The Crush I Never Talked To

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Just like every other scholar, Eniola graduated from college Magna cum laude. She got so many job offers from so many private establishments that wanted her to work for them. Who doesn’t like a first class material?

Eniola, knowing the stuff she’s made of turned down all the job offers she got from the local firms and opted for for an international company that has its branch in her country.

On her first day at work, the group managing director gave her a special welcome treat by organizing a welcome party to say welcome to her so that other employees will get to know the genius that just joined the company.

Other workers in the firm she’s working are no different from her because most of them graduated with distinction as well.

When the event was over, she was given the keys to an apartment and an official car which she will use in running around.

She thanked the management and her fellow staff, promising them that her stay with them will be worthwhile.

The event ended with a closing remark from the company’s secretary.

One fateful day, Eniola’s mind flashed back and she reminded her undergraduate days. She remembered the hustles and bustles they passed through and how her hard work has been blessed by her creator.

During her undergraduate days, there was a boy she never talked to. She actually likes Ayo but she considered it absurd to make the first move.

In their penultimate year in college, Ayo got a fully funded scholarship to study in Germany.

He left for Germany, abandoning his college. Even though going to Germany will entail starting all over again but he decided to make that sacrifice because there are better job opportunities in Germany.

Three years later, Eniola is now a graduate and a working class lady. Ayo is now in his third year at the Imperial College of Engineering, Germany trying so hard to make the best out of his stay in the college.

A year later, he graduated with great distinction. The university’s management sought his approval to retain him as a lecturer but he turned it down because teaching has never been his strong suit.

Three months later at his convocation, when he was called upon to give vote of thanks as the best graduating student, so many Directors of companies were present but he was not aware of that.

When he finished giving the vote of thanks, he climbed down the podium to face tens of journalists that came to interview him.

In one of his statements, he stated that perseverance was the major drive that led to his breakthrough; telling them how he left his local college for Germany in third year. Everyone was amazed. He encouraged students in all academic fields to be persistent in their pursuit of education. He told them to choose education over schooling as there is a great difference between them. The interview ended and he got back home.

He’s now faced with “Now that school is over, what next?”

He was on the verge of going through an employment website when he got a call. It was the General Managing Director of a leading Car manufacturing company in Germany. He introduced himself to him and asked him if he’d like to work with them. Ayo whose joy knew no bounds quickly agreed and the Manager scheduled an appointment with him. The appointed date came, he was subjected to so many interviews and when it was over, he was asked to leave that the company will get back to him within a specified period of time.

Three days before the specified period, he was called to the company’s administrative base.

When he got there, he waited for a while because they were having a meeting in the conference hall.

When the meeting was over, the Manager presented him to the company and introduced him as the new branch managing director who will be in charge of their company’s branch in the United Kingdom. Ayo nearly fainted because he never expected it. He was dumbfounded. He opened his mouth several times to show appreciation but words weren’t coming out. All he could do was to shed tears of joy.

The meeting ended and the company made relocation plans for him to permanently move to the United Kingdom.

Few weeks later, he relocated to the UK and started working with them as the branch managing director.

Eniola, having worked for her company for three years felt the need to travel abroad and get her Master’s degree. She decided to go for Oxford University.

She told her boss of her intention to travel out of the country and get a post graduate degree. He was not too good with the idea of travelling out because he knows what the company has benefitted from her since she started working with them. He persuaded her to do it within the country so she can combine it with her job but her mind was already made up. He approved her request and told her that she can still come back and work for them when she’s done. She agreed and left.

Two months later, Eniola left for Diaspora. She started her Master’s degree in Oxford University, London.

On her first day as a postgraduate student, she remembered how the journey started some years back as an undergraduate. She smiled and said “Change is constant”.

Seven months after she started her Master’s degree in Business Management and Policy, she was required to prepare and submit her thesis to the supervisor assigned to her.

She thought of where to gather the required information needed to prepare a nice thesis but she couldn’t come up with any.

She called her friends to help her with ideas. They suggested so many companies to her but she decided to go for the last one she was given because she was assured that that is where she will get the information that has to do with everything she wants about her thesis.

The following day, she left for the company where she was directed to go.

On getting there, the secretary asked her to wait for a while that they’re having a brief meeting inside. She waited for some minutes so she can be able to see the Managing director of the company.

The door opened and Ayo came out, heading for his car. His driver has already cleaned it while they were inside the conference room. Eniola saw him and recognized him but couldn’t really say if he’s working there.

She went to the secretary to ask her if the meeting was over. The secretary was on a call so she had to wait.

As she dropped the call, Eniola asked her if they’re through with the meeting.

“Yes, they should be through with the meeting. It was the branch manager that just walked out” she said.

“Manager?” Eniola asked with surprise

“You mean the man that just walked out is the company’s manager?” she asked to be sure.

“Yes, madam, she’s the branch managing director” the secretary responded.

“But I’m here to see him” Eniola said

“He will soon be back, madam. He’s already late for the meeting they’re having with Federal Government’s Companies Regulatory Agency” she explained.

“Okay”  she responded.

Seconds ran into minutes and minutes ran into hours and Ayo has not returned. She was a bit tensed. So many questions started coming to her mind. “What if he’s not coming back today? What if my coming here turns out to be a futile journey?” she panicked.

Just then, the door opened and it was Ayo.

“Good afternoon sir” She greeted meekly, moving closer to him.

“Good afternoon, dear, how may I help you? Please direct her to my office” He instructed the secretary.

As he got to the office, Eniola was already waiting.

“I’m Eniola Olufemi Sir, a postgraduate student of Oxford University.

I’m running my Master’s degree in Business Management and Policy. I came to know more about how the labour market functions; the pros and cons of management” she explained.

Ayo fixed his gaze on her as she was talking. He knows the face but cannot recall where he saw the face.

“Okay, I will put you through, dear. Just give me few seconds.” He promised.

“Have we seen before? Your face looks familiar” Ayo asked. 

“I’m definitely not going to miss this opportunity again! I missed it in my undergraduate days, It’s definitely not happening again” Eniola said to herself.

“Yes, I have seen your face too. I attended Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. I studied marketing. Actually, I used to see you in school then but we never talked till I graduated.” She narrated.

“You mean we attended the same school? How come we never talked?”

“Yes, we did but I was surprised to see you here. It is not just about seeing you but you’re now the managing director of a big company at a very young age within a short period of time. How did it happen” Eniola asked

“I actually left UNIZIK in our third year. I got a scholarship to study in Germany. When we graduated, I was the best graduating student and that was how I got this job. I was relocated from Germany to the United Kingdom as the branch managing director” Ayo explained.

“You’re indeed lucky” Eniola added.

“What about you? What have you been up to?” He asked.

“I took a leave where I was working to come and run a Master’s degree in the UK before going back. I also graduated with distinction.”

“That’s great!” Ayo added.

“I will prepare the information you need for your thesis and forward it to you tonight. Please write your details on this paper”. He promised, handing her a paper to write her details.

“How’s your family” He asked.

“They’re fine” Eniola answered.

“And him?” Ayo jokingly said, smiling.

“There’s no him” Eniola answered, returning the smile.

“I’m done. My phone number and my email address is there.” She said, giving him back the paper. Thanks so much” She said.

“You’re welcome” Ayo said, beaming with smiles.

“Do you mind if I call you later for lunch?” Ayo asked

“No, I don’t” She answered as she rose to leave. She thanked him once again and left.

Ayo spared some time and prepared the required information and sent it to her that night. She was very happy.

Five months later, she rounded off her program at Oxford University and was hired to work in Ayo’s Branch.

Her relationship with him grew and they made plans to come together as one. Two years later, they got married and lived happily.

QUE SERA SERA.