I sat in my stall tears rolling down my cheeks not noticing the customer that walked in.
“Mrs Hannah hello good morning ma”
she greeted,I was lost in thought thinking on where to get money to settle my debt.
She had to knock at the shop table.
“ Good morning mama bola how are you doing?
“Mrs Hannah replied, I should be asking you that, not the other way round, hope all is well?
“What is going on? you were so deep in thought that you didn't even notice me standing in front of your stall I had to knock on the table.
“Mrs Hannah replied Hmmm! I borrowed some amount of money from someone one, and it is the right time to pay back can't even pay because all the money I collected have been used to sought out family issues. even my allowance can't pay the bills and the interest rate keeps moving higher day by day.
I wish I work in the government sector whereby I can apply for loan and they will be subtracting the money from my allowance every month.
“I have missed the boat, I wish I knew early I would have gone for the Nigeria army.
“ Mama bola, asked “miss the boat?
you mean you feel like you let the opportunity you would have made use off slipped away?
“Mrs Hannah noded with frustration
“my sister, opportunity comes and goes fast don't they?
years ago before I got married my dad brought the form of Nigeria army recruitment to our house, asking me to fill the form and apply but that pride of me not putting on my sunday dresses every Sunday and not flaunting it got into my head plus my mum discouraging me that it is too early I had just finished my senior secondary exams I should be thinking of striving to further my education, and not thinking of entrying the Nigeria army at this early stag, she explained to me that, when I further my education and graduate I tend to go for short service and earn a bigger post.
“Mrs Hannah so your mum discouraged you?
“Mama bola expression turned sympathetic.
Yes o! my sister ,not only that, my neighbor’s wife also bought a road safety form for me to fill explaining to me her inlaw gave it to her but she was not interested and she had me in mind because I had the height that was required, I also rejected remembering my mum's words I refused the form o!
When at that time my dads family friend would have approved easily. Not now that you will be begging and looking for who to sign documents for you.
I am now a graduate working in a private organization with little allowance that can't pay the bills. here I am looking all over the place for financial help, to boost my business no one is ready to give couple with the loan I collected.
“Mama bola ,do you know the last time I applied for a government job I was asked to bring one hundred and fifty thousand Naria after which I wasn't even sure if I will get.
Because many people have borrowed such money to pay for jobs and they never got the appointment.
They go back frustrated paying debt the incured on themselves.
Seriously I am regretting this boat I have missed for life.
“Don't worry keep your head above the waters sometimes ‘missing a boat’ is just a detour to a better destination there is a reason for everything. Mrs Hannah said.
My younger sister just came back from the states and told me she needs someone who can be supplying her pap.
She loves taking that every morning and over there in Canada there is a high demand for it so I came to see if you can pick up the contract.
“Yes of course I will, I'm looking for what will be giving me extra cash.”
“Ok you just lock up your stall while I wait outside so we can go and see her in her house.” Mrs. Hannah said.
Thank you all for stopping by
Image is Ai generated