When the bully falls in love

She flagged down a motorcycle as she looked at her wristwatch. What had she been doing at home? She sighed. She was already late but that didn’t stop her from tugging the rider on the shoulder when he started over-speeding. The driver didn’t know what to say, befuddled.

She just told him a few minutes ago she needed to arrive in time for the interview and he should do anything possible to be there before time choked her. There was nothing you could do for people to be judged better, the rider might have thought. 

When she arrived at the venue, many others had come for the job, and her eyes demonstrated the surprise. She never imagined the number. They were sitting in the anteroom waiting for the human resource manager. She went to join them. There was only one empty chair left and it just seemed the seat had been waiting to receive her. 

A young man sat beside her. She could guess his age. He was the youngest among the job seekers. But his confidence and assertiveness threw her off balance. She had hardly breathed a few minutes after sitting down when he struck up a conversation.

He first told her how she looked pretty and why every man would like to meet her. He had started with a bland line, Emelda thought, as she had heard that a million times in many ways. She was ready to listen, anyway. 

“But I am not a celebrity,” she said after acknowledging his compliment. “I can say a good number of men long to meet celebrities whom they are crushing on”

“Not only celebrities are the centre of attraction, you know,” he said. 

“Oh, thank you,” Emelda didn’t blush and she hoped he knew that. She was calmer now as she noticed no one was concerned about their conversation. Each person seemed to be battling with some thought. And too busy to notice them. 

“So tell me, how did you get here? I mean, you are still young,” Emelda said. 

‘My mates are still in university, your thoughts?” his voice was thick and mean. 

“It is obvious,” she said it so surely that he wondered.  

“Oh. Come on. I am not that young”

“Proper introduction, please,” Emelda said.

He introduced himself as Obinna, and went on to tell her he had entered university to study Mass Communication when he was very young. 

“Very young is relative” Emelda interrupted. 

“When I was eighteen,” he said and then smiled. He had caught himself very serious, almost frowning as those who didn’t get the job they had applied for. Looking at Emelda, she was different. Smiling now and then, and unconsciously revealing her open teeth.

Not as nervous as others seemed. Sure of herself and hopeful of a favourable outcome. But he didn’t like the way she asked too many questions, though. She had begun to dominate the conversation and he could sense some superiority in her manners. 

“I was considered a genius in childhood as I did some crazy mathematical calculations that some adults couldn’t dare,” he said.

Emelda didn’t see any sign of pride when he mentioned he was a genius but she was amazed how he ‘transcended’ from Mathematics to Mass Communication or from Science to Arts. “And my parents supported me till date so that I could express my genius. I am grateful” 

“That is wonderful. You look like it” Emelda took a closer look at him but in such an awkward way. He was unusually large but with a baby face.

He had seen people like this before. They were brilliant. They always came first in class. But she didn’t think they had this body figure. They were always slender and looked malnourished even if they were overfed, but Obinna’s look contradicted her preconceived notion. 

 Emelda hoped to see him again after he left for the interview. If for nothing else but to learn his difference. She was tired of meeting people whose intention was to inflate their ego at any slightest conversation she gave in. But Obinna looked real, calm, but with some flecks of assertiveness. 

She smiled as the interview came to an end. She performed excellently well in her judgment and from what she saw, the interviewer was interested in her. The way he was staring at her made her uncomfortable or was she merely imagining this?

Works had always flooded her desk. Today was no different. One reason she had convinced herself was that quitting the job would be a better option. But more than that, she wanted a pay increase.

Her bills had increased so she needed a bigger source of income which her boss had not been ready to look into. She had been hazy about what to do next until her boss called her to attention. 

“Miss Emelda, is anything the matter?”

“Nothing, Sir”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Sir”

“You look worried”

“I am okay, Sir” 

“All right. You are meant to represent Josephine tomorrow morning. She travelled and will be back soon. Make sure you are on air tomorrow morning”

“But Sir, I have my regular programme tomorrow, too”

“Your programme?” He took a few steps backward to get her clearly.