[STORY] HIS GIFT, YOUR LIFE (Episode 01)

Episode 01.

So there was this young man by name Simeon, very educated but got no job after school.

He went into photography, got married with what he got from it, and had his family.

Years went by and he never thought he was not good enough even for a day, at least his family could feed every day and his kids were going to school. He was contended with that.

Then there came the school reunion. It was a type he didn’t want to miss cause he will be using the opportunity to meet his old friends once again. They say a real friend comes from secondary school and not from the university because of the years you’ve been together.

He wanted to go with his wife which she gladly accepted, but their last child got a fever and she decided to stay back that afternoon to take care of her.

Getting to the hotel booked for the reunion, he could not believe his eyes how big and rich most of his classmates from secondary school had become.

He got ashamed of himself, people he never expected to have a motorbike drove in with cars. People he once fought back then and promised he will be rich in the future were far better than him.

Discussions, jokes, old-time experiences, achievements, and fun poured in and Simeon was feeling good.

He noticed it was already dark and asked to take his leave scared he may get tipsy with loads of alcohol present for the party.

“Hey don’t bother I’ll drop you off,” one said to him.

“You don’t understand, my daughter had a fever this afternoon,” Simeon said.

“Momma is gonna take care of her, have fun man,” another said putting a glass of alcohol in his hand and he accepted.

Before he realized it he was already drunk and a friend offered to take him home.

His wife helped him out of the car when they arrived and his friend promised to visit the next morning.

The next morning Simeon woke up with a bad headache from the drinks he consumed and his wife’s face showed she was very displeased with the stress he put her through.

“I’m sorry okay, I wanted to leave but they didn’t let me” Simeon apologized.

“Oh yeah, because you were tied down there right? You threw up the whole night messing the whole place up in front of your kids despite Annabel being sick” she said.

“I know and I’m sorry, it was not intentional,” he said and they heard a horn.

“Who’s that?” Simeon asked while his wife went out to check it out.

“Oh good morning, it was you last night right?” Simeon heard his wife outside.

“Yea it’s me, is your husband awake?” Simeon heard a voice and recognized it to be his friend.

“Yes he just woke up, please come in” his wife replied and Simeon slowly left the bedroom to meet with him in the sitting room.

“Hey guy look at you,” his friend said shaking him.

“You should have stopped me na, my head is pounding,” Simeon said sitting down.

“We were having fun common, and why should you be this weak with just few glasses?” his friend asked.

“Who has that time for alcohol when I’m thinking about what my children will eat” Simeon replied.

“What can I offer you?” His wife asked.

“Oh, nothing thank you” his friend replied.

“Okay, I’ll be back soon,” his wife said.

“No problem,” Simeon said and she left leaving them together and his friend stood up looking around the small sitting room.

“Simeon you should do better than being just an ordinary photographer,” his friend said looking at him.

“You mean? There’s no job what do you want me to do?” Simeon asked.

“Who’s talking about a job? Oh please!” His friend said and sat down.

“Okay fine I don’t have that flourishing business like you, let me manage what I have,” Simeon said and his friend smiled.

“But it’s not difficult to make money all you need is sacrifice,” he said and Simeon nodded.

“Are you trying to say I am not hardworking enough?” Simeon asked.

“You don’t still get me. Simeon, you’re my best pal in school, we fought together and jumped the school fence together. You are to be in cool cash na and not this” his friend said hitting his leg and Simeon blinked his eyes.

“And you call that simple? Do you mean I can live very comfortably in a simple way? But how?” Simeon asked.

“Not now, the question is you get the heart? Are you ready? His friend seriously asked.

“Guy if you want to tell me something go straight, which one be are you ready what’s that? What’s the simple way?” Simeon asked and his friend smiled.

“See eh let me be going, I’ll be leaving for Ibadan soon,” his friend said standing up and Simeon frowned.

“What’s this? Why are you leaving me hanging in the middle of a conversation? Simeon angrily asked.

“Guy forget am, you no go fit,” his friend said.

“You don try me before see say I no go fit? Na who brave pass between the both of us abi you don forget me? Simeon stood up hitting his friend’s chest and he laughed.

“So you serious o? Oya dress up make we go” his friend said.

“Go where?” Simeon asked.

“Shebi you say you dey brave, but make sure you won’t back down else I’ll kill you,” his friend said and Simeon scoffed and laughed.

“You’re a joker, let me dress up,” he said and got in while his friend sat down smiling.

They left the house together and his friend took him to a man. The house was too luxurious and Simeon confusedly looked at his friend,

“Will he give me a job? Looks like he works at aso rock” Simeon said and his friend hissed.

“Those people get money so? See let me tell you, men dey and boys dey, chose the one you wan belong” his friend said.

“If I see boys I don manage o” Simeon replied.

“This your coconut head no dey ever dream big no wonder you be photographer,” his friend said and the man they came for came down and they respectfully greeted him.

“Who is he?” The man asked.

“Lord he’s my friend, he needs help” his friend replied while Simeon nodded in affirmation.

“Like I run an NGO here right?” The man asked.

“Not that, he said he’s a brave man who can sacrifice to have money” his friend replied looking at Simeon who was still blank.

“You mean? The sacrifice is it the hard work aspect?” Simeon asked.

“I thought you said you’re brave? The hardworking ones works for nothing, but sacrifices paves way in a very simple way and short time” his friend replied and Simeon sat up well.

“See eh, speak English. The one I can understand because I think my headache has returned” Simeon said.

“Are you ready to get to the root of all evil, the path that answereth all things and the way of the brave men? Are you ready to sit with kings and be respected among men?” The man voiced out and Simeon looked at him mouth opened.

“Please in what way? I want to be rich yes, but what are you saying?” Simeon asked.

“Simeon think about it carefully okay? See I paid the price, in money you pay the price, it does not come free. If you are asked to do something painful that will make you rich will you?” His friend asked and Simeon licked his lips.

“Is this all about blood money? Na blood money una been dey speak grammar since? Simeon asked.

“That’s the language of poor men, wise up Simeon, the economy is not smiling at all. Even in your photography you complained to us yesterday that the competition is high, your rent is almost due and you don’t like the school your first child is attending. He was sent out of school because he didn’t get a textbook. With money, all of this can end, and you can answer all your problems with it. Look at me, didn’t you enjoy my air-conditioned car? Even if you do photograph for 15 years, you see that Benz outside, will you afford it?” His friend asked and Simeon began breathing hard.

“Let him think about it, two days, I give you two days to get back to us” the man spoke up.

“Two days? What if I don’t agree to this?” Simeon asked and the man stood up and left them.

“Simeon two days, remember when I said I’ll kill you? It was not a threat but it was a promise” his friend said smiling and stood up to leave as Simeon’s eyes bulged out in shock……..

After today, the price of “The night bus” returns to 1,000naira. It won’t be slashed again.
To Be Continued… . . .