UNMERITED FAVOUR

4

PART 4
  For Tayo, these past few days had been her worst so far since her existence. Mama was still very much bemused, unable to bring herself to comprehend that Tayo had been scammed. She had automatically become the black sheep of the family, the one who didn't want the progress of the family. Tayo prayed she got through all of it alive, as it was common in most Nigerian families to talk so wrong to one's child because the parent were offended.
   Tayo wished she could rewind the happenings, at least, to where she had met the handsome cashier at the first bank. Maybe she would have been able to correct things. Mama had told Tayo that she should go in search of the money. She had no one to turn to, except an old friend who lived miles and oceans and hills away. A place popularly known as overseas or America. He did promise to assist Tayo with money concerning something else a long time ago. He kept pushing with excuses and Tayo had no right to disturb him too much, for she didn't put money in his pockets.
  "Maybe I should ask him this one last time", she thought, " if I plead sincerely, he might adhere".
She picked up her phone and quickly sent him a message, briefing him of her situation and why she needed help badly. She even promised to pay back the money and never ask anything of him again.
  "Give me some time" Emeka said. She hoped and prayed that God touched his heart and that he wouldn't take forever.
  Tayo thought so hard, she had planned on going for an audition by the the end of the week, but now she lost all hope and interest. It would have been her first audition. Her first attempt to make her talent known, her first bold step towards achieving her dreams. She had summoned so much courage to make up her mind to attend, but the week had started so bad, so her courage disappeared as quickly as they came. Now she needed to look out for her brother's fees and forget about the audition.
  Four days passed since tayo had talked to Emeka, he hadn't replied and he barely even replied her chats. She also didn't bother to remind him, she felt she had disturbed him too much, maybe he thought her a pest already. She decided to stay calm and maybe, just maybe, God would surprise her.
    It was a day to the audition already, tayo had not gotten her brother's fee yet neither had she made up her mind about the audition. Mama had even discouraged her more saying she would go nowhere until she provided the fees.
   "Demola, am confused, am tired", she said
Demola was one of her friends. Most times, she had confided in Demola. He had even listened to her cry and soothed her afterwards. She needed someone to talk to now so she called him.
  " I do not know what to do Demola" she said, she told him of how she was duped and how she had lost courage and interest to attend the audition.
  "Tayo, you shouldn't let that weigh you down, that shouldn't stop you from attending the audition, everything will be back in its place in time".
  " Demola, am weak inside, I don't even believe in myself anymore, the future seem so blurry I don't even know what lies ahead waiting for me. Demola am going crazy" Tayo replied
  "Tayo, I believe in you and you know it. You only live once tayo. You should take this chance and don't let we that believe in you down. Pls tayo, do this for you and us all"
   "What if I don't do well, there are going to be lots of people and 20 is the num they need. Am nervous, and mama, how do I get past her?".
   Don't worry Tayo, you'd be fine.
Like he'd always do, Demola had soothed her once again and she had garnered enough courage to try out the audition, her worries tagging along with her still, like a spoilt truck being towed.