It was noon. The sun was cruel, the air thick with heat. I was thirsty, my throat dry like paper, but the only money I had was for printing my assignment and buying dinner later. Touching it wasn't an option.
School had sucked me dry. As a student, you can have money---feel like you’re surviving—but somehow, it disappears. You never really know how you spent it… until you're broke.
The walk back to the hostel felt like a battle between destiny and my tired legs. I was drained from the day’s lectures. We had stood the entire time; no seats, just the hard floors and harder topics, all to catch a few words from a lecturer who barely spoke up properly.
To make matters worse, I had only "zip garri" before class. I was seriously hungry.
When I got to my room, I noticed most of my roommates were out, except one person.
Too tired to care who it was, I stripped off my clothes, dragged myself to the hostel bathroom, and let the cool water rinse off the stress. It was already past 5 p.m., and my mind was thinking about an assignment I had to finish and a test to prepare for.
Back in the room, I heard someone crying. I paused.
When I looked over, I realized it was the newbie–Faithfulness. She was in her first year.
Her face was red–more from pain than tears, and she clutched her stomach like that could reduce the pain. She was fair-skinned, so the redness stood out, making it clear she'd been crying for a while.
“Faithfulness, are you okay?” I asked, still in my towel.
No response.
Panic pushed the exhaustion aside. I dressed in a hurry, forgetting all my problems for a moment. I had to help her.
My first thought was, "Make this girl no come die here o… and na only me dey for room!"
I was scared. And this looked serious.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong with you? Talk nah?” I urge her to respond, my heart pounding so fast I could hear it.
She finally responded, barely able to breathe.
“My period just came... I’m having cramps.”
Immediately, I knew I had to help. I’d witnessed enough of these episodes from other girls to know just how painful menstrual cramps could get.
“Don't you have meds for it?” I asked and she shook her head. No.
“Have you called your parents?”
Again, she shook her head.
“No... I don’t have airtime.”
My mind was racing. We couldn’t use hot water in the hostel, and my own painkillers had finished. I didn’t have time to think, I just stood up and left. I ran to a nearby pharmacy, bought some meds for cramps, and picked up some fries too, just in case she hadn’t eaten.
I also bought airtime for her phone so we could reach her parents.
When I returned to the room, none of my other roommates were back yet. It was just me. I helped her bathe, change her pad, and eat. She took the medication and finally began to settle.
Once she calmed down, I dialed her mom’s number.
The phone rang once before a woman picked up.
“Good evening, ma.”
“Good evening, Faith? Is that you?”
“Oh, no ma. This isn’t Faithfulness, this is one of her roommates, my name is Esther. Faithfulness is sick—her period just came, and she’s in serious pain. I’ve given her some medication, but I think it’s best you come take her home so she can go to the hospital.”
“Ahh, it really is the time of the month, and she didn't take her cramp’s medication with her. It's alright. I’m coming now, just give me 30 minutes. I don’t know why she didn’t call me earlier.”
“She didn’t have airtime, ma. I had to buy some to make this call.”
“God bless you, my dear. Please stay with her, I’m on my way.”
“Okay, ma. No problem.”
The call ended. I looked at Faithfulness, who was already half-asleep, and reassured her. “Your mom is coming,” I said softly. She just gave a faint nod.
It was then I realized, I hadn’t eaten anything myself. In the rush of adrenaline and concern, I had forgotten my hunger. Now that things were calm, it returned with force. My stomach growled. The fries I bought for her were starting to call my name.
About 25 minutes later, a girl from another hostel knocked on our door.
“Excuse me? I'm looking for a girl named Faithfulness, her parents are outside waiting for her.”
After the girl left, I quickly helped Faithfulness up gently and we walked out together.
Outside, I saw her mom and dad. They weren’t small people–their big Jeep screamed wealth. Her dad rushed to help me lift her.
He laughed, scolding her gently.
“Why didn’t you call us? Even small airtime like dis you no get with all the money you dey collect from me”
Her mom shook her head.
“Don’t mind her. She knows how her cramps get, and yet she didn’t take her meds with her.” Then she turned to me with genuine gratitude.
“Thank you so much for helping her. Please, just take this small change and manage. I’d love to give you my number in case anything like this happens again.”
After we exchanged numbers she handed me ₦20,000. Her dad added another ₦10,000.
₦30,000. Just like that.
I was stunned. I hadn’t expected anything. Before all this, I had only spent ₦1,500 just to get Faithfulness, the meds, some fries and the airtime, but now, ₦30k? My chest swelled with gratitude.
Just that morning I had zip garri to school. I thought I’d zip garri to sleep. Now, I had enough to eat well till exams were over.
I thanked them sincerely as they drove off. In that moment, I realized something:
Sometimes, helping someone else is the key to unlocking your own blessing.