The day I shouted on my best friend for stealing my school fees

Last year during second semester, I was selling phone accessories around Enugu to save my tuition. Small small, I gathered ₦187,000. Kept it inside my locker in the hostel. Padlock, everything.

One Thursday I came back from class, my lock was forced open. Money gone. Empty. I sat down on my bed and just stared at the wall for like 30 minutes. My heart was beating so fast I thought I would collapse.

My roommate Chidi walked in and I just started shouting. Called him a thief, told him he was the only person who knew where I kept the key. He tried to explain but I wouldn't listen. I reported him to the hall warden. For two weeks we didn't speak. The tension was thick, you could cut it with a knife.

Then one evening the cleaner found the money inside an old mattress they were throwing out. Someone had hidden it there, forgot, and the mattress got replaced. Nobody stole it. I had to go and beg Chidi with pure shame. He just looked at me and said, 'Emeka, I forgive you but next time, check well before you open your mouth.'

That day I learned that desperation can make you blind. I almost destroyed a friendship that had lasted since 100 Level because I let fear control my reaction. Na wa.