Chinedu walked along the street's of Enugu, Nigeria, lost in his thoughts. His once good life had now been shattered due to a series of bad sales, destruction of some of his good's and the betrayal of his closest friend. He had now lost everything including his wife and two children who left him during his time of resilence.
"You can't even take care of yourself anymore, not to talk more of me and the kid's." She said, with a tone of Anger and pain in her voice.
"I'm sorry but i have to leave, i can't watch the children continue to suffer anymore."
Her word's pierced into his heart, breaking them into pieces. He tried to make her see reasons to stay, to believe in him but all proved abortive.
Now he was all alone faced with his problem's as he sat in his one room apartment.
One faithful afternoon as Chinedu walked back home from a fellowship in church, a white mercedes benz c300 pulled up beside him and hoonked the horn.
"Chinedu!, is this really you?" A familiar voice sounded.
He turned and saw Ike, his close friend back then at College. Ike was quite the goal setter, one who always had positive visions and big dreams.
"Ike" Chinedu said, as he wore a faint smile on his face. "Its been a long time"
"Yes my brother, it has been years. Besides, what happened to you? You seem to be passing through a lot" Ike said.
"I've been through a lot lately" Chinedu said in a sad tone as he sat inside Ike's car and explained all the tragedy that struck his life recently.
"My life turned upside down, All my businesses collasped, i got duped by a dubios friend and my wife left with the kid's." Chinedu said, with a shaky voice.
Ike looked at his friend with a serious expression on his face. "My guy i know you may have lost everything but you still have your life meaning there is still hope for you to rise again. It is now left for you to determine your success or if you will let your problems drown you." Ike advised his friend.
"I don't just where to start from." Chinedu replied confused.
"Don't worry my friend i have a business i am into, i can let you in, just drop by this address tommorow morning." Ike said as he handed over a card containing an address to his house.
The next morning Chinedu arrived Ike's house, a well furnished duplex with a fleet of cars parked in the garage. Ike told his friend about his factory that supplies plastic to China.
"I'm tired of going on trip's to china so frequently. I want you to become my partner, we will share all the profits equally." Ike said.
"But i don't have money to invest in this business" Chinedu said.
" You won't be needing any money, we will share the profit's equally." Ike replied.
The following week Chinedu and Ike started working together as Ike provided the funding while Chinedu handled the operations. It wasnt an easy task but he was determined to rise again.
Chinedu reconnected with his old contact', made business deals and travelled accross China to supply their good's. Within a space of one year the business had expanded and his bank account grew big, with that his confidence grew.
He became richer than he was before, he bought a nice mansion for himself and a three storey building apartment which he rented out. Chinedu started up a foundation for the less priviledged children.
The news of Chinedu's success spread like wildfire as he became the talk of the town. He later built a gas station for himself which also brought him more revenue.
One cool evening as he walked into a resturant at Independence layout, Enugu, he saw his ex wife, Chinwe and his two kids sitting at a table.
"Daddy!" His children shouted as they rushed toward's him and he hugged them tightly.
"I've missed you all" He said, as his face broadened into a smile.
Chinwe stood up and looked at him, she was looking both supprised and ashamed.
"I have heard a lot about your success, you are really doing well and i just want to say that i'm sorry." Chinwe said, her voice full of regrets.
"It is fine, you did what was best for the children." Chinedu replied.
Since the inception of the incident at the resturant that day, he rebuilt his relationship with his children and maintained a platonic relationship with Chinwe.