Hello everyone, Native Boy is here again and today I want to share with you how my very close friend became a total stranger after I lent him gh2000. ($164)
It all started with a WhatsApp message followed by a phone call. I didn’t even understand what he needed the money for, but I could sense some desperation in his voice. He sent me screenshots from his bank app on how he has been finding it difficult to withdraw money even though he had a fair amount in his account.
It did not take long for me to be convinced that he needed the money desperately and also that he’ll repay me latest by the following day. I sent the money to him immediately after the call ended. He called back thanking me and reassuring me that he’ll send my money back immediately after he was able to withdraw funds from his account.
The following day came and I didn’t hear anything from this guy. I said everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt so I decided to wait till the night before I ask him. It was finally 9 pm and I called my friend to ask for my loan. This guy told me that we are on weekends and no bank operates on weekends, so I should wait till Monday. It was after ending the call that I realized that lending my friend Gh2000 was a very bad idea.
I started regretting my decision a week later when he started ignoring my calls and showing me attitude when I approached him. He started justifying his actions by mentioning things he had done for me for free and why I should not be harassing him because of gh2000.
Then I started seeing all the plot holes in his earlier story. He borrowed the money on Friday and promised that he’ll repay the following day right after settling his bank issues. He was aware that the following day will be a weekend and the bank will not be working. It was actually true that he needed that money desperately, but paying it back was not part of his plans, or at least not anytime soon. Probably even the screenshots he sent were even fake. But because I was carried away by the relationship we had, I didn’t even bother to dig deep.
At that moment I knew my money was gone and it would take only a miracle to have it back. Mind you, this was money I saved all year to pay my rent. I was broke and broken. The most painful part was the fact that I couldn’t tell anyone the pain I was going through because nobody will believe that this guy would do such a thing, especially to me.
It did not take long before my rent was due. It was too late to start saving again and I was not ready to take a loan or borrow money from anyone. I parked out of the apartment and moved back to my parent's house.
This incident happened somewhere in November last year. We have not spoken nor texted since all efforts I made to get my money back before my rent expired failed. We met two times at another friend’s wedding but didn’t even exchange any pleasantries. That was best for him, I would have broken his leg had he made any attempts to greet me like a friend.
Just when I finished writing this post, I decided to check through our WhatsApp chats to get some screenshots for this post, and guess what, he has deleted all the messages he sent regarding the money. Thanks to my 2022 Diary, I still have every detail of in written in my own handwriting.
My little advice to you reading this is don’t lend money that you can’t afford to lose, to a friend you can’t afford to lose.
Many people borrow money when they’re very desperate and they mostly have intentions to pay it back but no plans on how to pay it back. You cannot pour from an empty cup, you can’t pay money that you don’t have. So think thoroughly before you lend money to your friends. Even though it’s difficult, you don’t always have to say yes.
Another thing I’ve realized is that even though the university is a place where you’ll meet amazing people and make great networks, it is also the place where you’ll find the fakest and most unreliable people. After graduation, you’ll realize that many people were your friends because you used to see them at least five times every week.
Thank you so much for going through my post. Your time is very much appreciated