Episode 10: Alone but Not Defeated
330 Words
The first week at Halogen Private Security was harder than I expected.
I was posted to a beat in an incomplete 7-storey building opposite Chida Hotel — completely alone. The compound was overgrown with bushes, goats wandered freely, and the silence was broken only by the distant sounds of the city.
Seven days on, seven days off. Alone. No backup, no one to talk to.
At first, I doubted myself. Could I handle this? Could I stay alert, vigilant, and focused in a place so isolated?
But every time doubt crept in, I thought of Patience.
Her faith in me, her unwavering support, even when life was harsh… that was my strength.
During my off days, I would walk around Abuja, thinking about her. Each phone call was a lifeline.
“Tony, are you eating well?” she asked one evening.
“I’m surviving,” I replied with a smile, though my stomach growled.
We laughed over the phone, shared dreams, and reminded each other why this struggle mattered — so we could have a future together.
I learned quickly that the work required discipline and intelligence. I had to be alert, resourceful, and careful. Within days, my supervisors noticed.
“You’re smart and sharp,” they said. “We can post you to more challenging beats soon.”
Despite the harsh living conditions — a room with no ceiling, goats wandering around, and sometimes Uncle Sam’s temper haunting my memory — I persisted.
I cooked my own meals, stretched my small salary, and kept in touch with Patience. She never complained. She never left my side emotionally.
That first month taught me resilience.
It taught me that even when the world seems against you, determination and love can carry you through.
And as I lay in my small room at night, listening to the sounds of the city, I whispered a promise to myself:
No matter how hard life gets, I will rise. For me. For Patience. For us.
- Writer
