Beyond The Surface...

Segun and I were really good buddies, and our relationship started in a way I never expected. I found him roaming the school premises two weeks after resumption and couldn't say no when he asked if he could pass the night with me because of accommodations.

I saw myself in Segun because if my ex boss hadn't helped me with accommodations, I would have been in his shoes too.

"Yes, why not? You can come spend the night with me," I replied without even thinking about it.

Although I have seen him in class during lectures, we have never spoken to each other. I had only one friend and didn't try associating with anyone because making friends was the last thing on my mind.

That night, we spoke at length, and I felt sorry for him.

Our journey in life was very similar, but he was a lot older, even though I had the bigger stature. I allowed him to pass the night again because it was difficult for me to let him go knowing that he doesn't have a place to stay.

We became roommates, and I almost lost my accommodation because my ex-boss was furious that I accommodated someone in an apartment she helped me, but my good deeds and pure intention towards Segun helped me. I got my accommodations back, and even Segun was granted permission to live with me.

---

I and Segun did everything together; we became brothers and not just friends within a short time.

"Don't you think we get a job during the holiday instead of going home for nothing?" Segun suggested as the break was approaching.

"Yes, that's not a bad idea, but where and how do we get a temporary job?" I asked.

"Factory, I have worked there before, and they used to need some workers to cover up for absentees," Segun replied.

"Oh! So we have to go asking around. Won't that be a lot of work?" I asked.

"We can do it," Segun replied, and that's one of the things I love about him. He encourages me always, and I admire that.

We swung into action even before the holiday, and luckily for us, someone helped us secure a spot in a factory where noodles and pasta are produced.

The cleaning job was the best we could get in the factory as a temporary job, and it was okay for me. We resumed work immediately after the break following the examination.

Mingling with other people there was challenging for me, but Segun easily blended in with the workers there.

We barely worked for a week when Segun started complaining that he needed a better position than cleaning in the factory. Cleaning is a female job and he wanted something manly with a good pay.

"This is a temporary job, and I don't think we should be aiming for a bigger job here in a factory," I told Segun, who was keen on getting a better post.

"It's temporary, but we need more money," he replied.

"I spoke to someone, and he told me that they needed temporary staff in Pasta, plus their pay is good," Segun added, and it became clear why he was insisting on getting a better post.

"You can go on to Pasta, but I am cool with the cleaning job since it's not stressful or too demanding. I get time to read briefly and even do other things in the locker room," I replied.

"Are you sure?" Segun asked.

"Yes, I am very sure. I will be fine," I replied.

The next day, Segun went in as a relief worker, and he was happy when we met after closing. He had a takeaway plastic bag filled with cooked pasta and eggs, which was the lunch they gave the workers there.

"George, those pasta workers are enjoying themselves. You are missing a lot," Segun said while flaunting the takeaway.

We ate the pasta on the company premises and went home talking about his first day at work. Segun didn't stop talking about how well the workers treated him, but I wasn't convinced enough, and if he hadn't suggested the factory initially, I would have been at home selling snacks at Mom's shop.

A week and some days passed with Segun working in Pasta. All of a sudden, he started complaining about his back hurting him.

"Could this be work stress?" I asked repeatedly, but he said it wasn't.

"I spend time bending as an arranger, but that's not the problem. It's probably a pile," Segun replied.

About three days later, Segun's situation had worsened. It was so bad that he made this noise whenever he wanted to bend his waist.

He stopped going to work while I finished my three weeks of cleaning, and when we eventually got paid, Segun earned double my wages despite working for a short time, but his money was spent on treatment.

I couldn't help but laugh at him when he fully recovered from the severe back pain, and he wished he had just stuck to the cleaning.

"It's not that bad, and at least you got the experience as a worker in a factory where pasta is produced. You know your limit, unlike me, who didn't even give it a try." I tried encouraging Segun not to worry about spending his earnings on treatment.

"Don't worry, we can just use what you have left with mine to pay for electricity and get a few food items," I added.

"Thanks! I actually wanted to prove you wrong that the cleaning wasn't the best we could do. I thought the grass was always greener on the other side," Segun replied, and I understand him very well. Despite our closeness, we held a healthy competition with each other in everything, especially academics. Segun returned for the cleaning jobs during the holiday, but I didn't.

_{My Image}

"It's always greener from afar and nothing good comes easy in life. There is always a bigger price to pay on the greener side that many of us do not know," I replied.

I couldn't cope with not seeing my family for a long time and selling my snacks would have fetched me more money than the cleaning job would pay me.