PUSHED TO THE BRIM.
Tolu had always been the gentle one among her friends. The one who could take anything. Being made fun of, mocked, even when her sister threw aggression at her, she would simply apologize and move on like nothing happened. She carried peace like it was her responsibility to keep everyone else comfortable.
Then one fateful day, she lost her job. No explanation. No warning. Just like that. She did not even understand why she was sacked, but she walked away quietly, like she always did.
No questions, no resistance.
With a heavy heart, she went to her friend’s place, hoping to at least find a shoulder to lean on. Someone she could cry to. Someone who would understand.
Tola looked at her and laughed.
“So you be mumu like this? You no even ask why them sack you? You just carry your two left legs waka comot. Every time you dey fall my hand. You no even beg?”
Something in Tolu broke.
She stood up, her voice trembling but firm.
“I thought you called yourself my friend. And all you can do is insult me? Sometimes I even wonder how we are friends. Imagine me starting to doubt myself because someone who claims to be my friend looks down on me.”
She paused, her eyes filled with hurt and anger.
“You are a very wicked person. Have you ever added any value to my life? I saw a message on your phone last week. Someone asked about me and you said, ‘that one na mumu, my friend no get level at all.’ Really?”
Tola went silent.
“And I got you a job. I paid your first two years rent in this house. When your sister wanted to go to school, I borrowed you money to make sure she was okay. Have you returned it? I have done so much for you.”
Her voice softened, but the pain was louder.
“The only thing I ever asked from you was love. Loyalty. To stand as a good friend. But you chose to keep hurting me. Adding salt to my wounds.”
She took a deep breath.
“I am done with you and everything that has to do with you. Do not ever call me again. When you see me coming, go the other way.”
And she walked out.
When she got home, her sister did not make things easier. The same harshness, the same lack of care. Tolu said nothing. She went into her room, packed her things quietly, and left.
She blocked everyone. No calls. No messages. No explanations.
No one knew where she went.
But for the first time in her life, Tolu chose herself.
Lesson:
Being quiet is not weakness, but silence should never cost you your worth. When people keep taking from you without giving respect in return, distance becomes necessary. Not everyone who calls you a friend truly values you. And sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is walk away from what keeps breaking you.
Thank you for sharing Tolu's story. The line about "apologizing and moving on like nothing happened" really resonated — sometimes gentleness is mistaken for weakness, when it's actually a form of strength.
❓ Have you found that setting boundaries became easier once you recognized your own worth?
Wishing you peace in the journey. 🙏