I set a series of alarms to make sure that I did not over sleep. My cloth was dry cleaned by my trusted vendor. I had done my background checks on the organization. As at 6 am, I was set to leave home for my first interview after NYSC. I took my Pauline prayers which is a normal dose for my devotion and as I was getting out, my mum called out my name. She walked towards me with a bottle of anointing oil. I knew she would do that anyways. She anointed me three times and made those fiery proclamations. When she was going to turn it to a revival service, I had to cut her short.
Despite the fact that I was sitting in front of a panel that looks so deadly, I help my chin up and banked on the peace within me. They asked me so many questions that I considered personal. I mean, why would a potential employer be asking me if I like Coca cola or Pepsi. How does that even matter to my application for the role of a personal assistant to one of the company's executives. Out of the 6 persons interviewed for the role, I was the only one they chose eventually. My mum was overjoyed at the news. That night's devotion was a full thanksgiving service.
I resumed work the following week as the personal assistant to the director of communications. I believe that the person I would be assisting is among the panel that interviewed me. I rocked my deep blue suit with a white shirt and a matching blue tie that fateful morning. I knew I had to make a good impression on my first day at work. My hair knew that I was going somewhere special as I brushed almost to the entrance of the company. I had a little briefing at the HR before meeting my boss. At the briefing, the man who spoke to me encouraged me to have a lot of patience on the work. Others looked at me and giggled quietly. I wondered what was going on.
After about 10 minutes, I heard the knocking of a shoe on the floor. The sound grew louder which means that the person was coming towards the office. The door flung open and a huge woman walked in. She wasn't the spec of a Sumo wrestler, but she would certainly fit into the role of a bouncer. The expression on her face was like that of someone who came in for a fight. 'Where is he?' Is that a roar?, I pondered. I was lost in thoughts when I suddenly heard her shouting at me. 'Get up and let's go'. I looked at the HR officer that briefed me and he said 'that's your boss'. Jesus Christ!
I remembered the Indian movie- 3 Idiots and quickly tapped my heart, telling it that all is well. I walked behind the woman into her office. I could see eyes piercing through my blue suit. I looked at some of them and the expression on their face was 'sorry bro; you're in deep shit'. 'What is your name?' was the first question she asked when we got to her office. I responded and she said my name is too long and she would have to give me a nick. 'Do you prefer Pepsi or Coke?' What is it with these people and Pepsi? She screamed at me before I could send in a reply. 'You're too sluggish' I prefer Coke, ma. That will be your nick. Coke. My name is Maggi. Miss Maggi to you.
I was eager to find out who this woman is and what working with her would look like. The expression on the face of other staffs puzzled me. What's going on here?
Comments