Don't break the Bank: A not-so-perfect financial journey of a Nigerian student.

CHAPTER FIVE

The weeks that followed prevailed in activities at the training centre. Melissa joined the makeup class, while tara opted for the fashion design class. Three weeks into the training, Melissa's tutor complimented her, saying she was a natural with the brush. Tara made reasonable progress, too. She was so excited the first time she cut and sewed matching gowns for herself and her friends. They did not leave Zeenah out on the growth train. Her photography training was going well. They all became midwives to each other's dreams, nurturing, motivating, and pushing each other to improve their skills. Melissa showed Raphael pictures of makeup hacks she had mastered; he beamed her a smile when he saw the progress she was making. Then the next day, he bought a complete makeup set for Melissa to encourage and reward her for the improvement she was driving when he handed her the box of makeup products with a note attached.

"A gift for the next big name in the Makeup industry."

Melissa jumped out in excitement, throwing her whole, thick body on him like a big teddy bear. Her role model was Mrs Tara Fela- Durotoye, so she drowned herself in the woman's business page, learning and observing her makeup style. Melissa also watched Mrs Tara's interviews, and slowly she understood what it takes to build a profitable make-up business and a stable financial life from skill.

She practised all the things she learned on the faces of her friends. The training was fun, and she wanted to prove to herself that she could do it. She had pre-knowledge of doing basic makeup, so she leveraged that and made incredible progress. As the days added up, the burning passion in Melissa grew. She and her friends went over name ideas to call their brands.

"Babes! I got it. I got it." Zeenah yelled from the kitchen where she was making noodles for lunch. Let's call it MT&Z.

Melissa and Tara stared at her, clueless.

"What are we calling MT&Z?" Tara inquired.

"Our brands?" Melissa asked, looking at Tara, then back at Zeenah.

"Yes! It will be like a conglomeration of distinct businesses under the umbrella of one name. Like what Aliko Dangote does with his businesses."

"How do we make that work?" Melissa asked.

"It's easy! Mel, you'll call your brand MT&Z Makeup glam. Tee, you can call your brand MT&Z fashion house, while I call mine MT&Z photography."

"I don't like the idea, jhoor!" Tara shrugged her shoulders.

"Okay, madam! Do you have a better idea?"

"No! I don't, but this MT&Z name doesn't sound captivating." Tara said, lifting her head from her sewing machine. Her pink colour tailor's tape hung around her neck—threads with cut pieces of materials scattered on the ground.

"Mel, what do you think?"

"I think it sounds nice. I like it; it will be more like a partnership business. Zee, I'll go with the name".

"Na wa o! I wouldn't say I like it. I'll think of a better name later when I finish making this corset dress has been giving me a tough time since morning." Tara started peddling er sewing machine again. Her sewing machine made creaky sounds that were disturbing to the ears. It was a fairly used one she bought on Jiji.com.

"Guys! Guys!! Please come. Please!"

Tara's sudden outcries startled Melissa and Zeenah. Melissa hopped up from the bed, and Zeenah ran out of the kitchen where she had gone to resume her cooking.

"Tee! What happened!"

"My finger! My finger!! Please help me take up the sewing machine needle, fast!" The sewing machine needle had pierced through her nails whilst she was talking. It got stuck in between the machine footer and the plate.