THE HOT PROCESS

THE HOT PROCESS

BY: ESTHER IBUKUNOLUWA OYEKUNLE

 

I was walking along Iwo road, trying to board a cab to Alakia to see one of my friends when I heard a familiar voice. My heart skipped a beat.

 

“That must be Tony! Jeez! He must be so angry with me!” I thought to myself before turning back.

 

Just as I thought, I turned back and saw the tall dark guy smiling so happily. He was obviously very excited to see me. I didn’t know whether to smile or laugh. I stared at him for a while and then something struck me. He had a well set dentition. I had never noticed it all the while I was an intern at Emerald Advertising Agency.

 

“Wow! Good to see you. You aren’t looking bad at all. I’m really sorry for what I did. I should have told you beforehand but I couldn’t just do it. I didn’t want to seem like an ingrate.” I said, facing the ground. He fixed his gaze at me for some seconds and then spoke up.

 

“We shouldn’t stand here to talk, you know? Please, let’s go in.” he said pointing at the Mr. Biggs outlet opposite the road. I was glad.

 

He told me about how he had searched everywhere but couldn’t find me. He blamed me for not informing him that I would leave the organization during the period he was on leave. He lamented that he brought me in through his connections and I disappointed him. I apologized and had no excuse to give.

 

Next, he asked about what I was doing at the moment and for a few seconds, I was at a loss for words. I didn’t see the question coming. It caught me off guard.

 

“Ermm, nothing yet. I’m just trying to apply to a few places. To be honest, it has not been easy trying to get a job in this country…”

 

“Did anyone ask you to leave our organisation? Why exactly did you leave?” He asked, looking deep into my face. He didn’t let me respond before he continued.

 

“You never told me anything even if you were having issues. I remember so well how you disclosed to me your interest in Advertising and I saw the place as an avenue for you to grow. We were in the same organisation and you had challenges and never deemed it fit to reach me. You left quietly when I went on leave to attend to other things and now you are miserable.”

 

I cast my mind back and for real, I hated myself for taking such a wrong step. I had learnt a lot while working at the agency and I had had the privilege of meeting with a lot of persons that taught me a whole lot that I was never taught in the classroom. I remembered the incident that led me to leaving the place.

 

Kemi Aiyeola, a classmate of mine in the university had stopped by at my office that day unannounced. I had told her I was working with an AD agency in Ikeja but never expected that she would even come around at all.

 

She and many other classmates had admired me several times thinking I was a staff earning about 200-250k but there I was as an intern, earning just 30k. Femi my colleague came into the interns’ office and told me I had a guest. I got to the reception and was surprised. She was also surprised to see me on a casual wear with my hair a bit unkempt.

 

She was so sorry for me and reminded me of the fact that I graduated as the best student in the department back in school. She told me she was earning 150k where she was working, while Tolu, Bimpe and some others where earning between 100-150k at their different places of work. I thanked her but became dejected afterwards.

 

“Really, what am I doing here? God, why have you decided to fail me and make me an object of scorn?”

 

I resigned the next week and the interns, staff and even my HR asked me if I was sure of what I was doing. They told me about how fast I was getting on and asked if I got a better job. I told them “Yes” and they wished me well. I got home and began to think endlessly. It’d been 2 years- No experience. No salary.

 

“Ibukun! Are you fine?” Tony’s voice brought me back to reality. I began sobbing. I had missed it. I forgot that everyone’s time zone was different. I forgot for a while that my future was bright, and I had to go through the making process before getting to the peak. I forgot it all.

 

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Dearest, God has placed you where you are for a purpose. Looking at where your mates are, it seems like you are at a standstill. But really, is that the case? You are going through that particular phase of your life now so you can have stories to tell. Someone said, *”Try to move ahead of God’s timing…and you will find very quickly that everything will fall apart and completely unravel”*

 

Do not avoid the process. Do not ignore the place of God. Do not run past God. He has the best plan for you, all you need do is WAIT!

 

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Prov 16:9)

 

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 6-7)

 

#Fiction