Kathrine: I’m An Orphan But I Won’t Do It – Episode 24
It was a moment of both excitement and uncertainty when Mrs. Abigail announced that we were headed to a shopping mall. My heart raced as we parked the car and walked towards the entrance, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of shoppers going about their day.
Mrs. Abigail walked with a purpose, and I followed closely, my anticipation growing. As we neared the exit, my eyes fell on a woman dressed in casual blue jeans. Mrs. Abigail’s face lit up as she approached the woman, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of curiosity and anxiety.
I watched as they exchanged warm greetings, and it dawned on me that this must be Mrs. Victoria. My nerves kicked in as I wondered what role I would play in this unexpected meeting.
Breaking away from their conversation, Mrs. Abigail turned to me with a smile. “Kathrine, come meet Victoria. Victoria, She’s the one I told you about, the girl we met on the bus.”
Mrs. Victoria’s gaze was friendly as she extended her hand, her voice warm and welcoming. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Kathrine. Mrs. Abigail has spoken so highly of you.”
Feeling a mix of surprise and gratitude, I shook her hand. “Thank you, ma’am,” I managed to say, my voice a bit shaky.
Mrs. Victoria’s smile widened, and she patted me gently on the shoulder. “Keep up the good work, dear. Your determination will take you far.”
I nodded, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. Her words were encouraging, yet there was an underlying sense of unease, as if the nightmare that had been haunting me was about to come true.
As the three of us talked, I tried to catch snippets of their conversation, hoping to find some clue or hint of what was happening. But to my frustration, their dialogue revolved around business matters – things like real estate. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary or suspicious.
Mrs. Abigail’s reassuring smile as we left the mall didn’t erase the unease I felt. Back at the salon, I was torn between relief that nothing fishy had happened but a sense of worry lingered and wouldn’t leave me.
Determined to put my worries aside, I focused on learning everything I could about the salon business. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Each day brought new skills, from hairstyling techniques to understanding how to treat customers well.
Mrs. Abigail was impressed with my progress and began talking about my graduation, one year later. The day finally came when I stood in the spa room, surrounded by friendly faces. Mrs. Abigail handed me a certificate, and my heart swelled with pride. It was a testament to my hard work and dedication.
Among the gifts was a small, shiny package. Mrs. Abigail’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she watched me unwrap it. “Go on, open it,” she encouraged.
My heart raced as I opened it. To my amazement, it was a key to my own salon! Mrs. Abigail explained that it was located in a lively town in Lagos, a place where I could start my journey as a business owner.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at Mrs. Abigail, overcome with gratitude. It was hard to believe that my dreams were being realized in such a way. We discussed plans for the grand opening and made arrangements to pray together, a mix of excitement and nervousness building up within me.
A week later, the day had arrived. I stood in front of my salon, a mix of emotions churning within me. Mrs. Victoria had come to witness the official opening, and my heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment as Mrs. Abigail asked me to open the salon amidst a group of well-wishers.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, I thanked everyone, my heart bursting with appreciation for the people who had believed in me.
With each passing day, my salon grew and flourished. I put my heart and soul into making it a welcoming place for customers. The money my mom had left me, combined with Mrs. Abigail’s support, allowed me to invest in better equipment and create an environment where people felt at home.
I moved closer to the salon, renting a small apartment nearby to reduce transportation costs. It was a practical decision that allowed me to dedicate more time and energy to my business. With the help of Mrs. Abigail, I hired a team of skilled individuals to assist me, ensuring that the salon ran smoothly.
Months turned into a year, and I looked around my bustling salon with a deep sense of pride. The journey hadn’t been easy, but every challenge had been worth it. I had transformed from a young girl with a dream into a confident and capable businesswoman.
And as I stood in the midst of the familiar surroundings, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude. The support, encouragement, and opportunities I had received were beyond anything I could have imagined. With each haircut, each satisfied customer, and each milestone achieved, I knew that I was living my dream.
Few weeks later, I went to Guarantee Trust Bank to make payments for a way-bill. As I arrived at the bank, I saw the security guy at the entrance, the same one who helped me that day when I mistakenly swapped my handbag with Mrs. Abigail’s on the bus. It was the start of the amazing journey that changed my life.
Even though he didn’t remember me, I recognized him immediately. I told him my name, and his face lit up with surprise and happiness. He was genuinely glad to see me and to learn about the positive changes in my life.
We chatted briefly, and I could tell he was genuinely happy for me. It was heartwarming to share my journey with someone who had unknowingly played a role in it.
I asked him for his account details, wanting to show my appreciation for his kindness. He hesitated at first, but I insisted. Inside the bank, while I was doing my transactions, I transferred 50,000 naira into his account.
When I was finished and stepped out of the bank, I saw him there, kneeling down as a sign of deep appreciation. I was moved by his gratitude. I asked him to stand up, reassuring him that his help had meant a lot to me and he deserved it.
With a heartfelt smile, he got up, his face beaming with happiness. It felt good to make someone who had once helped me feel appreciated. As I walked away, I couldn’t help but feel that these unexpected connections were part of what made my journey so special.
About a year later, life had taken a different turn for me. I had become a confident businesswoman, running my own successful salon. One weekend, I decided to visit the mall to pick up a few things. As I approached the mall entrance, something caught my eye.
There was a figure standing there, looking pale, thin, and hungry, asking people entering and leaving the mall for money. As I got closer, my heart sank. It was Sarah.
To be continued ✍️