Lending Hand

Day 1

Mr. Bayo and Mr. Tomi were best friends.

Bayo was reserved and quiet, while Tomi was extroverted and jovial. Tomi loved gambling, and there was one betting game in particular that he was quite fond of. It was called Riwo, and he could play it from daybreak until sunset.

Bayo’s curiosity was piqued because Tomi always seemed to have money to spend, while he constantly struggled financially. One day, Bayo asked Tomi to teach him how to play.

Tomi was a notorious gambler. Rumour had it that there was once a time he gambled away everything he had, down to his boxers, and had to walk home naked.

Bayo knew all of this.

But he didn’t care.

He wanted a taste of the money too.

So, Tomi taught Bayo how to play, and Bayo began gambling.

On his very first attempt, Bayo won.

Tomi immediately encouraged him, telling him that the gods of betting were on his side.

And so, Bayo continued.

He played again.

And again.

And again.

Without realising it, Bayo had become poorer than he was when he started.

Among his possessions was a watch he cherished dearly. It had been given to him by his father, and it was one of the few things that truly meant something to him.

One day, Bayo lost a bet.

And this time, he had to give up the watch.

He was devastated.

Seeing how heartbroken his friend was, Tomi promised that he could retrieve the watch but on one condition.

When Bayo heard Tomi’s proposal, he fell to his knees crying.

He felt betrayed.

How could someone he considered a friend and a brother ,even ask something like that of him?

But Tomi showed no remorse.

“Do you want me to get it back or not?” he asked, completely unfazed by Bayo’s desperate pleas.

The watch meant everything to Bayo.

It was the only thing he had left from his father. He had never known his mother.

Eventually, Bayo gave in to Tomi’s request.

And true to his word, Tomi retrieved the watch and returned it to Bayo.

But at what cost?