Ever since I was a kid, I didn't like too many friends, but then there were these two people who refused to leave my life; they were my friends, even though I ran for them sometimes.
When I was in university, I met the two of them in two different places, and they became a glue to my life. Just because I avoided them, they became closer.
The more I run for them, the more they come closer to me. It is not that I don't like them, but they live a lifestyle I wouldn't be proud of if I were them, but then, you can't tell someone how to live their life anyway; they both have a pure heart, and that is why I love them. After we finished university, there was no job, and every one of us went back home.
I met one of them back at Ogun; she happened to still be staying with her parents, just like me. So we searched for jobs together every morning, but all our efforts were for nothing.
The picture belongs to me
Her mom got to know me while we were searching, so she liked me because I was thinking of working and not using what I had to get what I wanted, just like some other girls do in their area. So anytime I went to their house, she always released her daughter since she knew I wouldn't do anything dirty.
Meanwhile, her daughter has been into hookups since we were in university, which was the reason why I had been avoiding her then. But when she went back home, she couldn't do so in the presence of her parents. We finally got a job in a hotel—a big one at that. I was employed as a receptionist, and she was employed as a bar attendant, so we still work together.
She took drinks from me and sold them; we practically went home together every day, and when we were on night duty, we went home in the morning together as well. One day we were on morning duty, and we finished as usual and went our separate ways.
Meanwhile, this girl didn't go home; she went out with a customer she met at the bar, and she spent the night with the guy. The next day we both resumed work as usual, and immediately she saw me.
She approached me and said, "Rose, I slept outside last night, and I know my parents would ask me where I slept. Please, can you help me tell them I was with you?".I laughed and asked, "Where were you last night? Because if I don't know the truth, I can't lie.".
So she explained, and I couldn't help but laugh at her parents for thinking their daughter was innocent and decent. Well, I find it awkward to lie to old people like that, but I just have to save my friend from getting beat up by her retired father.
We got to their house in the evening, and as expected, her father asked, "Matilda, where were you last night?".She replied without blinking her eyes, "Dad I slept in Rose Place because her place was closer and I was too tired to trek back home," her mother shot her up with questions, "And you can't take a bike?" You can't call as well? Rose too can't call to let us know you were with her.".
The picture belongs to me
Then I knew such a lie was terrible, and I started to stammer, "Ma, I told her to call, but she didn't have a calling card, and meanwhile, my phone was faulty, and I am still waiting for my salary to fix it.".
I began to sweat and pray within me that they would buy the lie I just told them. His father looked at the two of us suspiciously. Matilda didn't blink because she knew her father too well, while I was confused about how to act.
He eventually said, "Next time, you too should find a means to call us because it's dangerous out there for young girls like you.".
I thank God within me, and after that day, I warned her never to use my name to lie or make me lie to her family because I wouldn't do that to my parents. It was the most awkward situation I faced because when I lie, you can tell from my reaction, so I don't bother telling lies.