Kale wasn’t someone who got distracted easily, but here he was staring at it as it passed by. It didn’t make any sound as it passed by him, not even the warmth that usually accompanied others was felt with this one.
This was one of the reasons he loved it. Long after it has passed and the marks left erased by others, he still left his gaze on it till it disappeared from his sight.
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Kale then regained composure as a bike approached making a sound similar to that of the plastic trumpets blown in the ears of high school mates at the dormitories. He moved away quickly as the rider screamed past him sending a wave of air around him.
“You forgot to buy the peppers,” His mother said after she had emptied the content of the black polythene bag that Kale arrived with.
“Use the change left and quickly get some, I’m about to start cooking” His mother continued, as Kale had previously scratched his head, admitting to the fact that he had forgotten to buy the peppers.
As he went out this time he didn’t see it, all the ones that passed him were not “his type”. The same phrase he got from Sharon but with an alteration of “her” for “his”.
He had struggled that moment for a reply but nothing came through his mouth. After what seemed like a century she walked out leaving the half-drunk can of juice they had been sipping.
He felt bad about it later as he told Chike, his nutso relationship adviser. But, here he was using the same phrase for these passing by him. They were not his type as some of them left thick fumes in their wake causing pedestrians to cough or curse.
“Remove this Kabu Kabu for road” one of the pedestrians screamed. Luckily the driver had his speakers high the whole time and couldn’t make out any of the words only the raise of hands by the pedestrian, to which a wave from the spare hand dangling from the driver's window.
“don’t forget to iron your shirt for the interview tomorrow” Kale’s mother reminded him as he delivered the peppers to the kitchen counter.
“I’ve already done that” Kale replied with a grin, as he went to the sitting room. Just before he could pick up the remote, a thought came in then he dropped it and headed for his bedroom.
He picked up a paper where he had scribbled “Possible Interview Questions and Answers” as the topic and tore it to pieces.
Then he picked up his phone, “I’m ready now” he said after waiting for the ring. He then hung up and put his hand over his head.
“At least I will be able to afford it,” he thought to himself.
“Good morning” Kale greeted the receptionist who seemed busy typing away. Only after a few minutes did she lift her head that bore a glass with thick lenses. She pointed at the sofas lined up in the ally beside her.
“Wait for your turn,” she said. Kale wondered what she had for breakfast or if she had one at all as she seemed like she would devour him if given the opportunity.
Kale waited for what seemed to him like 5 hours but it was merely an hour plus, during which he had noticed the painting on the wall and the wooden carved sculpture of the Edo people.
Something he had read about in a book, as he struggled to remember a name the receptionist beckoned at him.
“You there, come,” she said, Kale looked around not knowing if the was the one, and pointed his index finger at his chest to which the receptionist answered again this time harsher.
“Yes you,” she said and rolled her eyes, she handed him a card and told him to head for the third floor.
“If you like get lost,” she said, as he left and made for the elevator.
“Nok Culture” the words finally came to his mind just as he was about to open the office door.
“One minute Sir,” the secretary told him as she picked up the telephone. Kale felt elated, the last time he was called “Sir” was when he was doing his community service and had to teach a bunch of 10-year-olds who called him ”Sir Kale”.
“Please sit,” The manager said, the air was cold and each breath Kale took made away with bits of his confidence. He didn’t want a boring sales job like his step dad so he declined the offer online when he posted a review of the C model of the electric car, a fleet of desires and wishes he was yet to get.
“I loved your review that was why I sent the message,” The manager said sounding calm and relieving the tension he saw on the young man.
“I want you to be a promoter for our brand, with your skills with words I’m sure you will persuade a lot of buyers from the safety of your computer” he continued, this made Kale shift on the chair, was he just offered a high position job? He thought.
As if to crown it all the manager told him that as a bonus and show of faith he would be given a C model which was to be his official car.
Kale couldn’t believe his ears, he just landed a marketing job with the car he had always wished for.
“I will give you some time to think about it,” The manager said finally after observing the silence from Kale.
“I accept,” Kale said, it was all he could say.
He finally got what he wished for. Kale couldn’t find love in college but he found more than one after as with the new car and job fortunes soon turned his way and he was now everyone's type.