Chiamaka finally left Aboy. If anyone had told me I would live to see this day, I probably would not have believed them for a second. You see, Amaka is my kaka (my person). We are cousins, yes, but even more than that, we have always been best friends. Our bond survived everything, even the strained relationship between our parents.
My father is the only son of the family, while Chiamaka’s mother is the ada (the first child and first daughter). There were three siblings in all: Big Mummy (Chiamaka’s mother), as I fondly call her; the late Aunty Ebere; and my father.
Life was difficult for them growing up. My grandparents could not afford to send all their children to school, so they chose to sponsor my father and Aunty Ebere. Big Mummy, despite being the eldest, was asked to stay back and hawk alongside their mother to help support the family financially.
The understanding was simple: once my father finished school and became successful, he would in turn sponsor Big Mummy’s education. But everything changed after he secured a scholarship to University of Lagos. Somewhere along the line, he stopped looking back. The family he once depended on slowly became distant memories. Not long after, Aunty Ebere fell ill and eventually died.
My pa’ and Big Mummy have never seen eye to eye literally and otherwise. Yet after my father passed away from cancer fourteen years ago, and my mother followed shortly after, it was Big Mummy who took me in and raised me like her own child.
I know I may be giving too many details, but it matters. You need to understand.
Amaka’s parents do not have much. In fact, they often eat just twice a day. Still, I loved staying with them. One thing that has never been in short supply in that home is love. Even now, it remains the same.
Sometimes, I find myself wishing for the kind of love Big Mummy and Daddy Amaka share. Neither of them likes to eat unless the other is around. They are constantly, almost annoyingly, affectionate with each other so openly in love that it is impossible not to notice.
So, I have never really understood why Amaka settled for Aboy. Maybe it’s because I have never truly been in love. Or maybe what they say is true that love can make a person blind.
Because honestly, Aboy only ever seemed to love what he got from Amaka, and that was money. Everybody could see it. Everyone, except Amaka herself.
My kaka was deeply in love. It was always, “Aboy said… Aboy wants… Aboy needs… What will Aboy think?”
Ha. Chi Chi.
I know love is a beautiful thing. I saw it myself in my parents before my pa’ died. In fact, I sometimes believe my ma’ could not continue life alone after experiencing the depth of what she and my father shared.
There is love at home. Love surrounds us. And when I say us, I mean Amaka and I.
So, to me, that relationship with Aboy never made sense. If I were not educated, I might even have believed the boy did juju on my beautiful cousin. Because, see ehn… Amaka a maka oo. I can say that with full confidence, she is truly something else.
Even though I know I am a beautiful woman in my own right, my cousin’s beauty is simply ethereal the kind you cannot argue with. Everything about her is effortlessly perfect. We used to joke that she would end up a model one day.
Chai. So again, I keep asking myself why Aboy?
Again, like I said, I could never really understand. In the words of Nigerian singer Omawunmi: “If you ask me, na who I go ask?”
Well, let me explain what actually led to the breakup. The root of it all was money. But in this case, it was also the same root that eventually opened my cousin’s eyes.
I was the one who suggested to Amaka that she start investing sometime after she got a well-paying job following our NYSC. We served together in Benin, and funny enough, that was the same place she met that useless ex-boyfriend of hers.
Oh, you cannot imagine the joy it gives me to refer to him as her ex. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Back to the gist.
I told Amaka, “Now that they are paying you six figures, babes, don’t become a walking ATM for that your boyfriend. Start investing. I’ll send you the details of an investment platform I know. Bikonu, start dey save…”
And she agreed. So I sent her the link to Ladda. I had heard about Ladda from someone I follow on Twitter. It is an investment app where you can save and invest small or large amounts (around ₦100,000 or even $100 and above) and earn returns on your money.
Six months later, just two weeks ago, actually my kaka called me crying, saying she had been a big fool. Ha! I was like, wetin happen?
Apparently, as usual, Amaka told Aboy about the investment platform I introduced to her. He then asked her to send him the link so he could “verify” it for her. A few days later, he turned around and told her it was a “Ponzi scheme” a scam.
Shebi she would have just called me to clarify? Or even better, why couldn’t she verify it herself? All she needed to do was click the link and check the website. Ndi first-class graduate nee Amaka chelu bright babe. Chaiiii.
Have I ever lied to Amaka before? Me, her cousin. Me, who has been with her through thick and thin. We are not just friends; she’s my sister. Yet, she believed a man and doubted me.
Aboy went further to tell her that investing is actually a good idea and that he already invests with a “trusted company.” He then said he would start investing her money on her behalf.
Chaiiiii.
And just like that, Chiamaka handed him five months’ worth of her salary her hard work. I don’t even know exactly how she discovered he was spending her money, but that was not even the most painful part for my kaka.
The worst part? Aboy had a fiancée. A woman who had already given him a child. Ha! Aboy don even born boy.
Ewoooo. I am pained. Let me stop here before my blood pressure rises again. Every time I remember this story, it plays in my head like a movie.
Ladies, please don’t hand over your money blindly to any man. And if you must, know the details!! Love should not make you lose your sense. Inugo? Don’t fall for an Aboy, and most importantly, learn to invest wisely.
Chiamaka has now verified everything herself and is ready to start investing properly with Ladda.
Financial security is not just a skill; it is a superpower. Start building for your future. Start saving. Start investing in yourself.
That’s all for this matter. Till we meet again. Bye bye.
Azimat Olasinde Taofiq
Short Bio
Azimat is a young woman in her early twenties and a tertiary-level medical student. She is as captivated by science as she is inspired by art. A passionate storyteller, she crafts narratives that explore coming-of-age journeys, diversity and inclusion, and family dynamics woven into broader societal intrigue often set against the rich backdrop of Nigerian culture. Beyond her creative work, Azimat is a committed advocate for women’s rights, particularly in the areas of financial independence, gynaecological health, mental health awareness, and support for neurodivergent and disabled individuals.
Substack: @Azimat (:lazy writer)
LinkedIn: @Azimat Taofiq
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