Story Of A Survivor

Episode 17

Nigerian Independence Day 1999 was my
graduation day. We were twenty graduates
from ‘Delectable” each majored in various field of interest. Some of us spent from six months to two years. I majored in Fashion designing and catering. Do I need to tell you that I was the overall best Student? Well I was!

It was a very colourful event as Families and
Friends came to celebrate with the Celebrants.

Mr. and Mrs. Chinedu were there, my three
elder Sisters, even Amara and Tochi were
excused from the Orphanage to attend my
graduation ceremony. Cordellia and Stephen
also honoured me with their presence. Caroline and Pauline also invited their Soldier
Boyfriends, Lawal and Ibrahim Many of our Clients came to felicitate with us that day and I received so many gifts in Cash and properties. Cordellia and Stephen gave me
an embroidery machine and two 1.5 horse
power split unit air conditioner. Mr. and Mrs.
Chinedu gave me Thirty thousand naira cash
and a sewing machine. Madam Ronke gave me Fifty thousand naira and a sewing machine, she was crying as she presented her gifts to me.

Many of the invited guests and out Clients
gave me varying sums of money. It was indeed my day.

The first time I was actually
celebrated in my without Daddy and Mummy. I
wished they were there that day and I wished
Chinedu was there too. I got a total of eight
hundred and fifty thousand naira cash from
that occasion. I also realized three sewing
Machines, four electric irons, two air
conditioning units, one embroidery machine,
one Button hole boring machine, two standing
fans, twenty two Scissors etc. I did not realize
that I was already a millionaire at nineteen,
me, a drop out from School, an Orphan denied
of a bright future by fate. Mr. Chinedu carried
all of my Gifts to his House for safe keeping
until I would need them. There was no space
in our batcher.

One week after my graduation, Madam Ronke
called me to her office and offered me a job at
“Delectable” She said I would earn twenty five percent of any dress I sew or any event I
manage. We were approaching another rush
season of 1999. I agreed to her terms but I
told her I could not work with her for long
because I was restless! I told her I have a lot
to do in my life and until I achieve them all my
soul will remain restless.

She did not show any sign of surprise or
feeling of being hurt as I had expected. She
simply smiled and said she knows, she said
she cannot tie me down but only needed my
assistance during the season rush. We signed
a contract for six months which would expire
after the Easter Rush of April 2000.