With the story I'm about to tell you now, if you have been following my stories here you'll probably think that I have been unlucky with making friends that suit my lifestyle. Well, it's not my fault, it's just that the world today is just conforming to weird values. Everyone wants it the trending way not minding if it's bad or not. Not minding if they're hurting others or not.
Don't worry I'll tell you a story about how I was faced with a decision of either conforming to the wrong norm to survive in school or choosing the right unconventional way.
So after much ado with school and all I finally dropped the pen yesterday.
My bad, I guess you didn't understand what I meant by that. Let me rephrase.
After much stress and wahala (struggles) I finally finished my final exam as an undergraduate yesterday. Now I can beat my chest to say that I'm a certified graduate.
As the ritual has been in my country, the new graduates have to wear a white shirt which well-wishers get to sign on top of it with a marker. Just like signing an autograph.
As I celebrated, different colours of markers were signed on my clothes. I had this overwhelming feeling that nearly brought me to tears. Then the flashback came.
A few years back while still in my second year in school. I was in a bad place financially. I had a financial problem that needed money to sort out. I didn't want to call my parents because my dad at that time was just diagnosed with cancer and the bill was heavy.
I sought help from my friends and colleagues. There were only a few people who agreed to help but in their words
"Guy, you'll work for it o."
Of course, I agreed because I was ready to do anything to sort myself out. So I asked
"What do you want me to do? As long as you'll lend me the money."
"You're a smart guy, you should know already," China, the perceived leader of the group, said. " I've always seen you pressing your phone and system. I know you're not into online fraud but with your smartness, if you work for me you'll make it big for me and you, within months to pay me back and be a big boy like us. So what do you say, do we have a deal?" he said, bringing out his phone and opening his bank app as if to entice me.
I watched with a smile on my face. His proposal wasn't new to me anymore. I've had a series of them in the past and just as I had promised myself I wasn't going to conform to weird values. So I looked him in the eyes
"No worry bro, na me make mistake come ask you for money (don't worry bro, I made a mistake to ask you for money)" I said. With that, I left them to find other possible alternatives.
I walked home that day dragging my feet as I walked. I was downcasted. Luckily as I pulled open the gate that led to my apartment building, I met Nneoma, a nice Igbo girl who lived in the same apartment with me. She was leaving for church. I guess she noticed my countenance and asked
"Bia woken (my man), are you okay?" She asked, walking up to me.
"I'm fine" I lied forcing a smile "I just need rest. Are you off to church?" I asked, pointing at the Bible in her hand.
"Yes" she replied with a smile looking down at her Bible. "Talk to me Marriott, you're not my brother but I know when you're burdened with something" She held my hands and pleaded with her eyes.
I guess that soft touch of hers melted my heart. Then I heaved and blew some raspberries. "I'm not okay. I'm not fine Nneoma. I need money." I finally gave in.
"But we all need money. Isn't that why we're schooling? Even though I wonder if it's true that after school we'll get a job to make money. But at least that's what they told us"
"Nne, it's not like that" I called her by her nickname "I need money to pay for a course in school" I added withdrawing from her grip.
"I see. How much?"
“ 30 thousand Naira " I replied reluctantly.
"Send me your account details. I'll forward you the money later" Nneoma promised with a smile. "Pay me back when you get it"
"Ahh, thank you," I said, quickly picking up my phone to text her my account details while she walked away glancing at her wristwatch at the same time. She must be late for church. “Put a smile on that face nwokem” she yelled to me from the gate
Just as she promised she sent me the money and I sorted my needs. I didn't hesitate to pay back when I got some cash a few weeks later.
I was brought back to reality by my colleagues who asked us to take more pictures.
Sometimes life leaves us with hard choices, it's left for us to remember life values while weighing our options.