Yemi asked for Daniel’s name so he could add him on Facebook. I gave it to him, though I doubted Daniel would accept the request if he realised we were mutual friends. He wouldn’t be that careless.
I felt deeply depressed after the conversation, and the realisation of what had happened hit me hard. I had just flushed 900,000 Naira down the drain—just like that. The thought was so frustrating that I begged Yemi to let me go to bed. Before ending the call, he asked if I would be attending church the next day. I told him I wasn’t up to it. He convinced me, saying he wanted to come to my church and take me out afterward to help me feel better. I reluctantly agreed and gave him directions.
Even after ending the call, sleep didn’t come. My mind was restless. Eventually, I took a Valium tablet, texted my HOD to ask if someone else could take my place at the door for Sunday service, and set my alarm. Within seconds of lying down, I was fast asleep.
The next morning, I woke up with a heavy heart. It still felt like a bad dream. How could I have been duped? After all my self-proclaimed sharpness and the countless times I had ridiculed others on social media for falling into similar traps, here I was—a victim. I’d always chalked those incidents up to greed and the desire for unearned things. But now? I had been duped for my generosity.
I didn’t feel like going to church. I wasn’t in the mood for “hunting.” After all, it was my so-called hunting that landed me in this mess. I couldn’t help but ask myself: Where did I go wrong? How careful could I have been?
I’m not someone who cries easily—I’m usually quite hardened. But this morning, the tears were dangerously close. It wasn’t just about the money; it was the reason I lost it. The guy had completely outsmarted me.
I remembered Yemi was coming to my church, so I dragged myself out of bed, got dressed, and headed out. On my way, he called, letting me know he was just leaving his house. I realised I didn’t even know where he lived, so I asked.
“Lekki Phase 1,” he replied.
A part of me leaped, but I quickly silenced it. Stay calm. Don’t get carried away over frivolities.
I told him I was on my way, and he apologised for calling while I was driving. “We’ll talk after service,” he added before we ended the call. I told myself to relax and not expect anything. Yemi had proven himself to be a friend, and that was all I should focus on.
At church, I wasn’t myself. My fellow ushers noticed and kept asking if I was okay. I told them I wasn’t feeling well, and my HOD backed up my story, so I got the benefit of sympathy and the freedom to keep to myself. If only they knew the real reason I needed their concern.
After the service, Enitan offered to follow me home to keep me company, but I declined. I didn’t want to risk spilling my story to anyone just yet. Yemi called to say he was waiting at the entrance, so I said my goodbyes and headed out.
We shook hands and exchanged smiles. “You’re looking better than I expected,” he teased.
I laughed out loud—for the first time since my ordeal.
“Do you have any after-service plans?” he asked.
“Not really. Just planning to go home, hide under a duvet, and maybe watch a movie. I’ll be back to normal by tomorrow for work.”
“What do you think about hanging out somewhere? Grab something to eat, maybe watch a movie, or do something fun to help lift your mood.”
I hesitated for a moment but realised there was no reason to rush home. His company would be a welcome distraction. At least he knew everything that had happened, so I wouldn’t need to be careful about what I said. Breaking my usual “no outings on the first ask” rule didn’t feel so bad—this wasn’t a date, just a friend being kind.
“No problem. I’d be delighted,” I replied.
“Great! Do you have anywhere in mind?”
“Me? Oh no. I’m not really familiar with places. Don’t mind me; I can be quite boring. I only go out when it’s absolutely necessary.”
He laughed heartily. “This isn’t good! If we’re going to stay friends, one of us has to be the outgoing type to drag the other out. What do you think?”
“You better take that responsibility—it suits you more. If you leave it to me, we’ll only ever go to the cinemas, trust me.”
We both laughed, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I silently thanked God for Yemi—I hadn’t expected to laugh today.
Then he said, “Why don’t you drive around to the gate and follow me? I think it’s time to take you for the ‘ritual’ you skipped the first day we met.”
I shook my head, smiling, and walked to my car.
As I followed him, we drove into Ozumba Mbadiwe, and I immediately guessed where we were headed: Radisson Blu. I’d always told my friends I couldn’t wait for someone to take me there. I’d heard amazing things about their buffet, but I’d never had the boldness to go alone—or with a fellow lady. Am I the one who’ll spend my money on another woman?
When he drove into the compound, I couldn’t help but smile to myself. “Na dis kain friend good to get,” I thought.