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Dele jumped off his bed and dashed into the bathroom. He brushed his teeth as fast as he could and took his bath at the same speed. When he was done, he dashed out of the bathroom, almost slipping and falling down to the ground in the process. He had woken up late and had just thirty minutes to get to work. Quickly, he mopped away water from his body with his towel and then flung the towel. He then picked up his body cream and rubbed on his body as quickly he could. He slid into his clothes, rubbed some cream on his body and combed his hair and in a matter of seconds, he was ready.
He had twenty minutes left! Holding his briefcase in his hands, he ran towards the bus stop not far from his house, his jacket flying like a cape in the wind behind him. He was lucky enough to get a bus as soon as he got there to the bus stop.
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As he got on the bus, he heaved a sigh of relief and tried to catch his breath. His stomach growled and he remembered how hungry he was. He had not eaten last night. He'd actually been working late, trying to finish some official assignment. He'd worked till midnight and dozed off sometime around early morning, only to wake up late. But he knew his boss wouldn't take that as an excuse from him. That was why he'd rushed to dress up and had to skip breakfast in the process. He just hoped the bus would move fast enough to get him to his office in time.
Seeing that the sweat on his body was all dried up, he adjusted his collar and tightened his tie. With his handkerchief, he dusted his suit trouser and then wore the jacket. Feeling all set and optimistic he would get there in time, he smiled to himself.
Just then, the conductor called "Next bus stop?".
That was his bus stop. It was time for those stopping there to pay their fare. The bus had actually been fast. Now he would get to work with about four minutes to spare. Happy, he stuck his hand into his pocket to remove his wallet. Nothing! He couldn't find his wallet. He had forgotten it while rushing this money. The wallet contained all his money and his atm card. He opened his briefcase and started searching it for money or his wallet, knowing fully well neither his money nor wallet would be there, yet he just hoped a miracle would happen. Nothing!
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Now Dele knew he was in for it and just sat there dumbfounded and feeling annoyed with himself. He watched others pay their fares and knew he would soon be asked for his. How had he forgotten to take money out of the house? As the bus neared the bus stop where he would be dropped, he began feeling uneasy, wishing the ground would just open up and swallow him. But it seemed there was no escape. How would he explain to the Bus driver and conductor that he had no money on him? He knew most NURTW workers to be impatient people. Wouldn't the driver and bus conductor beat him up? He wondered the miserable fate that awaited him.
He couldn't believe that this bad day had become worse just at the moment he was thinking his luck had turned around after all. At the moment, he was oblivious to time and cared less about getting late to work. All that filled his mind was getting out of this mess. He was deep in thought when someone tapped him. He looked at the fat woman beside him and she pointed forward at the conductor. He then looked at the conductor.
"Uncle, e ti sanwo oh", the conductor told him (Uncle, you haven't paid).
"How much I go pay?" Dele knew how much he was to pay and was just extending the time or his death sentence.
"Normal. Na 70 naira we dey collect
Dele nodded and looked away.
"Oya na!" The conductor said brusquely
"What?" Dele feigned ignorance
"The money jo"
The moment was here and there was no escaping it. Dele looked into space, putting his hands into his pocket as if he was looking for money. Just as he wanted to say the words that would sentence him to death, he heard someone say behind him "I'll pay for him"
He looked behind him and saw a young man smiling at him as he handed over money to the conductor. He couldn't believe his eyes. This man was really going to pay his transport fare for him. This was his saviour.
As he opened his mouth to thank the man, the man said, "You're Dele, right? "
Dele looked at the man closely, trying to remember him.
"Sorry. I mean Senior Dele. I was your junior in Secondary school", the man smiled.
"I still don't remember you, sorry", Dele said as he and the man stood up and got off the bus which had already reached the bus stop.
"But I remember you. Back in Secondary school, you saved me from being beaten by your classmates. They were bullying me and you stopped them. I can never forget." the man said.
"Well, you've paid me back", Dele smiled.
"Pay you back? All I did was pay 70 Naira as your transport fare", the man looked confused
"You have no idea how much this means to me right now", Dele said.
Loooool.
I was already so scared for Dele myself.
I guess it's true what they say:
Thank you for entertaining me just before a long day @tojukaka
Nice one:
That reminds me of my episode with an okada man, it was a Sunday and it happens that the sun was so raging that shadows and walls hiss against it.
I had an urgent meeting with a new NGO nearby and I was invited to talk about Crypto to the Excos.
I had a quick wash and picked my wallet along side my other pickables. In my rush to beat the time, I forget to check my wallet that was sitting jejely beside the pillow.
After stopping an okada man and negotiating with him, he agreed to be paid N140 for his services.
After taking approximately 30minutes of bike ride, it was less than a kilometer to reach my destination, I dipped my hand as usual to bring forth the money and horribly, I recalled glancing my wallet beside the wallet.
I found a fruitseller nearby and I talked to him about what happened and hopefully he gave me N150 which I gave the Okada man...
It was an unforgetful experience.
You were lucky
Very lucky
Thanks for stopping by
This shows that we should be good at all times, and the good we do today might not be rewarded immediately
What a saving grace. Pays to be good, you never know when you will reap it. I have been at the receiving ends of so many timely saves. Kudos brother.
Wow, it's good to be good because we don't know we will be needing our good works. Good for Dele that he was good to OK the your man back in school if not I wonder how would have been disgraced
This is what life is all about. We give and are given back in return any kind gesture. Thank you for sharing
Hmmmm, interesting story. Well done sire
hey..interesting...story..thanks for sharing..
Wow...great story...
Hmmmm, lovely story. Pls keep it up
Woooow! Never knew you wrte stories like this, you wont stop amazing me
Thank you
When next should we be expcting cos i cant wait
You are such a good story teller!
Please, do complete the story soon. Thanks
@tojukaka , this is cool. i hope you have great series on it
Yeah
Thank you
Hummm
One good turn deserve another...
It is good to be good.
Interesting story
Nice yeah
very interesting bro...thumbs up!
so inspiring.....keep it up sire