Creativenonfiction #137 - A Very Lame Excuse.

This prompt made me remember what happened on my birthday some years back. I'm not really big on celebrating my birthdays in form of throwing parties.I mostly celebrate sometimes with myself or with few friends and family members.

But that year, I decided to do something different which was given out some foodstuffs to the needy around my community. I told my sister my plans for my birthday when she called two days to the day as she wasn't around at the time and she promised to send some money to me so I could buy more, that way, it would get to more people than I initially budgeted for.

The next day, I went to a local store not too far from my area where cartons of noodles are being sold and met with the owner. Let me call her Mama Kunle.

“Good afternoon ma”, I greeted her as I got to her shop.

“Good afternoon Rukkie”, she answered as she quickly got up from her seat to attend to me.

I made enquiries of how much a carton of noodles would cost which she told me and I immediately went ahead to book ten cartons. I paid about 80% of the total amount and told her I would be bringing the remaining 20% when I come to carry the goods the next day. I didn't want to carry them that day because I wanted it to be a surprise and I also know how funny people can be when it comes to receiving gifts.

Mama Kunle promised me that she had more than 10 cartons which she showed to me. She assured me that I would be able to get them when I come back. I told her the time, I would be needing it and left.

The next day which was my birthday, several calls, messages and prayers started pouring in from my loved ones both online and offline which made me so happy.

When it was time to go get the noodles, I went with my brother and two of his friends to help me carry some cartons of noodles. As I was close to the shop, I saw Mama Kunle leaving the shop hurriedly and before I could get closer, she wasn't at the shop. I met her daughter there and I stated my business there while handing the balance to Mama Kunle's daughter. I often see the daughter at the shop so it was no surprise.

After paying fully for the cartons of noodles, I asked that the daughter bring them out or show my brother where to get them so they could carry them out. Then, the girl started behaving funny, stuttering and scratching her head.

“What happened?”, I asked, wondering why the suddy display of drama.

“It's only 5 cartons that is available now ma”, she said while I gave her a confused look.

“I don't understand, I paid for 10 cartons, why should I be getting 5?, I asked the girl once again, already getting angry.

“My mum said you should wait for her, she went to get the remaining ones”, the girl said while offering me a seat.

I immediately suspected foul play and knew the woman must have sold the ones I paid for and quickly went to get it elsewhere. I decided to wait. I was disappointed but as long as I would get what I paid for, it won't be much of a problem.

I told my brother and his friends to seat on a wooden bench somewhere outside the shop. I had hoped that Mama Kunle won't take long but what should have been few minutes started turning to hours.

I called Mama Kunle on the phone after waiting for about an hour and a half but she wasn't picking up. I called severally and sent her messages that I was waiting at her shop but there was no response. I had to tell my brother and his friends to go back home that I would call them when she gets back. I continued waiting for Mama Kunle. She came back two hours later acting like she was just seeing me for the first time that day.

I didn't even bother wasting any more time as I asked her to give me what I paid for and she showed me another brand of noodles and told me it's the same thing. When I told her I wouldn't take that brand as that wasn't what I paid for, she started giving excuses that I came to pick up the goods late and she had forgotten I have already paid so she sold them to someone else. She claimed it was when she saw me coming that she remembered and quickly rushed to get the rest at a big store where she gets them.

I asked her why she didn't pick my calls when I was calling and she said her phone's battery was very low and she was trying to save the power so the phone wouldn't go off.

The weak excuse she gave was just so annoying. It was the fact that she sold the ones I wanted to buy and tried to manipulate me into getting another brand which was even cheaper than what I paid for. When I asked to be refunded, she claimed she had used the money, so she can't refund me.

That was one time I wished I lacked home training because to say I was angry would be an understatement. I was trying so hard to control myself as I didn't want to do something I’d regret.

I ended up deciding to let it go, soI called my brother to come back with his friends to carry the cartons but never ever again did I buy anything from her.

That's why it irks me when dealing with people who are dishonest and unreliable. It's better to tell me the truth than deceiving me or trying to be manipulative.

Thank you for reading.

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