Little Beginnings (4)

Don’t be afraid to start again. Little Beginnings can lead to greatness.
Don’t despise the small things and humble beginnings. They build character and make us appreciate things better.

Emeka tried to ignore his growling stomach. He had not had anything to eat yet. He looked at his wristwatch; it was 9:58am. When he looked at it ages ago, it was 9:57am. The time was moving at a snail’s pace.
He thought about involving the police, but decided against it. He didn’t have any money to spare, and he knew he will be asked for ‘settlement’.
He calculated and recalculated the money he had to see if he had any spare he could use to eat. Shaking his head, he knew he couldn’t take the risk. Every naira was important and there was free food at home.
Silently praying that God make him present when karma pays the cement manager back in his own coin of stupidity, wickedness and bullying, he strengthened his mind to confront the manager and ask that he allow him go or he will report him to his superiors.
As he contemplated if his decision was a wise one, considering his empty stomach and weak body, a shadow fell over him.
“Good morning. Why are you sitting out here? Haven’t you been attended to?” a man asked.
Emeka’s gaze went from the man’s well polished black shoes, to his well tailored navy blue suit which was well complimented by the white shirt and maroon coloured neck tie he wore. This was an example of a gentleman. He looked to be in his late forties or early fifties.
Emeka didn’t realise he stood up to greet the man. “Good morning Sir,” he said.
Looking at the man, he realised why he was not really interested in Onyeka’s offer. The difference between Onyeka and the gentleman, apart from the wide gap of age, was obvious, though they were both rich.
Onyeka was unstable where the gentleman’s stance alone spoke of ease. He looked comfortable in his well fitted clothes, where Onyeka looked like his flashy baggy clothes were forced on him. The gentleman’s eyes were calm and direct though they looked tired, but Onyeka’s eyes were shifty. He could not be trusted.
“Why are you seated out here?” the man asked again, interrupting Emeka’s assessment of him.
“I am waiting to collect my phone. I have to stay here till 12noon.” Emeka didn’t know why he gave the last information, but he needed someone to share his pain.
“Why till 12? Are you charging it?”
“No. The stupid manager threatened me so I have to wait till 12,” Emeka explained, pointing to the office. “I am not in the mood for violence.”
“What manager? The one from this office?” the gentleman asked. At Emeka’s nod, he muttered to himself, shaking his “I can’t believe it. Please excuse me.” he walked into the office.
“No! Don’t go in there, he is...” Emeka said, trying to stop him, but he had already gone in, leaving Emeka surprised.
Why was he interested in what goes on here?
Emeka walked away from the entrance and stood at a distant from where he won’t be affected if the manager came out angrier.
The expression on the manager’s face when he came out was far from anger.
“Please Sir. Please give me another chance. It was the work of the devil,” he begged, struggling to zip up his trouser, as he followed the gentleman.
“Pack up your things with that shameless receptionist of yours and leave now before I call the police to arrest you,” the gentleman said, still calm.
Then turning to Emeka, he said: “Can you please come in and let me know why you are here”
“Yes Sir,” Emeka said as he walked into the building to see the receptionist quickly packing her things and avoiding his gaze. Emeka became suddenly curious as to who the man is that he could instill such fear in the bullies.
Waiting in the former office of the manager while the gentleman chased him out, Emeka got back his phone and wondered at the quick turn of events. From being chased out like a rat to being invited back in like a gentleman. It didn’t escape him that the man who treated him like a rat has also been treated like a rat.
He waited patiently for the gentleman, while he contemplated if he should still talk about buying ten bags of cement, seeing it was what got him insulted in the first place.
“I’m sorry you had to witness all this,” the gentleman said as he came into the office and took over the seat of the manager. Former manager.
“That’s okay,” Emeka said, sincerely.
“Let’s start over. I am Francis Tobechukwu, the Area Manager, in Enugu State, of Solid Cement, a subsidiary of Solid Buildings,” the gentleman said, introducing himself and further intimidating Emeka into silence about his plan to start selling from ten bags.
Noticing that Francis was looking at him expectantly, Emeka also introduced himself.
“I am Emeka Ugwu,” he said.
“Okay Emeka, how can we help you?” Francis asked going all formal, reminding Emeka that he was here for business and being ashamed because he could only afford ten bags was not wise.
“Well I came to make inquiries,” Emeka started, and proceeded to tell Francis what he told the manager.
“Well, I will be honest with you, you cannot get ten bags from us direct,” Francis said, after listening to Emeka. “You may have to get from the depot, but I have an offer for you. I like that you are ready to start small. I need someone to be here , seeing that I have sacked Matthew.” he ended, referring to the former manager.
“I don’t understand,” Emeka said, his stomach sinking at the realization that he had to think of something else to start up. The profit gotten from buying at the depot was quite small.
“How would you like to work here as the manager. We can do the paper work, and you get started by next week. Are you staying close by?”
Emeka was temporarily dumbfounded. He quickly got himself. “How would I like it? I would love it! But I came from Obollo.”
“You came all the way from Obollo?” Francis asked, surprised.
“Yes Sir. I have to find where to live here. I can come back tomorrow to give you my credentials, but I don’t know how to afford a place here yet.” Emeka was afraid the opportunity will pass him by.
“We can arrange something for you,” Francis said, dispelling Emeka’s fear. “Just be prepared by next week Monday. You start work then. The good news is that you can still have your small cement business there in Obollo, just be honest.”

Six Months Later...
Emeka smiled as his father sat down in his new office as the owner of a business, a cement depot. The pride on his face was worth all the hard work Emeka did to achieve it.
From his first salary, Emeka had began planning. He had learned enough lesson from being broke.
This first shop was the little beginning of his future company for which he already had a name... Little Beginnings Buildings.

He expected greater achievements ahead. This was just the beginning.

The End.