WORTHWHILE
SUSPENSE (II)
When
they got to the premises of their final destination after about an hour’s
drive, the apparently 42-year-old driver Mr. Ketu applied the brakes without
much ado.
“Please, excuse us.” the boss Mr. Sule
Ibrahim instructed Mr. Ketu while seated firmly in his seat.
“Okay sir.” concurred Mr. Ketu, opened
his door and stepped out.
At this time Mr. Gbenga Adeniyi was
deeply perplexed, though from all indications he was aware of where they were,
thus wasn’t in need of any clarification.
“Do you know where we are?” the boss
asked the moment the driver excused them.
“Yes sir.”
“Where are we?”
“The newest branch of our company.”
He got it right. That was the newest
chapter of FranCok Brewery situated in Kogi State, the neighbouring state to
where the parent body of the firm was established.
“Beautiful!” Mr. Ibrahim enthused,
looking strongly into his eyes. “Have you been here before?”
“No sir.”
“In other words, this is your first
time?”
“Yes sir.”
“Alright.” quoth Mr. Ibrahim. “Do you
know why we are here?”
“If I say yes, then I am a liar.”
Gbenga replied. “I wouldn’t know, sir.” He added in a jiffy.
Mr. Ibrahim was pleased over the
intelligent manner in which he answered the question. “Do you wish to know?” he
said.
“Definitely, sir.” quoth Gbenga, felt
like defecating in his seat but summoned courage afterwards.
“I
know you would say I have stressed you so much.” Mr. Ibrahim thought aloud
cheerfully, facing him.
“No sir,” Gbenga refuted. “I am always
at your service.”
Mr. Ibrahim was marveled that he could tender
such a response despite all the inconveniences he had caused him so far. “Sure?”
he verified.
“Yes sir.” he frantically replied.
“After all, life is all about challenges.” He added.
The last remark struck the feelings of
the boss, thus he became deeply impressed. He looked at him, nodding. “Please,
join me.” he urged, attempted to step out. “Let’s take a walk.” He said,
eventually stepped out and jammed the car door.
Gbenga followed suit, although deeply
perturbed over what the next line of action entailed. He kept asking himself
why the Human Resources Manager (HRM) decided to place him on such rigorous
mental test on the first day of the weekdays being Monday. As Mr. Sule Ibrahim
led the walk towards the main building of the entire firm, he (Gbenga) didn’t
stop looking around the overall premises as he keenly observed each of the
staff that passed by, tendering a resounding salutation to the HRM.
“Gbenga.” the boss called.
“Yes sir.”
“Come
up, come up.” He enjoined, asking him to walk hand-in-hand with him.
Immediately, Gbenga doubled his steps
and started walking right beside the 47-year-old boss. They were like a father
and his son; the same complexion, stature and almost same height. Both were in
corporate attire, although the former was in English whilst the latter was in
native.
As they walk passed each of the offices
on their way, the workers equally observed them with keen interest. They were
eager to know the identity of the lad who was worthy to walk hand-in-hand with
the ‘almighty’ HRM. Every staff in the establishment came through the HRM, thus
Mr. Ibrahim’s identity was well known. “Who could this be?” one of the female
staff named Jennifer whispered to her colleague Ukot of same gender, as they
were seated in their office.
“Maybe he is one of the newest staff.”
Ukot thought aloud.
“Newest staff?” echoed Jennifer.
“Yes.” quoth Ukot. “Can’t you see, he is
new and fresh?”
Jennifer
nodded. “Who knows the department he would be placed under?” she soliloquized,
though to the hearing of Ukot.
Both
of them were in the marketing department, and were Masters’ degree holders in
Management Science. They were the founding staff of the branch, which was set
up about one year back; suffice it to say that they were Gbenga’s senior
colleagues. In terms of qualification, they were also his senior because the
man in question only had a first degree in Economics to his credit, though he
was aspiring to return to school for a post graduate programme as soon as possible.
“Maybe Production.” Ukot responded.
“Why do you think so?”
“Nothing,” said Ukot. “I just think the
Production Department needs more hands.”
“How?”
“Of course, there are still few
personnel in the department.” She observed.
“Okay ooh..” exclaimed Jennifer.
In a few seconds time, Mr. Ibrahim
kept one of the offices open with one of the keys in his hand, walked in
alongside Gbenga.
It was a well designed, decorated and
furnished office. It was conspicuously lacking virtually nothing; needless to
assert that it was befitting. An executive chair was sited right before the
well-decorated table found in it.
Mr. Ibrahim calmly sat on one of the
seats sited directly opposite the executive one, and instructed Gbenga to sit
on the latter which was meant for the host.
“Sir, you mean I should sit there?” he
verified, pointing at the seat in question.
“Yes,” quoth Mr. Ibrahim. “Go and sit
there.”
“Why, if I may ask?”
“Because, it is your seat.”
“My seat..?” asked Gbenga, confused.
“How, sir?”
“Yes,” replied the HRM. “Henceforth,
you shall be sitting on this seat.” He informed, gesticulating.
“I still don’t understand, sir.”
Before he could finish, the boss dipped
his hand in one of his trousers’ pockets, brought out an enveloped letter and
stretched it toward him. “Congratulations, Mr. Gbenga Adeniyi,” he exclaimed as
he extend the white envelop. “You are now the Marketing Manager of this
branch.” He notified eventually.
“Waow…!” the 34-year-old Gbenga managed
to exclaim, received the envelop, opened it hurriedly, and therein discovered
that he wasn’t mistakenly informed.
Immediately, the HRM quickly brought
out a bunch of keys from his pocket, equally handed it over to him. “This is
your car keys,” he informed as he stretched out his hand. “Your driver as well
as the car is waiting for you outside.” He added, smiling heavily.
“Oh my God..!!” Gbenga shouted, became
astonished, couldn’t even bothered sitting on the executive seat as requested.
“Once again,” quoth Mr. Ibrahim. “On
behalf of the Management, I say congratulations.”
Gbenga hastily walked to him and hugged him
tightly and passionately. “Thank you very much, sir.” He appreciated, gushed
out tears of joy uncontrollably.
“You deserve it, my dear.” the boss
enthused.
The drama continued afterwards, so keep a date
with us same time next week!
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