I had spent years studying, writing examinations and imagining the kind of life I would have after graduation. I believed that once I collected my certificate, I would get a good-paying job, become independent and start helping my parents with some of the responsibilities at home.
Unfôrtunately, reality was very different.
I applied for several jobs, and thankfully, I got invited for some interviews. The problem was that most of the jobs I was offered did not pay well. Some of them were jobs that required me to spend a good amount of money on transportation every day, yet the salary was barely enough to cover my transport fare and feeding.
There was one job I was offered that paid so little that I rejected it immediately.
My father was not happy with me.
According to him, I was becoming lazy and greedy.
He would often tell me that I should stop looking for a perfect job and start from somewhere. He said that nobody became successful overnight and that I could accept a small salary, gain experience and gradually move to something better.
But I was not interested in hearing any of that.
Whenever my father brought up the issue, I felt he was putting unnecessary pressure on me. In my mind, I had gone to school, so why should I settle for a salary that could hardly take care of me?
My father did not relent.
Almost every time he saw me at home, he had something to say.
He would ask me why I was still sitting at home and remind me that I could not continue depending on my parents forever. Sometimes, his words were so harsh that I would go into my room feeling angry and frustrated.
Looking back now, I realise that my father was trying to push me towards independence, but at that time, I interpreted his words differently.
I thought nobody understood me.
That was when I made one of the biggest decisions of my life.
I decided to move in with my boyfriend.
His name was Emma.
We had been dating for some time, and I convinced myself that staying with him would solve some of my problems. At least I would no longer have to listen to my father’s complaints every morning, and I would have someone who loved me and supported me.
The only problem was that I could not tell my parents the truth.
I knew my father would never agree to me moving in with a boyfriend, so I lied.
I told them that a female friend had helped me get a job close to where she lived and that she had offered me a room in her apartment until I became financially stable.
My father was actually happy when he heard the news.
He said, “At least you have finally listened to my advice. Start from somewhere. The salary may not be much now, but with time, you will earn more.”
I felt guilty because I knew he was happy for the wrong reason, but I kept quiet.
My mother, as usual, was more concerned about whether I would have enough to eat.
She packed foodstuffs, provisions and other things she thought I would need. As I was leaving, she reminded me to greet my friend properly and thank her for helping me.
I nodded and left home with my bag, pretending I was going to start a new life with my friend.
But I was actually moving into my boyfriend’s house.
At first, everything seemed perfect.
Emma was loving and caring. He provided almost everything we needed in the house, and he never made me feel like a burden because I was not working.
Not long after I moved in, I found a job as a receptionist in a school close to his house.
The salary was not impressive, but I accepted it.
Emma was happy that I had found something to do. He never asked me how much I earned, and whenever I needed something, he would provide it.
We were practically living like husband and wife.
I cooked for him, took care of the house and waited for him whenever he went to work. At that point, I genuinely believed I had made the right decision.
I thought I had found a man who truly loved me.
Then one afternoon, my father called me.
He told me that my uncle, who worked with the Nigerian Customs Service, had a slot for me and wanted to help me start working as a federal employee.
For a moment, I could not even speak.
This was the kind of opportunity I had been waiting for.
A proper federal job.
Something with stability, benefits and room for growth.
I was extremely happy.
I immediately started making plans to go back home so I could begin the process.
When Emma returned from work that evening, I could not wait to tell him.
I smiled as I told him the news, expecting him to be excited for me.
But the moment I mentioned the federal job, his expression changed.
The smile disappeared from his face.
I asked him what was wrong.
He looked at me and said, “What about us?”
I was confused.
He explained that if I started working for the government, there was a possibility that I could be posted anywhere in Nigeria. He said the job could take me away from him and affect our relationship.
Then he said something that I never imagined would become so important in my life.
He told me that if it were left to him, he would advise me not to accept the job.
He believed that bigger opportunities were still coming, opportunities that would allow me to work without having to leave him.
He reminded me that I was already working as a school receptionist and that I seemed to be enjoying my job.
I listened quietly.
Deep down, I knew this was a serious opportunity.
But I also loved Emma.
And that was when I found myself facing a choice that would change my life forever…
Should I choose the future I had always dreamed of, or choose the man I believed would be my future?
To be continued….
