The Chronicles of Akin: The Mayhem (1)

Akin woke up very late. He wriggled lazily out of the bed and extended his hand towards the top corner of the small desk beside his bed to take his phone. He switched it on to check the time. The time was 9:47am, Tuesday 23rd of July. He rolled out of the bed and did 20 press-ups. He then took his tooth brush and moved towards his bathroom sluggishly. The memory of what happened yesterday flashed back into his head. He stood still at the entrance of the bathroom, resting his two hands on the door frame and covering the whole entrance with his bulk of body. His back revealed a fresh wound he got from the previous day’s trouble. He managed to enter the bathroom, turned on the shower and the water showered him from head down to his body. Akin could not take off his mind from the incident that happened yesterday....


That fateful Monday morning, Akin left his home to see a friend who has promised to help him get a job. He lost his job three weeks earlier and did not know what to do with his life. Shola Aderemi and Akinola Enimoo has been friends right childhood and the attended the same schools – from primary to university. Akin left his home as early as 6:00am to see Shola. He had to trek since he had no money to fuel his car. He arrived at Shola’s place fort-five minutes later. Shola has been waiting for him. ‘Hey bro!’ Shola greeted as he sighted him. ‘My guy, how far?’ replied Akin, stretching out his hand while the other guy approaching to receive his handshake in a comic manner – with double-tap and switch-snapping – a method which only the two of them greet each other with. ‘I’m sorry about your job’ said Shola. ‘Thanks jare’ Akin replied. The friends entered the house and Akin sat on the sofa while his head was projected backward with his face upward staring at the ceiling. Shola entered the kitchen to bring them something to eat. When he came out of the kitchen, Akin said, without looking at him ‘Dude, I think I will start my own business.’ ‘What biz do you have in mind?’ Asked Shola. ‘Well, I don’t know yet but I will think it through. The idea just popped up.’ ‘So oo...’ ‘We’re still going as planned’ Akin cut him short as he already what was going to come out of his friend’s mouth. They finished the breakfast and then left the house to meet one of Shola’s contact who promised to give Akin some job.

After eighty-five minutes drive from Jakande Estate to Isolo and having spent the highest time in the Lagos’ usual traffic jam, they arrived at 3M’s Nigeria Ltd. The security guard opened the gate for them and they parked the car and entered the business suite. The reception is a large hall, beautifully decorated. From the entrance, a female receptionist whose desk was placed at the right hand side welcomed them with warm smile and inquired what they wanted. Shola did all the talking while Akin was busy examining the hall. He saw the picture of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria hanged on the wall directly facing the entrance, right to it is the picture of Lagos State Governor and to the left of the president’s picture is the picture of the company’s logo and the slogan cursively inscribed; “service per excellence...” Akin looked at the right side of the reception, he saw a set of chairs for visitors with an OX standing fan facing the chairs. There were three persons sitting down – obviously waiting for job interview. Akin saw large envelopes in their hands and then he said to himself “I think I’m a fool. I left home without my CV.” (to be continued...)