Must Read: A Simple Life On Paper [completed] Season 1

Season 7 years ago

Must Read: A Simple Life On Paper [completed] Season 1

My life was basically in a boring routine. I had recently
been employed into the federal civil service as an
architect and for a young guy at twenty-six; I had lost all
flare in my life.


My steady job and occasional private gigs were all a means of
saving funds towards my intended proposal to my girlfriend of two
years. I had only three hundred thousand naira left for me to reach
my two million naira savings goal when I got tagged on some
pictures of my girlfriend’s wedding by her cousin on Facebook .

I fell into a serious depression for months. My
colleagues and bosses kept their distance at work and
my friends avoided bringing up her name whenever I was
around. It took two months for me to decide whether I
should end my life or start living again. I decided to live.

My daily routine revolved around work and home.


I leave
for work by seven in the morning and in most cases
come back by six in the evening. I had no problem with
those hours because I was always able to avoid the hold
ups in the morning and make it to work before eight and I
eat dinner out before I head home…still avoiding hold-
ups.


I live in a one bedroom apartment (that means it has a
living room, dining area, kitchen, bedroom etc) in the
outskirts of town. The apartment is part of a
semidetached building and there are 7 of such buildings
in the compound. I had initially paid only a year’s rent
but since I got the job I was comfortable with I had
decided to meet with the landlord and pay up for another
five years.

I was surprised that the man came and knocked on my
door in person. He is one of the big wigs in his state that
you will definitely see on national TV at least once a
month so when I sent a text to one of the listed numbers
on my lease, I thought I would get a call from a
caretaker…not him.


I ushered him in and he jovially explained how he had
spent a year or two without coming to the estate so when
his caretaker asked if he would like to issue a five-year
lease; he decided to take the opportunity check up on the
premises personally.


He came in my apartment around six in the evening on
Sunday. His driver came in with him and I offered them
drinks. “Sorry I came in without warning, I was just in
the neighbourhood for an event and decided to ask you
some questions before I decide whether to give you the
lease you are looking for or not” he started. For an
elderly guy, I knew he was still sharp so I decided to be
on the alert. He could have an ulterior motive.
“Why do you want to commit to a lease this long?” he
asked. I explained my situation to him as he nodded in
understanding. He was concerned that people who took
long leases often don’t know how to maintain the
premises the lease. He ended his speech by asking if I
could maintain the apartment in the same condition as I
had met it. I was taken aback by the question. Not
because I felt I could maintain it but because I had to
renovate it before I moved in!
I took my time to explain to him the steps I took to
inform the caretaker in writing of my desire to renovate
the apartment and also the pictures I had attached of
areas I hoped to have fixed. I went into my room and
brought out my copy of the received letter and presented
both it and the approval letter I had gotten two days
later. The pictures of the apartment were also on display
from my laptop and the surprise that was on my face
was transferred to his face.
After he regained his composure, he agreed to allow me the
lease.”As soon as you can make the payment, I will send the
driver with the receipt”. A thought came over me. If I pay him
directly, I would be able to avoid the agent/caretaker
commissions. “Sir, can I effect the transfer right now to your
account?” I asked. That question led to me presenting a lecture on
the efficacy of mobile banking and its numerous applications. He
was skeptical until his phone rang and he saw a notification
confirming the transaction.




The driver was sent to the car to get the required
documents and stamp. Thirty minutes later, my landlord
left me with a new five-year lease and a smile on my
face. That visit saved me a couple grand…who wouldn’t
be happy?



I went on with my life in the usual manner.



I would often
go visit my friends, but the fact that Peter and Gabriel
were always in the midst of one new university girl or
the other. I hate feeling like the third wheel (although
some of the girls seem like they wouldn’t mind a three-
way with me) so I make my visits brief. Mark was a
gamer like me. So we could spend hours at his
apartment playing Xbox. The only problem is…his
girlfriend looks at me like I am cheating her of her time
with her guy.