I remember that day like yesterday
Even i didn't know how vivid the memory was until today
I was working with a media firm in 2011
It was one of those private media outfits run
by people who supply media content to
TV stations
We were working with a private producer for
a tv show

on the housing industry
it was a poor paying job
A prominent Nigerian of Northern origin had been invited to an event by one of the notable cement manufacturing companies
It was a must "cover" event
I had to be at the venue with my cameraman and the independent producer of the

show
Suddenly I felt that thing that we all feel when someone was talking about us in an unkind way
It was very strong
I looked around and saw them
A guy and a lady
The guy was my wife's colleague at her own media outfit
He was telling the lady beside him something in whispers

and they were both laughing mockingly
i had to look at my dressing to be sure I wasn't covered in shit
What i was wearing wasn't expensive but it was neat
I became very self-conscious as if i should just disappear
We were all inside the blue roof of LTV
It was not a very good day

After the event, the lady approached me
She greeted me and said "I was told you are so and so's husband"
She said it in a very mocking tone, as if "Wow, you were the one she settled for"
It was an insult but one of those thinly veiled insults that you cannot do anything about

When i got home i told my wife about it
i told her i don't know the lady but i didn't like the fact that her colleagues treated me with so much disdain
We were all journalists at the time but they were working for a well known and better paying outfit
They were right at the top

of the food chain
I was earning 30K a month where i was working at the time
About 1/6th of my wife's earnings
Of course, it made it seem as if i was less of a man to the shallow-minded
It affected my confidence a little
I remember dodging assignments where I will most likely meet

that particular guy that used me to wipe the floor of his vanity
Thank God for "time"
It came and slowly did its thing
Today I was at a supermarket doing some shopping for Christmas
The same lady approached me
The one that laughed me to scorn that day in 2011
She needed a letter

of recommendation to work at a firm
She needed it urgently and was on her way to plead with a senior colleague to write it for her when she saw me alighting from my car in front of the supermarket
She followed me into the supermarket and asked me to please write it for her
She

desperately needed the job
I listened to her and told her to get into my car
i drove her to the office where she was seeking employment and told the MD she is a friend of mind
She was given the job
I congratulated her and turned to leave
She said "Brother Gbenga, You don't know

what i have gone through in the past 11 months.
Thank God i met you today
Thank you for helping me out
I will like to apologize for what I and so and so did that day at LTV
I know you must have forgotten but it stayed with me
I have never met you before that day but I know we

should have done better
I asked so and so if he knows who you were because we have had cases of fake journalists at several events before that day
He said he did and went on to say some unflattering things about you.
We were just being silly
I just wanted you to know i am sorry

about it.
I laughed and said it doesn't matter
And yes, it didn't
Nobody in his or her right mind will mock me now
The Holy Spirit has made me an adornment for his glory