Opportunity Gone

It was December 2022, the feeling of the season was all over me. I wasn't having much but I was grateful that I was able to see another last month of the year.

“Emreal, Emreal,” my mother called.

“Yes, ma,” I answered and hastened to the parlor to meet her.

“Good evening, ma,” I greeted.

“Evening, how are you?” She asked.

“I'm fine, how was the market today?”

“The market was great, I thank God,” she replied.

“Okay, ma, welcome,” I answered.

Each time she returns from the shop, she either calls me to the parlor or comes to my room to check up on me.

“Your elder sister said I should tell you that the portal for the Nigeria Custom service is open, and she instructed that you should apply.”

I was about to go out, but I halted, and sighed deeply, followed by a quiet hiss, “Okay, ma, I have heard you. I'll do that.”

Prior to that time, I had already applied for the job twice, but there was no positive result, so I lost interest.

That week, on a Friday night, I was on WhatsApp, viewing status due to boredom when my friend, John sent me a message.

“How far, bro?”.

“Fine, my guy, what is happening?” I asked.

“Nothing much, but the Nigeria Custom service portal is open, hope you have applied?” He inquired.

Omo, “not really,” I answered.

“Come on, what's stopping you?”

“Nothing, I am feeling too lazy to go to the cafe; however, I'll make time next week and go,” I replied.

“No need for that, I'll send you the site so that you can apply directly on your phone,” he responded.

Wow, “please send it.”

“Okay, I'll send it later. I have something to attend to currently,” he answered.

After a few minutes, my phone vibrated, when I checked it, it was a message from my friend, containing the site for registration.

I opened the message and wanted to proceed immediately, but I felt like there was still time; I had about two weeks before the application closed.

“Why the rush?” a thought flashed through my mind as I opened the site, instantly, I felt this heaviness within.

So, I closed the site and replied to my friend, “Thanks a lot, bro.”

Days turned into a week, and I still didn't do it. Each time my mother asks me about it, I often say, “I am on it.”

John also tried following up to see if I had done it, but I just kept telling everyone, “I'll do it soon, there is time.”

Eventually, I forgot that I had a job to apply for, and I got carried away by the festivities and activities.

And just like a joke, December passed, and it was already the second week in January.

On a fateful Sunday afternoon, I was in my room taking a nap after having a tough day.

The fan was blowing some chill breeze in the room, and an old school song, “Send Down the Rain,” was playing softly in the background when my phone began to ring.

I ignored the first call because it looked like a dream; the sound seemed to be coming from a distance, but the second call woke me up.

I sluggishly stretched my hand to the stool residing close to my bed and picked up the phone.

It was big sis, “good afternoon, ma,” I greeted, my voice sounded hoarse.

“Happy New Year, my brother. I hope I didn't wake you up from sleep? Your voice is dull and deep.”

“Don't bother, Ma, happy new year! How is your family?”

“They are good, thank you. Kindly forward your application number to me.”

“Which application number, Ma?” I asked

Ah, ah, “Nigeria Custom Service, of course.”

“Oh my God!” I shouted, putting my hand over my head.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Ma, I didn't apply.”

“What?” Her tone became deep and sharp, “What do you mean by you didn't apply?”

“Ma, seriously, I don't know how it happened.”

“You better be joking,” she hissed. “Go and check the site and see if it's still open. I have constantly been reminding you to apply, and you said you would. I concluded that you have done everything, and now you are telling me stories.”

I hung up and turned on my data and logged into the portal immediately, but unfortunately, they closed a few days ago.

My body went cold; it was like all my strength was drained. I didn't know what to tell her but I managed to dispel fear from my body and dialed the number.

“Hope you didn't miss the boat?” she asked.

“Ma, I did. The application is over already,” I answered with my voice barely audible.

Kai, “Emreal, I am not happy at all. I told my husband that you applied, and he already informed his boss.” She remained quiet for some moments and added, “it is fine, let's see what we can do.”

Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do. When my mother heard that I didn't apply, she was so mad at me, she felt bad because she had consistently reminded me. I also felt bad, but that is life, sometimes things happen that we can not explain.

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