My cousin's school fee was in my bag when I met 'Chief' at that cyber cafe

45,000 naira. That was my cousin's school fee. My aunt in Enugu sent it through me because I was the 'responsible' one in the family. First person to enter university, so everybody trusted me with money.

I was supposed to drop it that same day. But I passed by this cyber cafe near Obiagu to print one assignment. That's where I met him. Fine guy, clean shirt, laptop bag, talking about 'importation business' and how he makes 200k a week.

He said if I put in 45k, I'll get 90k in two weeks. Just like that. My brain just shut down. I saw iPhone. I saw new laptop. I saw my mother's face when I send her money.

I gave him the money.

Two weeks. Nothing. One month. His number was off. The cyber cafe people said they never knew him like that.

I couldn't tell my aunt. I couldn't tell my mother. I did freelance writing for four months straight, no sleep, just to raise that 45k back. Sold my phone. Stopped eating lunch.

When I finally sent the money, I told my aunt I was saving it for her. She praised me. Said I'm a good boy.

That praise pained me more than the hunger.

Lesson? If person dey too smooth, check am twice. Free money no dey exist. And never play with money wey no be your own.