Chapter 6: New Beginnings

The Arrival in the City

Lagos was a din of noise, color, and movement. As Cynthia drove her car through the thronged streets, Elsie pressed her face up against the glass, her eyes wide with wonder and terror. The skyscrapers, the constant stream of cars, and the sea of people rushing hither and tither were bewildering. It was a world so different from the quiet, slow-paced existence of the village.

Cynthia glanced over at Elsie, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" she said, her voice filled with understanding.

Elsie nodded, her heart pounding. "It's overwhelming," she admitted. "Lagos, here I come again!"

Cynthia extended her hand and placed a comforting touch on Elsie's arm. "You'll re-adjust to it," she told her. "And I'll be here to assist you every step of the way."

As they rode, Cynthia began to fill Elsie in on her life in the city. She told her about her job as a marketing executive, her apartment, and the friends she had discovered. Elsie listened with wide, eager eyes, her heart full of gratitude for Cynthia's kindness.

"Cynthia," Elsie said softly, her voice trembling with feeling. "I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done for me."

Cynthia grinned, her gaze warm. "You don't need to thank me, Elsie," she replied. "You're my friend, and I want to see you succeed. But I must tell you—the new start in the city won't be easy. You'll have to try your best, and you'll have to start at the bottom."

Elsie nodded, her expression tight. "I know," she said. "And I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Cynthia smiled wider. "That's the spirit," she said. "Now, I've already spoken to a friend of mine who has an oil company. They require cleaners, and I figured it would be a good starting point for you."

Elsie's heart sank slightly at the thought of a cleaning job. She was an Economics graduate, and being a cleaner was below her standard. But she pushed the thought from her mind immediately, remembering the promise she had made to her children. A cleaning job in an oil company is better than some corporate jobs.

But she heard herself reacting differently. "Cynthia," she said hesitantly, "I. I appreciate the opportunity, but I'm not sure that cleaning is the type of job I am qualified for. I'm an Economics graduate. Is there something else I could do?"

Cynthia's expression softened, and she extended her hand to take Elsie's. "Elsie, I understand," she said quietly. "But in the meantime, you have to focus on getting in the door. This job is a start, not an ending. Any job in an oil company is big enough to earn you a fistful of cash. There, you can earn some cash, gain some experience, and show yourself. Once you're inside, you can work your way up. But you have to be willing to start at the bottom."

Elsie nodded, feeling her heart sink but determined. She knew that Cynthia was right. She couldn't be picky, not when she had her children to feed.

"You're right," she whispered. "I'll take the job. And I'll try my best to prove myself."

Cynthia smiled, her eyes shining with pride. "That's the Elsie I know," she said. "Strong, determined, and willing to do anything."

The First Day at Work

The next morning, Elsie woke up early, her heart pounding with a combination of nervousness and excitement. She dressed cautiously, wearing the cleanest and best clothes she had. Cynthia had provided her with a pair of sturdy shoes and a simple blouse, and Elsie felt a small surge of confidence as she looked at herself in the mirror.

Cynthia drove her to the oil company, her presence a comforting constant in the sea of uncertainty. When they reached the skyscraper building, Elsie breathed deeply, her hands trembling slightly.

"You'll be okay," Cynthia said, her voice comforting. "Just remember, this is just the beginning. You're stronger than you think, Elsie."

Elsie nodded, her heart filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Cynthia," she said softly. "For everything."

With a final wave, Elsie got out of the car and entered the building. The receptionist directed her to the cleaning supervisor, a stern-looking woman named Mrs. Okonkwo.

"Elsie, is it?" Mrs. Okonkwo said, her voice sharp and no-nonsense.

"Yes, ma'am," Elsie said, her voice steady even as nerves churned in her stomach.

Mrs. Okonkwo nodded, her eyes scanning Elsie from head to toe. "You'll be working the morning shift," she said. "Your duties include cleaning the offices, restrooms, and common areas. You'll be expected to work quickly and efficiently. Any questions?"

Elsie shook her head. "No, ma'am."

"Good," Mrs. Okonkwo said. "Follow me."

The Harsh Reality

The first day was a killer. Elsie's hands ached from mopping floors and wiping down surfaces, and her back complained loudly as she bent to clean beneath desks. The other cleaners regarded her with interest, but no one offered to help. Elsie cleaned silently, her mind focused on the work.

As the day wore on, the humiliation began to set in. She glimpsed the office workers, their neat suits and polished shoes a stark difference from her own ragged attire and exhausted appearance. They barely saw her, their gazes skittering over her as if she were invisible.

But Elsie would not let the shame get the better of her. She remembered her children, the promise she had made to them. She would get through this, no matter what. She would crawl her way up, step by step.

A Glimmer of Hope

At the end of the day, Elsie trudged back to Cynthia's apartment, her body weary but her spirit unbroken. Cynthia greeted her at the door with a smile and a plate of food, and Elsie felt a surge of appreciation for her friend's kindness.

"How was your first day?" Cynthia queried, her eyes open wide with interest.

Elsie sighed, shoulders slumping in exhaustion. "It was. hard," she admitted. "But I'll cope. I have to."

Cynthia smiled, pride in her expression. "That's the spirit," she said to her. "Remember, this is just the beginning. You're stronger than you think, Elsie. And I'm sure you'll thrive."

Elsie smiled, feeling determination fill her heart. She had a lot ahead of her, but she was ready to face it. For her children, for her future, she would do anything.

And she would not stop until she had succeeded