The Guy I Never Met

The Blessing

CHAPTER 12: "The Blessing"

The envelope was still in her hand at 6am.

Small. Brown.

"For Kemi"

No name. No address.

Just that.

Kemi sat on her bed, heart pounding.

Who knew her name? Who came to her compound at night?

Her fingers shook as she opened it.

Inside was cash.

And a letter.

My dear Kemi,

I have been watching you for the past two and a half years.

You’ve been working so hard.

You’ve been trying your best.

Trying to live a good life. Trying to be happy and everything.

Even when work was hard.

Even when our colleagues sometimes might be rude to you and all.

But you’ve always been gentle.

You’ve always been someone that is humble.

You’ve always been the humble girl, you know.

I love the way you carry yourself.

I love the way you respect people.

And also, thank you for helping me yesterday.

That really touched me.

Even if it doesn’t mean anything to you, it means a lot to me.

You are a good girl. Keep going.

This is small, but take it for food and transport.

"Auntie Zahra."

Tears fell on the paper.

Two and a half years?.

Auntie Zahra had been watching.

Kemi wiped her face and got ready for work.

---

At work that day, everything felt different.

She was still mopping. Still scrubbing. Still getting shouted at by Mr. Salim.

But she had a secret in her pocket.

The Cash Envelope.

During lunch break, she did something she’d never done.

She went to the small shop outside and used some of the money.

She bought biscuits, juice, and bread.

She brought it back and put it on the table in the staff room.

"Guys, I bought small something. Let’s eat together."

The other cleaners stared.

Kemi? For us?

Yes, she smiled. Let’s eat.

For 15 minutes, there was no shouting. No gossip.

Just people eating and laughing.

Auntie Zahra watched her and her eyes filled with tears.

"You’re learning," she whispered.

---

After work, Kemi got home exhausted but light.

Her phone buzzed.

Ola: How was the well today? How did you do today? Hope you wasn’t too tired and all that.

Kemi smiled and typed back slowly.

Kemi: God water me today.

Kemi: God bless me today. God show his mercy upon me today. God give me something today. An aunty I’ve been working with for the past two years just gifted me cash. Just because I helped her. Just because I’ve been a good person.

Is that how people just bless people? Is that how God works?

The reply came fast.

Ola: You deserved it. Even more.

Ola: You deserve every good thing that comes your way. I’ve known you just for a month and I can tell you are humble and also you're an amazing person.

And I’m sure there is more to come your way by God’s grace.

God is not done with you yet. This is just the beginning of something great. And in the journey of you being a Rebecca, you won’t lose yourself. You won’t get lost.

Kemi read it three times.

Her chest felt warm.

Kemi wiped her eyes and typed back.

Ola, You know... you are actually a good person. Do you know that?

The typing bubbles appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.

Ola: Really? Do you... do you really think I’m a good person?

Kemi: Yes I do.

And you are really going to be great. I can feel it already.

You make everyone around you feel safe.

You make everyone around you feel seen.

You make everyone around you feel loved.

There was a long pause.

Ola: This... this means a lot to me. Thank you, Kemi.

Kemi smiled in the dark. Her chest felt warm.

Goodnight Ola.

Goodnight Kemi.

She put her phone down and whispered to the ceiling,

"God is not done with me yet.

Today started with a mystery envelope and ended with words that healed.

Auntie Zahra saw her. Ola saw her.

For the first time in a long time, Kemi felt seen too.

The money will buy food. The words will buy hope.

Tomorrow is work again. But tonight... tonight she can sleep in peace.

TO BE CONTINUED...