Have you heard of cases where a partner run away in the middle of a date?. They leave with the excuse that they need to visit the restroom but after waiting for minutes the other party realised they've just been played.
Okay it happened to me but mine was a fault on my part. I misinterpreted my friend's words and intention. My case wasn't on a date either or an hangout with a lover. It was with Two of my friends.
Before i narrate my story let me chip in an advice. If you are a lady or even a guy and you're asked out on a date or hangout. Try to take enough money with you in case the other person decide to play a fast one on you or something unprecedented happens.
Back to my story
It was during my Internship -back when i was in the polytechnic. We were asked to come to school to sort some issues pertaining to our result but i was short on cash at that period and had lot of work in my office (where i intern) that required my attention, which made me unavailable to go when we were called upon. Luckily for me Two of my friends were not able to go too due to work at their offices. So we all decided to go together.
We got there and it seems our lucky angel was on duty that day because we were attended to without much fuss. We were expecting the Secretary to chastise us for coming late for something so important but it seems she doesn't even care. We left the HOD's office happy and decided to hang around a little before going back to our respective homes. A wrong decision.
We went to the School's Sport centre and watched the various athletes practicing for the upcoming NUGA Games (National university games) and also watched a friendly football match between two departments. I can't remember the names of the department again. We had a nice time talking and reminiscing. Before we knew what was happening it was already past Noon.
One of them suggested that we go to the "Restaurant park" to grab something to eat. Remember i said i had little Cash on me at that period. But i quickly did a mental calculation. I decided to eat a meal not more than N500 (about $1) and use the remaining N1000 (about $2) with me to board a bus home. Although naira to dollar rate wasn't this bad back then.
On getting to Restaurant park i starting heading towards a restaurant that is known for selling Food at a reasonable price and large quantity. But my friend said-
"Make we go Kelvin's kitchen naw, i get enough money with me, make we chop noodles"
Which means "Let's go to Kelvin's Kitchen, i have enough money with me. Let's go and eat noodles"
Kelvin's kitchen is known for it delicious but expensive noodles and only those with deep pockets frequent the restaurant. Prior to that day , I've been there twice. One -when i got paid for a job and the other when my brother came visiting and took me there for a treat.
But since I'm not the one paying (my mistake) i decided to go with them. Who doesn't like free food?.
We got there and the Two of them placed their order and it was my turn. Not to look like a glutton or opportunist i decided to order just a plate of noodles with Sausages and fried Egg. I also went for bottle water because that's the cheapest drink there. They sell their soft drinks at a double rate compared to other restaurants.
They brought our meal and we pounced on it. Mid way through our meal the Waitress brought our meal. I peeped at it and realised everything i bought was N1300. It was small compared to what my friends bought. I felt relaxed and continued with the task before me-enjoying the meal. The two of them (my friends) dipped their hands into their pocket and called the waitress. To my surprise they only paid for themselves and the waitress looked in my direction with her brows raised in an inquisitive manner.
To say i was perplexed is an understatement. I started sweating and fidgeting. With a forced smile i asked my friend why he isn't paying for me again and he said he never mentioned paying for me. To save myself from further embarrassment, i gave a forced laugh and said i was only pulling his legs.
I've heard cases where people who couldn't pay for their meal were embarrassed publicly and asked to wash plate to foot their bill. And the most painful part is per plate washed is N4 off one's bill. I ate food worth N1300. How many plates am i going to wash before i get my freedom back?. 325 plates if my calculation is right. That's excluding the spoons that count as nothing and the embarrassment. A whole Happy washing plate. Ewww!
Hurriedly i brought out the N1500 with me and paid. With pain i watched the waitress go with my money. How i wish i have a Superpower. I will go into the Restaurant purse and take my money back. I will also deal with my friend who misled me.
I collected my N200 balance and the rest of the meal was like a funeral. My friends ate their's chattering, oblivious to the Royal rumble taking place in my head. The food that once tasted like a meal taken from the king's table now taste like sawdust in my mouth. I chewed each grain with aggression and pain.
After they both left for their homes, i was left wandering round the school. I didn't know what to do or how to go home. Even if i'm to take the train instead of the bus i will need at least N500 and i was left with just N200. I checked the time and it was 3:50pm . Then an idea came to mind. The ATM can only dispense N1000 notes and i don't have up to that in my account, but i can go to the counter to withdraw. Banks closes by 4:00pm. So i still have 10minutes. I started running. Passerbys were forced to look in my direction and back to see what was amiss.
I got into the bank at exactly 4:00pm. The Security man was about to lock the door. I pleaded with him and told him it's a matter of life and death. Lol
I went to the counter, filled the withdrawal slip and submitted it to the Cashier who looked at me with amusement. I'm sure she was wondering why someone will want to withdraw N400 (which was all i had in my account). I looked at her back with a straight face.
"Na my money,na wetin i like i go do with am" i said to myself
Meaning "It's my money, I'll do whatsoever i like with it"
I took "my" money and left the bank with relief. I got to the station and waited for the night train which was dangerous. But what could i have done?. I got home very late in the night and narrated my ordeal to my siblings and they had a good time laughing at me.
Since then I've learnt to go with enough and extra money in my wallet anytime i am invited to a eat out or hangout. I don't want history to repeat itself.
The End!.😀
Thanks for reading!. 🤗🤗🤗
PS: Images used in the story are not the real picture of the event. They are only there for illustration and source clearly stated .
Big thank you to my Sponsors, upvoters ,viewers and Subscribers. You guys are my motivation.
Till next time. Byeeeeeeeee.
Have you had similar experience? Kindly share ...
...and you will also help the author collect more tips.
Reading your story is mixed emotion, I smiled and feel bad for you at the same time. I can imagine the feeling of "sweating and fidgeting". The way you describe the food after you paid for an amount, made me laugh(sorry for that). Lesson learned, make sure that if you don't have the amount in the pocket, and someone invited you tell that someone you don't have a budget.