Caught In The Act

Things were not going so rosy in my final year. I had seamless and hitch-free academic sessions in my first and second levels at the university. My parents' business at that time was making waves. My mom was into selling provisions. Her shop was loaded with goods, she had a lot of customers. They will flock to the shop and buy things with huge amounts of money. Some would buy on credit. I could vividly remember my mom having a long notebook where the names of debtors were written. One consistent debtor was a government employee who worked in a high school. At the end of every month, she will pay off the new debts and get new ones. It happens like that till one day she stopped coming around and went away with a huge amount of money. It was at that time that my mom's business began to experience a downturn. What led to it is what I don't know but I recall visiting home some time ago while in 300 level, I met the shop almost empty. Everything looked like a mirage to me. I could sense my mom's disappointment from her looks. I knew she tried everything possible to bring her business back to life but luck couldn't smile at her. My mom has been a businesswoman since my birth. I grew up seeing her selling goods in a shop. She has been a successful trader because she was able to buy land and build a house.

On the other hand, my dad had been a successful food vendor in our community. Everyone knew about his restaurant. The location of the business helped in giving us more customers. It was located close to the market area thereby giving him an edge over other people doing the business. I have had lots of support from my parents. As the third child of six children. I happened to be the most loved child. Therefore they did everything possible for me to have a better life.

One faithful day, my dad called me to his room and said “I want you to proceed to the university” This was after my high school results were out. I couldn't decipher what he meant because I was so naive. I just smiled and said “Thank you Dad” as I went out. Not long after I registered for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board examination-JAMB. Fortunately, I passed the examination and I was admitted to study education against the law I intended to study.

(Generated via meta AI)

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Before I left for school in a nearby state, my mom called me to her room and I was surprised at what she asked. “Ezekiel” she called as I responded “mummy”
“Do you still want to go to school or do you want to marry”? She asked, staring at me. At this point I was dumbfounded.
“I don't understand ma’ I responded
“I am told that you and Christiana are dating.” she interrupted. I became mute. I knew that what she said was true but I needed to pretend to be the good child I'd always been.
“Mummy” I called “Who told you that”? I asked, looking away from her face.
“I know it,” she said, forcing the words out of her mouth. At that point I knew I had been busted so I became silent
“So tell me, for the last time, do you want to go to school or do you want to marry, let me marry a wife for you”?
“I want to go to school,” I replied.

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“Endeavour that you submit your chapter three before this week runs out,” the project supervisor said as I walked out of his office. I was going through hard times. I was out of money hence buying food was a problem. I left home that fateful day to meet with my final year supervisor to submit my chapter two for vetting. There was no food at home, and the hope of eating for that day was not in view. I trekked home. At home, I couldn't stay indoors because of the hot sun and there was no power supply so I took my chair and sat in the lobby of the apartment. I was in deep thought. I thought about how difficult life was for me and how hungry I was.

At some point, I was feeling sleepy so I went inside to sleep. Not long after, my neighbour knocked on my door. I quickly jumped out of the bed. “Who's there”? As I walked towards the door. “It's me, your neighbour” I knew she was the one by her voice. I opened the door and she presented me with a pot of well-prepared rice. “This is for you,” she said as she left immediately. I knew he didn't want to see my reaction. She had never done that before, hence, I thought it was an answer to prayer not knowing that she overheard me talking to myself. I realized this after two months had passed. Today, I can still feel the embarrassment.

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