"We have sent an email to those who qualified for the job so if you didn't get a mail from us, it means you didn't make it. We will let you know if another opportunity comes," Bamise listened patiently to the secretary of the last company where he attended a job interview.
"But is there any other vacancy at the moment? I don't mind taking the security job if there is an opening there," Bamise stuttered as he replied but the secretary ended the call without giving any response.
"She didn't even hear me out," He grumbled and flung the book he was holding in the air. He was frustrated and wished he had gotten the job because of everything he went through to secure the job.
Bamise eyes were filled with tears as he thought about the assurance he was given about the job. He needed the job so badly and had spent some money as advised by people just to win the hearts of some staff in the company.
"Everything has gone to waste now or will they refund me," He muttered as tears rolled down his cheek.
Bamise was in his early thirties when he graduated from the university. His parents were poor and could barely take care of him and his siblings. They could barely provide for their needs not to speak of educating them but Bamise did everything possible to ensure that he was educated.
He would hawk every evening to raise money for his tuition and books. Everyone knew Bamise in the community for being a tough kid but no one had a reason to help him. There was a time he took long breaks from school because of financial reasons but he would always return as soon as he could raise some money to continue.
His journey through school was nothing to write home about but Bamise didn't give up on the dream and he accomplished it. It's been over two years after graduation but Bamise couldn't get a job and every effort has been futile.
"I thought getting educated would save me from poverty but it looks like I was destined to live just like my parents," Bamise stuttered as he thought about the number of interviews he had attended in the last two years.
I better just stop wasting my money on transportation to interviews and just continue with those menial jobs. Every weekend, Bamise would go to the island to wash cars and run errands for the big men. Although he wasn't earning much but Bamise was contented and even assisted his family from the little earning.
Bamise packed a few things he would need to pass the weekend on the island and left the house immediately since it was Friday. He had barely gotten to the bus stop when he discovered that there was heavy traffic and Bamise was stuck between the thought of going back home or continuing with his trip.
"Good afternoon! Hello!" A female voice called Bamise but he was lost in thought.
Beep! Beep! The driver hit the vehicle horn twice and she got Bamise's attention.
"Good afternoon," She greeted and Bamise looked around to be sure she was talking to him.
"Good afternoon," Bamise replied.
"Please, my vehicle is overheating badly. Is there a mechanic around here," She asked.
"Overheating? I can help with that here if it's a minor issue," Bamise replied.
"Are you a mechanic?" She asked.
"I am a mechanical engineer," Bamise replied swiftly and went to the bonnet.
He tapped on it twice and the lady unlocked the bonnet for Bamise to check it out.
"It's a minor thing... Do you have about 2,000 Naira? I will quickly get the vehicle part," Bamise told the lady after checking.
"Really? Just that?" She asked.
"Yes, it will be enough. I am very certain," Bamise replied and rushed to get the vehicle part he needed nearby and he returned to fix the car immediately.
The lady offered Bamise some money immediately the overheating stopped but he turned it down.
"It's a minor issue and I will just do it for free," Bamise replied.
Bamise continued trekking to the bus stop and the lady eventually offered him a ride since she was heading to the island as well.
"Do you know my mechanic just fixed that car and I paid a lot for this overheating issue," The lady said to Bamise while in the traffic jam.
"Sorry, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Lara," She added.
"Those mechanics are not trustworthy and you won't need to fix that same fault next week," Bamise replied.
"I really appreciate you. Do you have a workshop so I can always bring my vehicle whenever it develops any fault," Lara asked.
"I am job hunting for now," Bamise replied.
"Job hunting with this knowledge," She replied.
"That's the situation of the country and I am still like this because I don't have the right connection," Bamise replied.
"Sorry about that and I know how you feel because it took me a long time to secure my job as well. I failed to give those MDs what they wanted but got lucky in the end," Lara replied.
"I am hopeful truly but sometimes, hoping for too long can cause the mind to weary?" Bamise replied.
"That's true. Have my card so we can talk better about this," Lara said to Bamise immediately he was about to alight from the car when they got to the island.
She offered Bamise some money again but he refused it and just went his way after thanking her for the ride. A few weeks passed and Lara's thought crossed Bamise's mind so he decided to call her.
"I have been expecting your call, why did it take you so long?" Lara asked after exchanging pleasantries.
"I am sorry about that," Bamise replied.
"Have you gotten a job now?" Lara asked
"No, I am still here. Still hoping," Bamise replied
"Okay! I spoke to someone and he might have a job for you," Lara replied.
"Wow, thanks a lot. I am grateful," He replied.
"You have to meet him," Lara replied and forwarded a contact to Bamise.
Bamise was excited at first but thinking about the previous interviews ruined the excitement.
"What if it ends the same way?" Bamise muttered.
He eventually called the contact and Bamise was called for an interview. He succeeded with the interview and waited patiently as usual but he was prepared for the worst that could happen.
Bamise was busy with his weekend hustle on the Island when he got a call to resume on Monday but he didn't believe it would be that easy.
He rushed to call Lara and she just congratulated him. Bamise was so excited that he left the island immediately to prepare for resumption. That night, Bamise slept like a baby and had sweet dreams.
Very early the next morning, he resumed work and was shown around the company by HR.
"You have to meet the MD this morning and please be at your best," The HR said to Bamise after the tour around the company.
He was directed to the MD office and Bamise didn't believe what he saw.
"Lara! Oh Miss Lara, good morning to you. I didn't know you were the MD" Bamise stuttered.
"Yes, I am. Welcome to my company and I didn't mention anything about my involvement because I want you to gain employment the proper way," Lara replied.
"Thank you, ma. I will forever be grateful to you," Bamise replied and almost prostrated but Lara prevented him.
