Life was tough during my school days. I was going to have exams, my brother’s school fees were not paid, and I had to keep up the act that everything was okay.
I was writing in my exercise book, but I was not really noting. I was thinking about what we would eat and how little money I still had. Tolu looked at me and said,
“Amara, you always look so serious. It’s only exams, not a war.”
I finally looked at her, gave her a weak smile, and said, “Tolu, you would know better if you had gone halfway in my shoes.”
She chuckled and told me I was being funny. I really wasn't.
I had to run home after teaching. My little brother, Chike, was there at the entrance, smiling as if he hadn't seen me for a long time. I let down my bag and took a seat. He moved his head and whispered,
“Sis, are you tired?”
I smiled, pulled him close, and rubbed his hair.
“No, baby. Your sister is strong.”
No, I wasn't. I had to force myself to study marketing at 10 pm despite my desire to sleep.
Though they saw my happy face both on campus and via the internet and assumed I was a lucky person, the nights when I sobbed silently or the times when I didn't eat because I wanted to share my little food with Chike, they couldn't see.
As a next thing, an email was sent to me that I really can not forget in a hurry. It was letting me know that a company from Lagos, after reading my articles online, is seeking me to fill a junior marketing assistant vacancy. Whoa! If that post was able to change everything, it would be mainly for a future that I would love to share with Chike plus an increase in my salary.
At 9 am on Monday, I was supposed to be present at the interview. I ironed my best blouse, polished my worn-out shoes and practiced my answers till really late at night.
Monday morning didn't turn out well. There was no electricity overnight, and my phone didn't get charged. I woke up to the sun shining on my face. My phone showed 8:00 a.m. I felt very uncomfortable. The company was located a hour away.
Without wasting time with my dressing, I kissed Chike and ran to the bus stop. The first bus was already full when I arrived. I saw it driving off, feeling that my whole future had gone with it.
The traffic was awful. I got there at 10:05 a.m. The receptionist shot a pity look at me.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “The interviews closed at nine-thirty.”
“Oh, my God, why? Why is it that nothing works out right?” I murmured. A man wearing a neatly ironed shirt and a tie walked past me, then turned around. He came over to me.
“Her words really impacted me. I thanked her and went out to find a bench.”
"Why, God, why?" I moaned. He leaned over to me, asking if he could help me.
“You look like you lost something important,” he said kindly.
I managed a laugh. “Just missed something I really needed.”
He sat down a little way off. “Sometimes missing one thing takes you to the right thing,” he said.
I shook my head. “That’s easy to say when it’s not you.”
He smiled. “I’ve been there. Life reroutes us more than we know.”
We talked for a while. I told him about school, my brother, and my dreams. He just listened. When I stood to leave, he handed me a card.
“My name’s Mr. Adebayo,” he said. “I run a small marketing agency. Come by tomorrow if you can. Let’s talk.”
The next day, I went. His office was small but full of energy. We spoke for an hour no formal questions, just a real talk.
By the end, he said, “I can’t offer much yet, but I’d like to bring you on part-time. Let’s see how it goes.”
I accepted.
Months went by. The part-time job turned into a full-time one. Mr. Adebayo showed me things that I had not learned even at school. He had faith in me. My writing skills got better, my confidence increased and, after a long time, I felt that the future was mine to choose. One night, when Chike and I were having dinner, he smiled.
"Sis, you seem to be so happy all the time," he told me.
I chuckled, messed up his hair and answered, "Perhaps life is actually giving me back the smile."
Reflecting on it, I am sure it was more than luck. However, it was God's unmerited favor, perseverance, and the peculiar way that life works-how a door that is closed means there is a better one waiting for you.
I was managing a major project for an important client one year later. After the meeting, I passed that park and sat on the bench. I said a little prayer of gratitude.
Now I tell my story to friends when they moan over lost opportunities. I tell them about the bus that I missed, the shut door, and the stranger who gave me a chance.
Because sometimes, what feels like the end is really life saying, “Wait I have something better for you.”
And whenever I see a bus drive away, I smile. Because I know the missed ones can still take you exactly where you’re meant to go.
Sometimes when a door closes, a better door opens from an unexpected place. Lesson learnt.
What a fantastic story. I really liked the positive message it conveys. Everything that happens to us, even if it is negative, opens up new possibilities that may be better than what we initially dreamed of. Very inspiring!
Thank you
Very beautiful story. I like it when good people take a breath and keep going despite life's challenges.
Thank you
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STOPWhat a teachable story, no matter what we go through in life, we should keep pushing because every disappointment is a blessing.
Thanks for sharing with us, I'm glad I was able to learn something from it