On this faithful day, my alarm clock went off at 3:30 AM, and I reluctantly got out of bed. I had a job interview at 9:00 AM the next day, and I needed to wake up early to get ready and beat the tedious traffic in the city. I wasn't feeling very hopeful about this interview but something in me just kept telling me to keep going and be optimistic about it. I had been on countless interviews, but none of them had led to a job offer. I was starting to think that I should just give up and focus on my crypto trading full-time, but the recent market crash had left me short on cash.
My friend Kunle had told me about this job opening at his former company. He said they were looking for someone with my skill set, and he promised to put in a good word for me. He had also promised to put in a good word for me for the five other jobs I had interviewed for, but none of those had worked out as originally planned.
I got dressed and headed to Iya Bashira's shop to get my breakfast before heading to the interview. I ordered Ewa Agoyin and bread, and it was so delicious that I almost paid triple what it cost. Not only that, it has been a long I ate EWA again with bread so I missed the taste of the food.
I arrived at the interview location at 8:30 AM and found a queue of people waiting outside. Everyone was well dressed in their corporate attire as you expect on the day of the interview. So I knew they were all there for the interview. I tried to count how many people were in front of me, but I stopped at 15. It was a long wait. I knew I would be here for so long today but well I am optimistic today so I need to keep going.
The receptionist eventually called me into the waiting room. The waiting room is where those they want to interview sit to relax a bit before they are been called. I sat down and tried to relax, but my stomach started to churn. I was so nervous that I was sweating profusely and getting goosebumps. My prayer was hope today wouldn't be a day of disgrace for me. My village People finally got me. I started to regret eating the Ewa Agoyin. I thought maybe Iya Bashira had put too much spice in it.
I couldn't wait any longer so I asked the receptionist if I could be skipped for a while to use the bathroom. I needed to go to the bathroom. I quickly walked to the bathroom, hoping not to have an accident. This interview was my last chance, yes I knew it and I couldn't afford to mess it up, but no not this time.
I entered the male bathroom, but it was disgusting. It smelled like a urinal cake that had been sitting in the sun for too long. I couldn't endure the smell coming from the male bathroom so I quickly surveyed the female bathroom and saw that it was empty and the smell looked more tolerable, so I snuck in to do my business as you will guess nau.
I was in and out in less than three minutes, but as I was leaving, I locked eyes with a woman. She was just as shocked and confused as I was. I quickly diverted my gaze and left, but I knew I was in trouble, I mean big trouble.
I decided to loiter around the office for a bit to get rid of any potential toilet smell which works. Not only that but I also wanted to make sure that the woman I saw wasn't around before I went back to the waiting room.
When I finally returned, I was lucky to be the next person. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Come in," a voice said.
I opened the door and saw the woman from the bathroom. My stomach tightened. I knew I was done for and there is no chance anymore for me in this interview.
"Hello, Mr. Wale," she said. "I'm Ms. Ayodele. Please, have a seat."
We sat down and she started asking me basic interview questions. I answered them as best I could, but I couldn't shake the feeling that she knew what I had done.
Finally, she asked me why I wanted to work for her company. I decided to be honest.
"Money," I said. "The pay here is good, and I'm a person who gives my all when I'm paid right. I think that aligns with what this financial institution wants."
Ms. Ayodele chuckled. "I appreciate your honesty," she said. "Now, I have one last question for you. What were you doing in the lady's bathroom?"
I nervously explained what had happened, and she nodded. "I understand," she said.
I exited the office feeling defeated. I knew I had blown my chances of getting the job.
Epilogue
To my utmost surprise, I got the job! Ms. Ayodele said she liked that I was straightforward and quick-thinking. I can't explain how joyful I was that day. She said that those skills would be valuable in her department.
The incident in the bathroom became an office joke, and everyone calls me "Ms. Wale" or "Lady Wale." I don't like the teasing, but I'll take it over joblessness.