Anini Reloaded - S01 E03

3 years ago

Anini Reloaded - S01 E03

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 3

I arrived Ughelli about 15 minutes later and went to many companies but I was not employed by any. I was opportuned to meet the director of a popular private company known as ‘cake and bakes’ who ushered me in knowing that I finished from OAU which was the school he also attended during his days in higher institution, he offered me a seat and requested for my credentials which I gave to him;

DIRECTOR: My friend, I must confess you have good qualification here and good reputation as well. (Smiling as he glance through)

ME: Thank you sir (with a returned smile, sampling my 32)

DIRECTOR: There is a vacancy in this firm which I would have loved you to occupy but, the problem is that you are over qualified for that position and I can’t afford your salary

ME: Sir, I’m not after the money, anything you can pay will be okay by me Sir, if possible you can beat it down to 50%

DIRECTOR: It is not as you think, I went to the same school with you and managed to graduate with second class lower but here you are a first class upper graduate, and you want to receive something four times lower than what I am earning? My friend I have conscience and so I can’t do that

ME: Sir, see eh! I will be okay with even the money you are paying your cleaners, all I need is just the job so I can take care of my family

DIRECTOR: We are saying the same thing, the world needs you. There are thousands of firms out there that are looking for someone like you, maybe you should check some other place

ME: Sir please, I will be very content with anything you pay me.

DIRECTOR: I’m sorry but I have an appointment to catch up with, just give a try at Julius berger or any of the Dangote companies. They can meet up with your payment (leaving the office by leading me to the door)

I tried other companies both big and small but my effort was to no avail. I decided to go back home and rest, planing to continue the next day.

— — — —

Got home and saw my entire family eating, I dropped my file on the chair and sat down helplessly.

They knew all was not well with me;

MUM: My son, what is the problem with you?

ME: Mama nothing is the problem

MUM: But you don’t look bright

ME: I’m just tired ma’am

MUM: Please come and eat, this is the only yam and oil that is remaining. biko mo riemu I beg come and eat

ME: Don’t worry about me mama, I don’t have appetite for food right now.

I left the sitting room to my room just to have a nap since my muscle, joints and entire body ached…

I woke up late that night and went to the sitting room where I found my mum encouraging my siblings as I joined them willingly. She told us to be patient that Gods time is the best and encouraged us to bear with the hard time the family was facing. As soon as she rounded off her motherly advise, we prayed together as if we wanted to fall down heaven with our demands and bade each other good night…

— — — —

The next day being Saturday I went out as usual to search for job but it wasn’t fruitful, what pains me most was the fact that my mum’s health was getting worse. There was no money to get her even pain relief drugs which would not cost more than one hundred naira in our local chemist shop, let alone going to the hospital. I had to do something fast, because I could not afford losing her since she was the only parent I have.

That evening I went round the town and saw a man who was in need of labourers that would help him harvest his cassava.

“I told him I could do the job myself, but he insisted I add more hands to myself. I ran home and called Lucky so we could both do the job. We went back to the man and promised to get the job done before the end of the day, he agreed to pay us twenty thousand naira only if we could finish the work that day. We nodded our heads in agreement that we would keep to our promise.

He finally agreed to give us the job and took us to the land which made us surprised, five acres of land which is hundred by five hundred (100 x 500) covered with cassava….

Well with the spirit of hustling in us we agreed to do the job but for thirty thousand naira. The old man agreed to our bid which boasted our Morales, we pulled off our clothes to get the job started at least we got 4 hours till nightfall…