Sometimes the only way we can relate to people's problems is when we have been in their shoes. Be it a friend or a stranger, once the problem is said, you get a nostalgic feeling about what they are going through, and that is when the hand of help is stretched out to you. It is now left for you to take it or ignore it.
About one year ago, I was at my office in the city of Abuja. I had so much work on my table that I ignored all the text messages I got and all the calls. I had a quota to meet up with so I could give my report on Friday. The more I focus on my work, the more my phone keeps making the clinging sound of notifications. I fought all temptation to pick up my phone, but then it started ringing again. I checked who it was, and it was an unknown number.
One thing about me is that I don’t like it when I’m working so seriously and someone calls to tell me something that doesn’t pertain to the task at hand. Such a thing does piss me off. I decided to pick up the phone since it was an unknown number. It might be a client; I don’t have their number.
"Hello, senior man. Boss, how have you been?”
It was an unfamiliar voice on the other side, so I kept quiet to think about who could talk to me, so familiar yet unfamiliar to me. I answered in the most cooperative and respectful way ever.
“Hello, good afternoon. This is Fash Ademola on the line; how can I help you?”
“Don’t you remember me?” The voice said
At this point, I was already getting angry because, from the tone of the other person, it wasn’t a cooperative individual, and he sounded like he knew me so well. I wanted to talk back harshly, but I was in the office where my other coworkers were. So I said,
“See, I don’t know you. If you have something to say, say it because I’m very busy right now.”
It was then that the voice tuned down and said, “Oh, no vex, boss. I don’t know you don’t have my number. It is me, Dave. Sandra, senior brother.”
Rewind. ⏪
Yeah, I knew Sandra. We used to be very close friends and probably almost got to the stage of being more than friends. I used to visit them, but I hardly see her brothers, so how did he get my number or what made him remember me? Did something happen to Sandra? All these thoughts started roaming my mind.
“What’s up, man? How are you doing? It's been a while. I hope everything is well,” I said to him with a calm voice now that I knew who I was talking to.
“Nah bro. That’s why I called. I know we are not close or friends, but there was no one I could turn to. That’s why I came to you. You see, I haven’t eaten for the past two days. The only thing I have been using to keep myself alive is Garri. I can’t ask my parents for money because I’m a man and the first child. I know this is coming unannounced, but even if it’s five hundred naira for food,”
After he finished talking, I felt weak in my knees and remembered the time I was once in a position like that. Not that our situations were identical, but there was a time in my life when we had no money as a family and there was no one we could turn to. The ones we turned to for help turned us away, and we had to go for days without food.
At that point, I told him not to worry and asked him to send me his bank account details so I could transfer the money to him. In a split second, he sent it like he was waiting for me to ask. I logged into my bank app and sent him two thousand naira.
After he got the notification, he called back to thank me. I don’t think anyone has thanked me that way before. I felt pleased with myself because I was able to help someone in need. There are many people I have met in my life who want to help me, but most of them can't. Everyone is facing their demon, so I hold no grudge against anyone, but the fact that he would be asking me for help for the first time and I was able to do it made me feel like I had been able to help humanity in my own little way.
Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to help the needy today.
This is my entry for the @hive-naija weekly prompt.
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