Collided worlds

Rayna's POV The Lagos sun showed no mercy as Rayna dragged her feet along the busy streets of Victoria Island, her shoulders hunched and her heart heavy. Another rejection. She had promised her mum this was the one — that this time would be different. It wasn't. It seemed like every company in Lagos had silently agreed to shut their doors in her face. Two years after graduating from the University of Lagos with a first class degree, one year after completing her NYSC, and she still had nothing to show for it. No job, no income, just a fine certificate sitting uselessly at home. It wasn't for lack of trying. She had tried everything. Rayna joined the sweaty queue at the bus stop, waiting for a bus heading to Surulere. She just wanted to get home, crawl into her bed and wallow in self pity — away from the sun, away from the rejection letters and away from the hope she was slowly losing. The bus dropped her off at the street that led to her house. "Should I lie and say the company will get back to me… or just tell Mum the truth?" Rayna contemplated as she walked slowly towards the house. "Here goes nothing," she sighed, pushing the door open. Her family lived in a rented three bedroom flat in Surulere. Her father worked as a driver with UBA while her mother owned a small shop in Balogun market. They weren't rich, but they had given her everything they had. "You're back!" Her mother emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her wrapper. "I was about to call you — don't tell me you started working already and couldn't even update me?" she teased warmly. Rayna managed a faint smile. "They rejected me,Mum". Her mother's expression softened immediately. "God will make a way, my daughter. He always does." She reached out and touched her cheek gently. "Go and have your bath. You look tired." Rayna nodded obediently and walked toward her room — knowing fully well she wasn't going to sleep. She was going to cry.