It was a very busy morning in the bubbling city of Lagos and the sound of honking vehicles tinged with the noise from bus-conductors filled the air as I struggled to fit myself into a 9 seater mini-bus. I was a civil engineer who just graduated from college five years ago and i was on my way for a meeting at a company where i applied for a contract.
A middle aged man sat beside me wearing an expensive looking eye-glasses with a white suit and designer shoes, he looked rich. I greeted him and his face widened into a grin as he responded to my greetings.
"Lagere!, lagere!" The bus conductor shouted, looking for one more passenger to fill up the nine seater bus before they take off. Just in, a woman with a basket full of vegetables boarded the bus and we took off.
When we arrived at sabo which was the middle aged man's destination, he ailighted from the bus.
"Oga bring your money!" The bus conductor shouted at the confused looking man who searched his pocket for money but found nothing.
"My money was... right here."He stammered.
"Be like say you wan see craze this morning bah?" (which translates to-"its like you want to experience madness this early morning,right?") the bus conductor angrily said as he gripped the man's shirt.
"Dont worry I will pay for him" I said, extending a 200 naira note to the conductor.
The man stared at me with surprise and gratitude in his eyes.
"Thank you so much, i'm Mark by name and you are?"
"I'm Ray" I replied with a smile on my face.
"You get luck" (which translates to-"You have luck" )the bus conductor scoffed at the man as we took off.
Six months after the incident in the bus, I was at my house, a nice 2-bedroom apartment when my phone buzzed. It was jude my business partner.
"Hello big man,there is great news:The state government is issuing out a big contract for the construction of a major road. If we win this contract, it will change our lives and that of our generations forever."
"Wow this is indeed great news, we have to take the neccessary steps to ensure we secure this contract with immediate effect." I said.
My heart raced, I had to win this contract against all odds as I was determined within me so I began writing my business proposal.
Two weeks later I sat inside a massive commercial building waiting for my turn as I adjusted my jacket.
The secetary in the waiting room where I sat received a phone call.
"You can now go in." She said to me, as she ended the call.
I stood up saying a quick prayer as I opened the door leading to the office where I was to be interviewed. I walked in with confidence and sat on one of the chairs at the round table.
The commissioner who was the head of the panel, sat at the extreme end of the round table stared at me curiosly.
"Please Mr Ray, you can now begin your presentation." One of the executives spoke.
I nodded and started my presentation, laying out brillant ideas and plans. As I spoke, the commissioner leaned foward staring at me right in the eyes.
Finally, when I had come to the end of my presentation, the chairman spoke.
"You don't seem to remember me, do you?"
It was then I fixed my gaze on him
"Oh Mr Mark!" I exclaimed with surpise written all over my face.
The comissioner smiled
"Yes it is me. I lost everything, my business and the good life I once had. Until the new governor who was my business partner back then came into power and appointed me as the commissioner for works. Your single act of kindness that day gave me hope that there are still good people out there and it gave me the inspiration to keep pushing in life." The commissioner said.
The commissioner turned to his executives and said, "I don't need to hear anything more, if this man excutes this contract with the same heart he used to help me, then he is the right one."
One of the executives present, hesitated. "But sir we still have other..."
"The contract has been awarded to Mr Ray and my decision is final."The commissioner cut in.
I was immediately given some documents to sign, which I did. I walked out of the office with the contract papers in my hands, it was like a dream to me as I was filled with excitement.
I got home that afternoon and called Jude on the phone.
"Bro you won't belive this, we have been awarded the contract." I said
"How? Just like that?" Jude asked surprised.
" That's a story for another day my brother." I replied.
It was evident, my whole life was about to change and I smiled to myself. Just beacause of a single act of kindness I showed someone in the bus.