"Even if a bag of cement comes down to 500 and a plot of land
sells at 100k, you can't still build a house"
As deep as the statement hurts, Dike knew that it was
true. Of course, he
couldn't build a house even if the price of cement comes down to that price,
the last amount In his savings account with Heritage Bank was 50K, and that
wouldn't even rent a flat, talk more of buying a plot of land.
He was so embittered by Uzor's utterance. He felt challenged, but at
same time he felt helpless.
His monthly pay at the Refinery where he worked as a mixer was 20K and
that made him no match to Uzor, who was a business Mogul, driving around in a
Venza and with 3 white mansions to his name; two In the city, and one in his
Village.
As much as Dike knew he wasn't a match to Uzor's wealth, he never gave
up hope of beating Uzor in wealth. He knew not when, but the resilient spirit
within him believed in the possibilities of his present impossibility.
He stood up from his seat, put his cap on, and walked out of Uzor's
house, before he received another insult that would push strength to his
muscles, fold his fists and land Uzor a low jab that would leave his jaw
dilapidated.
As he walked down the Pedestrian bridge that would usher him into the
old dirty narrow track road that lead him to his one room apartment In Shitta,
he tried to figure out the best plan to rescue himself from the impending
poverty awaiting him.
He was in his early thirties, but his work made him look older than his
age. He knew that the work wouldn't feed his family if he eventually married;
his account balance couldn't even pay the bride price for the Imo girl he was
dating, talk more of organizing the sort of wedding they've been dreaming of.
He waved the thoughts of marriage aside, there were more to think about
and marriage was the least. As he took the sharp bend that ushered him into the
track road, he realized that Uzor's harsh words were helpful, though it had
hurt him deeply.
He forced himself to stop feeling the pain of the words, but to face
the truth in them. In reality, Uzor had only told him the truth, maybe in a
harsh manner, but it was still the truth. And if only he could peel off the
harshness of the words, he would understand better that the words were helpful.
Before now, he was contented with the 20k salary he received monthly,
but after Uzor's words, he felt it was too meager to be called a salary.
"Something must be done to compliment the monthly salary he received.
Even if it meant running two jobs at a time"
He concluded as he took the lonely walk to his house.
Sometimes in life, those words that hurt the most are those that teach
us the more and challenge us to take a bold step.
Look beyond those insults and harsh words and you would see a challenge
for a better future.
©2015
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