HIDDEN FEATURE
(II)
When Mr. Gbenga Adeniyi arrived home on that
fateful day, he couldn’t help but kept imagining what his fate would entail if
he failed to settle down in no distant time. The actual plight surrounding the
scenario was that he was yet to anoint a lady that was worthy to embark on the
eternal odyssey with him. At the moment, apparently he had no other option than
consider having a plan B.
Each time he recalled one of the words of the
Branch Manager (BM) Mr. Ben Kalu that read ‘the management is losing patience’,
he felt like tying the connubial knot with just anybody with a view to saving
his well admired job. He knew how long he remained on the queue in the name of
‘searching for a white-collar job’ before he was able to secure one with the
reputable FranCok Brewery Plc., thus he could not afford to forfeit the juicy
engagement for whatever reason.
Days passed, his heart kept beating
profoundly like never before because he presumed soonest the Management would
set up a panel to examine his usefulness in the company. No doubt, every
establishment wanted to ensure that each of its overall staff was married,
since it was widely noted that marriage remained one of the prime factors that
determine how responsible was a man, let alone a multinational firm like
FranCok. In view of this fact, Gbenga was of the notion that the company
wouldn’t tolerate him any longer if he lingered the suspense or failed to
comply with the candid directive.
The
following day being about one week after his last meeting with Mr. Kalu, he
received a letter right in his office, notifying him on the forthcoming
Management meeting of the Branch scheduled to take place in two days time. His
heart got stuck into his tummy on receiving the mail, with the presumption that
the proposed meeting was specifically scheduled to discuss him. Hence, he
became more frightened over the whole scenario, though he was consoled by the
belief that the firm could not just lay him off since he had contributed
immensely towards its growth within a shortest time frame.
Sure,
Gbenga’s presence in FranCok Brewery had been a remarkable moment for the
world-class firm. The Management could not hide their joy that they kept
telling him that the company couldn’t appreciate him enough. It suffices to
assert that he wasn’t just admired but adored.
“Good day, gentlemen and ladies.” the Chairman
of the Management Board being the BM, Mr. Kalu greeted the gathering as they
are seated round a conference table in the company’s Board Room, immediately
after the opening prayer was said.
“Good day, sir.” The other members of
the meeting comprising six men and two women, chorused in unison.
It was the exact day cum time scheduled for
the branch’s Management meeting. Each of them was clad in either English or
native corporate attire. Gbenga, the branch’s Marketing Manager was seated
directly opposite the BM, seemed serious and very perturbed.
“This meeting was informed by the need
to make some necessary pronouncements.” the BM proceeded. “Hence, I promise it
won’t take more than an hour.” he informed, hastily glanced at his wrist watch,
ignoring the wall clock hung before him; it was 10:05am. “So latest, by 11am,
we should be through.” He added, looked at their countenances.
The audience of eight was attentive, couldn’t
wait to absorb the proposed pronouncements.
“Let me quickly inform us that Mr. Ben
Kalu, that is, myself,” he said, placing his left hand on his broad chest. “Is
now the Zonal Manager of FranCok Brewery Plc, North Central.” He landed.
Before he could finish, they all
unconditionally wore smiling faces as if they saw it coming, simultaneously
stood up to celebrate their own. “This is splendid,” exclaimed Mr. Akazi the
branch Production Manager who sat very closely to Mr. Kalu. “And a honour
well-deserved.” He supplemented in a jiffy.
Others
nodded in agreement, seemed relaxed as they stood still.
“Thank you, thank you.” Mr. Kalu
appreciated cheerily. “Please, let’s have our seats.” He enjoined.
At this point, they could not wait to realize
who had been ordained as the new Manager of the branch. To this end, everyone
excluding Mr. Kalu was filled with fathomless anxiety as they stylishly looked
at each other.
“I still have one more announcement to
make as regards the agenda for today’s board meeting.” Mr. Kalu continued. “I
know you can’t wait to know who the new BM is?” He thought aloud.
They smiled simultaneously, remained
calm still perplexed.
“Well,” quoth Mr. Kalu. “I am delighted
to notify us that..” he said, paused. “That the person to replace me as the BM
is…”
The
abrupt weird look on their faces interrupted the awaited press release. No
doubt, the suspense was seriously telling on their emotions.
“Mr. Gbenga Adeniyi.” He eventually
disclosed.
Wow, everyone could not believe the
pronouncement. To them, there was a mix-up somewhere because there was no how
someone who had barely spent eight months in the firm would be asked to man its
affairs whilst sideling those who had spent several years. On his part, Gbenga
subconsciously dissolved into tears, equally believed the announcement was erroneously
made.
“But,”
continued Mr. Kalu, the outgoing Chairman of the Board. “On a condition that
Mr. Adeniyi must settle down in less than seven weeks time.” He frankly
notified the house.
Everyone became more marveled at the
additional information. Gbenga on his part felt like notifying the management
that he wasn’t interested in the promotion, as he managed to wipe out the sobs
that could be linked to overwhelming ecstasy.
“At
this juncture,” quoth Mr. Kalu. “This meeting has come to an end.” he
announced. “Please, Mrs. Gbemi lead us in a closing prayer.” He urged
immediately, stood up.
Others equally stood up in unison in
accordance with the mandate.
After the closing prayer, they all left
the Board Room for their respective offices having managed to congratulate
Gbenga for the resounding elevation. Gbenga was the last person to depart from
the venue as his medulla oblongata was faced with tremendous challenges.
The
following week, Gbenga was decorated as the Manager of the branch. As a BM, his
responsibilities had conspicuously changed, thus he needn’t be told that all
eyes were truly on him henceforth. But, the condition given to him regarding
tying the knot hadn’t changed.
The journey was very smooth initially
not until one certain day when a hidden feature became visible to the people’s
utmost surprise. On that fateful day being 14th of June same year,
barely a few weeks after he was enthroned as the BM, Gbenga was caught red-handed
in a homosexual act right in his highly revered office; the drama took place
between him and a junior colleague whom he had persuaded to comply having
brainwashed him. It appeared that was the first time he would indulge in such
dirty act with a staff of the company. On that day, a broad daylight suddenly
became dark for the vibrant and promising Gbenga who had remained industrious
and committed all his life.
It would interest, perhaps shock you to
acknowledge that the discovered hidden feature was the sole reason the
workaholic Gbenga remained single and wasn’t disturbed over his marital status
despite that he was financially stable, not until the management persuaded him
to do so.
The following two days, he was
outrightly dismissed from the company without any compensation as the firm’s
custom demanded. It was really terrible for the young Gbenga Adeniyi.
** The End **
FDN Nwaozor
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
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@mediambassador
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