16

NNENNA'S POV

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It's been two weeks now since I lost my phone at the ATM machine stand and honestly life couldn't have been harder.

My academics especially suffered drastically during this time. Since I could hardly keep up with my lectures and side job, I missed most of the classes and a couple of tests. It pained me to slack in my studies like this. At night, whenever I recalled that my life used to be better than this and that I wouldn't have to go through this pain if my parents were still alive, it brought hot tears to my eyes.

“Girl, na A oo! I see the result just now.” Helen was saying on phone as she walked into the room.

We caught each other's gaze but looked away immediately, as usual. Ever since that uneventful surprise at the hotel, we haven't exchanged words amicably.
As I listened in on her conversation with whomever that was on the other line, I realized that she was telling that person that she'd scored an A in a course even though she was rarely present in that class.

It broke my heart to hear that. I'd seen my result for last semester, truth be told it was not pleasant. I didn't make up to 3.5 GP and to think I was doing everything I could to make life in the university easier for me. It felt so wrong and at this moment, I wanted to give up. I couldn't keep up with the classes in the morning especially if I worked the night shift the previous day.

I thought of the day Annabel —one of my coworkers, ended her shift with the sum of thirty thousand naira. She'd been tipped by two rich customers that night. It had me wondering why such customers never see me. Was I truly that invisible or is it something I'm missing out on?

“My dear, your money never come but you fit manage dis one?” Mrs, the landlady of our previous house said.

I had gone back to ask for the money as it seemed she wasn't willing to call me. And just as I suspected, another occupant had paid for the place.

I counted the money. Just fifteen thousand naira out of seventy-three thousand naira. This money would hardly go anywhere except for feeding and transportation and I was already out of money.

“But ma, I need the money for school,” I started to explain.

She let out an exasperated sigh. “Nnem, did I not try? After all, no be me say make una comot pack my house. That was your decision so I'm not obliged to pay you the complete balance. Wetin I dey owe you now na fifteen thousand, finish!”

I simply stared at her for some time without saying anything else until she asked me to leave her shop.

On my way back, I swore I wouldn't shed a tear but it was difficult considering the load on my shoulders. I had to get another smartphone soon, my hostel rent would expire by next year and it was just two months to the end of this year.
Nnaemeka was kind enough to lend his Nokia phone for me to use temporarily and as much as I appreciated the gesture, I would prefer a smartphone more.

I wanted to save up the money to pay for my part of the rent next year as Helen forewarned, but it was impossible seeing I had food and utility expenses to take care of. So, before I finished the money at hand, I bought myself perfumes, body lotion, laundry materials and a few haircare products.

When I came across Ifeoma from the SU fellowship, she asked after me and why my number was hardly reachable. I began narrating the predicament I'd found myself in.

“Another way is that you can negotiate with somebody in your department to help you out with assignments and tests if possible.” Ifeoma, one of the choristers advised after I narrated a part of my problems.

“Who will agree kwanu?”

“Ahn ahn! My sister, with money anything is possible oo. No be Nigeria again?”

I considered it for a while. I was only close to very few persons in my department because of my introverted nature, so I don't know how to go about it and who I might ask for help.

“What of that girl I always see you with?”

“You mean Adunni?”

“Ehn!”

“Okay, I'll try her.” I replied but I knew Adunni well enough to know that she was finding it difficult to do the much she was doing for me. Besides, it's not like she needed the extra income, her parents were well enough.

The conversation ended when she saw a coursemate of hers. I was on my own again.
By evening, I got dressed for work. My mind engaged with my problems and how I would solve them.

Hostel rent.

A new phone.

Money for textbooks and school dues.

Feeding.

Money to take care and purchase my necessities.

These were on the top list of the issues that should be taken care of within a short time.

“Girl, how far na?” Adunni called after I'd started my shift.

“I'm good, just at work. So, was sup? Any recent assignments again?” I queried because it seemed these lecturers were hellbent on making life difficult prior to the exams.

“Ehn na! About three now, including Odutayo's assignment that's pending submission.” she said.

Odutayo, our anatomy professor. I'd almost forgotten about the assignment. I knew when the message about her assignment came up on the group chat but I lost my phone before the questions could come in.

“Abeg bring the questions to my hostel tomorrow.”

“Why, you no go come class?”

Coming to lectures where I do nothing but mostly sleep or space out whilst lecture went on. I didn't have the courage to face all those serious faces or be made the clown of the class when other students were paying rapt attention. I preferred coming home from work then reviewing the notes that have been taught in my absence.

I no longer believe in going to class where I don't even pay attention, I prefer to study at home after a good rest then clean the room and sleep again before it's time for my night shift.

“I no get time and you know say our first lecture is usually very early in the morning and by the time I return from work, I might miss the class. Plus, I'm usually too fatigued to pay attention.”

“Eiyaa! No wahala, I'll try to come to your hostel after today's lectures. Take care y'hear?”

We ended the call and I felt grateful for the gift of friends like Adunni.

....

Two weeks later, I received my salary and though I simply took out money for feeding including monthly dues, it was rarely enough compared to what I was saving up for.

In desperate need of a smartphone and the need to change my footwear; a black slippers I've been managing for months. The other pair damaged whilst I was running around for Mama in the hospital. I set aside some to buy a phone but it wouldn't be enough until the next two months. More problems loomed with next year almost upon us and the money for hostel rent issue.

“You know we have to pay the rent soon. This is November and in three weeks time we'll be in December. The landlord will soon start asking for his money against January, if we want to secure this spot we would have to pay our part of the rent.” Helen warned on one of the days she stayed back home.

“Okay,” I replied. I didn't say anything further, didn't even bother to inform her on when I would bring my share of the money because I had no idea when I would have it.

However, I went about my business as though all was well. The last thing I wanted was for her to realize that I was truly having it tough like she stated. After everything I've been through these past months, I've begun to understand why she made her choices and felt terrible for judging her without wearing those same shoes first.

As the days went on, I couldn't think of a solution to the problem staring me in the face. I met with the financial secretary of The Father's Place Ministry but he claimed the money in the account wasn't enough to fund my hostel rent, plus seeing the records and noting that I'm not a regular member.
I tried explaining to him the challenges that have been resulting to my absence but he was adamant.

The rent's a sum of ninety thousand naira and I should add forty-five to make up the money Helen has but it's been difficult. Currently, I have thirty-eight thousand, excluding five thousand naira I set aside for my daily expenses. I needed seven thousand naira to make up my own payment for the room.

My co-workers at the hotel claimed not to have enough to help either.
The only other person I could turn to was Adunni.

“See this girl,” Adunni started; making me look up from my book.

I turned to look. We were seated on the seventh pew at the column of seats positioned by the wall of the large exam hall.

Yes, exams took off today but it was just for the general courses. Departmental examinations would begin on the second week of January next year to enable the students go for Christmas break.

“That girl on large black polo and brown cargo trousers.” she further informed, gesturing with her eyes.

Finally, I saw the girl she was referring to. “Ehn, what about her?”

“Hmm, she's now trending on Gistblog.com.”

“What's that?”

“School blog naa. Where the gist dey come as e dey hot. So, I read that her boyfriend who is a 400level law student, found out say she dey do escort duties for all these big men.”

My brows perked in astonishment.

“Dey there now. Girls are not smiling, that's how she's making all the money she comes here to showcase everyday. Later, some people will be pestering their boyfriends in a bid to meet up not knowing that the guy doesn't spend up to twenty thousand naira on her.” she said.

“So, what happened after?” I asked.

“They broke up, what else?”

The invigilator walked in and everyone took away their books, bags and settled for the exam. It was after the paper that I had the courage and opportunity to ask her for the money.

She didn't hesitate to forward it to my account but also told me to pay back as soon as I get it. However, instead of being relieved and happy that the burden has been removed from my shoulders, I was still heavy-laden. And I knew it had something to do with how poorly I'd done in the exams today.
If only I wasn't taking care of myself alone, I'd give my full attention to my studies.

When I got back, Helen was on call with a friend. This was my chance to give her my part of the rent. I looked at her phone and did a double take. She's using a higher model iPhone now, not the model she was using last week.

As soon as she was done, I told her that I've got my part of the rent and she scribbled her account number on a paper. By the time, I left and came back from the POS stand where I'd gone to make the transfer, she was now holding both iPhones. I didn't know their different names but I knew the plain screen was more recent than the screen with a control button.

“Here,” she was offering the older phone to me.

“What for?”

She rolled her eyes at the question.
“I know you lost your phone. You can use this one for the meantime, this is iPhone 7+.”

I didn't want to go against my better judgment by accepting the phone especially since I have an idea how she got it. But, I was desperate. My life was difficult already and being without a smartphone in the university was like a blind man trying to navigate his way without an aid.

This phone would go a long way to help me with my studies and make things easier for me, so I accepted and thanked her. She waved me off, not needing my show of appreciation.

As I admired the new phone, I knew I owed her an overdue apology. Nonetheless, alongside the apology, I had a request to make her. I never wanted to go down this path but it was better I fish myself than feeding on others' fishes.

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Dun dun dun! What's it been like, a year?
It's been so long I updated guys that I can't even remember. I know a lot of people have given up on this book and I can't blame you.

However, a lot has happened to me too. I started writing this book during my marriage processes last year but now I'm a mother so... There.

I haven't given up on this story, so please don't too. A lot of juicy things in store for us and Nnenna too.

Thank you for reading. Don't forget to vote, comment and share with your friends. I appreciate your support 💯🙏💕.