Must Read: Choice & Consequence - Season 1 - Episode 8

7 years ago

Must Read: Choice & Consequence - Season 1 - Episode 8

It was the end of my service year and the morning of the passing out parade. I had just returned from the state capital with my certificate in hand. It was the reason why I had remained in this village for nearly a year in service to my fatherland.

I had fond memories and others I was keen to forget. I was heading for Benin before moving to Lagos finally. There was nothing for me in that town anyway and I wanted to forge a life for myself as quickly as possible. I wished I didn’t have to return to Benin immediately, but I had not seen my mother for a while. It was only proper to go home and spend quality time with my family before I lunged out into the deep. I missed my brothers and the dogs but I was not happy about the tongue lashing I would receive from my mother. Abike had intimated her of everything and I was left feeling even smaller. My mother had called me one cool evening to give me a piece of her mind.

”Son, is Abike there?”
”No, she has returned to school.”
”Okay, I heard everything that took place. Is it true?” I said nothing and she probably took it as an admission of guilt and continued. ”May God not allow our enemies laugh at us in Jesus name. May God not allow our enemies capitalize on our mistakes and try to ruin us in the process. May those that plan to mock us come and rejoice instead.” I said nothing and continued starring at the grass beneath my feet.

”Uhmm, well you are a man and most importantly an adult so I can’t tell you what to do.Thank God say you know.However, I think it is time you left both women alone. Abike is a good girl, but she can talk for Africa. Oh yes, I’ve heard every single little dirty detail; that girl talks nineteen to the dozen! A loose woman takes away the honour of a man and a loose cannon opens a man up to ridicule.”And what about a philandering man – pray tell me? Na only the two girls get fault? Abi I nor chop blame for this matter?

*****************************************
]*********************************************

I walked out of my room and saw Petra packing her things with a frown on her face. I had not seen her since the day Abike beat her up. I heard she had moved to the city and was living in an apartment the Senator rented for her.

Kingsley swore it was a lie and claimed an oil magnet was responsible for her upkeep. He went further to add she was completing the reminder of her service year in an oil servicing firm courtesy of her new benefactor.

The Senator had heard of the debacle and wanted nothing to do with her. The Local Government Chairman had asked her to leave immediately because she had not only embarrassed the Secretariat, but most importantly she was cheating on him with a ‘common corper’. If Kinsley’s story was anything to go by, Petra had won at the end of the day. However, I still felt a twinge of guilt just remembering how I was responsible for so much chaos in her life. It was definitely over between us but this girl had a small place in my heart. I didn’t want her name to leave a sour taste in my mouth so I decided to smoothen any rough edges left behind.
”Petra are you leaving?” I asked feigning ignorance and surprise at the same time.
”What does it look like” she fired back.
She was tugging at a mattress and I ran up the steps and tried to relieve her of the burden.
”Here, let me help with that” I offered.
”That’s fine, I got it covered” she replied panting like a puppy. I ignored her and lugged at the mattress. It brought back old memories and made me sick to the pit of my stomach. I carried it outside and followed her into the small room.

”Anything else?” I asked starring at the empty shell I once yearned for. I saw the familiar wall paper and the curtain by the window. I noticed the red rug on the floor and remembered the crazy sessions that took place on it.I swear Petra should have been a gymnast; those long legs were not for nothing.
”It’s just the drawer left” she said pointing at the small furniture I knew too well.
”You bought way too much for a Federal Government child” I said trying to make small talk. I strolled towards my next challenge. I was trying to make light of the situation but I could see she was not in the mood. ”I’ve been trying to reach you for the past few weeks” I said finally cutting to the chase.

”Phew don’t start now!” She begged raising her well manicured nails to the sky. She was still wearing the gold bracelet and I noticed her nails were painted a pale yellow. I loved that colour, it was my favourite. She reached for a blue bucket and the cover slipped out of her hand. She bent to pick it and I got a good view at her behind. She was wearing a blue pair of jeans, our white Corp shirt with a black high heeled boot. She was such a beautiful girl and it’s a darn shame she had chosen to live like this.

”Thank God he is here” she announced clapping her hands in delight. ”What took you so long?” she shouted as she advanced towards a red jeep that just drove in.

I raised the drawer and carried it out into the arms of a young man dressed in a blue uniform. An elderly man in flowing agbada stepped out of the car and look at her properties littered around. He was an imposing man with white beards and a white agbada to match. I also noticed he had white hair on his head. Suddenly I was confused, I didn’t know if he was that old or one of those men who were blessed with a white crown. In any case, he was not my mate or in my league.

”Good afternoon sir,” I heard myself say but the man didn’t seem to hear or perhaps he chose to ignore me for reasons best known to him.

Petra ran past me and return with a set of cooking pan.

”Is that your father?” I asked.

”Before nko” she whispered brushing against my shoulder as she made her way down the steps. I shook my head in disbelief. I

knew when she brushed past me to get my attention and when it was done in anger or spite.

The elderly man was shaking his head like an international observer who was forced to witness an abhorring situation. ”There is no need for that!” He cried out pointing his finger at her pot. His gaze swept across Petra’s bits and bobs. ”There is no need for half the things here and I will not put them in my car. You don’t have to pack every little thing; most of these things are rubbish in my opinion. I don’t have the space sef. Driver, take the boxes and nothing more.”

”Ahhh! You are joking oh! My small properties bought with my sweat in the course of my service to my father land. Daddy I beg you oh!”
I stood aside observing them like a spectator being entertained at the market square. I was watching their body language to see if this was indeed her father. I liked to believe in the goodness of the human race after all. I could see them arguing; Petra was waving her hands around while the elderly man shook his head from side to side.

The elderly man seemed impatient. ”Yes, I promise to give you the money to furnish your new apartment. Are you happy now? Ok get into the car and let us leave. I’m nearly done no thanks to this weather.”

Petra laughed and poked her head in the car before dashing out again. She opened the earlier discarded drawer and reached for something I could not see. She was a few feet from me and I could still smell the whiff of her perfume. She was the chapter of a book I would not forget in a hurry. Perhaps someday our paths would cross again like a tributary running into another river.

”Good luck Petra!” I yelled waving, but she continued on without a backward glance. As the tail light grew smaller, I saw the two figures at the back seat lean closer for a kiss and I laughed out loud – daddy indeed! ;D
[]************************************
I was two weeks into the new job and I was loving every minute of it. It was nothing like my boring and repetitive banking job and best of all, there was career progression with this company. I could almost cry out of relief and joy. The pay was excellent, holiday entitlement, welfare package and office hours were all on point. My new role at the Pension firm suited my career aspiration just fine. The previous member of staff had just relocated and the Team Manager had gone on maternity so there was an urgent need to fill the void. I could not thank Charles and his father enough for without them, I knew I would not be here. I was still undergoing training and my team mates were great. Initially, I was confused when they kept asking me what department I came from. It was later I discovered it was supposed to be an internal recruitment.Now that’s what I call ‘manipulation in high places’ – the very embodiment of ‘who know man syndrome’ stretched to a breaking point.

It was going great until the ‘table top’ woman approached my desk before the close of day. It was 4.45pm and I was beginning to tidy my desk when she walked to my side and whispered into my ear.

”Got 10 minutes to spare Mr Oki?”
”Sure” I replied pushing my chair backwards and walking behind her.

As I approached her office, I saw some directors and senior managers (including Charles father) engaged in fierce discussion along the passage. ”It makes no difference.” I heard the only woman amongst them shout. ”Who is being affected here, tell me? It is not a medical facility or a food factory? ”Gentlemen you disappoint me.” I heard Charles father add.

”Good evening sir” I yelled out. But he retreated into a nearby office.

We walked through a door with the inscription ‘Human Resources Department’ written on it. It was a wide expanse of office and I could see a few individuals scattered around. The walls were white and the air condition was on full blast. I wanted to spread a mat and just lie down and go to sleep. Table top motioned at an empty chair and sat opposite me. I was barely seated before a male voice boomed from the far end of the room. I looked up and saw a burly man addressing a slender man.

”Incompetence and nothing more! This is the foremost pension administrative firm in this country and I should not be hearing such.”
”There was an overwhelming demand to fill…” a male voice could be heard explaining. The voice sounded tired but the booming voice was relentless.

”Fill it at the expense of our reputation – I think not! This is the reason we have set rules, so we don’t fall into a ditch. Where there is an exception, I have to approve it. The bulk stops at my desk! Did I give my approval in this instance? Did I minute on any document?”
I could see Table top was clearly upset but trying to contain herself. She got up, pushed her chair aside and excused herself. ”Give me a minute Mr Oki.”

”It is being dealt with it.” The timid voice continued.

”Gentlemen, I don’t think you realize it, but I am trying to have a conversation with a member of staff. Can we keep it down please?” Table top could be heard pleading in the distance.

”Go handle your business efficiently. I hope you know you are not free from this and we shall have that conversation at the right time? I report to the directors before the close of day and its 4.57pm already” the booming voice spat out.

I heard Table top reply in a fierce but low tone.I trust that woman jare, she was certainly not a pushover.Suddenly, I could not wait to leave this environment. I heard the sound of her high heel against the tiled floor as she approached. Finally, peace was restored and Table top returned to her seat. ”I’m sorry about that Mr Oki, can we continue please.”

[]I placed my hand on the table smiling at her ”was there a problem with any reference madam?” I asked. She raised her head from the table and locked eyes with mine. ”Unfortunately you just hit the nail on the head. One of your references has returned with an unfavourable response and I’m afraid as per Company procedure we would have to withdraw our offer Mr Oki.”
”Really!” I replied in disbelief. My heart was beginning to beat faster and I held the edge of my seat. Immediately I began to calculate in my head. I had worked in two places in all my life and I didn’t have issues with either of them. I had no problem at the bank (I used a close friend who worked at the HR department as my reference). I didn’t think the school principal or anyone else at the village had any problem with my time during my service year. I single-handedly formed the debate club from scratch and we went on to win competitions around the neighbouring villages. I would be shocked to learn if anyone ever followed up on a reference request in that local school. My final reference was from my Uncle and I could beat my chest to say he would have done an excellent job recommending me to any reputable organisation. So where was this coming from?
”Is it something I can address? Is it a reply you are still expecting? Do you need me to chase up a particular referee?” I asked in despair.
She shook her head slowly from side to side like a frustrated teacher. ”Mr Oki, this is not a case of an unresponsive referee, this is an unfavourable one as I explained earlier. I am afraid the company is well within her right to withdraw any offer of appointment in the event of an unsatisfactory reference. It is clearly stated in the contract which you were given before you resumed. I still have a copy of the signed document which you agreed to. Would you like a copy to refresh your memory?” She asked trying to reach for a drawer.
”No, no erm that’s fine but you can understand the state of my mind Mrs erm… You understand how confusing this must be for me, for anyone in my position?”
”I am sorry Mr Oki but this meeting is over.” She stood up – a clear indication the meeting was indeed over.

”Oh my God, I think I am going to faint” I said struggling to get up from the seat.
Table top continued unperturbed, ”I’m going to have to ask for your ID card and the key to your locker. You will need to return any personal property of the company which you may have in your possession. It includes but is not limited to laptop, handset…” I stopped hearing what she was saying at this point. She reminded me of a cop reading a criminal his Miranda rights. I was jolted back to reality when she stood at the door waiting for me to leave. However, she was not done with me.
”You will need to sign out at reception one last time Mr Oki. I’d see you to the door.”
”Just like that, just like that” I mouthed as I stumbled out. ”Abike, Abike, my God help me.”
”Watch your steps Mr Oki, please take it easy. She pleaded, placing a hand on my shoulder. I was not sure what this was meant to do. She was adding to my burden by even laying a finger on me. She called out to a colleague who also worked in the Personnel Department. I immediately recognised the slender man with the timid voice. ”Sule, please assist Mr Oki to the reception desk.” She stepped aside but followed at a respectable distance monitoring my movement till I was out of the building. At the reception, the friendly guards smiled at me but I had a tried look on my face. I signed out one last time and placed the pen on the book.
”Do you need help to your car?” Table top asked.

”I’m fine. I can manage from this point on.” The words were barely out of my mouth when Mr Sule scurried off. I didn’t blame him, it was indeed a dirty assignment for anyone to undertake.
”Good luck Mr Oki” Table top said while stretching out an arm to shake me.
I looked at her outstretched arm and walked away without a word. When I got to the revolving door, I turned around and noticed she was still starring ahead, waiting for me to exit the final door! I walked out and sat on the long flight of stairs outside the building. I wanted to buy a pack of cold pure water and empty it on my head or better still buy the entire bag and pour it over my body. The revolving door swung around nonstop. It reminded me of what my life had become – an endless stream of pure drama! I saw all manner of shoes walk by. It should have been me but here I was, on the floor like a mad man. I was the perfect picture of a candidate for Uselu or Yaba left! You know the type of mad man, decked in a fine suit, but rambling to himself.

I saw the long dark coloured trousers worn by the men and a few women. I saw beautifully shaped legs and stocky ones as well. I heaved and tried Abike’s number again – still no answer. She had an appointment at the General Hospital but that was hours ago. Next, I tried Charles number again but it went straight to voicemail. Finally, I dragged myself from the floor and headed for the car park. It dawned on me that no one had stopped to ask what the problem was. Louis Armstrong recorded the popular song ‘What a Wonderful World’ in 1967 but it could also be a cold and desolate place!