My friend swore we would split the rent. Three months later she vanished and I was hiding eviction letters under my mattress

2024, around August. I had just signed a one-year lease in Lekki Phase 1. Two bedroom. The rent was 2.8 million per annum. My friend Bimpe said she would split everything with me, 50-50, because she was also tired of living with her aunt in Surulere.

I believed her. I signed that paper with my full chest.

First month, she paid her half sharp sharp. Second month, she started giving excuses. Third month, she just stopped picking my calls. Then I saw her status on WhatsApp: she had moved to Abuja for a 'new job opportunity'. No goodbye. No rent money. Nothing.

I was now paying 233k every month alone. My salary could not carry it. I started taking brand deals I knew were beneath me. One skincare brand that I later found out was bleaching cream. I did it. Because rent was due and I had nobody.

The eviction notice came in November. I hid it inside my box of old shoes. I did not tell my mother. I did not tell my siblings. I just kept posting fine pictures on Instagram while I was dying inside.

God saved me. A big PR job came through in December. I paid up till the end of the lease and moved out. Smaller place. No roommate. No noise.

Bimpe sent me a message last year asking if we could 'talk'. I left her on read. Some people are lessons, not friends. 💅