The day my best friend's boyfriend moved in and my savings moved out

Two years ago, my best friend from uni and I decided to get a place together in Ikoyi. ₦1.5M rent, splitting 50/50. We were so excited, talking about how we'd host girls nights and have our own space. I paid my half upfront, she said she'd send hers the next week.

Fast forward three months. I start noticing things. Extra toothbrush in the bathroom. Men's deodorant. One day I come back from work and her boyfriend is just sitting in the living room watching TV like he pays rent. I asked her quietly, 'Shey he dey stay here now?' She laughed it off, said he was just visiting.

Two weeks later the landlord calls me. 'Your rent is two months overdue.' I called her. She said she'd been 'going through some things' and stopped paying her share. The boyfriend had moved in properly, she was covering his expenses, and I was covering both our rent for three months. ₦750k gone. My savings. Wiped.

I confronted her. She told me I was being selfish, that I didn't understand love. I told her I understood maths and ₦750k was not adding up. We fought. I moved out that week. Couch-surfed for two months while I rebuilt.

We haven't spoken since. I still think about that money sometimes. But I learned something , never mix friendship with money unless you're ready to lose both. And always, ALWAYS get the rent in writing before you hand over the keys.