GIST O’CLOCK

Gist from my day!!

So today, I met up with an old time kiddo from my secondary school days. Funny story of how we even became close sef. Embarrassing actually, but we learn everyday abi not?

Back then, I was in SS1 and he was in JSS2. There was a debate competition and I entered so last minute. The organisers already knew my sisters, and the Okwanyionus had this reputation for being good at debates. And to be fair, I really was. The topic was simple, so I didn’t even sweat it.

I only started panicking and preparing on the actual day of the competition. But even at that, I wasn’t panicking too much because… come on, it was a JSS student jhor.

Ladies and gentlemen.

This child beat me.

Yes o. He literally washed me down. Clean. Thoroughly. It was so embarrassing.

Now, I wasn’t the only reason my team lost the debate, but as chief speaker, I did a very poor job preparing the team, and I underestimated my audience a little too much.

After that event, somehow, this boy and I became quite close, which is still surprising to me till today because he was literally a walking reminder of a defeat that almost killed me with embarrassment. But I guess it also taught me humility. And funny enough, oga really clung to me.

Anyways, after such a long time, even though we’ve kept in touch, we decided to meet up today and it was honestly nice.

I just listened to him rant about his recent JAMB attempt, work, and life, and I’m in awe of how much he’s grown. Taller. Beard is even trying to show face. And way smarter too.

Because tell me why this boy just saw his JAMB result a few days ago and didn’t even waste time to wallow. He had already done a change of course and was already calculating his score against the school’s cutoff mark like a man on a mission.

Dearest reader, why am I telling you this story? Simple; Pride goes before a fall.

That boy was a lesson in humility for me. A loud reminder that “you have to put in the work to get the result.” A “just being an Okwanyionu doesn’t automatically make you a genius.”

And honestly, I could’ve died of embarrassment and avoided him like plague. But I’m glad I was big enough to accommodate him and let him into my space.

Because it was worth it.

Watching him grow into such an impressive young man? Worth it.

Guy, I literally attempted suicide after my first JAMB result came out, so you get why I’m stunned that oga didn’t even wallow. He just stood up and moved.

That kind of resilience is not common.

And it made me realise something.

Some people come into our lives to teach us lessons, yes… but sometimes, that may not be all they’re meant for. Sometimes, they become more. Sometimes, they stay as reminders of growth. Sometimes, they end up being proof that life still moves, and people still become.

I’m just saying…

Anyways, share with me if you do have one embarrassing moment you’ve had that could’ve been avoided if only you had prepared well for it.

@favvy_Okwans🖤.