I asked my sister who studies in the same university as I
"Do you believe in the supernatural?" I said with a serious look on my face as she stopped what she was doing to give me her attention.
"You know we are Christians, so yes, I do, and if I may ask, why did you ask such a question?" She said it with a worried look on her face.
My sister was the only close person I had in university; we both stayed in the same apartment, but she had her room to herself. She was kind, always looking out for others, and the best part about her was that she always made sure I was home before she ate.
I stared back at her and then looked towards the fan that was hanging on our ceiling. I watched as it rolled nonstop, and then I remembered why I asked that question.
It was a Monday morning. I had no money on me except the fifty naira sitting in my wallet screaming, "Spend me," which I had no intention of doing. I had class that morning, but if I went to school, I would spend the fifty naira on transport to class, so how would I get back home?
"I don't want to walk that distance again this week, God." I thought to myself as I sat down on my bed contemplating whether I should attend class or not.
"Rrrrnnggg." My phone rang. I picked it up and saw it was my seat partner who was calling me. I answered the phone reluctantly.
"Hey, Fash, where are you?" Itunu said, with a lot of noise in the background.
"I am home; I am not sure I would come to class today," I replied, then stood up from my bed and walked towards my window because I saw other students on their way to school.
"You'd better start coming. Didn't you check the class WhatsApp group? Mr. Babaita is planning a test for us now, so you better get your ass here!" She said, then there was a silence.
"Are you there? Are you coming"? Itunu asked again.
"Yes, yes, I am on my way," I answered as I rushed to get dressed and then started running to the bus stop.
"Oh God, you see my heart. I don't want to walk back home after class. I haven't even eaten, and I don't want to beg money from anyone. Please help me." I said this little prayer on my way to the bus stop.
On getting to the bus stop, there was no cab going my way, so I had to wait a little longer until a half-full cab came around. Four people were at the back, while two people sat in front, but the driver still wanted to carry one more person in the front passenger seat.
Immediately, the car pulled in front of me; I knew that was normal, so I jumped in in no time to meet up with the test.
"Fash Fash, you are just going to school. Thank God I have a partner now in case I am not allowed to enter the hall for the test." I heard that familiar voice from the back seat, and it turned out to be one of my coursemates, whom I always help get her handout for anytime she's not in school. This is someone who hardly came to school, even if there was a test.
"Ayomide, this one you are going to school today. It's surprising o. I said with a smile on my face but a worried heart because I had just fifty naira on me and as her class rep, I should pay for her transport.
Just as I was pretending to take out my wallet to pay, she said,.
"Don't worry, Fash. I gave the driver a hundred naira, and I haven't collected my change, so he will use it for your transport."
I quickly said "Thank you" with a smile on my face. The worry of walking home had already left me, and the only thing on my mind at that moment was getting to class on time and what I would eat.
The test was brutal. Mr. Babaita had set questions that made me wonder if I had attended any of his classes at all. After scribbling down what I could, I handed in my script, exhausted. As I walked out of the hall, my stomach growled, a reminder that I hadn’t eaten all day.
I sat under a tree outside the faculty building, contemplating my next move. I still had no money, and I wasn’t about to start telling people my problems.
“God, please just let me get home without any issues. And if possible… food too,” I muttered under my breath, feeling a little silly for asking.
After a few minutes of debating whether I should wait around or start my journey home, I saw my friend David waving at me from a distance.
"Fash! Are you heading home?" he called out.
"Yeah," I said, forcing a smile.
"Perfect!. Let’s go together; I have always wondered where our class rep lives." He said feeling excited because we entered the same cab.
I got to my bus stop and then told the driver to stop.
"Sorry, man, it seems we aren't going to the same place." I said to him and as I was about to pay the driver with my last cash, he told me to stop; he then handed the driver some cash.
"Thanks, man. I owe you one," I said, stepping out.
"No worries. See you tomorrow!" he replied as the car zoomed off.
I stood there for a moment, processing what had just happened. I hadn’t spent a dime.
When I got home, my sister was already in the kitchen making noodles. The aroma filled the apartment, making my stomach grumble even louder.
"Brother, do you want some?" she asked, glancing at me.
I was about to decline out of habit, but she had already started dishing out an extra portion.
"I made too much, so you might as well eat," she said with a smirk.
I didn't argue. I just sat down and ate in silence, my mind still replaying the day’s events.
The next morning, I woke up feeling a strange sense of excitement. I decided to test my prayer again.
“God, yesterday was amazing. I don’t know if it was a coincidence, but I’m going to ask again. I need someone to pay for my transport and… maybe even get me food again.”
I felt a little guilty treating prayer like some magic trick, but I was also curious.
I went to the bus stop, and just like the day before, a friend covered my transport fare. At school, I mentioned to Itunu that I hadn’t eaten, and she immediately dragged me to the bukka, insisting she owed me for lending her my notes.
At that point, it didn’t feel like a coincidence anymore.
When my dad finally sent our allowance, I sat my sister down and told her everything.
"So tell me," I said, leaning forward. "Do you still think it was just luck, or do you think something supernatural was at play?"
My sister stared at me for a long moment before sighing.
"Brother," she said, shaking her head. "I think God was just showing you that He’s got you."
"But it happened every single time I asked. It felt like magic."
She chuckled. "That’s because you don’t realize how much God takes care of us even when we don’t ask. The difference is, this time, you noticed."
I sat back, letting her words sink in.
Maybe she was right. Maybe all along, I had been walking under divine provision, and I had only just started paying attention. I said a silent prayer and thanked him for the money my dad had sent to us.
The End. Thanks for reading.
Image use was mine.
