Christian Nwachuku @sorano

Early this morning, one of my good friends who lives overseas called to let me know he was back in Nigeria and needed someone to fix his satellite. After hearing the details of the job, I assured him I knew someone who could handle it perfectly. Once we hung up, I quickly called another friend who’s an expert installer and told him someone would be contacting him soon for a job. He agreed, and I ended the call.

I then called my overseas friend back and gave him the installer’s contact details. He thanked me and said he would reach out right away. But not long after, he called me again to say the installer’s line wasn’t going through. Curious, I decided to try the number myself. To my surprise, it wasn’t connecting. I even borrowed other people’s phones to try, but the line still refused to go through. We kept trying from morning until evening, but nothing worked.

Unfortunately, my overseas friend couldn’t wait any longer, and the job had to be given to someone else. I was frustrated because everything had been planned out so smoothly, yet something beyond our control ruined it. I kept wondering what could have happened to the installer’s phone.

Finally, close to midnight, the installer called me back. He told me he had lost his phone in the morning. I felt so bad for him. I knew he was skilled and really needed the job, and I had done everything possible to help. But it seemed like bad luck had its own plans that day.

My day started well, and I was determined to make the most of it despite having limited funds. Shortly after waking up, my phone rang. It was my sister calling, urgently needing money. I knew I didn't have much, but I sent her the money via my Opay account.

However, two hours later, she called back, saying she hadn't received the money. For one seconds I was like after two hours, thinking she was ungrateful for not confirming receipt earlier. Upon investigating, I realized I had sent the money to the wrong person, Blessing Nwangwia instead of Blessing Nwachuku.

Thankfully, it was an Opay account, so I copied the account number and contacted the recipient. Unfortunately, he denied seeing any unusual transactions on his account. I decided not to pressure him, hoping the money would eventually reflect, but I'm skeptical due to the country's high level of corruption.

While I wait for a refund, I quickly sent my sister another money, so shome could be happy, and at least give me a breathing space to concentrate on the current situation at hand.

Do you think he'll return the money or should I involve VDM?

Lately, I've been having this thought of what life will look like after graduation. Honestly, it's been giving me series of sleepless nights, and the deeper I thought, the more confused I became. So yesterday, after a stressful class and a boring lecture, I and my two friends were just walking back home, discussing how the class went and how we'd just waited our turn only to come and sign attendance.

As usual, we stopped by our normal food stall to buy some plates of food, particularly beans and plantain (bolle). While we waited for the woman to serve the food, my friend called our attention, and he asked the big question: "We're about to graduate; what are your plans?" It was as though he was in my mind, and I became aware that I hadn't been able to answer the question myself. I kept mute, just to hear what others had to say, and they were as confused as myself.

We ended up trying to share business ideas within ourselves. It was then I realized that even starting up a business on a small scale is still not easy and is still capital-intensive. And the worst thing to do is to depend on the government for employment, so we only left our fate to God. We were yet to have a solid conclusion when the woman serving the food called for our attention. We forgot everything and just dived in to satisfy our hunger first.

The last time I traveled home, I decided to bring a big music box back to school. I was so excited because I love good sound and music, and this box delivered both perfectly. However, the problem with it was that it had only two options: either it played very loudly or it was too low. Once I increased the volume by even one inch, it became unbearable for my neighbors. As students living in a lodge, it’s important to be considerate, and I didn’t want to disturb anyone with loud music.

Often, my neighbors would knock on my door, politely asking me to turn the volume down. They never shouted or got angry, but I could tell they weren’t happy. I felt bad because I wasn’t even enjoying the music myself at such a low volume. It became clear that the music box wasn’t practical for my environment. Instead of creating good vibes, it was becoming a source of stress, both for me and my neighbors.

Eventually, I resorted to using a smaller music player. It wasn’t as powerful as the big box, but at least I could enjoy my music without worrying about disturbing anyone. Today, a friend of mine came over and noticed I wasn’t using the big music box anymore. He asked about it, and I explained the situation with the loud noise and how it wasn’t allowed in our lodge. Surprisingly, he asked if he could have it. I paused for a moment, wondering if his place allowed loud music, but I didn’t overthink it. I just gave it to him.

Later in the day, he sent me a text. He said the music box was amazing and that he was enjoying it. His excitement made me smile. I was happy it was finally being put to good use instead of sitting idle in my room. At least now, someone was benefiting from it, and I no longer had to feel bad about owning something I couldn’t fully enjoy.

It all began two years ago when I met her. There was an instant spark, a connection that felt undeniable. We laughed, shared secrets, and quickly began to spend more time together, getting to know each other's thought on destiny and purpose. It was a blissful time filled with youthful excitement and hope.

I've known mercy for quite some time now and there is know need snicking around, we both decide to be more official and by implications we started visiting each other's homes, not longer the formal way of waiting behind after lectures but this time around she can come to my house and me to her place as well.

My first visit to her place wasn't a bad one, as her parents thought I was just a school friend and probably came to have some home lectures with her. Little did they know that something fishing is going down 🤣 trust me I was looking cool and gentle all true my stay.

Things has been going so well but not this time around, I visited and she went to the market, it was just her dad at home. Cheerfully the old man offered I stay with him while I wait for my friend. Hmm 🤔 I was left with know choice but to sit, the man was not just interesting to be with but also very funny. I could not help but become very free with him.

I know you love my daughter he questioned? at this point I knew the man it's becoming very interested in our relationship, on a first thought I wanted to lie but on the other hand I knew he had seen us more offen than expected if i claim of just being a friend. I only said nothing but the truth.

Just like every other Nigerian man his next question was who are your parents and what is your family name. The atmosphere changed immediately I answered him. I suspected something was wrong, but just couldn't pick point what the problem was. Unfortunately my friend is home and our conversation was interrupted.

I wasn't surprised to see mercy with her dad in my place the next morning. I could sense the gravity of what was coming. Somewhere wetin my spirit I knew I had not done anything wrong and besides I and mercy hasn't bounded so there is no way she could be pregnant.

My dad was already in the sitting room when they entered, I was suprise to see both parents exchange pleasantries as though they've known from somewhere. With heavy hearts, they revealed the truth we were distantly related. Not close enough to be considered immediate family, but the connection was there a thread that tied our families together in a way that made our relationship complicated and, ultimately, unacceptable.

The news wasn't a good one. All at once, the joy we had shared turned into heartache. We were faced with an impossible decision to end what had blossomed between us. It was as if the universe had conspired to tear us apart just as we were discovering the depths of our feelings. In that moment, we both understood that love sometimes comes with boundaries we cannot cross.

I had been looking forward to my trip for some days now, planning every little detail. Tomorrow was the day I would finally set off on my journey just as planned. I had everything arranged my traveling bag, and my phone fully charged so I can be busy while on the trip. But there was one thing I overlooked, my clothes!

My mom had warned me about this countless times advising I wash my clothes early enough. I totally did not get the take her advice, thinking, It hasn’t rained in days; what are the chances it will rain now I questioned myself.

Just as I finished washing, the weather changed and the sky opened up. I watched helplessly from my window as the rain poured down, soaking everything in sight. My heart sank as I realized my freshly washed clothes were now hanging outside, still very much wet with water.

I ran outside, trying to save clothes from further disaster, but it was too late. My clothes were wet, and there was no way they would dry in time for my early morning departure. I stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of my poor decision.

At this point it is safe to say that I won't meet up with my schedule to travel on the morrow, but who is to be blame if not myself. How I wish I had listened to my mum