The memorable sweet gesture.
It was about 2 p.m. when I got a credit alert on my phone. My sister responded to the financial distress call that I made to her two days earlier.
I was already seated in the chemistry laboratory waiting for the CHM 303 (Organic Chemistry) practical class that was scheduled to start by 4 p.m. I thought of waiting till after the practical class before going to the bank to withdraw the money but then, I remembered that my two hours class was bound to end by 6 PM, a time that all banks would have closed.
I checked my pocket and found only fifty naira. The best way to make use of the fifty naira is to transport myself with it to the banking hall. Waiting till the following day before going to the bank wasn't an option because if I used the fifty naira to return to my hostel after the practical class, there would be no money to leave the hostel to either school or bank. I checked my watch and it was just a few minutes past 2 p.m.
Joel, my classmate, was with me in the laboratory.
"I need to go to the bank now to make a withdrawal. Help me keep my bag safe," I told him while handing my backpack to him.
"Why must you go to the bank? Can't you use your debit card on any available ATM?"
"My card has expired. I need to go fast so that I can come back quickly for our practicals." I was already finding my way out of the laboratory while making the last statement.
I quickly took an okada (commercial motorcycle) to the bank.
I walked into the bank and saw that the hall was almost empty. I grinned as I approached the teller.
"What a lucky day for me. I wouldn't spend more than 10 minutes here today," I gave myself the assurance of a snappy transaction because of the absence of the usual long queue.
I went straight to pick the withdrawal slip and filled in the necessary information.
"Good afternoon Madam," I greeted a lady whose smile was as bright as the sun. I gave her the filled withdrawal slip.
"You will need to hold on for a while. The server is down and no transaction can be initiated now. You may sit down for sometime pending when the server would be restored." She pointed to an iron chair for me to have my seat.
It was at this point that the reason behind the unusual emptiness of the banking hall became clear. I went to the chair to sit down hopelessly.
"Please, madam, how long will it take for the service to be restored?" I approached the teller with the anticipation that her reply would boost my hope.
"It's not within my power to give you any time frame. Hopefully, anytime soon."
I retired back to my seat disappointedly. My eyes kept scanning through the four walls of the hall. I saw pictures of the president, the state governor and the bank CEO. The challenges faced by the country flashed through my mind. One of the consequences is the unstable internet services due to lack of the necessary infrastructure. I shook my head intermittently while checking my wristwatch to know what time I had left before my practical class.
More than an hour in the hall, no headway about the restoration of the bank's server.
"What should I do next?" I asked myself.
I checked my watch and it was half past 3 p.m. I gave up at this point. I became agitated on how I was going to return to campus for my practical class and later return to my hostel.
I stood up and headed to the exit door.
"I think the only option left for me now is to beg anyone I see on the street to help me with 100 naira to transport me to the school and later to my hostel." I concluded on my next move with my hand on the door knob.
"Excuse me, Sir," the teller called my attention. "You look very exhausted and weak. Is it all about this poor server?"
"I came to this bank with fifty naira with me. My expectation was that I would withdraw the 2000 naira in my account. From this money, I planned to transport myself back to the campus, where I have a scheduled practical class starting in the next fifteen minutes. I am very tired of this," I lamented.
"We are sorry for the inconveniences that this problem might have caused you. I am willing to help you."
I received a sigh of relief with this offer.
"I will eternally be grateful. If I miss the practical class, I may fail the course."
"It's alright, you won't fail. Let me have the filled withdrawal slip."
I handed the slip to her with so much anxiousness. She bent down to scribble some letters for a few seconds. Perhaps, she signed in the slip. On raising her head, she brought out 2000 naira and gave it to me.
"I am giving this to you in trust. Whenever the server comes up, I will carry out the debit from your account. You can go quickly for your practicals."
I was speechless. I was particularly surprised at the sweet gesture from someone that barely knew me.
"Thank you ma'am," I fell on my knees in appreciation.
I returned to the campus quickly. I kept wondering why the lady chose to bail me out in that way. She wasn't scared of me emptying my account before she would be able to effect the withdrawal.
About noon the following day, I saw the debit alert of the money.
The help rendered to me by the woman saved me from having carryover in the practical course.
I remained grateful to her whenever I went to the bank for years.
That was obviously God's handiwork, I already concluded that you were not going to attend that practical because of the way Nigerian banks works and seeing that the only option left for you was to trek back to school because you are not sure that you would be lucky enough to get anyone who would gift you money like you had in mind hehhe.
That banker was an angel, I believe that there are still many good people out there who are ever willing to help in any way they could. Ensure you repay that act of kindness by doing good to someone else out there🥰
The trekking that day, if I ended up not getting financial aid from someone, wouldn't have as painful as the practical that I would miss. Missing that practical saved me from altering my performance with a carryover. I can't forget that angel in human form.
Thank you for advice. It is important to keep passing the kindness to other people that I meet. I have been doing and I will try and put more efforts.
Hehhe.. thank God she came through for you sir..
That is good of you sir, may God continue to empower to do more🥰🥰
This reminds me of so many instances I've had that was similar to this. Any Nigerian can fully relate.
It's rare to receive such kind gestures from someone who barely knows you, so yeah! You were quite a lucky dude.
By the way, beautiful write up💯
You are right. An average resident of Nigeria would have experienced something similar either on the counter or at the ATM stand. It get worse during festive seasons.
Indeed, I was lucky to receive such gesture from the lady. It helped me beyond imagination.
It's so far removed from my experience!
You will be jealous to hear that, here in the UK, many banks have a facility to have a secure code sent to your phone that will allow withdrawal from an atm.
But you were surely very fortunate in yhe situation you had
Wow... That's amazing. How does the code work? Is it that you input it in the ATM in place of a debit card? Is it a one time code for many future transactions or you get the code each time you are withdrawing without a card?
I was very fortunate indeed.
I've not used it, but I believe you are sent a one-time code which you input at the atm.
My dear.
Is through the mercy of God, that the woman was able to help you.
Glad you didn't go empty handed.
She came to my rescue at the time of my need. The value of what she did for me that day is immeasurable.
That's true.
God really sent a helper to you, imagine going to beg people for money. Some people might not even give you even if they have.
Ironically, begging for money is one of the things that I hate most. I see myself being belittled if I walk up to random person to beg for money. God truly sent a helper.
It's very rare to receive such sweet gestures from people. The woman is very kind-hearted and I am glas you were able to meet up for the practicals.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I came in from dreemport
You are right. It's very rare to come across people like that. Her action was a selfless one and I really appreciate her for that.