HILARIOUS BUT SAD

I had always wanted to work in a health firm. I bagged a degree in medical physiotherapy some couple of years ago, but I was unable to secure a good job.

 I applied in different health firms, but all my efforts were futile not until last two weeks. I lit up when I saw an email inviting me for a job interview in a renowned private Health firm. Although, I had dreams of working at a federal or state health organization, I was certain I was going to perform really well for the interview. Like I expected, I did well in the oral interview and I was considered the person best fit for the job as a physiotherapist in the hospital. My joy knew no bounds. I was given an appointment letter, to resume on Monday, the 14th of April which was tomorrow. 

I had set my alarm for 2am that morning. Minutes before the alarm went off, I was up from bed. All through the night, even in my sleep, all I could think about was the new job. I was really elated. 

I knelt beside my bed and muttered some few words of prayer to God. I committed the entire day into God's hands, asking for His guidance, protection and favor in my new place of work. 

I ensured my cooperate wears for the week were all neat and presentable. I carefully ironed and folded them professionally, closed it up in my wardrobe. 

I then proceeded to the kitchen to prepare something sumptuous for the morning. I needed to eat some light food  and so I decided to prepare some fries. 

Some minutes past 5am, I was done with the cooking. I had to do some wash up and cleaning, I did that in a jiffy. 

I then proceeded for documentation. I spent time in selecting and filing the documents that I was instructed to come along with on the first day of resumption. 

Time was far spent, I did my usual exercising, the push ups, press ups and sit ups. Afterwards, I immediately jumped into the bathroom to have some cool bath. I enjoy bathing cold water. I couldn't remember the last time I used warm water to bath. 

I arrived the private health firm by half past 7am. I met with the staff who were on night call, the other staff were yet to resume for the day. I was amongst the few employees that arrived really early.

I felt there was a need to start out the first day of work on a good note. I decided to help in the cleaning and dusting of the furnitures in the office premises. The cleaners showered econiums on me because of my hardworking and kind gestures. 

We were done with the major clean up before 8am. The cleaners proceeded with some other jobs while I decided to retire to the reception room because I wasn't assigned my duty post yet. I was still awaiting the arrival of the head of department.

Two hours had passed, no sign of the head of department, I was becoming devastated and very unhappy. I didn't know what to do. 

I decided to approach the receptionist and make some enquires.

"Good morning once again" I greeted. "Yeah, morning sir. How may I be of help to you?" 

"I was offered a job here and I was asked to resume today. Ehm...I don't know but I haven't been assigned a unit yet. I was employed by the department of physiotherapy. I wanted to ascertain if the Head of the department has arrived work today" I spoke with charisma. 

"Alright, please just a minute" she replied. She decided to place a call to the physiotherapy department using the hospital's phone line. Turning to me she said "Sir, the head is currently not on seat. It's either you exercise some more patience or you come back some other day, probably tomorrow". 

"What!!! The information I received destabilized me but I decided to comport myself. "Okay, thank you for the confirmation. I will exercise some more patience because without the hospital's approval of my appointment, I ain't a staff here and the job would be useless. Thank you" I said as I retired to my seat. 

"Excuse me Mr." the receptionist beckoned on me immediately I stepped into the reception. "I was notified that the HOD is currently on seat as at ten minutes ago. I had intentions of placing a call but I just realized I don't have your digits" the receptionist Said

"Oh...thank you so much. I went for a little site seeing round the hospital. So I can go in and meet her right?" I asked. 

"Yeah, you can. Good luck!!! She said.

I got to the Para Medical Faculty in a jiffy. With the help of directions from some of the staff, I was able to locate the department of physiotherapy. The Secretary told me to wait for some minutes until the HOD calls me in. 

I was getting nervous and anxious. 

Twenty minutes later, I was called upon by the HOD. I braced up myself, walking into her office with confidence. 

"Good afternoon ma" I greeted as I gazed at the wall clock. Wow, we were already in the afternoon hours, I said within myself. 

"Yeah afternoon young man. Are you one of the interns?" She asked. 

"No ma. I'm amongst those that participated in the interview conducted by this department some two weeks ago. I performed excellently well to the Glory of God and I was given an appointment letter on thursday. I was asked to resume work today" I spoke with self assurance. 

"I love the way you speak. You are fluent in English. You speak with boldness and charisma" she smiled. 

"Thank you ma" I replied with a smile too.

"Can I take a look at your appointment letter?" She asked as I gave it to her.

She accessed the appointment letter, asked me some basic questions and thereafter I was assigned a unit where I would be working. 

Some other documents of mine were signed by the HOD. 

I was given an orientation by the HOD alongside her vice. I was introduced to all the units of physiotherapy. I met with the some of the doctors, staff, workers and students of the department. I was welcomed with open hands. I just knew within me that I was at the right place and at the right time. 

At about 2pm, the orientation and welcoming were ended. I proceeded to my unit for formal introduction of myself. I interacted beautifully with the other physiotherapists and staff of the unit. At some point, I decided to put the knowledge I acquired in the university to practice. I began working alongside the others. I was watching, learning and working as well. 

The HOD walked into our unit briskly. "How is our tear rubber physiotherapist doing. I hope the young man is coping very well?" She asked. 

"Ah!!! He's doing very well, he's actually learning very fast" the head of the unit responded. 

"Wow, that's good to know". Turning to me she said, "young man...please endeavor to meet me in my office as soon as I step out of this place. Come along with your important credentials and documents. Okay?" 

"Okay ma," I replied. 

I got to her office in a jiffy. "Good afternoon ma. You sent for me" I said. "Yeah..."she said as she lifted up her head from the work table. "I came along with my documents" I added. 

"Your documents will be taken for endorsement by the secretary. The Chief Medical Director is to endorse your appointment as a legitimate staff of this firm. Do you understand that?" She asked.

"Yes ma" I replied as I nodded my head. 

"Or would you love to take the documents to the CMD yourself? We would go to his office together" the HOD added.

"Yeah ... I would love to officially introduce myself to the CMD" I smiled.

"Please I need to see the Chief Medical Advisory Chairman" the HOD said to the secretary there. 

"Ehm...ma did you place a call before coming. Is he aware of the appointment you have with him?" the Secretary asked.

"Yeah, he is....I called him before coming down here" the HOD replied. 

"Give me some minutes ma" the secretary said. 

Few minutes later we were let into the office of the Medical Advisory Chairman. He was working on behalf of his boss, the Medical Director who had been away for some months. 

"Good afternoon Sir" my HOD greeted. "Good afternoon Sir" I also greeted. 

"Our department just employed a new staff, he is here with the appointment letter and other documents for endorsement" my HOD said.

Having said that, she left us together in the office. 

The Medical Advisory Chairman interrogated me for some minutes. Finally he asked...Do you know any Mrs. Elsie Jacks?" 

No I don't sir" I replied.

He looked at me sternly and said..."You are an intelligent young man. But you remind me of her. She was my ex wife. You're wearing the type of perfume she wears. I could perceive the scent right the moment you walked in. You have just reminded me of all the evils she did to me. I passed through alot in the hands of that woman" he said as he shook his head sorrowfully.

"I'm really sorry about that sir, I never had intentions of bringing back old time painful memories. I'm really sorry sir" I said genuinely. 

"There's no need for the apologies. The deed had already been done. The apologies and sympathy will never change any of the evils that she had done to me.

Moreso...you just reminded me of it all" he added.

Some seconds of silence ensued between us. He broke the silence with a hiss and then spoke up. "I don't think I can endorse your appointment here cause your presence in this facility will only remind me about her. I'm sorry" he said. To that effect, your appointment is hereby terminated. It's not my making. I'm sorry once again" he concluded. 

All my pleas, my HOD's, were to no avail. I lost a job I genuinely got and merited all because of a scent of perfume. I was back to square one. I went home depressed and devastated. 

I resumed my appointment and also got sacked on the same day.