The Complexity Of Life: Expect Anything From Anyone
Life is full of surprises. I had to learn how to expect anything from anyone at any time after having many crazy experiences. Proximity or distance from people doesn't determine the kind of treatment that we will get from them.
It's funny how sometimes people we don't know or have good relationships with tend to be friends in need while those that we feel are family give us the shocks of our lives.
About two years ago, I went to visit my elder sister in Jos, and I sought a job to raise some money but I couldn't find any.
The only place I could find jobs easily was in the town, and the cost of transportation wasn't convenient because where we lived was far from the town.
So, I made up my mind to just stay in Jos for one more week then return home. While I was there, I was worshipping in one church in the community with my elder sister's family.
The pastor of the church married my sister's husband's last born. I didn't even know that the man had me in mind. He was someone that is always serious and has a scary look.
People who have conversed with him before will tell you that he is a no nonsense man. I don't know if I have ever caught him laughing. His face is always serious and because of that, I avoided conversation with him.
After service one day, he called me, to be honest, I was surprised and scared at the same time, I thought I did something wrong.
But the way he started the conversation by asking about my well being and what my next plan is, gave me solace.
After inquiring all he needed to know from me, he then asked if I could join him in his dog business while I am around.
Woah! I didn't see that coming, considering the fact that we are not close.
I didn't hesitate to take the offer. What was the job like? He is a retail dog seller, he buys both local and foreign dogs and sells them to people. My assignment was to feed the dogs and package them to anyone who bought it.
The next day, he came to our house and discussed the matter with my sister and her husband and they both gave their consent.
I worked in his shop throughout my stay in Jos, until I had to come back home for an assignment. My relationship with the man became strong and I took him as a father since then.
Let's talk about the ugly experience.
People who know me too well, know that I am someone who loves to share whatever is troubling me. If you happen to be someone I trust, that is all, be ready to always bear burdens with me.
I have this friend, I knew him right from secondary school and also in the church. I respected him so much because I saw him like a pillar.
There was a time when I was struggling with an addiction, I tried many times to break free to no avail and it was eating me up so, I decided to talk to him.
After the conversation, he encouraged me and gave me a few ways and I appreciated it. I even loved him for being a shoulder for me at such a moment.
Little did I know that he took the issue and discussed it with some of our friends. Ah, ah, We were conversing one day and suddenly, he brought the issue up and they began to make fun of me and laughed over it.
I felt like opening the ground to hide myself. I didn't just know what was good for me at the moment. I couldn't leave and I couldn't speak.
After that incident, I had to place him in another place in my heart. He became a casual friend instantly and I stopped sharing secrets with him. To date, our friendship is cold. He has been making an effort to make things work between us as it used to but I am still scared.
