Not all that glitters is gold: The story of Comfort

Everyone wants a comfortable life, which sometimes comes at a cost. Truth be told, no one loves to suffer; we all desire something good, a soft life of less stress, but sometimes, we know some things are too good to be true, but we turn a blind eye and a deaf ear just because of what we want.

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Growing up with my grandma back in the village, I had sisters in the neighborhood that I regarded as senior sisters, although not biologically related, but because they cared for me as a little sister, a special bond grew between us. One of them is named Comfort. She always dreamed of success, the kind shown on social media, luxurious cars, designer clothes and bags, and trips to several countries. Her role models are influencers who flaunt their lives on social media. This gave her the impression that with little luck, she could also be like those she sees as role models.

After her secondary school, she left the village and I was told she had travelled to Lagos to further her education. Luckily for her, she got admission and graduated after completing her university studies. On her journey for a better future, she met a young man named Mala. I was told that was his nickname but his real name was Malachi. Comfort met Malachi at a networking event; to her, he was charming, well-dressed, and driving a sleek black Mercedes. That was like a jackpot for Comfort, a single lady and a university fresh graduate.

Malachi introduced himself as a businessman to Comfort and as always, she wanted to become an influencer. Mala showed interest in her career and said he would help her achieve the high status she dreams of. Within weeks, they've become so close that Mala now takes her to fancy restaurants, gifting her expensive bags and jewelry, and introducing her to friends. "This is a dream come through", Comfort thought within herself.

In no time, she began living the life she had always dreamed of, posting on social media, which doubled her followers. Soon she began asking Mala to introduce her to his business, which he always avoided talking about. He had warned her not to ask so many questions, saying, "In a country like this, connections matter more than paperwork".

One day, Mala told Comfort he wanted to open a bank account in her name to receive some payments and prepare for their future together but Comfort knew something didn't seem right. She remembered the warnings and stories behind not all that glitters is gold. Her conscience didn't rest, so she didn't proceed with the new account processing, and since then, Mala started avoiding her.

A few months later, she heard Mala's home was raided by the EFCC and he was arrested for fraud and cybercrimes, then she realised his business had been a fraud all along. The government was also investigating all his accounts and friends who served as money mules for him. Comfort quickly took down the pictures she had posted on her social media with Mala. Then she realised how lucky she had been because if she had opened that account, and the money had been sent into it, she would have been in big trouble serving as an accomplice with Mala.

She decided to start all over again as all the glamor she had enjoyed was based on a lie. She wanted a soft life but not this way. She got a job in a bank, not flashy but she was earning honestly and with peace. She narrated all this to me in my last visit to my village during Christmas last year when she came to visit her mother too.

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Posted Using INLEO