Binta

The beginning....

I knocked and silently walked into his office, feeling a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Barrister Musa was engrossed in his work, giving me a brief moment to steady my nerves.

"Good morning, sir. I am Binta Aliyu. I'm here for the interview," I said, my heart pounding loudly in my chest.

He didn't look up immediately. When he did, his gaze was firm and controlled. "You are late, Binta Aliyu. Tell me why I should hire you?"

I stammered, "I... I'm sorry, sir. The truth is, I..." I wanted to explain that I couldn't afford transportation and had to walk and jog to get here, but instead, I blurted out, "If you hire me, you would never regret it."

Barrister Musa looked at me intently, his handsome face momentarily abandoning his laptop screen. "Sit," he said, pointing to the chair across from his mahogany desk.

"I have a land matter in the high court before Justice Joko next week. I want you to prepare for it. You'll find all necessary details in this file. Use the library and any relevant materials you need. If you do well, we can discuss longer-term employment with a very attractive package."

I was bewildered. I had expected interview questions, not an immediate assignment. The weight of the responsibility sank in. I was being trusted with a crucial case without him checking my background. Although I had graduated with first-class honors and was called to the Nigerian Bar, I had never practiced in court.

"Do you have any questions, Counsel?" Barrister Musa inquired.

I snapped back to reality. "When would you like me to start?"

"Immediately," he replied, summoning his personal assistant to show me to my office.

A beautiful young lady named Lara appeared and guided me to my office. I was surprised to find it directly facing Barrister Musa's office. The well-furnished room was a stark contrast to the small space I shared with my siblings at home. I sank into the large leather seat, exhausted but satisfied.

I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, Barrister Musa's husky voice woke me up. "Is this what I should expect, Ms. Binta?"

I jumped up, remorseful. "I'm sorry, sir. It was not intentional."

"Go home and rest," he commanded, leaving some money on my desk for a cab. Though I initially refused, I accepted it gratefully after he left. Five thousand naira! It was a small fortune to me.

Excited, I hurried home, thinking of the decent dinner I could now provide for my family. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter, and I silently thanked Allah for His mercy.