I’ve never seen a guy playing hard to get like this in all my life.”

”And how do you know I have not smashed it yet?”How dare you question my masculinity, my ability to do and undo?

”Ahhh! Well you can call me an ajebutter, but I am no novice. When you smash it, her body will give off the signals. That time, she go relax small but right now you see she is running around like a dog on heat – I bet you can smell her scent ehn?

I threw an empty plastic bottle at him and he shrugged it off and carried on stirring his concoction.