The Little things (I)

He jerked forward as he snapped out of his dozing, with eyes bewildered to quickly absorb the details of his surroundings. He yawned absentmindedly; picked up the newspaper he was reading from his lap and folded it. It slid through his hands when he slipped into nothingness. He was awashed by guilt rather than shame at the realization. How long have I been dozing he thought. He looked around and most of the passengers were sleeping in their seats too. Even though a few were awake, they looked miles away and deeply lost in thought, as the bus glided by the landscapes in the distance.

They had finally made it out of the traffic jam in the City after staying three hours in a seven hour journey and are now driving in and through Towns. They were now driving at top speed and he fathomed they could be accelerating around 120kmph. That is some speed for a Metro Mass Transport but he was too concerned on when he actually fell asleep and how awkward the sight would have been, because he was sure he was the first to doze off. Knowing that was simple because the last time he checked, they were in the City, stuck in a heavy traffic jam and the bus was barely inching forward. He also could not recall seeing anyone asleep when the bus moved from the transport yard.

It was definitely awkward because he was then reading one of the numerous Newspapers that made headlines in the city, but here he was without it and the Newspaper now spread out on his lap. Everybody has a problem he thought and sighed. “Life is hard” he heard himself say.

Sammy as he was affectionately called by everyone is a fine gentleman who aspires to be more than just another man in the community. He had a definite idea of what he was going to be and had meticulously planned and living towards that goal. Fate being so good, he happened to always find himself with the right people and at the right time and has grown devoid of fear because providence was always a companion until torrents of misfortunes decided to make his world their lair.

After two years of endless wandering all in the quest to job hunt, he finally landed a job far away from home. Even though, he was yet to know all about the job, he’s already accepted an offer. He was willing to do it all the same. Life was taking a toll on him. His plan to marry Dede was almost falling on rocks. There was no money to finance the relationship, let alone talk about rolling out marriage plans. He was getting tired of all the godly talks that made people live their lives just by professing faith. He had faith but he wanted to be employed too. He wanted to live all the good life too, so he had no option to jump at the opportunity.

The realization that he was beginning work the following month alone sent shivers down his spine. He was walloped with mixed feelings. Part of him was thinking about the nature of the job and what he should expect while another part of him was tailoring the job to suit his penchant and expectations. He’s the type that always wanted to get it right the first time and that has stalled some of his actions, so he was going in without caution this time around. He’s heard folks testify wildly about what destiny has brought their way and he badly want to join the fray to proclaim the good works of the Most High, so he broke the news to Dede the very night he had wind of the job.

As prayerful as Dede can be, she indulged him into prayers, a thankful prayer to God for ending her future hubby’s drought and by extension, their lack. She prayed extensively even to the chagrin of Sammy, but he dare not show it. They went through what he termed an ordeal after which they delved into their everyday chat, only this time, some of the themes were discussed with vitality and precision. They chatted happily into the night until Sammy had to go see Dede off under the moonlit night. 

In-between time, they had to get Sammy ready for the journey which also marks the beginning of his working life after doing a two-year national service. He did not have much to do himself, as long as his leaving was concerned. He was even outgrowing his usefulness in the neighborhood so it was just a good riddance. He would only have to break the news to his family and no one else. He did not really consider any of his acquaintances as a friend and that settled the headache of disloyalty, acrimony, encroachment into one’s space. After all, no unemployed poor young man with already failed plans has friends.

It was time and as usual Dede went to see her off at the Transport yard. It was departure time and for couples, who have always been by themselves, parting was dramatic but that was to be allowed. They waved each other until the bus faded in the distance. They had promised each other thoroughly to be in each other’s life, come what may. They also promised to keep in touch everyday via any of the numerous applications around, even if it’s just an hour before bedtime.

That night after checking in at his lodge, the only two star hotel in the township, he stretched on his bed to call expectant Dede who picked up after the first ring. The glow in their behavior reflected in their voice as they chatted away. Sam was the one who has travelled and definitely the one with a story to tell, so he narrated every bit of what he deemed news throughout the journey to Dede. They chatted about the town which he was yet to explore, his lodge and what to expect the following morning. They expressed love to each other as usual and went offline after what seemed like two hours.

Sammy has landed a job with a big mining firm as one of their Accountant trainees at the head office which was quite far from the mining site. He couldn’t believe his ears nor eyes; his senses perhaps, because his limbs were growing weaker by the passing minute. It was that weakness you felt when you suppress energy until it evaporates into thin air. He wanted to scream or run around in elation but he was in a corporate world and couldn’t let go of himself. He walked calculatedly as he was shown around by the Human Resource Manager. His orientation was to last for only three days before he was sent out for training in their mining school.

The employment letter, the Conditions of Service, the Salary and the perks there-in could only make him drool. It was too good to be true. Among the numerous thoughts going through his mind about the kind of life he would live was the thought of how Dede will receive the news should they talk in the night. Dede couldn’t help but schedule time for their wedding in the euphoria after calculating how much they would be making every month and every possible dime they could save towards their potential family but Sammy had plans. The plan was not sinister but he knew it will upset Dede who has waited long enough for this door to open for them. He had plans he did not even know of until now but he decided to keep it to himself. 

Days gave way to weeks and weeks culminated into months and before anyone could say jack, it was only two months short of a year since Sammy started work and was doing well. He was doing well on the job and liked by all and sundry, at least by those who matters. And as the days goes by, the recommendations and goodwill resulted in more responsibilities meaning more income but all too soon, his relationship was suffering. What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world for the price of his soul; they both began thinking just after ten months into the much sought employment. How time flies….