Gift from Grandma

Though everyone avoided Grandma mostly because of her incessant nags, my heart was unusually drawn to her when she was brought from the village to access medical care in our home in the city as a result of her ill health. We could not ascertain grandma's actual age, but we could give a pass of about 100 years as a result of her widespread gray hair and wrinkles on her face. Her dentition was sparsely occupied, and one needed keen attention to hear and understand whatever she vocalized. She was fond of me since I was mostly by her side, which was a result of my inability to secure admission to the university of my choice.

Grandma could call me a million times to do the same task I had just done. It took a lot of patience and love for her to endure her troubles. Sometimes, I felt she did some things intentionally, perhaps thinking I'd react, but I always ended up disappointing her.

Barely six months after Grandma was brought to our house, her health soon deteriorated, and painfully, we lost her to the cold hands of death despite having access to the best available medical care. Grandma had significant wealth, having been one of the early elites in our community. How much wealth she had was unknown to me, but I was told she had enough fortune for a lifetime. A week after her death, her burial was conducted in grand, and dignitaries swarm in like bees.

I was only seventeen and the fourth child of my parents. A family meeting was called, and a few other extended relatives were present. An elderly man in his early sixties wearing a black tuxedo with matching shoes walked into the large, spaced sitting room in our house, bringing the gentle murmuring to a halt.

"Dad, what's the family meeting about?" I whispered inaudibly into my dad's right ear as I sat close to my dad on his right while my mom sat on his left. My older siblings were away except for my oldest brother, who stayed back after the burial rites. The atmosphere in the room was unusually tensed, as though a pin drop could cause a noise explosion.

"Good morning to every member of the Alakijas. It is unfortunate that Grandma has left us nonetheless; she lived a good life even to the end. Today, I am here to deliver her goodwill message, which has captured every member of the Alakijas in her will." The lawyer said: A sigh of relief was let out by everyone present, as though their hearts had raced erratically before then. The will was read out to everyone's hearing, and I was awed by the millions of dollars and estates that accrued to many of the family members. Even my immediate older brother got a million dollars and two estates to himself. Apparently, grandma had stock investments and was richer than we all thought.

My heart raced fast, as it was only my name yet to be mentioned. From all I heard, I expected nothing short of a million dollars. Except if she forgot to include me in her will. I knew Grandma was quite forgetful, but I prayed silently, knowing a future with loads of money awaited me.

"And Tanya, here's your inheritance." The lawyer handed over a brown A4 envelope to me, which I grabbed hesitantly. Many thoughts ran through my mind as I wondered why my name was not called out like everyone else. I carefully opened the envelope and looked inside it with the aid of the well-lit room. Inside the envelope was a dull-looking gold ring, which I brought out for all the inquisitive eyes of my relatives to see.

"Congratulations Tanya!" My dad turned to me and enveloped me in a bear hug. My mom came swiftly along and hugged me also. Here, my confusion and inquisitiveness heightened. I didn't know what the ring signified, but for sure, it must be worth a lot, especially as my relatives sent in their congratulations. The lawyer soon took his leave, and other extended relatives followed suit.

"Dad, mom, why didn't I get any money except this ring? What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked innocently as I rolled my fingers around the ring for my family to see.

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My dad gave me a slight chuckle and drew me closer to himself once again. "Tanya, my beloved, Grandma must have loved you most to have handed you the good fortune ring of the family, which is passed from generation to generation. The ring is believed to bring wealth and longevity. You should understand the reason behind Grandma's wealth and old age." My dad explained. My eyeballs widened at the realization, and tears quickly welled up in my eyes as the memories of Grandma flooded my mind.

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The ecstasy of the inheritance within the Alakija family soon abated, with everyone going about their daily lives. The ring grandma left for me fit perfectly on my right ring finger, like it was molded for it. Three months later, I was shocked to receive two university admission offers in Nigeria for my chosen course, Business Administration. The choice was mine, and I took the shot for what I found most convenient, which came along with a full study scholarship and incentives. I was motivated, and my life gradually began to transform into one of luck and fortune as my wealth began to accumulate right after my college years.

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I became the CEO of Tanya Alakija Company right before graduation, and a world of good fortune readily enveloped me. Today, I remain a mogul in the Nigerian business industry to be reckoned with.