I made a short trip for a three months job at Lokoja. I boarded a night bus to Lokoja and upon my arrival in the morning, I got a cheap hotel to lodge within the day while I sought for a short let apartment to stay for the meantime until I left Lokoja. I contacted an agent and was shown some available spaces. I did not seem to like most of the apartments because some of them were looking dilapidated. I finally saw one which caught my interest.
The house agent directed me to the manager of the shortlet apartment and the manager told me the price and also informed me that the shortlet was actually a three bedroom flat with a central kitchen and parlour. She informed me that someone else had paid for a room and two rooms were remaining. I informed her that my female colleague was on her way to Lokoja and would take the second one while I took the other room, making it three. She told me that they rent it based on first to pay for the apartment.
I placed a call directly to my colleague, gave her the situation and she agreed to it and sent money for the apartment. I added my own money and we paid for the remaining two rooms. A small agreement was given to me and I signed it. Later that day, I moved into the shortlet apartment and took possession of my room. I cleaned it up and made the place comfortable for me.
My new roommate came back from his work and met me cooking in the kitchen. He greeted me with a bright smile. He introduced himself and told me his name. He told me that he would not want us to live as strangers in the house, that we could relate as though we were siblings. I agreed with him and was happy that he was actually friendly. He told me he was hungry and would love to have a taste of my meal. I said no problem and promised to give him.
When the food was ready, it was jollof spaghetti, I scooped for him too and took out a little amount into a plastic plate which I refrigerated for further eating. I remained a larger portion in the pot in case my colleague arrived because she actually contributed money for the food. Upon giving my neighbor the food, he was so happy and thankful. I took my own portion and went into my room to eat because I was very hungry.
A few minutes later, I heard a knock on my door and it was my neighbor. He told me that he has finished eating his meal and would love to get an extra portion. I said okay and informed him that the portion in the pot also belongs to my colleague who was close already to Lokoja. I told him to scoop just a little amount and he agreed, thanked me and left for the kitchen.
My colleague later arrived in the evening, I gave her a spare key and informed her that her food was in the pot. Only for my colleague to go to the pot and inform me that she couldn't find any food. I was surprised. I rushed to the kitchen and met dirty plates, dirty spoons and empty dirty pot scattered in the sink. I rushed to my neighbor's door to knock and asked him what was going on. He came out and told me that his girlfriend visited and he thought he could give her some food too and that we should not be angry that it was just food.
I asked him why he could not at least even wash the dishes. He said he did not have the time yet. We left him and I went to the fridge and took out the one I had left for later and gave it to my colleague. That was how she had something to eat that day. Funny enough my roommate never washed the dishes he used. I and my colleague did. We promised not to let him into our pots again.
Photo is mine and was taken with my Infinix smart 5 phone camera.