Nedu was my neighbour. I lived with him in my former compound before I packed to where I am living presently. He was selling foodstuffs. He was not rich but at least he could take care of his daily needs. I came back one day and I met crowd in our compound. I was alarmed at first. Because I didn’t know what was going on. On enquiry, I discovered that they gathered because of Nedu. Fire gutted the market where he sales. He couldn’t recover even a pin. He lay on the ground and was wailing uncontrollably. At last people succeeded in calming him down a bit. After a while, the crowd dispersed and he was left with his predicament. At that point, he started crying again.

“Nedu it is okay please stop crying.”

“I cannot stop crying. Tears are the only thing left for me. I neither have silver nor gold. I can’t even afford the next meal. I went to market yesterday to buy goods. I came back late in the night and pack everything inside my shop. In fact, I owe the people that I bought the goods from. Only for me to get to market this morning everything has been raced down. Where do I start? I know how my father suffered to raise the money I used to start this business. I am the eldest child of my parents. Who do I run to, for help? I am seriously confused.”

I was deeply touched by Nedu’ story. I wished there was a way I could help to ameliorate his condition. The challenge was that I was still an apprentice. I could not even take care of all my needs so attempting to add another burden was a suicide mission. Looking out for another person’s welfare was not an easy task.

“You have to calm down .If there is life, there is hope.”

“There is no hope for me. My own has finished.

“It is not so. God will surely make a way.”

“How, when, where? Please answer me,” he broke down in tears.

“Nedu listen to me. We all have our stories. I lost my father at age 3. In fact, I don’t know my father. The only parent I know is my mother. I am the only surviving child of my parents. My mother was pregnant when my father died but she lost the pregnancy. I don’t know the love of a sibling. I heard that my father was a teacher. In fact he had risen to the rank of headmaster before he died. That was how our fortune disappeared.
My mother was just a peasant farmer. She could hardly fend for us. It was my uncle that trained me in primary and secondary school. I was very brilliant in school. Every one said I took after my father. By the time I wrote West African senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). I came out in flying colours. I also wrote JAMB and passed but no one to sponsor me. That was why I ended up as a mechanic. In all, I am grateful to God for life. My mother told me that when her husband died, she attempted to commit suicide many times. She thought that all hope was lost. But when she sees me today she would always thank God for life. Now, she has seen that she has a reason to live. There will always be light in the end of a dark tunnel. Please be strong.”

After hearing my story he heaved a sigh of relief.

“I heard you, I am strong. But I wish being strong will bring back my goods. I wish being strong will put food on my table. I wish being strong will give me money to start another business,” he broke down in tears again.

“It’s alright. There will always be a way. Actually, this is one benefit that artisans have. Fire cannot burn your knowledge as far as you are alive. Even if fire burn your workshop, you can borrow tools from your colleagues and offer home services to your customers. Look at me will you believe that I am still an apprentice.”

“It is a lie. Tell me that you are joking.”

“I am not joking. I am an apprentice. I will be gaining freedom by the ending of this year. The only advantage is that I know the job. Because of that, my boss’s customers prefer that I handle their cars. After paying the charges for the services rendered to them, they also give me extra money. Another is that I offer home services on Sundays. That is how your brother is surviving.”

Chinedu’s face lit up in excitement.

“I’m really surprised. Please I am interested. I want to learn how to repair cars.”

“No problem I will connect you to my boss’s friend. He is nice and generous. He is an expert in the job. In fact most of the thing that I know today that made me to stand out is from him. That is why people say that I am better than my boss.”

“Thank you so much. I will forever be grateful to you.”

I took Nedu and introduced him to Oga Igwe and he started learning mechanic work. By the time he was through with his training, I lent him some money to purchase tools for his work. Though he later paid back the money. I also did not allow him to suffer searching for workshop. I helped to secure a place for him. That is why our workshop is at the same place.

After all these, Nedu chose to repay me with evil. I don’t know my offence.

Watch out for the next episode