"Josh, what's up?" I asked as Josh, my friend walked into my house.
Source"I'm okay. Elisha said you were calling for me. Whats up?"he asked, taking a seat and grabbing the remote which sat on the table.
"There's this job opening. One of my bosses, he needs a driver and I thought you might want the job," I said.
"What's the pay?" he asked, not looking at me but focusing on searching the Gotv channels.
"It's 60k," I told him.
"No o. I can't work for 60k. It's too small," he said sharply, only casting a quick glance in my direction.
"I know, but you wouldn't have to work everyday. According to him, it's for three times a week," I added.
"I don't think I can. I don't want anybody to start sending me on errands as if I'm a small boy and then turning me to a family driver," I could hear disgust in his voice.
"He wouldn't. His kids and wife have their own driver. Besides, I know the man well. He's a very civil person and a good boss overall," I said as convincing as I could.
"Bro, I can't," he said.
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"You, you have a problem. Of all the people in this world, you chose to bring this opportunity to Jpsh. Josh who doesn't want to answer to anyone," my brother who had probably heard our conversation, emerges from the room, telling me.
"You know me quite well," Josh said, looking up at him.
We all burst into laughter.
"But you can consider this one. You've been the one complaining that you have no funds," I spoke again
"No, I'll do without. I'll pass on that one." He sits up and let's out a sigh. "How far, do you have data on your phone?"
"Yes, I do. Why?" I answered.
"I want to check sportybet. I want to check my game," he says with seriousness.
"That's true, you just reminded me. I was going to say that I haven't seen you with your phone in about two days. Where is it?"
"I've dumped that phone. The thing developed fault," he replied.
"Already!? Was it not only two weeks ago that you got it? How's that possible?" I asked curiously.
"It fell in the bathroom and went blank. The artisan I took it to could not fix it. Said it's a new phone brand and the screen is scarce and expensive," he explains.
"Sorry, man. Sorry about that. I warned you against that phone though. Now see, 270k gone, just like that."
"Don't worry, I'll get a bigger and better one once this my bet enters. I bet 500naira to win 12million. It's just one game remaining before I win," he said both seriously and smiling.
"Ha! That's just ...." I started to say
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"Forget that thing you're about to say. The game will play. Once I get this money, I'll finally be able to rent a house and stop squatting with this my cousin so the insult will stop. Then I'll furnish the house and buy anew, sharp phone. This my brokemess is temporary. After today'slast game, no more," he was smiling wide now.
"You know that you're not supposed to be saying this. You have skills. You're good with plumbing, mechanical work, carpentry, yet you're always broke. Always depending on sportybet for basic things. It doesn't make sense," I said, hoping to not sound disrespectful.
"Don't mind him.," turning to Josh, my brother who had been busy with his phone said, "You're just a perfect description of a daydream believer. Get yourself a steady job, you're 34 years old already."
"Just wait and see, you both. This game will play. Once it does, I'll just ask for your account numbers and oil it a little. I have really big dreams. You both know my capacity."
"Bro, keep your money. In fact, use it to do something for yourself. Are you not bored of this tale you always tell and the condition of your living? Year-in, year-out it's same thing. Haba nau!," my beo said, visibly pissed.
the room fell silent save for the TV running.
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Josh is a family friend whom we've known for years. He could pass for a family mber even. He was definitely hinted and knew a thing or two about every craft. If there's something to get fixed or you need someone to help out, Josh was your guy. But he has a problem. Inspite of his skills, he was always almost broke and jobless. He did not want to work as anyone's employee. And he'd rather refuse a job relating to his skills, complaining that they underpay, rather than hold on to it.
That way, he spent his days doing nothing but go to bet shops gambling and hoping to make some big win from his small input. Everyday, he'd talk about the many thibgs he would do once he gets his hand on big money.
The few times he manages to get something tangible from his bets, he squander the monies and finds himself at point zero with nothing to show.
He doesn't see that there's something wrong with him thar he needs to fix. We've all done our bit by talking to him every now-and-then but they obviously fall on deaf ears.
Time is flying by fast and we hope it's not too late when he realizes what he's doing.
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SOKA,🖤