Chapter 5: Pain Is the Teacher

Okechukwu contact the clinic again for the surgery. But this time, the price don double. That clinic sabi run people. If you ask before, no do, then come back, dem go know say you serious.

The nurse even send am voice note, say, "Sir, we don increase price, demand dey high. If you wan book, make you pay deposit sharp sharp."

All the money wey Okechukwu get, no reach. He come look my side.

E dey try form casual, but I see say e eyes dey beg. For hostel, na me dem dey call "Baba-Coop" – because I dey always get small change. But this time, I lock up.

He tell me: "Guy, abeg fit run me 500k? Just borrow me, I go pay double."

He dey whisper, but I hear the desperation. E wan do sharp guy, but e mouth dey shake.

For my mind, I dey laugh. All these years, Okechukwu don borrow borrow, chop my food, he never ever talk pay back. I dey think say him family dey suffer, so I dey pity am. But now, I no be mumu again.

No be today – na me be ATM for this hostel. But e never give me even recharge card. This time, na him luck run finish.

I come form say I dey shame: "Okechukwu, I no fit o. All my money dey inside cooperative."

I raise hand, do like person wey dey beg bank manager. E look me, na so e hiss.

Okechukwu eye shine. He push: "Which cooperative? Cooperative dey pay now, you don cash out. Sell am, give me 1 million."

The way e dey argue, you go think say na him get the money. I just dey smile inside.

I just show am screenshot of fake app wey dey lose money. E be like say I dey lose 50k every day. Even boxers I no get.

I add small story – say my babe just collect my last money buy bone straight. Okechukwu no even send. Na so e waka go corner, dey shake head.

Okechukwu hiss, "See am? I tell you make you no do anyhow, you no hear. Now see, even pant you no get. I no get money for you, no even try ask me next time."

E waka go, dey kick stone for corridor. I just dey watch am. Man no fit carry another man wahala for head again.