I CAN'T COME AND DIE

I was sitting in front of my house on a Monday evening, when suddenly I heard trumpets blowing and people singing; I thought it was this people running a promo, selling sim cards, and playing loud music in their bus, probably they didn't meet their sales target and decided to reinforce by adding trumpets to their awareness. As they came nearer, the sound got louder, then I realised the crowd was singing church songs, and they were distributing handbills. Eventually they got to where I was and a young lady approached me and handed me a flyer; that they were organizing a two day power packed program, she explained briefly and left. I looked at the handbill and smiled to myself... I Will Not Leave Lagos Empty Handed.

Me I'm not even planning of leaving Lagos now, so mine should be "I will not live in Lagos empty-handed". I decided I was going to attend the Tuesday own . I looked at the flyer again and laughed, then I remembered my last trip to Accra with Toro My Man, we were invited to a program there, "No More Shit".

Anyway, I decided I was going to attend the program come Tuesday.

Tuesday evening finally arrived, I dressed up, carried my Amplified Bible and left for church, it was a walking distance just 3 streets away. I just have to go to this program tonight, maybe finally my prayers of getting a job will be answered, a decent job at that, in the range of 6 figures. I arrived the church and got myself a good sitting position where I could see everything in front of me; I sat towards the back at the left side in the auditorium, very close to a standing fan. We sang, we danced, the choir ministered, then the pastor came on stage. He burst on the scene in a chariot of swagger; decked in a tuxedo suit with a big gold chain dangling on his neck, he was welcomed with shouting. He grabbed the microphone and got down to the business of the day. He preached his heart out, I felt the message, he was so on point. Every now and then, he interjected with; say after me, I will not leave Lagos empty handed, and I will quietly say my own version, "I will not live in Lagos empty handed", as I had no plans to relocate. Service ended, we prayed, we shared the grace, and everybody left.

I got home around 8pm, and since there was no light, I decided to cool off in the balcony. I was there for only about 3 minutes before Danladi, my Hausa neighbour joined me. He started telling me stories of Usman Dan Fodio, in my heart I was like; what the hell is this, can't I just have some peace. I just came back from church and needed to reflect on my life, I didn't want to tell him off so I just told him I needed to buy bread down the street, at least I can have some time to myself. As I stood up my phone beeped, I checked and behold it was a message from JOBS ALERT, it read; "Dear Lagos Sharp Guy, you have been shortlisted for a job interview, be there tomorrow by 12 noon", the address was somewhere in surulere. I almost jumped up for joy, but then I remembered it was only a job interview and not an employment letter. I changed my mind about taking a stroll and went back to my room, I needed to start making plans for tomorrow. I rummaged through my wall hanger and selected my wears for tomorrow, luckily for me I ironed two of my shirts before going to church that evening, the light came briefly and went again. I need to get a clean shave too, but it was already late. I'll do that first thing in the morning.

Fast-forward the following morning, I headed to the barbershop to get a nice haircut, he pulled some funny stunt but I didn't care.

By 10am I was all set, dressed up and ready to leave for the interview at surulere. I entered a BRT bus

By 11-55am sharp, I got to the address, I had to cross check the faded number on the building, and the house number in the text message, because the house looked abandoned and seriously beat down. I stepped forward and knocked the gate, a scruffy looking middle aged man dressed in rumpled clothes showed up, I explained my mission and he told me to go straight in and turn left. As I made my way in I met two guys storming out and cursing, they said stuff like; Na all these idiot pharmacy company, you go dey waka up & down inside sun dey sell medicine, Dem go con give you useless commission, God punish dis fada. I started thinking so I just wasted my money and time and I'll leave here empty handed, as I was contemplating my next line of action; I heard a noise from inside the compound; angry people who came for interview only to be disappointed. They wanted to loot the place but there was nothing to loot; only 3 plastic chairs, a wooden bench and a plastic table. They descended on the two guys who were registering people who that came for interview, the lady escaped earlier, on sensing danger. They decided to vandalize and burn down the building. A little chap, Adamu was also involved in the melee

He claimed he came all the way from Abeokuta that morning after receiving the text the previous night.

I didn't know what exactly to do, but I knew I had to leave the warzone as quickly as possible. Feeling depressed, I took off my suit and tie, I need to embark on my journey back to Ajao Estate, empty handed. Hungry and angry, I saw an eatery just ahead of me with the sign post, "eat and forget your worries", I smiled and entered. I ordered for fried rice and two chicken laps, I washed it down with a bottle of cold malt. I CAN'T COME AND DIE. I headed back home with a heart full of gratitude, even though I didn't achieve what I went for, I believe God has great plans for me. Nothing will kill my joy or tamper with my happiness, no matter what happens, always try to be positive, believe good things will come for you. Better days are ahead. I CAN'T COME AND DIE NOW.