THE INTERVIEW

I stood for a while looking at the lonely road spread out before me lost in thoughts. The sun above me was blazing like celestial fireball in the sky. It was a very hot afternoon and the scorching sun had me sweating like a Christmas goat like my lecturer would always say back in my school days. I watched the sun play with the golden coloured leaves before searching my handbag for my handkerchief. I couldn't find it. I guess I must have lost it somehow. "I wonder what time it is", I mumbled ransacking through my bag to find my phone.

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Turning back I looked at the gigantic sign board that read "EKE SONS AND MARKETING". Just like the previous interviews I had gone to, this was once again, a dead end. I had arrived at the venue of the interview by 7:30am with high hopes and aspirations. I sat quietly as I watched others arrive and take their seats and the office open for the day's activity. We waited for three good hours before the Human Resources Personnel arrived and unapologetically called me in for the interview. I walked with heavy strides as my shoes thumped against the floor into the interview room hopeful that the two humans I see seated before me would somehow favour me today.

"Can we meet you?", the barrel chested man with muscles built like a brick shithouse said breaking the deafening silence.

"My name is...." I tried to speak but only made hushed whispers. I coughed to clear the phlegm from my throat. "My name is Adanna Godsent", I continued flashing a charming smile but the lady in a gray suit seated beside the man only glared at me with malevolent look.

"Is that all", she asked, her voice hoarse and her face, unfriendly . Why is she so mean? I mumbled to myself as I watched the outline on her face and noticed the strands of hair in her jaw and on her chest.

"I am Adanna Godsent", I blurted still flashing my beautiful smile with head held up. I am a distinction graduate of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State. I studied Laboratory science Technology and I am....."

"You are not qualified for this job", she bellowed startling me. " Did you read the qualifications for the post of the Administration Officer?

"Yes ma'am I did but I'm a fast learner and I can...."

"Next", she screamed ushering me out of the interview room with her finger pointed to the door.

With a whirlwind of emotions flowing through me, I walked out of the room in self pity. This is not the first time, such a thing will happen to me. Maybe I shouldn't have gone for the interview.

A distinction graduate from the Federal polytechnic, Nekede, I had great expectations. I believed I could conquer whatever obstacles the world would throw at me. I was ready to invade the likes of NAFDAC, UAC, NESTLE Foods but nobody told me that to make it in this country, it is by man know man.

An orphan, I lost my parents in a ghastly motor accident in my third year in school. With four siblings to feed and train in school and uncles who don't give a hoot, I could not afford to be jobless for a long time. It's been three years now. Three years of doing meagre jobs and feeding from hand to mouth. The landlord has given us six months to find another house and move out of his apartment. I wouldn't blame him. We are drowning in a two years house rent debt and he's been understanding because of the tragedy that befell us. He will always be a good man to me.

Poring over the newspaper again like I always do, I came across an ad for a post of a Personal Assistant to the director of PAL's food. I sighed.
"Could this be it? I soliloquized. I decided to once again try my luck. I quickly pencilled down the information needed and headed to the business center to have it typed so I could go submit at the company since it happened to be around my vicinity.

Forty minutes later dressed in a white shirt and a short tight black pleated skirt showing off my long legs and round bosom with heels to match, I was standing in front of the massive building with high walls and a tall gate. Still contemplating what to do next, a loud mind-boggling horn from a car shook me bringing me back to reality as I staggered with a bumpy start.The gate opened as if controlled by a remote and the beautiful car drove in. I'm not a fan of cars so I wouldn't know what model it was. Few minutes later, after the gate was closed, a young man dressed in blue khaki trouser and in a white neatly starched shirt walked up to me.

"Good day madam", he greeted. I just nodded wondering if I should handover the brown envelope containing my credentials which I held tight to my chest. "Chief wants to see you", he continued. I pointed to myself gesturing just to be sure he was referring to me and he nodded. I looked behind me to see if another stood there but alas it was just the gateman and I. "Please, come with me", he continued sounding so polite.

I wondered who was chief and why he wanted to see me but for some reasons unbeknownst to me, I followed obediently as he led me through the beautifully decorated reception into some long hall with beautiful lightening and fully air conditioned and then into the most beautiful office I have seen in my whole life.

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The office was cozy and the air fresh with a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling. A big flat screen television was at the left hand side of the office with a leather cushion forming a curve around it. At the right hand side was an executive table and an executive chair and a man in his mid forties sitting on it. Looking at him, I could tell he must have been a very handsome man in his early twenties.

"Please sit", he spoke for the first time smiling at me as motioned me to one or the seats infront of the table.

One hour later, I was done and home bound with a heart laden with guilt. Maybe I should be excited. I finally got a job with an N80,000 pay, my personal secretary, and also traveling allowances for whenever we need to travel for business meetings. What more? He gave me an upfront cheque of N250,000 to offset my debts.

I try not to think about the events that took place in that office on that day, It was absolutely necessary. Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel but I had to sell my soul to the devil and my body is no longer mine. Well, I guess like they say, "the end justifies the means."