ALL FOR NOTHING…
Episode eighteen..
I wasn’t actually the type who loves watching television maybe it was because I never had one while growing up. However, that fateful Sunday evening while I was at Mr Omotayo’s house to help him with few chores, I had the privilege of watching television.
I saw on TV that Kunle my role model from Achievers high school graduated as the best student from the University. He was highly honoured that day that for a moment I imagined how it would have been to be the one in his shoes.
“What really is your motivation for working so hard and always coming out best among your equals?” The woman who had given him the award asked.
“All my life I had dreamt for nothing but to be the best in all I do. I don’t let my situations get the better of me and most especially I acknowledge the grace of God upon my life.” He answered.
I stood speechless listening to my once role model and secret rival. He had graduated from the most prestigious University in the country and from the highly respected department of Medicine and surgery. He was indeed a genius!
“Isn’t he a genius?” Mr Omotayo asked.
“Yes sir, he is. He was my role model in secondary school.” I replied.
“Really? You said you also graduated from Achievers high school right?” He asked.
“Yes sir I did.”
“Wow! That School is one of the most expensive schools in Utti. Your mother must have really tried her best to pay the fees there. Only the children of the elite go there.” He said.
“Well sir, I was actually on scholarship.”
“You don’t mean it. You got a scholarship to study in Achievers high school. Only the best of best get such scholarship. The likes of Kunle I must confess.”
I smiled and didn’t say anything. I was ashamed to continue with the conversation. I didn’t know how to tell him that I who was the best in Achievers high school after Kunle couldn’t pass Biology in my final exams.
“So tell me Ayo, why didn’t you further? Why are you working here? A boy who was able to get a scholarship to study at Achievers should be able to get a scholarship to study in the university too.” He said.
At that point, I had no choice but to tell him the truth. I told him how I was the best at Achievers before Toyin came in. I told him how we became friends until feelings started creeping in. How I was framed and suspended and how I messed up my final exams because I was depressed.
“What about your mother? Where is she?” He asked.
“Mama is at Utti. I left her there.” I said.
I could feel the pains in his eyes as I told him the story.
“Where is this Toyin and Timi that you said were your best friends?”
“Both of them are studying overseas.” I replied and this time becoming really emotional. I didn’t mean to but the painful tears I was trying to hold back betrayed my eyes.
“Everything will be okay.” He said. I couldn’t continue with the chores anymore and I left to my room.
I had left my phone to charge and by the time I got back to the room, I realized I had missed three calls from both Sodiq and Suleiman. I also received a text message from Sodiq.
“We’ll be going to where we talked about tonight. Try and come over so we could go together.”
I remembered we’ve talked about following them to the place where they were able to get all the money they have. I had agreed to do anything they wanted me to do and that was why they decided to take me with them.
That evening, I decided to get some food from the woman who sold food along the road. As I was going, I saw Lola from the party the other night. She wasn’t looking as promiscuous as she was looking at the party the other night.
“Hey, Remember me?” She asked making me halt.
“You’re Lola the girl at Pelumi’s birthday party.”
“Yes you’re right. Surprised?” She asked smiling.
“Yes I am. You look different. You look better too.” I replied honestly.
“Thank you.” She replied.
“Do you live around here?” I asked her.
“Yes I do. Infact that’s my house over there.” She said pointing at a bungalow that was across the road.
“Where do you stay?” She asked.
“The Casino building. I work there too.” I replied.
The two of us walked together until I got to the place where the food was sold.
“Sorry to say but do you know you look more beautiful like this than the way I saw you the other night? Honestly speaking I was really pissed off with the way you were looking that night.” I replied.
“You know what, I really felt embarrassed when you asked me to leave you alone. I could tell immediately that you were not one of them.”
“What do you mean by that?” I asked.
“You see, those boys at the party that night are not whom you think they are. I roll with them because they are ready to spend on me. If only I had someone to go to when I’m in need, I won’t be living that kind of life.”
We talked all the way back to my gate and she was still talking. I had to invite her inside my room since she wasn’t ready to stop and I was also learning alot from her.
“You stay all by yourself?” She asked.
“Yes I do.” I said placing the food on the floor.
“Come and join me.” I added and surprisingly she did.
She told me she was an orphan and was staying with a relative.
“So why are you living a two faced life?” I asked.
“What do you mean by that?” She asked.
“Now you are a decent girl but the other day, you looked like a…” I couldn’t continue.
“Like a pr©stitute?” She asked.
“Sorry but yes.”
“You shouldn’t judge me. I don’t like the way I’m living my life but that’s all I can do to support myself.” She replied.
I knew I had no right to judge her because I was no different from her.
After eating, I was expecting her to leave but she still stayed behind. My phone rang and it was Sodiq.
“Hope you are coming?” He asked.
“Yes, I am.” I replied.
“Ayo, be careful. Sodiq and Suleiman are not to be trusted. I’ve been with them longer than you do and those guys are really up to no good.” She said.
I thanked her and then she told me she was about to leave. I saw her to the road and then came back to dress up to go to Sodiq and Suleiman.
I knew well enough not to trust anyone ever again after what happened between me and Timi but my purpose of wanting to go with them was to make money like them. I just wanted them to teach me how to go about it. I was missing mama already and couldn’t wait to go back to her. But I have promised myself not to return until I make the money and since Sodiq and Suleiman were ready to teach me how, why should I refuse to learn.
I didn’t know what Lola meant when she said I should be careful but I was ready to be more than careful…
Hope you enjoyed this episode?
Vicky’s stories….
Touching lives…
Changing people….
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