MONEY LOVE Charles took care of everything. Right from her 200 level till date it’s been Charles all the way. Now at this cross road what would she do, how can she move forward? It was a tough situation for Rita, a pretty tough situation. As she sat on her bed that night, back against the wall, sheets pulled up over her folded knees up against her chest, arms around her shin, chin resting on her knees, her phone in her hand deciding whether to make the call or not, she drifted off in thoughts, way back almost ten years now to that night when she met Charles; that fateful night. It had been a very tough period for her back then. Rita, the only girl and second child of four siblings was in the university; her 200 level and was going through a most difficult period of her life. Her parents were struggling economically; her Mum was a nurse at a small community hospital and her father was a trained security guard working for a security outfit. They lived in two rooms of a ‘face me-I face you’ building and they were having things really tough considering the expenses of education and general living standards. When Rita secured admission, there was absolutely nothing money wise to make her admission experience a good one to remember. No clothes, no books, no provision, small food and only 5,000 naira to survive on all through the semester. In the course of registration alone half of the money was gone and at that point she knew she was in trouble. Luckily for her, she was able to secure accommodation and in the process of registration on one of the queues she met Bunmi; a girl from a very rich home and they became friends. Bunmi didn’t secure accommodation hence Rita had to offer her help in that regard. All through their first year in school Bunmi practically sustained Rita in school, clothing, food, provision, toiletries, fees, bills and cash. Bunmi paid it all for Rita hence Rita had no reason to bother her parents for money all through her first year. In 200 level, Bunmi decided to celebrate her 18thbirthday thus she threw a party; an elaborate one at a club outside of school. She invited some of her friends on campus and many others outside of school, some of them friends from her childhood and others her elder brother’s friends. Naturally it would be impolite and selfish for Rita not to support her friend in the planning and hosting of guests at this party; though she wasn’t the club and partying type; this one she had no choice but to attend and there was when, where and how she met Charles. Charles was a friend to Bunmi’s elder brother; a very good looking young man in his late twenties. He was done with school and was working in his father’s establishment. Charles’ father happened to be a very rich and successful business man owning and sitting atop many multi-billion naira businesses in Nigeria. Charles, his first son was managing the haulage and transportation arm of the business. Charles had access to a lot of money and that night, at Bunmi’s party Charles asked Rita for friendship and consequently they became lovers. Charles was very loving, caring and generous to Rita. Charles paid exceptional attention to Rita and all her needs. He took care of everything she needed and all she wanted. He surprised her every now and again with all sorts of exciting gifts, trips and thrills. Within a year of their relationship, Rita became one of the most popular and celebrated girls on campus. She won the award for the most fashionable girl on campus back to back, was invited to every exquisite party and suddenly all the big girls and boys on campus wanted to be her friend. By the valentine’s day of the year after, they became lovers! Charles surprised Rita with a brand new red Honda CRV. It was indeed a big deal. Rita became popular, powerful and influential on campus. She became the big deal. On several occasions she would travel with Charles to different parts of the world on both official and non-official matters and would return with so much stuff and give out to many friends. She became so famous, loved and cherished by many on campus, Rita consequently fell desperately in love with Charles; her helper, her support, her provider and her backbone and the reality that Charles was already married with two lovely children didn’t bother Rita one bit. After Rita was done with school, she was posted to Abuja for her NYSC, it was tough leaving Lagos; particularly leaving Charles for such a long time. She was used to spending most evenings with Charles and the thought of being so far away was too hard for her to imagine. When it was time she had to go anyway and Charles promised he’ll check her up as frequently as possible. While in camp Rita met Samson, a very gentle loving and tender young man; a graduate of Engineering from one of the federal universities in Nigeria, a young man with a vision, a plan, a purpose and passion for his dream.; a very good husband material. Samson and Rita began to talk and hang out a lot and consequently became very good friends. After camp they were posted to the same ministry to work and this of course made them closer and brought stronger intimacy. By the end of service year, Rita returned to Lagos but Samson was retained at the ministry in Abuja to work. By then they were already sure they loved each other enough to be married; hence the plan and arrangements was already underway. When Rita returned to Lagos however; Charles had already made arrangements for her to be employed immediately in his father’s haulage company where he was the MD. She got the job on a platter of gold; it came with very attractive packages; travels, allowances, and an official car. In fact Charles made available a 3 bedroom official quarters for Rita and furnished it beautifully. Rita was very happy, impressed and eternally grateful for all Charles has done and is still doing for her. After about nine months on the job, Samson was transferred to Lagos to head a team and lead a project his ministry was in charge of and he was too delighted to relocate to where his fiancé lived and worked. Samson was very happy about the blessings and breakthrough his fiancée Rita had enjoyed in such a short period of time. As far as Samson is concerned, there was nothing more to wait for than for them to go ahead and get married. A good house, a car, good income, love, vision and compatibility was in place, so what’s the delay for? Rita became worried when Samson discussed marriage with her. She knew quite well one day she would have to end her affair with Charles as it is clear Charles wouldn’t marry her; he is married and very much loves his family and of course, she Rita is not prepared to be anyone’s second wife. Rita kept stalking and avoiding any discussions about marriage with Samson. Two days earlier, Rita visited Samson in his home very late after work like 11 pm and was shocked and surprised to discover he had a lady in the house. This lady was very comfortable walking around the apartment in her nightie and it appeared she was planning to spend more than just a night in Samson’s house. Samson also, surprisingly wasn’t shocked or embarrassed or sorry to be caught by Rita; infact he welcomed her and received her just like an ordinary guest but told her she couldn’t spend the night because he had a visitor. He said it with so much confidence that shocked Rita. The next morning Rita called Samson to discuss the sad development and Samson told her he was tired of waiting and her stalling and if she wouldn’t give him any response in three days the relationship is over. Here is Rita, on her bed, garnering courage to call Charles and tell him she wants to get married. She picked up her phone and called Charles to inform him she wants to get married. What? What are you talking about? Don’t you dare? Don’t even think about it? Marriage my foot! Look Rita don’t look for trouble, you don’t know what I’m capable of, if you try any rubbish I’ll finish you and that so called husband in this Lagos, believe me I have what it takes. Give yourself brain, Charles threatened and the line went dead. Rita began to shiver on her bed, afraid, confused and distressed, her head began to spin. I’m in trouble; real big trouble. I’m in real trouble; just then, the clock began to chime; its 12 midnight, a brand new day, it’s her birthday, she’s thirty today. Ladies and gentlemen, many times situations and circumstances compel us into doing stuff and making compromises we would naturally avoid. Relationships can get very complicated at times. Compromises can bring about very dire consequences afterwards. Life many times would present to us good options and right options, many times we choose what appears good over what appears right. A superior mindset judges matters from outcomes not from feelings. What are you into or doing today and you know the consequence would be devastating, destructive, embarrassing or harmful. Choose the right over the pleasurable today. # Hero.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 15:21:20 +0000
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