Today I just felt like checking on my guy that owns the laundry shop. It has been a long time since I went there, and since I didn’t go to work today, I said let me use this chance to see him and know how he is doing. Sometimes it’s good to step out of your normal routine and go check on some friends. Not always because too much availability makes you worthless.
When I reached his shop, the first thing that surprised me was how different the place looked. The last time I came, the shop was still small and simple. But today, I met him arranging and trying to reorganize everything. He bottom new laundering equipment like washing machine, ironing table, detergents, baskets of clothes, even small tools I didn’t understand. He was sweating and moving things around because he wanted to expand the space and make the shop look better.
When he saw me, he smiled a friendly smile showing he was happy to see me, shaked hands and greeted each other, laughed small, and started talking about old times. Those days when life was not this serious.
As we were talking. I joined him in arranging the place. We will arrange everything and put things in order there was space enough space. It actually felt good helping him.
The whole neighbourhood has changed too. New buildings everywhere, new faces, even small businesses around. The street is more active now. The neighborhood was more lively than it used to be. You could feel that normal Nigerian vibe around the place.
Looking at his shop and the great change that he had made man, I honestly I was happy for him. Even with how hard Nigeria is now, things expensive, no stable light, everything tough but he is still pushing. His shop has grown. He even expanded the space and employed some young guys to help him. I saw them washing some clothes outside and when I ask him you said they are my boys. I was like "bro no be small achievement wey you don make here...o." No matter how difficult the country is, people still try their best to move forward.
I brought out the clothes I came with and gave them to him and I asked you bro how much you know it has been long I don't know how much you wash and iron this time. He just laughed and said, “bro you na my guy nah, how I wan take collect money from you for this small work.” then I laugh and said "Nooo bro I go pay na business you dey"
But he insisted that he wasn't going to collect money from me. That's what friends do, I said okay...ooo. This visit felt different. Seeing his growth made me feel like we have both come a long way.
We later sat down and talked about life, how far we’ve come, and how this country has taught us to be strong. It has been long since I visited, but today reminded a lot.
As I was leaving, I felt encouraged. If he can start that small and still push through all the challenges in Nigeria and made progress to the point where he is today, then progress is always possible, even if it is slow. You just need to keep going.
