Chapter 20
The decision to stay in Lagos wasn't an easy one, but it was the right one. After talking to Beth and reflecting on everything, I realized that running away to the village would only delay what I knew I had to face. Lagos, for all its noise and chaos, was where my future lay. There were opportunities here, and while they were difficult to find, they were real. I couldn't afford to back down now—not when I was so close to a turning point.
I spent the following weeks preparing for the GCE exams. There were moments of doubt, moments when I questioned whether I was ready or if I had made the right choice by staying in Lagos. The pressure was relentless—studying while trying to secure a stable living situation, with no clear idea of where I would end up at night. But I pushed through. I reminded myself that this exam, this one chance, could change everything.
The exams began on a hot Monday morning. The usual hustle of Lagos felt muted as I joined the crowd of students gathering outside the exam center. The air was thick with anxiety, but there was also an undercurrent of determination. We were all here for the same reason—to carve out a future, to prove that we could rise above our circumstances.
I found a quiet spot under a tree and tried to calm my nerves. My mind kept wandering to the life I hoped to build after the exams were over: a steady job, a small place of my own, the ability to start saving up for further education. It all seemed so distant, but I knew it was possible. I had to believe it was possible.
The exams lasted for eight days. Each day felt like an eternity, filled with moments of both dread and relief. There were times when I felt confident, times when I doubted my answers, and times when I wished I had studied just a little harder. But when the final day came, I felt a strange mix of exhaustion and hope. The long, grueling days had come to an end, and now all I could do was wait.
The weeks that followed were a blur of anticipation. I continued to struggle with my living situation, still hopping between friends' places and avoiding Aunty Mary's wrath. But in the midst of it all, I felt a quiet sense of achievement. I had done my best. The GCE exams were behind me, and now, I just had to wait for the results.
Then, one afternoon, as I sat outside my makeshift home in the neighborhood, I received a message. The results had been released. My heart raced as I quickly opened the message from the exam center. I held my breath, my hands shaking as I scrolled to the results.
I passed.
The weight that had been pressing down on me for so long lifted in an instant. I could hardly believe it at first. After all the struggles, the doubts, the moments of loneliness, I had passed. I had my Senior Secondary Certificate. I was finally able to prove that I could stand on my own.
I felt a sense of pride that I hadn't felt in years. It was the first tangible proof that my hard work was paying off, that I was more than the failures others had projected onto me. It wasn't just a piece of paper—it was the key to a new chapter of my life.
Emmanuel was one of the first people I called to share the news. I could hear the excitement in his voice as I told him. "I knew you could do it, bro!" he exclaimed. "Now that you've got your SSCE, what's next?"
I smiled, feeling the warmth of his words. "Next, I find a job. I'll start saving up for my own place and continue my education. I'm not stopping here."
Beth also reached out to congratulate me. Her message was simple, but it meant everything. "I knew you could do it, Fred. You've always had it in you."
For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to imagine a future where I wasn't just surviving but thriving. I didn't know exactly how things would unfold, but I knew this was a turning point. With my SSCE certificate in hand, I now had the opportunity to look for work, to finally start building a life I could be proud of.
I went to the nearest internet cafe and began searching for job openings. I found a few, mostly entry-level positions at shops, office spaces, and even a call center. I applied for everything that seemed within reach, determined to start somewhere. It wasn't much, but it was a start. And that's all I needed.
The next few weeks were filled with interviews, rejections, and small victories. It wasn't easy, but I was used to hard work. The city was still overwhelming at times, but now, it didn't feel quite as hostile. It felt like a place where I could finally make my mark. I stayed focused, kept my head down, and worked towards securing the future I had envisioned.
And then, one afternoon, I got a call.
"Hello, Fred? This is Mr. Adewale from Bright Solutions. We'd like to offer you the position of office assistant. Can you start next week?"
I couldn't believe it. After all the uncertainty, after all the struggles, I had finally landed a job. It wasn't much, but it was everything. It was a step forward.
I hung up the phone, feeling a rush of gratitude and excitement. This was just the beginning. I had a job, a place to start, and the first real opportunity I had to make something of myself.
Later that day, I sat down and took a moment to reflect on everything that had led me to this point. From the difficult days at Aunty Mary's house to the decision to stay in Lagos, to the late nights studying for the GCE exams—it had all been worth it. The path hadn't been easy, but I had made it through.
I was finally on my way.