Snowflakes
12
__________ _
The passage of time is both a patient friend and a relentless foe. It moves forward steadily, marking the days, weeks, and months that slip through my fingers like sand. And yet, it feels as though it stands still when I think of the moments I haven’t shared with Special.
Yesterday, after work, in frustration, I ask for it to snow after enduring constant depressing rain and cold winds. Now, waking up to find the city transformed into a canvas of glistening white, as delicate snowflakes drift gently from the heavens makes me scared shitless. I call Special and tell him about this and he’s saying something in the lines of me being a woman of virtue and having my mouth close to God’s ears.
Let’s not go there. It was around this time last year I was refused the UK tourist visa. Some days, I think of ‘could have beens’, but I’m glad Special and I are still going strong.
My day continues with me admiring the falling snowflakes, a beautiful work of art I can’t comprehend. It is enchanting and beautiful !
Itohan invites me to join a group of friends at a café close to a park.
Gloved hands and a snug scarf serve as my armor against the chilly embrace of winter’s breath. After getting familiar with everyone—seven of us—we move to the park to play with snow. Excited, I sculpt my first snowman, feeling a sense of deja vu.
Someone got over excited, and next thing I know I’m in my first snowball fight. It is a humbling experience as my carefully molded snowball disintegrates upon impact. Laughter fills the air as we exchange playful jabs, tossing snowballs.
It is one of my favorite winter days so far.
One morning, I wake up with an itchy throat, and my immediate reaction is to press my tongue against the back of my throat for relief. This action soothes the irritation, but it’s uncomfortable and triggers a gagging or choking sensation as my tongue reaches the affected area. Sometimes, this leads to expelling phlegm. I share this discomfort with Mama Gee and Daddy during our weekly calls and they were quick with causes and solutions.
“Did you expose your body to cold?” Mama Gee asks.
“Try ginger, honey, and lemon in water,” daddy suggests.
Morning and night, I try the recipe, but it doesn't help. Mary prescribes herbal teas, but still... it's becoming a part of me. Something keeps clogging the back of my throat whenever I sleep.
Layering has become a survival strategy—I swathe myself in sweaters, coats, and scarves, as I prepare for work and class like a warrior readying for battle.
*****
Oh yes, with less than six months to graduation, I’m still applying to jobs. The goal is to get one in the UK so my move-in with Special will be seamless. I’ve also been shooting shots to companies in Cork and Dublin. Half bread is better than none. In addition to this, I got in contact with Ifedayo again, and he’s gone ahead to refer me a couple of times, but nothing has come out of them… yet .
Honestly, it’s been a tough struggle of the mind doing my best not to think back to my futile attempts in Nigeria. What motivates me is my conversation with Special from long ago…
“D’you know, you’re spending so much time applying for jobs. Ever thought about studying abroad instead?”
“… sometimes a change of scenery can work wonders. Plus, being a grad student would help you escape those relentless job interviews for a while…”
Weeks ago, something funny—well, not-so-funny—happened. I’d heard news about the surging stock of a huge company I’d applied to. On a whim, I decided to sift through my email inbox, specifically searching for “Rubicon” to tally the rejections I’ve accumulated. I’d employed a tactic of using different email addresses for my application and altering resumes to outsmart their database. I stumbled upon an unexpected twist—an email from Rubicon, sent two weeks prior, inviting me for an interview. And there’s a more recent one that arrived the day before, threatening to cease communication if my interest in the role had waned.
No longer interested fire!
Immediately, I responded, letting them know I was interested in scheduling an interview and asked what the next steps are. They promptly scheduled the interview, which turned out to be a positive experience, and assured me they would follow up. However, it’s been almost a week now, and I’m still awaiting their response.
Today, I woke up feeling different and certain that something good is in store.
Sitting at a cafeteria with my project group members, I’m refreshing my email to review the document a member just shared when I see a subject line that causes my heart to skip a beat.
What!
I don’t believe this. What—what if this is a spam email? One from those people who—please, please… Tell me this is proof that after weeks of interviews and assessments, my moment has finally arrived.
With trembling hands and suddenly dry lips, I open the email. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I read through the contents of the email.
Oh my God! This is happening now… Thank you, Jesus! Thank you… thank you !
Excusing myself from my project group members, I race to the bathroom, the only place I can express myself without looking like a loon.
Standing in a stall, I press my lips as I go through the terms, responsibilities, and benefits. They’re generous. Way beyond my expectations.
A sob escapes me, and with closed eyes, I toss my head back, mumbling words of thanks. They’ve officially offered me the role I’ve been working hard for—a Data Analytics internship role. And not only that, I’ll be working with one of the top tech companies in the world: Rubicon.
Rubicon!
Unable to contain my joy, I quickly dial Special’s number. The call connects, his familiar face appears on the screen, and I’m met with his warm smile.
“Fifi baby! Ahn-ahn, where are you?” he asks, smiling. He graduated some months back, got a full-time, remote job, and has been able to get himself a nice apartment. Ignoring the visa refusal, things have actually been going well for both of us. I’m on the verge of graduating with honors and now this!
Grinning wide, I can barely contain my excitement as I whisper. “Guess what? I got an offer with Rubicon! I’m officially a Data Analytics Intern!”
His eyes goes round. “Say God,” he says placing a hand over his mouth in disbelief.
“What are you—God!”
“Wow! That’s incredible! Congratulations!”
“Thank you!” I grin, shaking my shoulders in glee. I ramble on about how I just received the news while studying with my project group members. “God! I knew the interview was good, but compared to that research institute’s interview I did, I wasn’t sure I gave it my best.”
“Thank God. So, what are they offering?”
I chuckle at his eagerness. “They’re offering a competitive salary, great benefits, and the chance to learn and grow into a full-time role in a dynamic environment.”
Special leans in, eyes twinkling with mischief. “And what’s this ‘competitive salary’ you’re talking about? ”
“It’s quite impressive, actually.” I can’t suppress a grin as I reveal the annual figure.
His eyebrows shoot up in pleasant surprise. “Wo—wow.”
I catch a flicker of something in his eyes—something that goes beyond the surface. But just as quickly as it appeared, he covers it up with a casual smile, his tone shifting. “That’s fantastic! You’ve truly earned it. Looks like we’ll both be making a pretty penny, ehn?”
“Absolutely! And this is just for internship. Imagine when I become a full-time staff.” Somebody pinch me! “I’m so excited! No lies, I almost gave up. It’s a wonderful feeling to see our hard work paying off—I can’t wait to make the most of this opportunity.”
His smile remains unwavering. “I have no doubt you’re going to excel. I’m looking forward to celebrating this milestone with you.”
“Soon baby, soon.”
“Very soon, love. I can’t wait to celebrate your success in person. We’ll make the most of our time together. There’s this surprise doughnut I’ve heard about, I think you’ll like it.”
“Awwn.”
“You still love doughnuts?”
Kinda… “Sure!”
“Don’t worry.” He smirks. “This should help with your next visa application.”
“Oh…” I widen my eyes in realization. “Oh, oh.”
He nods slowly in agreement. “Definitely.”
With his voice still echoing in my ears, I end the call, my heart full of gratitude and joy, ready to make the most of this exciting chapter in my life.