Sometimes not every disappointment turns out to be a blessing in disguise, that was what I thought until it happened to me—a huge disappointment from a friend turned into a blessing.
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With Nigeria’s economy, it is no news that one should master a skill instead of waiting for job opportunities. I had just recently graduated from the university and decided to pick up a skill while I waited for my National Youth Corps Service (NYSC), when a friend of mine in another state invited me to come stay at his place while I learnt the skill I wanted. When he told me this, I felt relieved that I wouldn’t have to renew my rent since I was already done with school, so I packed up my things and headed to my friend’s place, in a different state.
My friend-Joshua, was happy to see me, he stayed alone in a three-bedroom apartment and offered me a room to myself. It felt like I was dreaming, he did me a big favour which I appreciated him for. After staying for about a month, I was able to start learning a new skill which required me leaving in the morning and returning in the evening; but before leaving I made sure to tidy the house and be of help in any way I could—it was the only way I could show my gratitude. "You don’t have to do house chores this seriously, I understand you’re busy, just take it that I’m helping you" Joshua would say, he wanted me to be as free as I would be, in my own home, I couldn’t have asked for more.
Things were fine between Joshua and I until his mother came visiting—it seemed like she didn’t want anyone staying in her son’s house, reason being that Joshua was the breadwinner of his family and she didn’t want his financial attention divided. It was then it dawned on me that the reason Joshua didn’t have close friends was because his mother always felt they would live off her son’s money.
Well my case was no different, she showed her dissatisfaction with me staying at her son's place from the moment she came, I had just few weeks to be done with my skill acquisition and thought I should manage even if she made the house unbearable for me to stay in. Then one night after I came back, Joshua called me outside and explained things to me, he said I’d have to leave because he didn’t want to annoy his mom or make her feel bad.
"I’ve just few weeks to be done with my skill acquisition and I’ll leave afterwards please, I do not have any where else that I can stay" I pleaded with him but he didn't want to disobey his Mom.
I felt disappointed and telling my parents was out of the question as I didn’t want to make them worry about me. I had no choice but to open up to my boss, telling him I’d have to quit and terminate our contract—I explained my situation to him. Luckily for me, my boss had just moved into his new building, and to my sweetest surprise, he gave me the boys quarter that was like an apartment on its own, to stay in until I finshed my training.
Not only did he give me a place to stay, he gave me free meals and allowed me ride with him to work—By the time I was done with my training, I had saved up some tidy amount of money from meals and transport. If my friend hadn’t told me to leave his house, I probably wouldn’t have experienced the huge blessing.
Thank you very much for your continuous support 🙏
