Hello fellow Hivers, it's good to share knowledge and sweet stories with you all again.
Here is my story on the prompt"Stealing".
When I was in grade 1 to 9, my parents often took up the responsibility of going to the bank to physically pay my school fees through cash deposits in the bank. But when I was promoted to the tenth grade,my parents saw the need of shifting some responsibilities to me to focus on their job. This time I was told to go myself to the bank and pay my fees.
This wasn't my first time to the bank anyway, but oftentimes when I visit the bank with my dad, I would always sit in the customers seat while my dad would carry out the whole transaction. I was boarding in high school and no one would be allowed into the dormitory without proof of payment of fees. Time was against me and my parents were always busy morning till evening so I was the only option. Despite my parents' work not giving them a chance, they planned that I should start doing things myself since I am the first child and son of the family with a younger sister.
It was D-Day, my dad called me up from sleep early in the morning and took me to the parlor where my mom, Jennifer, was sitting waiting for us.
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When I arrived,I saw a box like stuff in a black bag, I guessed it would be a phone gift my dad promised me since my grade 7. But unknowingly to me this was my school fees. Then my dad began by telling me how he took responsibilities of the family when his dad (my grandfather) died and he was the only male of the house.
He finally concluded his story by saying " Son, you are now a big boy if you don't know,your mom and I are always at work 24/7 so this time you will have to go to the bank yourself and pay your fees before school resumes". This was when it all dawned on me,the little sleep left my eyes immediately. I had no option than to answer my dad "yes". He handed the bag of money to me and told me the total amount was three hundred thousand naira. I answered "Ok Daddy". He told me to take Nancy,my younger sister, to my uncle's house to stay with her cousins as they had a house help who would watch them till I returned.
When I took the money to my room and my parents left for work, I was scared of thieves coming that early morning to steal the money since my streets were filled with bad boys known for stealing. I couldn't sleep anymore. I was worried and even when I hid in the wardrobe, I would always return to check if it's still there when I was bathing and feeding Nancy. Finally I succeeded in taking Nancy to Uncle Uko's house which was just a stone's throw from ours. The path leading from my house to the main road is not tared so one has to walk 500 meters before getting a taxi on the main road. When I was taking this long walk I was scared of anyone who passed me, even a small child. I was even scared of the taxi driver and fellow passengers who were all old women.
But I took a sigh of relief when I finally entered the bank gate . But I knew my burden was not yet over as I didn't know what next action to take. I was scared of asking anyone before he/she ended up stealing my money. When I got into the bank I couldn't even feel the air conditioned environment due to nervousness. When one of the security men noticed I was looking confused he decided to guide me if need be. But he didn't approach me well as he tapped my shoulder from behind and I thought it was a gangster and my heart flew out my chest and I almost fainted. This happened because my dad told me never to believe anyone when it comes to money ,even a bank manager can steal from customers.
Why are you like this boy, looking lost and scared , what's wrong with you,any problem,what are you looking for ,who are you searching for? All these questions were asked one time and I didn't know which to answer first but I just said ,"Sir , I want to pay school fees" and he said "ok, come with me,let me guide you ,boy". I followed him immediately and he guided me and directed me to join the queue and that I would be attended to when it's my turn.
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The queue shortened till it was my turn and I told the accountant my case and he asked me for my deposit slip and money. I first gave him the money followed by the slip. He placed the three bunches of money on the counter and the counter read two hundred and ninety nine thousand naira, meaning a thousand naira is missing. I was confused and I began to think that the mistake was from the machine, accountant,my parents or me. I suspected the security man but my conscience told me he was innocent. I had no option as the accountant told me , "Fine boy,your money is incomplete, go home and complete it and return on time I will attend to you, ok? I had nothing to say other than "Yes madam".
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This is another war time , taking the money home again. But I was lucky as I reached home safely. I used my home telephone to call my dad telling him the money wasn't complete and my dad became angry thinking I had stolen some of the money and lying to him that it wasn't complete. But my dad, who had known me since I was born as an honest and obedient boy, calmed his temper and told me to get money from his little briefcase in the parlor drawer. I took a thousand notes and left.
When I reached the bank I went to where the security directed me to get my teller but the box was empty. Within me ,I believed it was my fear and act of foolishness that made the accountant steal from me, because my dad told me that it must be the accountant. That they are fond of that behavior, especially with young people who won't want to drag the matter. I decided to become bold and mimicked overconfidence. Now, when I noticed the box was empty, I approached a man on lens who I believed was a worker there and as I was asking him where to get a new slip, I heard a call,"hey boy!!!! "Come here boy". I looked and she told me to come, and I left immediately and met her and she began to apologize to me telling me" I'm sorry for the inconveniences, your money was complete, but if it fell as the machine was counting, so it wasn't counted". I was relieved a bit. She cleared me and gave me a teller.
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Later , I found out that the man on lens was the assistant bank manager, and that the accountant thought I was trying to report my stolen money,that was why she urgently called me out to apologize for the mistake instead of apologizing for stealing.
Then I knew anyone can engage in stealing anytime if one can't control his or herself in presence of valuables.
