Yeside's POV

"Good morning, Abuja! Here's your favorite radio girl again! Toke Toks airing on Wazobia FM Naija and you already know what it is. Today's morning on 'tok wetin dey sup' now airs, live on this Wazobia FM Naija! Let's take a short break and we will get into the deep matter, I remain your one and only, Toke Toks."  I groaned loudly from my sleep as soon as I heard the radio presenter. I knew who it was this early Monday morning and I was also aware of what I was in for at my mother's house.

I turned to the left side of the bed and snuggled up to the duvet. Imagine o!

"Yeside! This child!" I could hear my mother shouting my name from afar, if there was anything I hated in my life, it had to be living under my mother's roof.

See ehn... it's like my enemies sent Iya Yeside to me after serving, she has always made life unbearable for me from the start. If it's not—find a man and marry—it is—do the chores—I don't know ehn!

"Yeside you are still asleep? Laaro Monday!" Iya Yeside yelled as she stepped busted into my room.

"Iya Yeside, go away!" I groaned with my eyes shut.

"I need you to go away too, find job and stop giving me high BP! Find job to do or get a man!"

If there is any typical trait about, Iya Yeside, it has to be shouting. Ah! Our pastor dey learn work for where my Mama dey. Since Nigeria is showing me shege after I did that my rubbish NYSC kini, searching for jobs has been really hard for me to find but Iya Yeside isn't making things easier for me. She hated how comfortable I slept in her house. Iya Yeside would throw snides at me about how—findless— I was and wouldn't stop ringing it to my ears that it was high time I get myself an husband.

Where do I even find the husband? Inside Wuse market or where?

"Iya Yeside it is five in the morning o, wahala yin ti n po ju." I murmured in a frustrated tone.

"Hear yourself speak, if you  must know, it is already eight o'clock and today is your interview abi be ko?" My breath came quickly as I opened my eyes and yanked away the duvet from my body then jolted out of my bed.

"You should have wake me up early nau! Jesus!" I said with my heart racing.

Shit!

Shit!

I was in something shittier than shit, where was I to go from here?

"I should remind a thirty-three-year-old woman like you that you have an interview by nine? Even my youngest daughter, Jola, your sister, has brain to remember but your own brain, only guguru, and epa is inside!" She gave a sarcastic remark and went back to sweeping the floor.

Since there was no job left for me, after four years of working odd jobs just to survive, omo things weren't just working for me. At a point, I thought I was cursed, everything seemed to be working so well with people around but you see this my head ehn... na engine oil head. A few weeks ago I applied at this big fashion brand company as a fashion consultant, it was Mariya who recommended it to me and I thought to myself—why not try?— but this morning, it is the devil who is trying me instead.

The interview was at nine and it was currently eight, what if there was traffic on the road ehn? I wasn't sure what to do but with this job thing, I have to go and try my luck if luck doesn't come my way today then we move!

I prepared for the interview and threw on a casual green blouse along with a matching tile green color to match with it, and lastly with a nude pair of heels.

I was all set and didn't bother to say anything to Iya Yeside that I was leaving because I knew she was going to start her praying in the bondage session. This Monday morning was not the time for that. After boarding a taxi to the workplace, I couldn't believe my eyes as soon as I set my koro koro eyes on the building, it left me agape. Everything was screaming money, with all the shout Nigerians were shouting about how there was no money. Upon all the shout but there's a big workplace like this?

Toh!

Soon enough, I was let in by security. Lemme even remind you, people, I got there around nine-ten, and oh boy! I was fucking late. I rushed in and met a middle-aged woman who was in glasses. She looked stylish and smart in her outfit if I must say.

I walked towards her with my hands sweating and my heart pounding so fast whilst I held tightly onto the file I had in my hand. "Good morning, madam."

She gazed at me then looked at me from head to toe, boya she was admiring how I dressed. I kuku know that I was good looking, na only money remain to bring out the real fine-ness in me very well. I made sure to smile a little with direct eye contact.

"Morning, how may I be of help?"

"I applied to work here three weeks ago and I am here for the interview."

"You are twenty minutes late."

"I am sincerely sorry, it was hard to find my way here." I lied.

What? Don't give me that look abeg, I had to say something, just anything moreover we were all sinners. 

"You should be lucky you were the only one who applied, I'll be the one interviewing since our boss isn't around. Come along." She stated but this woman go kala o! Lemme not judge, I just hope this would go well for me.

I followed along to another office, it had so much space; cream-painted walls, minimal with vintage wooden decorations. I could spot a Macbook on the wooden table that looked exquisite, it was all fresh air in there and I loved it. The woman settled on the chair and ushered me to sit in front of her. I sat quietly and handed her my file as requested. I waited a bit as she went through and watched her nod to no one in particular but herself.

"Ms. Kasali, is it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Here you have quite an impressive qualification in your file, I'm impressed but I need to hear more from you."

Blah.

Blah.

Blah.

I went on and on about my interest, experiences I have had in the fashion industry and all that, at the end I was told they would get back to me in four days. A whole four days but lemme swallow my worries and be patient first if I can't get this job I would always have to keep up with Iya Yeside's yelling and snide remarks she threw at me.

Just look at me, take a good look at a whole me, a first-class graduate for that matter trekking and still living with her mother. Wo everything just taya me, only me problem every time! In the end, I hope things work for me.

"Fine geh!" I heard a masculine voice calling, pretending not to hear whoever was calling. I just know there will be one oloriburuku man who would prove to me how unfortunate they can be this Monday. "Kon-kon shoe, geh you no hear?" The voice called again.

I turned to check who it was, it appeared to be a slim man who wore a torn singlet. My eyebrows furrowed, signaling a frown on my face.

"Do I know you before?" I snapped at him.

"See your back, no be blood dey your back so?"

Shit! Again, shit!