Source: Meta AI
On that faithful day, I was going for an interview at a nearby school; however, I went a bit late to the interview.
Everyone in that house fetches water at the community tap, which is quite far, almost a kilometre down the road.
I had fetched water from the tap a night before, and I was ready to go in, waiting to use the bathroom, which was actually a general one at that time.
A little movement away from the bathroom to my room changed my timing. One of the tenants, Mr Julius, had been secretly waiting for me to leave the vicinity for him to take my bucket of water.
On getting back, I could not find my bucket, and I noticed a new person in the general bathroom.
A deep sense of anger was in me. I could not curse, but I banged the door. Mr Julius didn't open it until he was done bathing.
Mr Julius was a huge fat man and the landlord's son; he always felt a bit entitled to everything in the house. However, that day, I didn't take the issue lightly.
A feeling of loathe filled me. Unlike the previous times, i was loath to tackle the issues at hand. Mr Julius, how dare you use my water? This water was my sweat, and I won't tolerate such irredeemable behavior.
Mr. Julius responded, someone took mine yesterday, and I decided to take yours today.
A great feeling of disgust filled me. I have an interview by 7 am, and now this is 6:23.
Just give me my bucket...
Someone in the house heard my commotion or predicament. She was Mrs Kolawole.
I could hear the sound from the door as she tried to open the locks.
She said, Mr Julius, because you are the landlord's son doesn't guarantee you an access to free water.
Because you are the landlord's son doesn't give you the privilege to use anybody's water....
Mr Pamilerin, take this bucket of water. It was originally meant for drinking.
I melted on spot. Kind people exist in our world today. I said, thank you ma.
She responded, good luck in your interview.
While I was on my way to the bathroom, I can hear Mrs Kolawole calling Mr Julius, "Agbaya", which is an abusive word.
Like an intercontinental ballistic missile, i flew to the area of interview. At the gate, I saw the same Mr Julius, the landlord son.
I was shocked and curious to know if he actually works there.
Soon, I did my interview, and I was told that I would be communicated to via an email.
I didn't know what to say, than thank you to the interviewers.
Going back, the small gate was automatically open. I could see Mr Julius in the security changing room.
The next morning, I saw a message on my mail approving that I resume the next day with immediate effect.
I was joyful. It happened that a physics teacher was needed.
The following day, Mr Julius was the one to open the gate for me. Sure, I didn't greet him, and he didn't ask of where I was going.
What might be going through his mind? I thought
Heading to the proprietors office, Mr Julius ran towards me... Mr Pamilerin, good morning. Where, where are you going to? This is the proprietors office. I am really sorry for what I did yesterday. Please do not report me.
I smiled...
No, no, no... I am not.
I am now a full academic member of this institution.
His jaw dropped as he shouted and shakes my hands.
Congratulations, my Oga.
I was perplexed.
Oga bi ti ba wo!
Just yesterday you claimed to be my boss, and now you are hailing me... I just wondered.
Life is really small.
I was introduced to my classroom.
At home, Mrs Kolawole asked about my interview, and I told her that I am now a physics teacher.
She was really happy.
Mr Julius also works there, I told Mrs Kolawole. She said, “Can you imagine?” She then began to lecture me on why it pays to be good, never to repay evil with evil. She said, “Don’t fight fire with fire, or you will get burnt.”
That lesson was a lifelong one too.
Throughout my stay in that house, Mr Julius greeted me well, and we in fact became good friends. Not only did that little experience teach him to be kind, he no longer bosses people around.
Deep down, I do not know whether he is being good just because we work in the same institution or because he learned his lesson.
Thanks for visiting. Happy New Year!