Donald is my good friend. Intelligent, creative and talented. I mean, I could blow his trumpet anywhere. But one thing always kept me from doing so: his nonchalant attitude.
I remember selling him out to my boss a year ago.
“I know someone who can create and edit videos. His name is Donald.”
My boss trusted me, so Donald was employed as the content manager of my company (A company that focuses on entertainment — movies and podcasts).
Two months passed. Three months. Donald's true character began to surface. One day, he was at my place, his phone in his hand. He was chatting and laughing loudly. That I found rather irritating. It was even more annoying that Donald seemed to care less about my stern look and the fact that I wasn't saying a word to him.
I found my voice, anyway. “Donald.” He lifted his head immediately, like one being summoned by a ghost. “Mike reached out,” I said. “He said you're yet to upload this week's videos.”
If he acted like he was surprised, he deserved an award for that. Besides, I was more surprised that he was surprised.
Donald did not reply to me. He wasn't chatting, and he wasn't speaking. He just sat on my bed, unexplainable expressions plastered on his face.
“I've been busy lately.” Came his brief reply. I'd heard that phrase for the umpteenth time that month.
My voice rose a bit. “Too busy to make time for the job that puts food on your table?”
Donald flared up. “Hey! You have no right to speak to me in that manner. I'm not a kid. Besides, your boss and his company can never and will never feed me!”
I didn't realise my mouth was agape until I tried to speak again. But instead, I shut it, deciding to let the sleeping dog lie. What'd I do since he was always bent on defending himself?
For many months, my boss did not notice Donald's attitude toward work. Or maybe, Donald's close colleagues succeeded in covering up for him. So when my boss asked me to suggest someone who'd direct the affairs of the media department, I thought of Donald. At least, he was still my friend, wasn't he? And because my boss smiled at my suggestion, my heart calmed down.
“Donald...” my boss smiled, as if recalling the name of a prominent figure. “He's very good. I've not had the time to thank you for bringing such a wonderful person to this company.”
I forced a smile. Maybe I wanted to believe my boss. Or maybe I was praying things remained that way until Donald was ready for the next adventure.
But what if he got kicked out?
I shivered at the thought. My boss noticed.
“Anything the matter?”
I feigned another smile. “No, Sir.” Clearing my croaky throat, I added. “I'm sure he's the best for this role.”
I told Donald of the opportunity. I laid out the demands before him, but I was surprised at how Donald jumped in excitement at the financial benefits.
Before I could gather myself, he pulled me into his embrace, cheering heartily.
“You're the best, I swear. I owe you a pack of sweets.” He pulled away, laughing at his words.
“This is something serious, Donald. I hope you know.”
“Bigger opportunities mean bigger tasks, which is equivalent to bigger allowances. My dear, I'm game.”
My boss thought he'd found a candidate until the first meeting with the board of officials. It was supposed to be a meeting with Donald and the two other nominees. The meeting was scheduled to be held at 5 p.m. on a Sunday evening, but Donald did not show up.
I almost lost my sanity that day when I found out. I rushed to his house as soon as I got his call. Dumping my handbag on his bed, I asked, “What happened?”
“I slept off.”
“You what?”
His voice was down, so was his head. Although I felt like giving him a resounding slap, I was glad at the tears that stood in his eyes.
A week later, another meeting was fixed for 10 a.m. on a Saturday. At 9:55 a.m., I called Donald. Guess what he said to me?
“I'm about to have my bath, I'll call you when I'm on my way.”
I ended the call. That was the day I knew that Donald was undeserving of the position. I didn't even bother to ask how many minutes late he was, because I was sure my boss would have given him the piece of his mind that day.
Donald lost the position. It hurt because it could have been avoided if he had been more intentional. And now? Donald has sure learnt his lesson, because it's been two months and no one has reached out with a complaint about his lackadaisical attitude. I'm sure he knows that even if he didn't get the position of the director, he still has a job to keep.
Images were generated with ChatGPT
