A Late Year Lesson

Source: Pinterest

I think I was duped. 

This experience doesn't change my perspective on people, but it has helped me understand that anyone that tries to steal from you would do it irrespective of your good heart or kind words, and it also helped me understand myself a bit more. 

Around September, I decided to work on some projects that I have been putting away till I can afford it. One of them was making a bed because I am trying to maximize the floor space in my apartment and also remove my mattress from the floor. I asked some friends to recommend carpenters to me and I found someone willing to make the bed. I planned to get the bed done and delivered immediately I got to Enugu. November came around and I had a friend(Marcus) staying over at my place, so I decided to give my plan a go. 

Before making the payment, I called some of my friends at Enugu to check up on this guy to confirm that he was legit because I was uncertain who gave me his number. The results of this were inconclusive, but I went ahead to pay him. I didn't want him not completing the job or having to do anything from his own money, and then doing something subpar or not to my liking, I paid in full. He promised to complete the bed in a week. At the end of the first week, he completely disappeared off WhatsApp and his number was no longer going through.

By the third week, I got through to him, and he told me he went to the village and that is what made his number unreachable. He also mentioned that he was done with my work, and he would deliver in three days. So I sent him my house address and my friend's number so that they can reach an agreement about the delivery. 

Marcus got in contact with him, and he made the same promise to her to deliver on 22nd November, but after that, his number has remained switched off or busy anytime I call him. He doesn't reply to my text or WhatsApp messages any longer. The funny thing was when I called him again December with two different phone numbers, and he returned the call to my alternate line, but I was in a class and told him I would have to call him back. When I finally got through to him, he promised to deliver last Friday. The endpoint of all this is I can't reach on the phone and neither can Marcus.

Truth is I don't know what my next line of action should be. 

I am thinking of waiting till I return to Enugu and go look for him, that is if the address he gave me is correct, or wait till he delivers or let go of the whole matter including the bed frame and the money. I am tilting towards the last one not because I have the money right now to pay for another one but it is the least stressful alternative and I don't like stress at all.

I told some friends what happened, in hopes of trying to figure it out, and I get questions like did you pay him in full. When I tell them yes, I am reminded that I am not supposed to do that because it is not a Nigerian thing to do and craftsmen are not to be trusted. Another suggestion I get is to tell someone to meet him and again it is impossible to do. I think the important one is to make sure you verify anyone you are giving a job or making payments to.

I also found out that I am terrified of waiting. It would have been easier on me if I just waited till I got to Enugu. But there was that fear of what would happen if I missed that offer or if the timing is less perfect. When Arnold mentioned it to me, I had to sit back and reflect. I realized that most of the things I later come to regret stems from me making a decision because I couldn't wait. This is the lesson I learnt. 

Now it is the only thing left to do. May God help me.

Source: Pinterest

What have you learnt about yourself or people this year?

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Have a beautiful week.

The Estherian