Love and Lust

chapter four

Sunday morning found me still feeling overwhelmed by the fact

that I got a N100,000 from a man who didn’t really know me, a

man who didn’t owe me anything. The feeling lingered as the

days went by. Of course, I was happy; N100,000 was a lot of

money, and I got it easily, for no apparent reason. Yet, along with

that happiness came the feeling that all was not lost because I

knew Mr James was concerned and it would be a mistake to give

up. I was more certain now that if he heard my story and got to

know me better, he would be even more generous.

The week-long wait I planned was more difficult than I had

imagined. I couldn’t stop thinking about Mr James. Yes, he

instructed me to lose his number and never to call but I highly

doubted if he truly meant it. Come Saturday, he would hear my

story and forget about all he said at the restaurant. I was going

to take the bull by the horn, eliminate fear, and ask for his help

directly. It could either go right or wrong. I figured I had nothing

to lose except for a few days of nursing a bruised ego, and I was

willing to take that risk.

Rita called me to scold me. ”I told you not to say your real age, yet you went there and told him 19. Forget your baby face, with

your boobs and ass you could have passed for 22 or 23. How

could you blow a perfect chance like this? It was a simple

instruction for goodness’ sake, Cecilia. Do you really mean well

for yourself?”

Mr James had obviously gotten back to her. What could I say,

than to agree with her that telling him my real age had been a

bad idea? I didn’t tell her about my plans for the coming

weekend. I just thanked her for her help, and promised to return

her wig the following week.

“There’s no need, just keep the wig,” she said. “It’s the least I

can do now that we’re out of options.”

“Thank you Rita, you’ve been so kind to me and I really

appreciate your help.”

After her call, I was even more determined to salvage the

situation. The long-awaited Saturday eventually came, and I

decided to wait till about 4 p.m. to increase my chances of

catching Mr James at a good time. I chose that time because it

was his free time the Saturday we met, and hopefully it would be

so again. I was home alone as the twins had gone with Mum to

her shop, and my Dad had a “business meeting” to attend,

which usually meant he had gone to ask someone for a loan. My

siblings had lost a week at school already.

At 4 o’clock on the dot, I called Mr James. At the sound of the

first ring, I found myself unable to sit still, so I stood and began

walking around the sitting room. He answered on the third ring "hello".Hello, good day sir,” I said softly.

“Who am I speaking with please?”

“It’s Cecilia sir. I know you asked me not to call. I’m deeply

sorry, but I just had to. Please can we meet for drinks? There are

some things I would like to discuss with you please.”

“No,” he said emphatically. “We can’t, don’t ever call me

again.”

“Sir…” I started, only to hear the line cut right on my ear.

I could not believe he hung up on me, but not being one who

would back down easily, I called him again.

“Say what you want to say over the phone,” he said, his tone

became authoritative. “I have just 5 minutes to spare, I’m

listening.”

It was my chance to make a strong impression. My life and

education moving forward now depended on me and how

convincing I could sound. I started by telling him I had an

excellent WAEC result and a high JAMB score.

“All A’s and B’s, and a JAMB score of 265! I’m impressed,” he

said.

I then proceeded to tell him about my parents’ financial

struggles, how my younger siblings had been sent away from

school because their school fees had not been paid, and how my

mother already settled for a mediocre life by getting me a form

to learn tailoring.

“I’m very sorry to hear all this,” he saidI could hear the compassion in his voice, and it encouraged me

to press on. I explained how I went to Rita for help and how

desperate I wanted to leave Port Harcourt to Lagos. “I am going

to study accounting and work in a multinational someday, just

like you.”

“Now that’s interesting.”

“I’m serious sir. I want to be like you, and I would be very

grateful if you can agree to be my mentor. If you invest in me

now, I promise I will pay back every bit of it in the future.”

At that, he laughed out loud. It was the first trace of humour I

had glimpsed in all our interactions. “I don’t need a payback for

doing the right thing, Cecilia. You have N100,000 with you now.

Apply to two private universities and one federal university. If you

meet the entrance requirements and get admission, I’ll sponsor

your education.

I gasped, unable to believe my ears. “Sir? My entire education?”

He laughed again. “Of course, I don’t intend to abandon you

halfway. I have just begun.”

“I’m so grateful sir. Thank you so much! May God bless you

and reward you. How can I ever repay you?” I didn’t have

enough words to express my gratitude. This was beyond all I

could have hoped for.

“You are welcome. I have just one thing to ask of you.”

At that point, I was ready to give him anything he asked for.

How could I not be, when he was about to bring my most

precious dream back to life?“Anything sir,” I said eagerly.

“Don’t take advantage of me. I’m helping you simply because I

can afford it, and I like that you are transparent and honest.

Those are rare traits to find in human beings in this generation.

Do what you’ve said you’ll do. Don’t let me down.”

“I won’t take advantage of your kindness sir, and I won’t fail

you, I promise. Thank you so much for your time sir.”

“One more thing,” he said.

“Yes sir?”

“Drop the sir and call me James. Please don’t make me ask

again.”

I smiled. “Thank you, James. I’m truly grateful.”

Just like that, there was glimpse of hope in the air. It’s true what

they say: nothing good comes from the comfort zone. I was so

thankful that I made the decision I made to contact Mr James

again, and followed through. The direction of my life would likely

never have changed otherwise if I had listened to his scolding.

I was beyond happy. I was ecstatic. All I could think about was

which schools to apply to. After devoting enough time to

thoroughly research at the cyber café, I settled for two schools. I

bought the forms online and sent my applications. The admission

process would take about a month. I didn’t even tell my parents

anything about the process, but I knew I would have to tell them

about my plans immediately any of the schools accepted me. They

probably would not believe someone decided to sponsor my

education, so I knew I would have to lie.I called Rita to tell her the good news. She was indeed overjoyed.

“Babe, I’m so happy for you! James can be very principled when

it comes to certain things, but he’s a very good man and that’s

why I thought of him when you came to my shop that day.”

“I have you to thank you Rita, because without you this

wouldn’t have happened. I’m so grateful, may God reward your

kindness to me.”

“The pleasure is all mine, what are sisters for? But you’re brave

sha o, after he told you to lose his number, you still ignore what

he said and called…”

We laughed and chatted for nearly an hour, discussing our

dreams and painting pictures of the future. Rita still travels to

Lagos often, and she promised to keep in touch.

The following week, my siblings were back in school, thanks to

whomever had loaned Dad money this time. Initially, I went

with my Mum to her shop every day to assist her, but when she

wouldn’t stop asking me about the form for the tailoring course,

I stopped going. Instead, I enrolled for swimming lessons. I had

always wanted to swim but that was not my main reason for

going there. I wanted to start associating with the rich and

successful people I would eventually meet. I wanted to begin

leaving my old life behind me even before I got out.

My first time in a pool was an exhilarating experience. I loved

the water and the ambience, and I relished rubbing shoulders

with the wealthy. It was quite frustrating trying to fit in, not

understanding most of what they were talking about as their

references to TV shows and places they had travelled to sounded strange to me and I felt lost. Nonetheless, I had a nice time, and I

reminded myself that a journey of a thousand miles begins with

a step. I knew I would get there in no time.

The month went by quickly and I got a call from the shop

attendant at the cyber cafe who helped me with the admission

process. Not only had I been accepted into both schools, I was

admitted to study the exact course I applied for! Finally, my

dreams were coming to life. I picked up my phone immediately

and called Mr James to share the good news.

“I’m so happy for you!” he said, genuine excitement was evident

in his voice. He encouraged me to choose the private university

as his friend had shares there.

“Thank you for all you’ve done for me, and all you are going to

do. You have given me hope and a new lease on life. Thank you

so much,” I gushed.

The only thing left was to face my parents, and pack my

belongings to my new environment. I knew better than to tell my

parents a man I just met was sponsoring my education. They

would not believe it, and it would only make them uncomfortable

to accept the proposal. I sat them down and told them the most

reasonable lie I could come up with: that I won a scholarship and

my full tuition and cost of living would be taken care of.

“So you’re going to be a graduate? I’m going to be the mother of

a graduate? Glory be to God!” my mother said as she stood up

and began to dance.

“My daughter, I must thank you for taking the initiative, for

being brave and smart enough to apply for a scholarship,” my father said. “This is a really a great miracle, and a good example

to your younger ones. Congratulations my child.”

They were so happy and grateful. If only they knew a divorced

man was sponsoring their child’s education.

The resumption date was September 15th and I honestly

couldn’t wait to leave for Lagos. My fees were sorted and Mr

James had sent pocket money to my bank account. When I

mentioned traveling by road, he bluntly refused.

“I’ll book a flight for you, please. My driver, David will pick

you up at the airport in Lagos and take you to school.”

I couldn’t believe my good fortune. He had already sent more

than enough money to cover my needs as far as school was

concerned, and now I would be traveling by air for the first time

in my life. I felt so pampered and privileged. I decided to take

Michael and Martha out before I left, this time without skimping

on cash.

“Cecilia, you want to finish your scholarship money?”

I laughed. “Mummy, it’s not snacks and ice cream that will

finish the money. I’m managing it well, so don’t worry. I just

needed to spoil them a little, and for the fact that it will be a

while before I see them again.”

We went to a different eatery where the twins had donuts, meat

pies and egg rolls, with each getting their own mini bowl of ice

cream. They bought sausage rolls and drinks to take away,

happy and talking excitedly all the way. It wasn’t just that my

life that was changing, theirs would never be the same either,

and they knew it.On the day of my departure, I got to the airport at Omagwa on

time, and when we boarded I couldn’t hold back my tears of joy.

I was beyond grateful for the opportunity and blessings God had

allowed me to enjoy. It was my first time on a plane, heading to

a new city where I know nobody, and to start a new life. I

couldn’t wait to start living it,to make my family proud that was all I wanted