HIDDEN FEATURE
The 34-year-old Mr. Gbenga Adeniyi who was
still a bachelor couldn’t believe himself that within eight months stay at
FranCok Brewery Plc., he could rise to the position of Marketing Manager of one
of the branches. He initially absorbed it as a mere dream but later came in
terms with the reality. Though he eventually accepted that it was real, he saw
the elevation as a sheer luck that could come to anybody, acknowledging that
most employees in various firms were still undergoing probation period after
eight months of their employment.
The
above perception made him remain humble and focused in his duty post. He was
invariably the first person to report to office before any other staff except
the gateman who lived on the premises of the company. In spite of the fact that
he was one of the major bosses in the branch, he was still acting like a junior
staff to the utmost amazement of all and sundry. Gbenga’s visible features were
unarguably, to assert the least, unparalleled and the best among equals,
particularly when it called for excellence, trustworthiness and dedication.
“Good
day, sir.” Gbenga greeted as he stepped into the office of the Branch Manager
(BM), Mr. Ben Kalu.
“Good day, Mr. Adeniyi.” responded the
boss who was dressed in a white caftan as he was seated in his office chair.
“Please, sit down.” He offered, gesticulating.
“Thank you, sir.” Gbenga appreciated,
sat on one of the seats sited directly opposite the boss.
“You are welcome.” said the 43-year-old
Mr. Kalu.
There was a brief quietness. “I sent for you.” The boss broke the
silence. “Something has been bothering me.” He hinted, paused. “Not just me,
but the entire management.”
Gbenga was attentive, couldn’t wait to
receive the message. “What could that be, sir?” he thought aloud anxiously as
he was seated in a black suit.
“I have been thinking.” quoth Mr. Kalu,
leaning his skull on his right arm that stood erectly on the table. “In fact,
the management has been thinking.” He quickly corrected.
Gbenga remained attentive and silent,
though perturbed, placing his hands on his laps.
“Please, remind me,” the boss rode on.
“How old are you now?”
With the question, the picture became
clearer to Gbenga, thus he needn’t further exegesis. “I will be 35 by July this
year.” He informed, smiling stylishly.
Since it was April, it implied that in
just three months time, he would clock 35-years-old.
“Interesting.” quoth Mr. Kalu, nodding.
“So, what’s your plan?” he added in a jiffy.
“I don’t understand, sir.” He inquired
in false pretence.
“How?” said the boss. “Isn’t the
question self explanatory?”
“I don’t think so, sir.”
“At 34, nearing 35, you are still
single,” he said. “Though working in a notable company as a Marketing Manager.”
Gbenga dished out a dazzling smile. “Oh, was
that what you meant?” he said. “Well, I am working on it.” He supplemented
without much ado.
“Working
on it?”
“Yes sir.”
“Meaning..?”
“Soonest, I shall invite the management.”
Mr. Ben Kalu smiled heavily. “Are you sure
about this?” he asked sceptically.
“Of course, sir.”
“Good news, good news!” the boss
exclaimed elatedly, allowing his arms to rest on the table. “That means, you
have seen the person?” he added.
“You mean, the lady?”
“Yes,” quoth the boss. “You have a
fiancée already?”
Gbenga was speechless, couldn’t attend to the
enquiry.
“Mr. Adeniyi?” the boss aroused his
consciousness that seemed asleep.
“Yes sir.”
“Didn’t you hear the question?”
“I heard you, sir.”
“So..?”
“Hmm, hmm…” Gbenga murmured.
“Hmm, what?” said Mr. Kalu furiously.
“No answer?”
“Not really, sir.” replied Gbenga.
“Just that…”
“That what?” the boss interrupted,
angered.
By the look of things, he wasn’t
enjoying the suspense in any way.
“I am still working on it, sir.”
Mr. Kalu shook his head sympathetically.
“For how long will you work on it?” he queried. “I can see you are not serious
about this.”
“Not what you think, sir.” responded
Gbenga. “It’s just that women are unpredictable nowadays.” He supplemented. “If
you rushed into it, you might be making a big mistake.”
“You
are right, my dear.” concurred Mr. Kalu. “But you just have to be fast.” He
conscientized, paused. “Because…” He added, stopped.
“What sir?”
“The management is losing patience.” He
disclosed hesitantly.
There was abrupt absolute tranquility.
“I will, sir.” Gbenga broke the silence.
“Alright,” quoth the boss. “You can
take your leave.”
“Thank you, sir.” Gbenga appreciated,
attempted to stand up. “Lest I forget, I am very delighted over the concern of
the management.” he added. “But I promise you, I won’t let you down.” He
assured, stood up.
“I believe you, Mr. Adeniyi.” replied
the boss, still seated. “Just be careful, okay?” he urged.
“I
will, sir.” said Gbenga. “Thank you so much.” He added, about to take his
leave.
Mr.
Kalu hastily stretched out his right arm for a handshake; Mr. Gbenga Adeniyi
reciprocated to the warmth gesture. “Do have a great day.” The boss wished as
he freed his hand.
“Thank you, sir.” Gbenga responded, turned
his back and eventually took his leave majestically in a sober mood.
When he got to his office that very
morning, at about 11:25am, he was occupied with series of thoughts and mixed
feelings that he only managed to concentrate on his obligations. Owing to the
situation, everyone that walked into his office was haphazardly attended to. People
who witnessed the scenario kept wondering what was really eating the workaholic
Gbenga up. The day being 30th April, barely twelve days after his
promotion, was indeed hell to his person.
The narration of what transpired
thereafter ought to be left till the subsequent edition, so remain tuned.
N.B: This is a continuation of
the previous story titled ‘Worthwhile suspense’. Only the title changed.
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