*EPISODE 14*
{MY SOULMATE}
When it was exactly 7pm, Janice who had already told Collins about the job interview, stood up to take her leave. Collins who had gotten stronger, saw her out to where her car was parked.
“Alright. I think you have to go back in now.” Janice said.
“Don’t worry about me. I want to watch you leave.” Collins insisted.
“Alright then. Before I forget, please try as much as possible to be early for the interview tomorrow.” Janice said.
“Sure. I will. I really can’t thank you enough.” Collins said.
“It’s fine. Don’t forget we will be celebrating your new found job once you are able to secure the job. I’m actually bothered because you are sick and you don’t look prepared for this job interview. Or better still, should I call Eric and tell him to postpone the interview?.” Janice asked feeling concerned.
“No Janice. Don’t worry about me okay?. I’m fine. And I promise to do well in the job interview.” Collins said with optimism.
Through out that night, Collins kept wondering why Janice had been so good to him eversince he met her.
“I don’t have money, car or anything that she would benefit from. Why then is she so interested in my case?.” He wondered.
Early the next day, Collins got himself ready and picked a taxi to O.G firm. Before he got there, Janice called and wished him luck. He finally arrived at the firm, looking all neat and gorgeous.
When he arrived at Eric’s office, he was asked to wait by Eric’s secretary. Eric purposely kept him waiting from morning till 12 noon just so he could frustrate him. But Collins who was determined, kept waiting until Eric stepped out of his office.
“Excuse me Sir. I’ve been waiting for you all this while.” Collins said to Eric the moment he saw him stepping out of his office.
“Oh my bad!. Forgive me. I have been too occupied with a lot of business proposals that I forgot you were out here waiting for me. Right now, I’m on my way to meet some clients in town. So I don’t think it would still be possible to hold the interview today. Why not return tomorrow?.” Eric said.
“Alright sir. No problem.” Collins said feeling down and disappointed.
“Alright then. This would be all for today. See you tomorrow.” Eric said walking away with his P.A.
Collins who was frustrated and disappointed, was dragging his feet as he walked out of the building with his head down. He was too distracted lost in his own thoughts and predicaments that he didn’t notice the man coming in front of him.
The man’s shoulder bumped with his and his file fell on the floor. Surprisingly, the man was kind enough to bend over and pick Collins file.
Collins snapped back to reality and quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry sir. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going to.” Collins apologized looking sad.
“Young man, why is your face looking so frown by this time of the day?. And why are you walking out of my firm without a smile?.” The man asked.
“Your firm?.” Collins asked with his eyes lightened up in surprise.
“Yes. I’m Chris Ogbuefi and you are?.” Chris asked stretching forth his hand for a handshake.
“I’m Collins sir. Collins Oguike.” Collins said returning his handshake with a smile.
Just then, Chris’s eyes caught the bracelet on Collins wrist.
“Collins Oguike….what a unique bracelet you have on your wrist. Do you mind telling me where you got it from?.” Chris said gazing helplessly at the bracelet.
“Oh this, it was a special gift given to my mother by my father who left before I was born.” Collins said touching the bracelet.
“Your father left before you were born?.” Chris asked.
“Yes sir. He traveled abroad and never returned till date.” Collins said with tears in his eyes.
“And your mom?. Who is she?. What’s her name?. What does she looks like?.” Chris asked totally curioused.
“My mom’s name is Gloria sir. Gloria oguike.” Collins said.
Hearing this, Chris’s heart beat raced faster. It was like everything that happened 25 years ago had come back afresh in his memory. Lots of questions came running through his mind at once.
“Is this Gloria oguike from umudike village?.” Chris asked fighting back tears.
“Yes sir. Wow. How did you know?.” Collins asked totally amazed.
Chris couldn’t help but fought back tears from rolling down his cheeks.
“That’s cause I and your mom were friends back in the village. We have lots of memories together.” Chris said.
“Wow. But mom has never told me anything about you though.” Collins said.
“Yeah. Even I wouldn’t have told you anything if I were in her shoes. I’m sure she’s still mad at me. But it’s fine. So have you seen any pictures of your dad or anything that relates to him?.” Chris asked.
“None sir. I haven’t come acrossed his pictures even for once.” Collins said.
“That’s bad. What brought you to my firm then?.” Chris asked.
“I came here in search of a job sir. But after waiting for hours, I was told to go home and return tomorrow morning.” Collins said feeling sad.
“Who made you go through such heart wrenching process?.” Chris asked.
“Eric sir.” Collins replied.
“Eric?. Why would he do such a thing to you?. Anyways thank God you met me. Follow me to my office. I’m doing this for the sake of your mother.” Chris said.
“Thank you so much sir.” Collins replied.
Sitting before Chris in his office, Chris went through Collins credentials and asked.
“So you are 25 years?.” He asked.
“Yes sir.” Collins replied.
“You can go now Collins. We will get back to you.” Chris said with a smile.
“Thank you sir.” Collins said exchanging handshake with Chris.
“One more thing. Can I have your mom’s number?. I lost her number years back.” Chris said.
“Sure sir.” Collins said bringing out his phone.
He gave his mother’s number to Chris who thanked him.
As soon as Collins left the office, Chris broke into tears. His heart was literally ripping apart. It felt like he was finding it difficult to breathe as he held onto his chest.
“Gloria. Gloria. I’m truly sorry. I failed to protect what we shared.” Chris cried bitterly.
Later that night, Chris resulted into drinking. He drank himself to stupor crying his eyes out. Every pains he felt 25years ago came back afresh in his heart.
He picked his phone and dialed Gloria’s number.
When Gloria picked the call, Chris couldn’t utter a word. He remained silent and kept listening to her speak.
“Hello…. hello…..who is this?. Hello…..” Gloria kept saying over the phone.
But Chris’s heart was too heavy to speak. He was just sobbing bitterly over the phone till Gloria ended the call.
“I guess it was a mistake.” Gloria said throwing her phone on the bed. But then, she became restless. She felt unease. Like she was being reconnected to someone from the past. She picked her phone and was about retrying the number when Collin’s call came in.
“Good evening mom.” Collins greeted.
“Good evening son. How was your day?.” Gloria asked.
“Mom, I had a great and wonderful day today. Guess what?.” Collins said.
“Come on Collins. I’m not good at guessing. So stop putting me in suspense and go straight to the point.” Gloria said.
“Mom i’m about securing a good paying job.” Collins said feeling excited.
“Really?. How did it happen?.” Gloria asked sitting upright.
“So mom, I ran into an old friend of yours and he promised to give me a job in his firm.” Collins said.
“An old friend of mine?. Who exactly is he?.” Gloria asked totally confused and curioused.
“Chris Ogbuefi of O.G firm.” Collins replied.
Hearing the name chris Ogbuefi, brought back old memories and pains to Gloria’s heart. She became weak and speechless with pains in her heart.
“Mom?. Are you there?. Hello…” Collins said.
“Yes son. Can we have this conversation tomorrow?. I’m feeling sleepy right now.” Gloria said fighting back tears.
“Sure. Goodnight mom.” Collins said smiling brightly.
“Goodnight son.” Gloria responded.
As soon as she got off the phone with Collins, she broke into tears clenching her fist.
“What’s the meaning of this?. Why O.G firm?. Why has fate decided to be so cruel on me?.” Gloria sobbed bitterly.
