Lesson learned (fiction)... A short story

"Hello Paul, How have you been? It's been a while; can you talk?" Kola, my college colleague, called out of the blue.

"I’ve been good, have you? Sure, I can talk. Shoot!" I replied, though I wondered why Kola’s phone call came through after a while.

"I’m in some financial situation, and I would love you to bail me out, please. The money I’m expecting should reach me next week, but let me promise you that I'll pay you this month, ending unfailingly." Kola spoke in a low but calm tone.

"How much are we talking about?"

"A hundred thousand Naira brother." Kola said. "I promise to return it by the month's end." I secured a job last month, and my Boss promised to pay me this month." Kola added, hardly giving room for questions.

"Where would I get such an amount of money from? I don’t have the money you are requesting for Kola." I replied abruptly and with all sincerity. I knew Kola had the antecedent of keeping to his word while we were hostel mates in college, but two years apart was enough to give me concern.

"I’ll get back to you, but I am not promising!" I said this after several pleas from Kola.

Of course, I had no extra cash on me except for my house rent, which was not due until another three months. I had managed to save up for it from my meager salary. Kola had helped me out occasionally while in school, and he was among the few people I could refer to as friends while in college. Fortunately for me, I got a teaching job in a private school; however, the pay was barely enough for me to live comfortably; it covered my major bills, and I was able to save some money, which included the rent money.

I paced about in my self-contained apartment, ravaged by the thoughts of Kola’s request, a part of me regretting why I picked up his call in the first place. After a few hours of disturbed thoughts, I dialed Kola’s number and made him promise to pay me back by the end of the month. A part of me was wary of the decision I took, wondering if I would not regret it eventually.

"Send me your account details, but please, this is my rent money I’m lending you; I don’t want excuses." I warned sternly but gently.

"I’m not going to disappoint you; I’ll probably pay back even before the weekend." Kola assured me with a tone of excitement and appreciation.

"Alright."

I could feel my heart race ahead of my fingers as I logged onto my bank's mobile app for the umpteenth time, refreshing the balance and statement to see if the money had dropped. Kola had told me he had been debited, and perhaps the bank network was delayed.

"Send me your debit alert, Kola, It’s already been two months since you’ve been promising and failing."

"I know and I’m sorry; I’m equally yet to receive the alert. The network must be the problem, but I am sure it will drop soon. Thank you for your patience." Kola said right before he hung up the phone. I was already tired of his excuses, and a large part of me doubted Kola’s integrity about the money he claimed to have sent. Nonetheless, the minute faith in me kept encouraging my hopes, expecting to see the money hit my account.

"Kola, I’m yet to see any money; are you ghosting me?" I was forced to blurt it out in annoyance.

"Not at all; first thing tomorrow morning, I’ll be at the bank to sort it out."

"Should I visit my bank also? Perhaps the fault is with my bank?"

"You can, but I’ll check with my bank, and I’ll send you the money once I’ve resolved the issue with the bank." Kola replied.

I was not convinced by what Kola said, but I had no choice but to continue what I had been used to: hoping and waiting.

source

The following morning, I intentionally gave Kola an allowance until noon, suppressing every urge to put a call through to me. I called him several times, but he would not pick up my calls. By evening, I put a call through with a strange number, and immediately he heard my voice and dropped the call. Then, I knew Kola had deceived me, and unfortunately for me, his place of residence was a distance from where I stayed. Traveling there was useless since I didn't know exactly where he stayed.

After some weeks of trying to reach Kola to no avail, I eventually discovered he had blacklisted my number. I had to source an alternative to pay my house rent to avoid embarrassment from the landlord, who had already called.

I was hurt that Kola did not keep his word, especially considering that he had raised my hopes on several occasions. I stopped trying his number even though it’s been six months since we talked last; however, I would collect my money whenever he chose to refund me and consider this a bitter experience learned the hard way.