I almost sold myself for 500 Nigerian Naira

We were in SS3, and I was the new girl in science class. Because of my SSCE exam, my parents thought I should register in the public school nearby and as the get-inside kind of girl I had always been, it was a whole new experience for me.

Of course, I had guys who were interested in me. Dating was almost like breathing in that school—normal and casual. They all came trying their luck, but I guess my taste and standard was really high, so they all fell short. My shakara was too much.

But there was this one particular guy who refused to take “no” for an answer. His name was Emmanuel. Funnily enough, he was rumored to be a cultist. More than three people warned me to avoid him, but the guy was so persistent and, honestly, so nice to me that I didn’t listen. The silly me was enjoying his attention.

One day, Emmanuel came to meet me in my class as usual. Somehow, we ended up alone. Others had gone home, and my brother was out playing ball with his friends. Emmanuel held my hands and told me he loved me. He said he would do anything to have me, to protect me, to treat me like the princess that I was.

He looked straight into my eyes, and all I could do was blush and smile like a girl who had just gotten her favorite treat.

Then, before I knew it, he dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a crisp 500 naira note. He stretched it towards me and said I should take it and buy something for myself.

And right there, my eyes cleared.

It was as if my mum’s voice echoed in my head, warning me: “Whatever it is you’ll not eat, don’t even dare to perceive it.”

To be honest, I knew I couldn’t date this guy. I knew I couldn’t give him what he wanted. And I knew that collecting gifts from him would only make me indebted to him. I couldn’t afford that.

So, I told him just that. I couldn’t collect money from someone who wasn’t my father.

At first, I saw shock in his eyes. Then hurt. Then a kind of realization that I wasn’t the type of girl he was used to.

Now, you might think, “How much is #500? Who in her right mind would be tempted by such a meagre amount?” But for a young girl who was collecting less than #100, and sometimes nothing at all, for lunch, #500 to spend on myself without anyone finding out was a big deal.

But values don’t come with price tags.

That day, I learnt that self-worth isn’t about what someone offers you; it’s about what you refuse to settle for. Sometimes, the real test isn’t in the big temptations, but in the little compromises that seem harmless. Because once you say yes to the wrong things, you’ll soon find yourself indebted to people you should never have allowed into your space in the first place.

So, dear friends, guard your “yes.” When it’s just 500 naira. And when it's 5 million naira .