The scholarship interview I almost slept through

Last year during second semester, I got shortlisted for a full scholarship to study data analytics abroad. Full tuition, accommodation, stipend, the whole package. My mother called me crying when I told her. She said 'Emeka, this is God answering our prayers.'

The night before the final interview, my best friend and I had a stupid argument over whose turn it was to buy recharge cards for the prepaid meter. He said I was being stingy, I said he was freeloading. We shouted at each other for two hours. I went to bed angry, couldn't sleep properly.

Morning came. I woke up at 10:47am. Interview was 11am. I scrambled, logged in with my phone data that kept buffering. My internet cut three times during the presentation. The panel asked me a question about my project timeline and I blanked. I could see the disappointment on their faces.

I didn't get it. They sent the rejection email three weeks later. I sat in my hostel room and just stared at the wall. The worst part was calling my mother to tell her. She didn't shout. She just said 'O ya, next time.' That silence hurt more than any beating.

Now I have a rule. No arguments the night before anything important. And I keep my phone charged with two different power banks. Some lessons you learn the hard way.