Chasing Greatness :A Journey Of Hope

chapter 28: miracle

Ruth’s mom recovered fully, and soon Ruth was back in school, laughing and joking as if nothing had happened. Blessing and her gang, to everyone’s surprise, were never caught. No one came forward as a witness, and the case quietly died down. Life returned to its usual rhythm.

Months flew by, and before we knew it, the holidays had come. It felt surreal knowing we were about to enter Senior Class 2. I couldn’t contain my excitement—I was so close to finishing secondary school and chasing my dreams of becoming a lawyer.

One hot afternoon during the holiday, I was helping my mom at her store. The street was lively as always, with kids playing, hawkers calling out their goods, and neighbors chatting. I was arranging some goods when I looked up and saw someone walking towards the store. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized him—Femi.

Femi and I had barely spoken since that day he tried to confess his feelings for me, and seeing him now felt strange. He was taller, his face a bit leaner, and his expression serious.

"Hi, Mimi," he said, stopping in front of me.

"Hi," I replied, cautiously. "Do you want to buy something?"

"Nope," he said, shaking his head. "I came to see you."

"For what?" I asked, already feeling uneasy. "Please, I’m busy."

"I just came to apologize and to tell you something," he said, ignoring my tone.

"Apologize for what?" I asked, folding my arms.

"For everything. For making things awkward between us that day. For not being straightforward. I just wanted to clear the air," he said, his voice calm.

I was taken aback but didn’t show it. "Okay… apology accepted. Is that all?"

"No," he said, hesitating. "I also wanted to tell you I’m traveling to Ghana."

The words hit me like a brick. "Ghana? Why?"

"You know how things are for me," he said, shrugging. "No money for university, no stable job here. I can’t just sit around doing nothing. I have to hustle."

"But Femi, you know what kind of ‘hustle’ goes on there," I said, lowering my voice. "It’s illegal. It’s dangerous."

He laughed bitterly. "Like I have a choice, Mimi? What do you expect me to do? Stay here and waste away? At least there, I can make quick money."

"There are other ways, Femi," I said firmly. "You’re smart. You could learn a skill, find a decent job. It might take time, but it’s better than risking your life."

"Learn a skill?" he scoffed. "Do you know how long it takes to make money that way? My family needs help now. I can’t wait."

"But going there…" I paused, choosing my words carefully. "It’s not just about the money, Femi. It’s about the consequences. I’ve heard stories—boys getting caught, boys losing themselves. Is that the life you want?"

He looked away, avoiding my gaze. "Mimi, I didn’t come here for advice. I’ve already made up my mind. I just wanted to apologize and let you know."

I sighed, my chest tightening. "Femi, please think about this. There’s always a choice. If you leave now, it might be too late to turn back."

He gave a small, sad smile. "I appreciate your concern, Mimi. I really do. But I have to do this—for my family and for myself. Just… pray for me, okay?"

"Femi—" I started, but he cut me off.

"Bye, Mimi," he said, turning to leave.

I watched him walk away, a heavy feeling settling in my chest. I knew what went on in Ghana—‘Yahoo Yahoo,’ internet scams, and the dangerous lifestyle that came with it. Boys went there with dreams of quick wealth, but not all of them returned the same—or at all.

As he disappeared down the street, I whispered a prayer under my breath. "God, please guide him. Don’t let him lose himself."