Chapter Three Lesson in honestly
The driver whipped around, his face pale. "Madam, I'm so sorry! I... I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't lost that money."
"Next time, be honest," Clara replied. "If you find someone's belongings, report it to the authorities or a radio station, so they can locate the owner. Honesty will reward you far more than dishonesty."
"Yes, madam. I understand," he stammered, trembling.
Without another word, Clara focused on her grandmother's shop, and in a blink, she was back there, the goods safely in her hands.
"Thank you, Grandma," Clara said, relief flooding her voice. "If not for this ring, I would have lost everything."
Her grandmother nodded, smiling. "Remember, use the ring wisely, Clara. Its power is great, but it must never be used to harm others."
Clara promised, feeling the weight of her grandmother's words. She knew this was only the beginning of what she would learn about the ring's power.
---
Clara always knew how to get what she wanted from Sam without giving much in return. Sam, smitten and eager to please, never hesitated to help whenever she asked, whether it was for money, rides, or other favors.
Over the course of a month, Sam began to keep track and realized he'd spent nearly twenty thousand naira on Clara. It wasn't the money that bothered him; what troubled him was that, despite all his efforts, Clara always found clever ways to avoid his advances. She played coy, deflecting whenever he tried to take things further.
One evening, Sam decided to take Clara to a hotel, hoping the romantic setting might finally sway her. They ordered drinks, enjoyed a lavish meal, and as the evening wore on, Sam, emboldened by the atmosphere, finally voiced his feelings. "Clara, I really want to be with you tonight."
Clara's expression didn't change. She smiled and replied, "Okay, no problem. Let me just use the restroom. I'll be back in a minute." She slipped away, and in the restroom, quickly set an alarm on her phone to ring in a few minutes, planning her escape.
Returning to the table, she looked at Sam and said, "Alright, let's go get a room."
Relief and excitement flooded Sam's mind. "Finally," he thought. "She's letting me in." They approached the counter to book a room, but just as Sam was completing the transaction, Clara's phone rang. She answered, putting on a flawless act.
"I'm at a friend's house," she said into the phone. After a pause, she added, "Yes, I'll be right there. Just give me five minutes."
She hung up and turned to Sam. "I'm so sorry, but I have to go. My dad needs me to run an urgent errand before the stores close." Without waiting for Sam's reaction, she walked away, leaving him standing by the counter, a mix of frustration and disbelief on his face.
---
The next day, Sam messaged Clara on WhatsApp. "Hey, can you come over? I need to talk to you about something important."
Clara replied, "Sure, I'll be there soon."
Instead of heading straight to Sam's, Clara stopped by a friend's place and asked her to tag along. Sam, expecting only Clara, was surprised when he opened the door to find her with a friend.
Hiding his disappointment, Sam forced a smile. "Come in, have a seat," he said, ushering them to the couch and offering drinks. He tried to make small talk, but frustration simmered beneath the surface. "Clara, I thought it would be just us."
"Oh, sorry," Clara replied casually. "I didn't feel like coming alone, so I asked my friend to come along."
Sam suppressed his frustration and went along with it, turning on the television and putting on a movie, hoping to create a comfortable atmosphere. They watched for nearly three hours, and with every passing minute, Sam's hope of getting closer to Clara dwindled. Eventually, he saw them off, feeling defeated once again.
After they left, Sam went to his friend's house and poured out his frustrations. "I've tried everything to make her like me, but she always finds a way to dodge me," he vented.
His friend listened and then said, "Why are you wasting your time on someone who doesn't value you? Let me tell you what you should do." He leaned in and whispered a plan.
---
The next day, Sam wrote down the names of four girls he was interested in and brought the list to his friend. His friend looked it over and suggested they seek advice from a pastor—someone who could offer insight on which girl might be "the one."
When they arrived at the pastor's home, Sam explained his situation. The pastor welcomed them warmly and invited them to sit.
After a few pleasantries, the pastor took the list and said, "Let us pray for guidance." They closed their eyes, and the pastor began a lengthy prayer. When he finished, he looked at Sam and said, "The last name on your list is the girl meant for you. Forget about the first name—Clara. She's not meant to be in your life."
Sam felt a mixture of disappointment and relief. "Thank you, sir," he replied quietly.
---
Walking home, Sam and his friend discussed the pastor's words. "Maybe it's time you focused on someone who genuinely cares for you," his friend advised. "It's not fair that you're spending all this money and effort on someone who doesn't appreciate it. True relationships involve give and take, not one person doing all the giving."
"You're right," Sam replied. He thought back to another girl on the list, someone who had always been kind to him, often surprising him with small gifts and never asking for anything in return. He hadn't taken her seriously before, but maybe it was time he did.
As they reached Sam's house, his friend added, "Appreciate the people who appreciate you. Show them gratitude, and you'll see how rewarding it can be."
Sam nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps it was time to let go of Clara and start recognizing the value of those who had been there all along.
******
Clara sat at her vanity, eyes fixed on her reflection as she applied makeup with practiced precision. Her makeup kit lay open before her, and she moved carefully, applying each product in turn. Nearly an hour later, she examined her work with satisfaction, admiring her polished look before heading out.
As Clara stepped outside, she noticed a man standing by his car, speaking animatedly into his phone. He looked up, his gaze catching hers as she walked by, and his eyes lingered. Intrigued, he ended his call and took a step closer.
"Hello," he greeted warmly.
Assuming he was still on the phone, Clara continued walking, unaware he was addressing her. Realizing she hadn't heard him, the man approached her again, speaking a little louder this time.
"Excuse me—hello, miss. I was calling you."
Clara stopped, turning to look at him. "Oh, hi," she replied with a polite but cautious smile.
"How are you?" he asked, extending his hand. "I'm James."
"I'm fine, thank you," Clara responded, shaking his hand. "I'm Clara."
"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman," he said smoothly. "I'd love to get to know you better—maybe we could be friends?"
Clara shrugged, noncommittal yet intrigued. "Sure, I guess that's fine."
"Could I have your number?"
She hesitated, thinking quickly. "My phone screen's cracked, so I can't make or receive calls right now."
James nodded, thoughtful. "Alright. Where are you headed? Maybe I could give you a ride."
Clara glanced around before giving him her destination. "If it's not out of your way," she added.