The connection

"Slow down a bit Seyi, we're going to the same venue," Tolani shouted behind me as she hurried to catch up with me. Though I wore a black gown that flowed a little below my knees, Tolani in her black pants trousers, and shirt could not catch up with me despite her seemingly long legs. I looked behind my shoulder and saw her face wearing a frown. I knew Tolani was not used to being hurried but here, I needed to be timely for the 'million dollar' interview thankfully facilitated by Tolani who works as a front desk secretary at the popular D&S industry purportedly owned by a Mr. David who shows up only on special occasions such as today's recruit exercise. Tolani was doing fairly well despite being a junior staff at the organization. Tolani's uncle had facilitated the position for her despite being a top-ranking politician in town. And here I was, the only child of my mom, daring to dream of a position where connections ruled the day. My mom managed to fund me through school from her meager shop which I resumed after school hours. Since graduation from Ahmadu Bello University, a public institution we could afford after sacrificing lots of our conveniences, Tolani had agreed to scot me and for eight months and counting, she has been my saving grace while I applied to any and every available job interview we could find.

"You know I can't afford to be late. I need this job badly." I replied, slowing my pace a little for Tolani to catch up the few meters between us. I glanced at my wristwatch, and the time sent waves of fearful shivers through my spine. "It's 7:34 a.m. already babe, I wish I could just fly right now," I said to Tolani as calmly as I could muster while gently slapping my forehead in apprehension.

"You will not kill me today, Seyi. I'm sure we'll make it before 8 a.m." Tolani replied as she closed the gap between us, her heels giving her a hard time walking.

Luckily for us, a taxi approached us and we quickly flagged it down.

"D&S industry," I said hurriedly to the middle-aged driver.

"₦3,000." He said after a little hesitation.

"What? No, ₦1, 000. Early morning, you're trying to exploit us." Tolani interrupted.

"You're not ready." The driver said before changing his gear to drive off.

"We'll pay. Just be as fast as possible please?" I pleaded and opened the back door of the Toyota Corolla. Tolani and I hopped in quickly and the driver zoomed off. The driver moved as fast as he could but I felt he could go faster.

"Driver, can't you go a little faster?" I said to the driver who immediately looked at me through the mirror.

"This is fast enough, except you want fast and furious." He said and continued even though I noticed he drove faster than before, probably noticing how urgent my voice was.

I turned and looked at Tolani and could see she was unhappy. I knew on a good day, she would not pay such an amount for the fare. I tapped her on her hand and squeezed her gently. "I'm sorry please."

"It's fine. What's important is your interview." Tolani replied.

Barely twenty minutes later, we arrived at D&S industry and I almost opened the car door before it came to a full stop. I handed over the fare to the driver and mumbled a 'thank you' without looking back. The time was 7:56 a.m. and we were lucky to arrive on time. We walked past the security checkpoints where we were subjected to body and property checks even though the staff there greeted Tolani with all smiles. I managed to reciprocate a smile when one of the security staff said to Tolani, "Aunty Tolani, this your friend is fine like an angel." Though I was anxious, a little smile crept on my lips.

I walked into the chilled reception which was a wide space lit by many white bulbs and nicely carved artworks. Tolani walked up to the front desk where she was stationed and pointed me to a row where other presumed candidates for the interview sat. My confidence immediately staggered when I saw the caliber of candidates sitting already and waiting for the interview. Some of them had intimidating stature while most of them radiated affluence from their smartly dressed attire. Their perfumes collided like scattered particles in a container, I knew then that I was a fool for dreaming this big. Tolani must have noticed my countenance as she gave me a thumbs up as an encouragement.

"Could you please dress a little?" I said to the lady at the edge where a small space existed. They sat comfortably like they were in their homes. I knew people got into the industry with connections and their confidence may have emanated from the calibre of their sponsors. The young lady managed to shift a little even though I could barely notice any difference. Thankfully, my body size is the athletic and petite type, and the little space left was managed. Tolani was a few meters away but we could see each other well and communicate with our eyes or hand signals.

"The reception door opened just a minute before 8 a.m. and about seven people walked through the door, led by a man in a black tuxedo suit I presumed to be a personal assistant by the documents in his hand and his conduct. Tolani stood up from where she was and this immediately prompted me to follow suit. Gradually, other candidates who sat where we waited lazily stood to their feet. "Good morning sirs. You're welcome, sirs." I heard Tolani and a few other co-workers chorus. A young-looking man in his late forties waved his hand in Tolani's direction first and ours to resume our seats. Something strange struck my heart immediately after I saw him even though I could not point to what exactly it was. Soon, they disappeared into the lift that was operated by the P. A. I turned to Tolani and saw her lips move, "that's the boss". We all resumed our seats and soon enough, the candidates who arrived before me were called in one after the other.

Each candidate barely spent ten minutes before coming out and most of them had an aura of confidence and smiles written over their faces. Just about 11:30 a.m., all candidates had been called in except me. I was worried and my heart beat erratically as though it would pounce out of my chest cavity. The P.A. came out of the lift and walked in my direction. He was young and charming, his fragrance almost choked me.

"Where's your complimentary card ma?" He asked, his diction clearly showed he was well-traveled.

Tolani quickly walked up to me as I almost began to fumble with a stutter. "She's the one I told you about, the HR is also in the know," Tolani said to him with a smile.

"Very well, I hope the Boss grants her an interview. Other than that, he's done for the day." The P.A. said and turned towards the lift. "Follow me."

I joined him in the lift and got to the topmost floor. The door opened to a conference room and many eyes immediately greeted me.

"Wait here." The P.A. said and walked to the Boss. He whispered something into his ears and after a nod from him, he signaled to me to come forward.

"Have your seat, Miss." The boss said to me with a smile.

"Thank you, sir. I said, taking the seat directly facing the boss where he was flanked by a few other staff in different shades of suits, smartly dressed.

"I hear you have no complimentary card. Is that right?" He asked and this time, I felt numerous inquisitive eyes staring at me.

I swallowed my saliva which seemed to have built up while I tried to find my footing. I expected questions about myself and not to be asked if I had a connection to be present at the interview. "I... " I started but stopped, uncertain of my response.

"What's your name?" The boss asked, this time with an indifferent expression.

"My name is Seyi Shamah with a 'h' at the end," I replied, almost spontaneously. I noticed the Boss raised his left eyebrow and leaned forward. At that point, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. I was in the habit of correcting people about my surname and this was no exception. I knew immediately I messed up.

"Can you repeat what you just said?" The boss asked, clearly interested.

My confidence right there was shattered, I didn't know if what I said pissed the boss off or got his attention. " My apologies sir, my name is Seyi Shamah," I said.

"With an 'h' at the end right?" The boss asked, his eyes piercing me as though he stared at a ghost.

"Yes sir."

"Tell me about your father." The boss asked.

"I'm sorry but I don't have one."

"Hmmm, everyone has a father. Anyways, what about your mother?" Who is she and where is she? Pardon me for asking you personal questions." The boss added.

"It's fine sir. My mom is a single parent and owns a supermarket downtown."
"And where does she hail from?" The boss asked almost immediately.

"Mangu in Plateau state sir." I replied even though I felt a little uncomfortable. I knew the boss froze for a split second but why, I could not tell.

"You're twenty-six years old? Born October?" He asked and this surprised me. I knew interviewers research their candidates but I didn't expect his questions.

"Yes sir," I replied. "Can I ask how you knew my age?" I muttered the courage.

source

"Never mind, have these cards." The boss said, handing them to his PA who dashed to my side in a jiffy. I collected both in obedience, yet wondering what was happening. "The debit card is for you to shop with while the complimentary card is for your mom. Say hi to her. You're to resume in a week as a manager." The boss said, dismissed me, and stood up even before I could say anything further. His other staff stood up immediately and walked out the door with him, leaving me alone in the conference room. I looked at both cards and wondered if I was dreaming. I walked out immediately after they left the room. I could barely wait to give Tolani the good news.

Tolani and I hugged severally and danced after she dragged me to the convenience upon hearing I got a managerial role in the industry. "Baby girl, we have a whole week of shopping!" She screamed even though in a whisper. I waited around the industry after the interview and fed my eyes on different sections of the building. I could barely believe I was resuming the industry as a manager.

By 4 p.m., Tolani and I went back home after ordering Uber. We barely freshened up before going out for our shopping. "Babe, we can shop the world if you want! Our boss is not just rich, he's wealthy!" Tolani disclosed. My eyes widened yet again as Tolani kept talking about the industry and the boss.

The following morning, I went straight to my mom's house, a two-bedroom bungalow rented in the slums of Ajegunle where the poor lived majorly. "Fortune has located you, my angel. The man who gave you this card is your father. His name is David and he named his business D&S because of me, Shamah. We were young and foolish, rather than fight for love, his parents, very wealthy took him out of the country upon hearing about our affairs. It was always our dream of owning a business together. I'm sorry I kept all these away from you." My mom confessed to me with a mix of smiles and tears on her face.

I moved close to her and hugged her, many thoughts running through me. I knew at that moment the boss knew I was his daughter and that was the reason for his questions and gestures.

A week later, I resumed as manager ad D&S with an official car and house, having the privilege of calling the shots in the industry as ordered by my dad, with Tolani transferred to my office with immediate effect. Though my dad rarely came to work, I had express access to him in his house. Gladly, I accepted and arranged a meeting date for him and my mom, of course after shopping the world to make her look young and glamorous. Here, a new phase began not just for me but for us as a family.