The day I collected my sack letter and my mother called me the same minute

Two years ago, my oga call me inside office on a Friday. He say the company dey restructure. Just like that, my sales job don finish. I no even cry. I just carry my bag waka out.

My phone ring before I reach the gate. Na my mother. She say she get a dream say I dey do well for Lagos. She say she don tell the whole compound say her son dey hammer. I tell her say yes ma, work dey fine. I lie. I lie sharp sharp.

For three months I no get work. I dey sell recharge card for street just to chop. Every Sunday she go call, I go tell her say sales dey move. The lie dey pain me pass the hunger.

One night I just break. I call her, I say mama, I no get work, I don fail. She keep quiet for like ten seconds. Then she say, "Chidi, na only person wey die we no fit help. Come home."

I go Port Harcourt that weekend. She no ask me for money. She just cook egusi. Till today, that one teach me say pride no dey feed person. Family na the only viewing centre wey no dey charge you entry fee.