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PELUMI'S MEMOIRS




"I didn't do it". "I swear, I didn't". "No, it wasn't me". Pelumi sobbed hard even as the strokes of cane landed on her back burning her skin. Her step father did not stop hitting her despite her pleas. Her mother stood by the side, too weak to defend her. She looked at her mother who had hugged herself tight where she stood. Her head was bowed and she wasn't looking at what was unfolding before her. When Ada Opara couldn't take it anymore, she ran over to her husband and held the cane in her hands. "Emeka, it is enough". "Emeka, it is enough o". "Do you want to kill my daughter"? Pelumi writhed on the floor where she had fallen. Her back was burning and pain wracked her body. For the first time in the 13 years her mother had gotten married to Emeka Opara, she had actually stood up to him. 

"You will destroy this girl's life,Ada". "Why don't you let me discipline her"? "Next time, she will learn not to steal what does not belong to her". "I didn't steal it". Pelumi uttered loudly from where she had crumbled into a heap on the floor. "Are you still talking"? "Liar"! Pelumi sobbed even more. Her step father was from hell. Someone in her lineage must have done something very wrong and she was the one paying the price.

She had had enough. She had been cooking up a plan for two years now. If she didn't leave soon, her mother's husband would  kill her anytime. Pelumi got up and dragged herself into her bedroom. She picked up her pouch which contained money she had been saving for a while. 


PRESENT DAY
Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi.....

"What did you say your name was"? Pelumi Iruka Jacobs. The secretary eyed her. "So, which of your parents is ibo and which is yoruba"? "My dad's yoruba". "I see. Your interview will happen in the next 30 minutes. You can have your seat over there".  The secretary, a middle aged plump woman pointed in the direction of empty seats at the lobby area. "Ms Jacobs", she called out. Pelumi turned to look at the secretary. "Let me have a copy of your resume and your identification card". She handed them over to her. Nigerians! Forming seniority since 1960. People carried on in the work place like they were your parents. She had heard horror tales of bad offices and bad bosses. This was her first job in Lagos and she hoped nothing would happen to make her lose it.

Minutes later, she walked into the interview room with her heart beating fast. Nobody told her that interviews were this nerve wracking. She scanned the room quicky. There were two men and lady in the room. One of the men appeared very polished and handsome. She looked at him briefly and their eyes locked at that instant. The gentleman squinted at her and motioned for her to sit down.

Geez! The interview seemed to drag on for eternity. Mr Perfect gentleman had a flawless British accent that attested to the fact that he had been educated outside the shores of Nigeria. The other man looked like Mr Perfect gentleman. A softer, calmer version. She guessed they were brothers. And the lady...Oh she was beautiful. She looked like a model. She looked very sophisticated and super polished too. Pelumi, no you can't be intimidated, she said to herself.

After what seemed to look like 3 hours and interviewing with 5 more people, Pelumi was ready to head home and crawl under the covers. Many of the interview questions were really hard. She had prepared very well but the interview still felt like she hadn't done a good job prepping. She prayed with all her heart that she would be given an offer. Ferguson and Fletcher was a reputable advertising company. She'd done her research before applying to them. Their salary, bonus and benefits was something a lot of people desired.

A deep baritone voice interrupted her thoughts. "Ms Jacobs, you should hear from the company in a few days. We'll let you know what our decision is". Pelumi rose to her full height of 5'8 and shook the man's hand. "I'm Alistair Kukoyi. You'll get a call from either me or the head of human resources".

With that, Pelumi held her head high and walked out of Ferguson and Fletcher.





Comments

Unknown said…
Wow Debola! Mrs Johnson, our secondary school English teacher was right: you are an excellent writer! Craving for more!!
March 10, 2019 at 8:08 AM
damiade said…
Wonderful read...can't wait for the continuation.
March 10, 2019 at 10:28 AM
Miss Onakz.... said…
How can you stop there now?
Please can I have a private reading of the whole story🙏
Well done dear!
We really want more & more of this.
Love it!
March 11, 2019 at 1:17 AM
Debbie Ade said…
Thanks guys! Tola, Pelumi's menoirs are a work in progress. I'll post each week. :-)
March 11, 2019 at 9:01 AM
Unknown said…
You want to kill us with suspense abi??? kontinu o...
March 12, 2019 at 1:43 AM
Debbie Ade said…
Hehehehe! Wait for it Mr Alalade :-)
March 12, 2019 at 9:33 AM
Petite said…
Well written Debs!
May 5, 2019 at 5:19 AM
Debbie Ade said…
Thanks, Petite 😊
May 8, 2019 at 8:58 PM
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