Ibrahim’s message was the last thing Layo read before she went to bed. She stared at her phone for a short while, wondering what could have changed within a few hours.
She didn’t think too long. This was all Saheedat. But why would she do this?
The next morning, she was at their door. Saheedat invited her in and led her to a beige sofa. On the cushy sofa, Saheedat’s high-end laptop was open, and next to it was a cup of tea and some fancy-looking crackers. It was a Saturday morning, and Saheedat was on her laptop doing whatever. Layo couldn’t remember the last time she had a Saturday to herself. “Hope there’s no problem, Sis? Can I get you something to drink or eat? ” Saheedat, I’m not a guest, please. I’m here to talk business.” “Is it about the land?” “Yes. Please I want you to think very well about this opportunity. It doesn’t come all the time. It is a very good land in a place where people are now rushing to. In fact, they’re now fixing that Lagos/Ibadan expressway, so the traffic will reduce. The calibre of people living there is…”
Saheedat had stopped listening. There was no way Layo was only here for her benefit. Three years as a manager and she could tell when something else was beneath the surface.
“You really want us to buy this land. What is really going on, Sis?” Layo sighed and told her the truth. “I have to find a way to pay my children’s school fees between now and September. Ken doesn’t bother about these things, but I can’t let these children stay at home because we haven’t paid the school fees.” “Sis, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but have you done what we talked about the last time?” “The mutual funds thing? Not yet. Even if I had done it, it still wouldn’t solve my problem. I still need close to six hundred thousand.”
Saheedat sighed. “Hmm, Sis, don’t be offended o, but do you save toward this school fees?” Layo shifted in her seat and laughed a weak laughter. She was beginning to feel as if Saheedat was talking down to her. “You know how things can be.” “Have you tried diversifying your income? What about teaching home lessons? One of my colleagues pays ₦50,000 every month. If you’re teaching at least two children, you can make about ₦100,000 monthly.”
“Hmm, it’s easier said than done. Some of these parents don’t pay on time; you have to beg them before they pay. Some will even tell you to write a report of what you’ve taught their children in a month. For what? Besides, home lessons are for younger teachers. I’m too old to be running around, trying to teach more children in the evenings after doing that all day at school.”
“Well, if you say so…” “A lot of these children are spoilt brats,” Layo rambled on. “You can’t discipline them or do anything. Then I’ll have to be struggling to board a danfo after working all day. The stress will be too much. I will rather borrow than teach extra lessons. And who would watch my children?”
“You have a fifteen-year-old who can watch the younger ones. Your children are not babies anymore.” “No, it’s not worth it.” Saheedat sighed. “Well, what can you do now? If the way you’re saving is not working well, maybe you should try another way. I remember when I first started setting financial goals too. It was confusing at first, but I found something that works. It is this mutual fund I was telling you…”
Layo was uninterested. “My sister, this financial planning is not realistic for people like us with small salaries and three children.” “Sis, everybody needs financial information and planning. When people are not informed, they make mistakes and they cannot be financially free.” Layo was upset. Saheedat seemed to be blaming her for her predicament. “I cannot force you to buy this land, but please buy it if you have the money.” Saheedat smiled a tight smile. “I don’t have the money.” Layo sighed as if she was tired of Saheedat’s dishonesty.
“I don’t have the money,” Saheedat said again. “As you can see, I don’t have children. I’m saving up to change my situation.”“Eeyah, God will do it, my sister. In the meantime,
if there’s any way you can help me, God will reward you mightily.” “Okay. I also think you should talk to our family friend, Victor. Remember I mentioned him the other day? Our finances changed when we started talking to him.
Sometimes all we need is some financial information. It is very important, my sister. I can give you his card.” “If he advises me today, will I get six hundred thousand naira?” She could see Saheedat was about to say something and she held up her hand. “Don’t bother. I don’t need it.”
