Like every other day, I always have, I was sitting in my office chair, wavering my fingers around the desk. My mind was divided into two as one was still thinking about the task report I should complete before today and also remembering what my boss told me during our conversation earlier.
"Mr Adese, You have been exceptional in the last few months". At that time I was blushing to have been receiving such comments from the general manager of the company I worked in. "The way you always handle tasks and make sure that it is successfully done is top-notch. Mr Adese, I will not be shocked if you receive your promotion in the next few weeks".
The moment I heard the promotion, my heart leapt for joy because that meant it was a raise. Well, my mind began to justify the joy I was feeling inside. I have been working in the company for the past 3 years and always aiming for the proper recognition I deserve, and it looks like I am just about to get what I deserve for the past three years.
That faithful evening, I called one of my best friends, Mark, as I couldn't control the excitement I was feeling deep within.
"Mark, I think this is just the time. I will be getting a promotion very soon and that means more money". So much has been running through my mind majorly in the aspect of being able to afford a new car and being able to settle some bills.
"Adese, you need to be careful, did not get ahead of yourself and did not count your egg before it was played. Nothing is yet certain until it is finally written". That was the response my best friend Mark gave me.
At that time, I shook off the counsel he gave me as my mind had finally settled on the promise my Manager made. For so long, I have been anticipating this promotion, and now that my boss said it, then finally my dream is just about to come true.
The next faithful day and with so much confidence and expectations, I took a visit to a car dealer shop. Looking at the new cars with the smell of fresh leather on them was quite intoxicating to me.
"You are just in for the right time sir", as that was how the salesman welcomed me. "we just have a new silver Toyota that just came in, as exactly what you need".
Looking at the new silver car, well it was more than I could afford based on my current salary. But that did not stop me because I was already envisioning the promotion. I signed the papers needed to be signed in a bid to pay in instalments in a couple of weeks when my promotion finally arrived. I drove the new car away with so much joy and Fulfilment.
But things didn’t go as I planned.
One week passed, turning to two. My boss always looked so busy whenever I tried to bring up the promotion conversation.
On this faithful Friday, I summon the courage to ask him about the promotion directly.
"Sir, I was wondering if there has been any new update concerning the promotion we talked about,".
He gave me this sharp look. "Mr Adese, currently now, the company is facing a hard time financially so there will not be any promotion granted at this time for the main time."
At that particular time, it looks like my heart wants to come out of me. It was like a punch to my chest. At first, I imagined he must be joking, but his facial expressions said otherwise. He meant what he was saying.
"So, no promotion for now, sir?"
"Yes, not at this tough moment the company is passing through. It is still further notice."
That faithful evening, I called my best friend Mark.
"Mark, I should have listened to your counsel".
He laughed for some moment and then said. "Well, it is a lesson for you to learn from this: do not always count your eggs before they hatch, friend."
He laughed softly on the other end. "It's a tough lesson, but it happens. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, man."
And yes, that was true; it is a touchy lesson I have been able to learn from this: never count my egg before they hatch, no matter how promising it might look.