FARIDA Episode 15 by Oge’s Stories
Brother Chris took Farida and her mother for the interview. When Aisha said Farida cheated in her examinations, brother Chris had some doubts about Farida but because she was such a good person, he supported her. When she complained about the scholarship examination, his doubts resurfaced. But her passing the examination erased all doubts from his mind. She was indeed very intelligent. There was no way she would have cheated at the examination.
They were invited to SNEPCo in Marina for the interview. Farida read in preparation. They were just twenty of them that made it. They were interviewed one after the other. It was an oral interview. Farida, maami and brother Chris entered for the interview as guardians and parents were needed at this stage. They asked questions about Farida. They wanted to know more about her. They asked how much the scholarship means to her. She explained to them that her mother was her sole provider. They asked more questions which she answered. Then they congratulated her. The scholarship covered both tuition and accommodation as they have an agreement with the University to ensure all students on scholarship have accommodation until their final year. This was good news. They were led downstairs for group photographs for the press.
Farida took the third position in the examination and she won an additional cash prize of N10,000. The prize was given to her. She couldn’t believe it. She was so happy. Her hard work had paid off. She had received favour all around. She had more than she needed now.
Iya Farida couldn’t believe her blessings. She knew she was not praying in vain. She realized her leaving Alhaji’s house was because of Farida. Farida had blossomed over the years all by herself. She wasn’t that bright a child until she began to fantasize about marrying a rich husband. She took in every advice and worked with it. Now, she could see she can achieve anything she sets out to achieve. At least, for some time now, she hadn’t mentioned rich husband again.
Farida was proud of herself for the first time. She couldn’t believe she passed the examination to the extent of taking the third position. She was very happy. She could see the look of pride in brother Chris eyes. She could see the excitement in her mother. There was so much joy waiting to explode.
Brother Chris took them to an eatery along Marina. They had to walk there but maami didn’t care. They talked as they walked down. At the eatery, brother Chris bought snacks and drinks for them.
“Farida, I hope you know there is a big responsibility that comes with all this success?” brother Chris asked.
“What is that sir?” Farida responded.
“You cannot afford to fail. You cannot afford to go to school and fail your examinations. You cannot join bad gang. You cannot have any type of scandal. Many younger people are looking up to you. They have seen you achieve and they would want to. If you can work hard and get a scholarship, they can too. You have a reputation to protect. Farida, do not disappoint us. Don’t follow boys and get pregnant while in school. Do not allow anyone intimidate you; always stand up for your right. Avoid cult boys, don’t make friends with them. Have I ever told you how beautiful you are? You are very beautiful. Your beauty is yet to radiate. But you have brains. You are intelligent. Do not allow your beauty which is superficial to undermine your intelligence. Let your intelligence lead the way. People should know you as a scholar first and then a beauty. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, I do sir”
“In university, it is easy to lose your way. The first lady I was engaged to lost her way. I ended it with her. I got another girl who reminded me of you. She was all about her academic. I sponsored her to complete her first degree, she did her Masters and now she is pursuing a PhD. She is lecturing in Enugu state. I don’t believe I should raise a family in Lagos, it is too corrupt. So, she is there with my son. That’s why I travel every month. I want you to be focused. You do not need sponsorship; you have gotten it. Work hard to make all of us that believed in you proud”
Iya Farida was so happy Farida found a father figure in Chris. She had no doubts Farida would do excellently well in school. She wasn’t afraid of that. Farida had a mind of her own. She had seen and experienced things at such a young age which would guide her through her life.
There was enough money for Farida to go to school for three’ years or more without worry. What to do with the rest of the money was the problem. Farida took the money she was ‘dashed’ for gaining admission to go shopping for her school items. The woman she buys clothes from at the night market told her about a market in Badagry where things were sold very cheap. She begged her mother to allow her to go with the woman. Early the next morning, they left for Badagry. Farida couldn’t believe her eyes when they got there. The market was bubbling at 6:00am in the morning. She joined the woman in selecting clothes for herself, her brothers and even for her mother. She bought shoes and sandals at ridiculously low prices. She bought handbags too. After buying, she still had a lot of money left over. She knew some of her friends and acquaintances who had gained admission too. She bought extra to sell to them. The woman threw bedsheets, pillowcases and blankets to her. She inspected them and selected for herself and also for sale. She was very excited. She bought a big box and a travelling bag. She packed everything she bought into them and the rest were wrapped up for easy carriage.
When she got home, she needed help from her brothers to carry her load in. Her mother was shocked by the number of items she bought.
“Maami, take!” she handed her mother the balance of the money.
“You didn’t finish it and you bought all this?”
“Maami they were very cheap. I even bought some for sale. I bought three Ankara materials for you. I know you like Ankara. This is very good business. I will do it while in school”
“No, you won’t do business while in school. You will concentrate on your academics. I don’t want anything to stop you from having a first-class”
“I will have a first-class but once in a month, I will bring in things for sale to make extra money”
‘What do you need money for again? Your brothers will have to work like you did to enjoy the things you enjoyed when you made your money. They are human beings like you. We will be ok at home”
“Maami, I want you to go back to school. I know you like teaching. I think you should acquire a degree in education. You are still young and a good teacher”
There were tears in Iya Farida’s eyes as her daughter spoke. She would have loved to further her education but she couldn’t afford to do that while Farida goes to university and her sons still in secondary school. Farida was looking at the money they had now but nobody knows tomorrow. She explained it to Farida but Farida saw things differently.
“Maami, you have to write the examinations first. My brothers will work and get money for daily feeding. You will still do your lesson. Nothing is stopping you”
“If it is education, then I will go to the College of Education and enquire. I believe they have part-time classes during the weekend. That will favour me more and would not disrupt our activities at home”
“That is also good. And maami, you have to take better care of yourself. You are young, but you like to look old. You are too fat; you need to lose weight. You stay at home for too long watching television. Ahmad and Akram will not be going to the market for you again, you will go by yourself so you can exercise. You made me lose weight, you too can lose. And, please stop covering your scar, it is not that bad. You are a beautiful woman who fails to see her beauty” they all laughed at her mother’s reaction when she called her beautiful. Farida continued. “On a serious note, one day, I will build a big house for you to move into. You will leave here and move into your own house maami. I want to thank you for taking the risk of leaving our father for us to have these opportunities. If you didn’t, where would we be today? You have sacrificed for us, now, we will sacrifice for you”
Maami was still in tears. Her sons held unto her as she shed the tears. Farida was worth every sacrifice she had made. Her children were worth it. Now, they wanted her to have an education too. This was what she had dreamt of but never thought possible but her Farida was making it possible. Farida now has scholarships in two places.
Farida was the talk of the town for good. The story of her admission and scholarship was all over town. Every day she went out, she received favour from people. Chioma supplied her all her toiletries for the semester. People dashed her money. Some people gave her food items. She came back home with something each time she stepped out.
Farida opened the box and bag and offloaded everything she bought. She shared them to her family members and tried on her own. They were a perfect fit. The bags were lovely. She bought two for her mother. In order not to expose herself and the source of her clothes, she went to see the dry cleaner three streets away from the house. The man had asked her out before but she refused and avoided him whenever she was on the street. Now she needed him to wash the clothes she bought and iron them. She went with her brothers. He was happy to see her. He had heard her success story.
“What can I do for you?” he asked.
“I want to have all these clothes laundered. They are many”
“I can see that. Come into my office let’s talk”
“Ahmad and Akram, let’s go into his office to discuss”
“Not them, just you”
“Why? What do you want to tell me you can’t say in their presence?”
“That’s the problem I have with you, you are not mature. Let’s discuss inside the office. I don’t want my staff to hear what I want to charge you”
She went into the office with him and insisted on leaving the door open so her brothers can come in if she screams. He didn’t like that at all but he had no choice.
“Baby, I have been talking to you and you are running away. Why are you doing me like that? Now you need my help and you are still acting like a baby”
“I am not interested in what you are asking for. I want to wash clothes. They are many. I want to know how much it would cost so I can pay”
‘You can’t afford to pay me to dry clean these clothes. How much do you want to pay? N5000 is too small for all this”
Farida stood up and walked out of his office. He tried calling her back but she turned a deaf ear. She and her brothers carried the clothes and left. On their way, a boy working with him who was a friend to Farida stopped them. He told Farida he would help her wash and iron all the clothes but it had to be done in batches so his boss won’t suspect. He charged N1000 which Farida felt was very reasonable. He counted 20 clothes from the clothes for sale and left with them.
The next day, he came with the clothes and collected twenty more. Farida enquired how he was able to do it so fast, he explained that they use a washing machine and drier to wash and dry the clothes and then they iron with a steaming iron. So, he added her clothes to the clothes for washing and ironing and separated them when they were done. Akram became interested in the dry cleaning business. They were on long holidays. He begged Farida to talk to the man to employ him so he could learn the ropes during the holiday. He seemed fascinated by the process so she swallowed her pride and went back to the owner of the drycleaning shop. He agreed instantly. He believed he could get closer to Farida by employing him. He was also paying him well and giving him some privileges. If only he knew it was a waste of his time and resources. By the time he realised ‘nothing for him’ he had a rare gem in his hands. Akram was very good at the job and also very dedicated.
Farida sold out the clothes she bought in the market in a short time. They were washed and iron; ready to wear. She added the cost of the laundry to the cost price and still made 100% profit. She went back, she bought more clothes and bags. It sold out. She returned the principal back to her mother and continued the business with the profit. The girls that had gained admission came to her to place orders. She bought their travelling bags, shoes, and clothes. She had eyes for good things and so her house became a mini market anytime she came back. Before long. Some girls bought from her to resell. A woman approached her to take her to where she buys her goods. Brother Chris was outside that day. He called Farida aside and told her, “I know you benevolent but my dear child, don’t make the mistake of taking anyone to where you buy your goods. If you do, she will take over your market. Instead sell to her cheaper than others and allow her to select first so your business will continue”
Farida had learnt another lesson. She told the woman that her partner refused. Instead, she would buy for her and allow her to select first. On her next trip, she bought extra for the woman. She selected almost everything Farida bought unwashed and paid her cash. Farida still made 70% profit from her transaction. She had to go back the next day to restock.
Iya Farida wondered where Farida got this enterprising spirit from. She was never tired. Her brothers helped with her chores while she established this profitable business. In the process, she acquired more things for herself and her family. She was even talking about going to Cotonou to buy bales and sell to people in Badagry before coming back to Lagos to sell. Her mother refused. She was just seventeen; she didn’t want her going alone across the border. Instead, she asked the woman that introduced her to the business to help.
FARIDA Episode 16 by Oge’s Stories
Farida was ready for school. She was all packed. She went to Unilag for the first time for registration. From the gate, she fell in love with the school. She walked into the school and went to the Bursar’s office. She was given her receipts for her tuition and hostel accommodation. Then she went for registration. The place was crowded as all the students that gained admission were there. She stood in line of those that had their receipts.
As she stood there minding her own business, someone tapped her. She turned around and was shocked to see the girl she spoke to after she had won the debate. The one that told her about Unilag.
“Your height and complexion gave you away. What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I got admitted into the school like I told you I would”
“Are you serious? That is so nice. What did you score in WAEC? I had 6As and 3Cs”
“I had all As”
The girl had a look of disbelief on her face. It didn’t bother Farida. She would give her a shocker soon.
“That’s nice. What of Jamb? I scored 278 to study Law”
“338 to study Economics and Statistics”
“Nobody scores that high in Jamb. I don’t believe you”
Farida brought out the original copies of her results and showed her. Her eyes swelled in shock. She signaled to her friends who rushed to see too. Farida smiled at them. She had proved to them that a girl from an impoverished background can achieve much. One of them said to her, “I love your skirt. And your lace top. The skirt is a wrap skirt right? I wouldn’t mind one. The bright colours on it fit your skin. How much did you get it?”
Farida just blurted out “N1000”.
“It’s so affordable. I wouldn’t mind you getting one for me. I love skirts. What designer is it?”
Farida had began to sell with names of designers too as her customer in Badagry taught her that designer brands are more expensive than other brands. She knew she was wearing Dorothy Perkins and told her.
‘Wow! That’s a UK designer. If you can get me any branded wrap skirt, I will appreciate it. You look nice. Even your shoes and your hand bag”
“Thank you. I will let you know” Farida knew she wasn’t her target market per say but if she saw any wrap skirt that was very clean, she would inform her.
‘By the way, my name is Monica. I am friends with Wura”
“Mine is Farida” Farida knew their names now.
“How can you afford to attend school here? I thought you said your mother was struggling during the debate” Wura asked her.
“I won a number of scholarships. They paid my fees. That’s why I have my receipt while you have to queue up to pay”
“O! The charity cases” Wura said to her friends who laughed except for Monica.
“Not charity. Intelligence. Many wealthy people came for the examination. They were intelligent and had exceptional results just like mine. You can see them on this line. You are not better than any of us. Your line is moving, join the queue quickly” and Farida turned forward. She won’t be bullied or made to feel inferior by anyone anymore. She had a brilliant result all from her hardwork and she would not stand there and allow anyone make a mockery of her achievement.
Farida felt a tap on her back. It was Monica who smiled at her and then joined the others on the line. She felt good she stood up to Wura. Didn’t she say she couldn’t get into Unilag? Now who is about to register before her? Farida felt proud.
Farida was allocated a room in Moremi Hall. Because of the scholarship, she was given a room with just two occupants. She was happy. She concluded her hostel registration, and chose her bed space. She then finished the departmental and faculty registrations. Jambites were to resume on the 18th of October.
Farida while interacting with other students discovered she could cook in the hostel but with gas cookers or electric cookers. She wrote it down. Then she realized she would need cooking utensils, buckets, broom and dustpan etc. She made a quick list of most all the things she needed on campus. She had been joking all along. She had to make more money to live comfortably in school. One girl’s list of provisions scared her. She saw sardines, corned beef, baked beans, cerelac, cornflakes, butter, ovaltine, noodles and many more. Farida felt intimidated. She didn’t even know where to get those things. She believed if she had money, she could find where to buy them.
She had less than a month to get ready. She went about her business as usual. From her sales, she was able to buy some of the items she needed. She saw an A-lined wrap skirt that was black and white and a multicolored skirt that had three layers. One of the skirts was a Gap brand while the other was River Island. She took both of them. She confided in her customer that a rich girl wanted to buy wrap skirts. The man told her to launder them and then place them in a bag with foreign bar soaps that have very good fragrances for a week. They would smell foreign. She asked brother Chris where she could get the soaps, he brought back some for her.
She showed her mother her list. Her mother had never seen some of the items on the list before.
“These are what some of the girls are bringing to school. I want to buy for myself” Farida explained.
“Why? Why do you want to get them? Are you competing with them? Please, you are going to school to read and pass. You are not like the spoilt girls there. Just buy the things you need. I don’t want you having ‘ojukokoro’. Don’t run faster than your shadow otherwise you will crash. Your business is making you good money, you have to learn to save. You insisted I go back to school; how will we survive if you start competing with the other girls in school? Focus o. Remember where you come from”
Farida felt bad. Truly she had lost sight of her reason for going to the university. She didn’t need all those provisions she wasn’t used to. She went and bought the ones she knew and needed. Brother Chris helped her buy two burner table top electric cooker at the wharf. He also gave her body sprays and perfumes which his customer imported. He was so proud of Farida.
Farida had clothes that would last her for four sessions. Maami insisted that she went with only twenty sets of clothes. They hackled and they arrived at thirty apart from staying indoors outfits and night gowns. She went with ten pairs of shoes, sandals and canvas/sneakers. Maami allowed her go with five bags. Farida wasn’t happy but she couldn’t challenge her mother. Her natural hair was very long; it was below her bra length. Maami asked her to weave her hair ‘Sade Adu’ style which was quite popular. She looked even younger with the hair but it suited face perfectly.
Brother Chris took her and her family to drop Farida off. Maami had the opportunity to see inside the hostel of a university for the first time. Her brothers helped her carry her bags in. When she got into her room, her roommate had moved in although she was not around. Farida, with the help of her brothers, unpacked her bags and arranged her corner of the room. She noticed her roommate had a table size refrigerator. She was happy. She packed her clothes, toiletries, food items and provisions into her wardrobe and cupboard. She made her bed with a beautiful purple based bedsheet and pillowcase. When she was done, she escorted them out. She bought ice cream for her brothers. Her mother’s eyes were filled with tears. She would miss her daughter who she had been with all these years.
“Maami don’t cry. I will be coming home every weekend to see you” Farida assured her mother.
“No, you won’t. You will make yourself scarce in our area. Your mother’s school is close to yours so if she wants to see you, she can come here to see you. You won’t come to the house, make yourself scarce like I said before”
‘What of my business?”
“You won’t do it in that area. You have gone to school and that’s it. In fact, you shouldn’t be doing business while in school”
That was it. Her mother supported him. She had to get new customers; her not doing business was impossible. She gave part of her principal to her mother to keep for her. She had more than enough money to tide her through the semester.
——————————————————————————————————————–
Farida’s roommate came into the room later in the day with her friend. Farida couldn’t believe who her friend was. Monica! Apparently, Zara, her roommate, and Monica were best friends in secondary and they were in the same university. Zara was studying law while Monica chose Accounting.
Farida quickly brought out the two skirts she had reserved for Monica. Monica was excited and in her presence she removed her trousers showing only her panties and to try on the skirt. Farida quickly removed her eyes which made Zara laugh.
“You can open your eyes now. The skirt fits perfectly. I love it. Let me try the second one” she tried it on and screamed in excitement. “This was the skirt Drew Barrymore wore in that movie”
‘That’s true. Looks so much like it but this is River Island. Could she have worn River Island or it is a copy?” Zara asked.
“I don’t care. I have it and I love it. I need more skirts. When you find a unique piece like this, please keep it for me. I will pay for it. I am cutting out the label so no one will know the brand. I’m wearing this on my first day to class. I will be right back” Monica left the room wearing the skirt and with her trousers in her hand.
Farida felt good. She needed more foreign magazines. She had to learn some more about designers so she would know which ones to look out for when shopping for Monica. Zara asked her if she had some more clothes for sale but she told her she didn’t.
Monica came back and gave Farida N2000 for the skirts. Farida had planned to give her the two skirts for N1000 as she got them cheap. She told her to get more skirts if she sees.
“Why are you buying more clothes? You just came back from a shopping spree in the US so why spend money shopping here?” Zara asked.
“I went with my stepmother. She shopped more for her children than for us. I complained to dad and he sent me some money to shop. I got some jeans and tops. We were coming back home and since I had clothes I hadn’t worn at home, I spent more on sprays and designer perfumes and glasses. I bought a lovely wristwatch too. When I saw what girls wear in university, I knew my wardrobe was doomed. My mom shopped a bit for me. After two months, I would have to repeat some of the clothes which won’t speak well of me. Farida has a good dress sense so she can dress me up and her clothes are not pricey. So why not?”
Farida’s mouth was wide open while Monica was explaining herself to Zara. Farida had never travelled before. Her mother made her bring clothes that would last only one month. This girl would never repeat her clothes in a semester. Where was she? Were they mates? These girls had so much money. She had never seen so much money close up except Wale. She decided to observe them closely.
Farida’s first problem was bathing in the full glare of others. She was used to taking her bath in the bathroom alone and dressing up alone in the room. She had never seen her brothers’ nakedness since they clocked eight. Her mother was never naked in their presence. But girls in the hostel walked around stark naked. The bathrooms were in deplorable states but were cleaned very early in the morning. That was when she took her bath. Two rooms had a toilet to themselves. Farida paid the cleaner a little extra to ensure it was always clean so she could use it. She woke up very early every morning from Monday to Sunday to bath and dress up before her roommate. She washed her clothes daily before going for lectures.
Another issue was their underwear. Farida couldn’t afford for anyone to see her underwear. The stains of the week were written on them. Her bras had no iron or padding. It didn’t do justice to her chest. Luckily her nighties were ok.
Farida enjoyed her classes. She loved to answer questions in class until she was advised not to draw attention to herself so she would not be harassed. She dressed very well. Other students admired her look. She was always neat and tidy. She wore clothes that weren’t common. She learnt this from Monica. She mapped out what she wore during the week.
Mondays- Corporate Skirt and top
Tuesdays – Gowns
Wednesdays – Shirt and trousers
Thursdays – Casual dresses
Fridays – Jeans and top
She was coordinated and she learnt how to mix and watch her clothes. Her bags were always an attraction and so were her shoes. They admired her. She was likeable.
Before long, she was noticed. The boys came after her. Many guys thought because of how courteous she was she would be easy but it was not the case. She refused all advances. Even when guys come to visit her roommate and try to be friendly with her, she never encouraged it.
“You are too stiff Farida, loosen up. They are not forcing you; they are just trying to be nice”
“I am not interested in their niceness Zara. Just tell them your roommate is a snob. That’s all
“But why? Why don’t you want to be friends with guys?”
“They are a major distraction. I can’t afford to fail. It will kill my dear mother”
Zara laughed at Farida’s comment. “You are behaving like a bush girl which obviously you are not. How are the boys a distraction?”
“Check your GPA at the end of the semester then we will talk”
” What do you mean by that?”
“You go out with these boys too often. You hardly go to class to read. It’s at the end of the semester we will know how well we have done. Meanwhile, my department is the toughest in our faculty. They hardly have First Class graduates. I want to have a First class and I am ready to work hard to get it. So, I can’t do like you. I’m on scholarship. I can’t afford to mess that up as well”
TO BE CONTINUED…
#OpraDre FARIDA
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