POOR P.R

I looked at my time and it was almost noon, so I thought to rush to the reception venue, see how things are going, before rushing back to change and come back. Getting there, I meet the decorator outside, fuming. 

"What is the matter?" I asked? I didn't even expect to see him there as he had been working all night.

"The rental company is yet to deliver the chairs and tables."

"Huh?"

All my antennae changed frequency! The stress I'd gone through in the course of the preparation for this wedding stood staring me in the face. 

What!!!

He had done every other thing but was waiting to cover the tables and chairs so he could conclude this particular job.

Thank God the rental place was a walking distance! In fact, it's on the same street as the reception venue: when you step outside the gate and turn left, it's a few buildings away.

"Let me go and find out what is happening," i said and apologised for the inconvenience. 

I walked in to the place and the person in charge was just answering me anyhow. 

"Madam, we don't have enough tables to give you. I can't give you 50 tables. We are supplying for another wedding reception at Television."

Ewooooo. I told myself to calm down, brought out my receipt to show him I had paid in full for 50 extra tables and 500 chairs (that's because the venue was already providing some as part of the package).

He still insisted, "I understand you have paid but there is nothing I can do. We don't have enough."

"These ones you are loading nko?"

"I'm taking them to Television. When I get back, I'll find a  solution to your complaint."

"What? When you come back? This wedding is by 10 o'clock ooo, it's already past noon!"

I decided to call the owner of the place, the person I'd paid to. She had assured me that even in her absence, I'd be well attended to. She had left for India a few days before the wedding. She told me she'd be travelling but since I saw my name, receipt number and orders in her schedule book, I wasn't bothered. I mean, that's how a functional organisation works. 

So I used my airtime to call this woman. International call at that. I greeted her like the good child that I am and explained my predicament. This woman said she'd call her manager to sort it out immediately. I told her I was with him and waiting. After a while I called back since the guy ignored me and kept loading the truck leaving for television. Besides, I hadn't see him answering any call. 

Hmmmm!

Do you know what this woman said to me? Me that was already loosing it. At that time I was sure the joining would be over and the couple and everyone would be heading to Barnawa for the reception. Chineke m'ooooo. They didn't realise my reputation was at stake. I mean who would believe that I wasn't at fault? Chairs and tables that should have been delivered the day before? I'm looking at time and all this woman had to tell me was;

"Is it because I'm indulging you by picking your calls?" Then she hissed, hung up and switched off her phone!!

Kai! The Fadiya blood in me took over!😁😂😃 (Fadiya is where my mum is from and those people are fire fire! They are quick to react and act, "No nonsense people" we call them)

My mum, her brother, sister, uncles, aunties... name it (abeg o, una know say I loff una, ko💝💘😉?)

I'm cool and calm like my Dad. Mum would always complain about my being too much like my Dad, but that day! That day!! I knew the Fadiya thing dey my body as well!

You see, these people also run an event centre, where they have their office and store. As God was with me, there was a wedding reception taking place there.

Oluwa modupe ooo! 

So I turned to the manager and said "She hung up on me. No problem. I'm coming back with police and I'm going to arrest everybody here, I will lock up this place! No event will take place here today! When she comes back, she can bail all of you, then you will tell her to learn to keep her word!" I was livid!
As I turned to leave...

Haba wa! Come and see begging! The other people's caterer who was cooking there, with all her people started begging me. I said to her "Ma, the only solution will be to deliver the chairs and tables, if not, I'm sorry, my hands are tied." 

Thank God the police station no far from there. Another walking distance😆😆. 

All of them turned and faced the manager, before they said anythig he began to lament, "Madam knows we have only 70 tables,  yet she collected money for 50 in Barnawa and 40 in Television. Now she has left me in a fix. I'll deliver in Barnawa and switch off my phone too." 

I understood his predicament, but all I wanted was to see that decorator covering chairs and tables.

With the speed of light, he drove the truck into the premises of "our" wedding reception and his boys started offloading.  When I was satisfied, I left intending to collect my clothes from the tailor, rush home, freshen up and get back to the venue before the arrival of the wedding party. Thank God there was a little delay. 

The Tailor kuku spoilt my cloth but I had used up all my steam at the rental place and since that was my first time sewing with him, I just left him forever without saying a word. 

Thank God I had options!

When I was telling the story later, Mum and Uncle Cally laughed and told me how being cool doesn't always get the job done.  There is a time to let "the Fadiya blood" show it's face. 😂😃😁

I agree with that. 

I don't know what happened to the other wedding reception. I hope they, somehow, were sorted out. 

So;

I learnt to still keep my cool BUT, when I need to be heard, I must be heard! 

I always, always speak against Poor P.R!

Photo Credit: DWK