leila (my Africa story ) episode two

I woke up from sleep the next day morning and was preparing for the days sales. Mom was in the kitchen preparing breakfast, the whole family had said morning prayers already and no one came to wake me up. I had overslept in my hope that when I woke up,all that happened yesterday would be a dream.

       “sis Leila…………….sis Leila” my younger brother walked up to me, joseph the last born of rthe family

“you didn’t come out for morning prayers” he announced in a sad tune and then he added “but mom said not to disturb you that you have something big to do and when you do it, I’ll get lots of new shoes and sweets” smiling  widely, he looked up to me and waited for my response.

   “of course jojo youll get lots of new shoes and sweets when I go to the market and make lots of sales” I replied

“but you don’t make lots of sales everyday you go to the market…..mama said its something different” he said with a frown on his face.

Stocked in his questions and innocent bold eyes, I looked at him dearly and said “jojo, you know I love you and I promise ill get you lots of shoes soon…….now hurry up and go have breakfast before the others finish it” and with this, he ran happily out of the room. Mom walked in not long after jojo left.

“good morning mama” I greeted

‘good morning Leila” mama replied and then added “ I overheard your conversation with jojo and I must asy, that should make you quicken your decision making Leila….we’re all waiting and hoping on you”

“yes mama I know…………I’ll ll come up with a decision by the time I return fro todays sales. Im starving can I go have breakfast now? I asked my mom who stared at my in a twisted lips

  “hmm ……breakfast which breakfast is it the one that have already finished or the one that wasn’t even enough for your siblings?

  “its alright mom…..I’ll just head offt o the market then” I replied and left

That day, as I walked on the road, my thoughts ran deep…..this is not Gods plan for me his hopes for me are greaternthan this. His thoughts are towards me are more than this. My inner man kept reminding me that theres a graeter furture ahead of me and whatever ever the force was, till this day, standing before you all, I said no to my parents for the first time in my life.

I  assured myself that the furture of my family and myself lied not in the hands of mr ida the village rich man with three wives no matter how rich everyone thought he was. Our furture lied in the hands of God.

And when my mom said to me “Leila you have failed us…you want us all to die of poverty” I said to her with tears in my eyes

“no mom…..mr ida is not our future and I promise you mom that I will make you proud of me and this decision I have made”

And from that day, I asked God for his grace and I put in more work. I took those reed baskets beyond the market. I sold everything legal. I kept up a positive hope until I met my husband on that faithful rainy day when I was running home from the market. He was a freelance photographer who was doing a story on my village and its culture. He offerd me a ride that day and I reluctantly accepted having no choice.

We got together few months later and my parents gave us their blessings. I got opportuned to apply for a scholarship overseas ………..i got the scholarship award and left Nigeria for london where I studied production engineering and my husband and I got married.

My family was liberated from poverty and all my sibkings went to school.

And here I am today thirteenyears later married to the love of my life with three beautiful kids and celebrating the fifth anniversary of “Leila production industries” and finally my fellow Nigerians ill leave you with these words

    “never for one day in your life place your furture in the hands of any man. God is still up there and He is ever true to his words.

There was a standing ovation when Leila finish her speech. Photographs were taken. Everyone was happy smiles everywhere…. Leila was the owner of one the biggest production industries in lagos. And this didn’t come easy…..thre were so many hundles and trials aon the way. everyone celebrated. Leilas om was the happiest she danced till her waist hurt.

                                                                                                           the end...….


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