Nnenna looked at her carefully, admiring her friend's fierce determination to break out of the shackles of poverty. This was part of what she admired in Olaedo, her resilience, her courage, and her unwavering spirit.
'No! I won't throw away my life by forgoing my education and getting married at 18. I will fight with Olaedo to come out on top instead!'
As the exam drew near, the burden of where to get the money was heavily upon Olaedo and her family.
Mrs. Anozie and Olaedo barely sat down as they ran from one work to another, from one extended family to another, begging and pleading. Insults and disgrace came from some, while others supported with what they could afford. Olaedo took note of these extended families and friends who considered her problem their problem too.
Some who didn't have money to give took soft loans, while others called their friends to ask for help. Most of her extended family and friends truly showed up for them, warming her heart.
All these reactions, good or bad, fueled Olaedo's resolve to one day stand on top of the world. She would repay those who helped her in her lowest times and prove to those who dismissed her as unworthy that they were wrong.
Eventually, they scraped together 35,000 local currency
Then, in a moment she would never forget, Nnenna's father came to their rescue yet again.
Nnenna's father worked at a private primary school, which made him eligible for loans because he had a stable job. The pay was decent but not luxurious, so he could only collect small loans. He had already been saving to pay for Nnenna's final exam fees. When the time came, he needed just a small loan to complete the amount.
One evening, he returned home to find Nnenna sitting alone, looking worried.
"Nnenna, haven't I already paid your final exams fees? Why are you still worried?"
Nnenna, seeing him, rose immediately, greeted him, and collected his bag. "Welcome home, Dad."
She fetched him a cup of water and gestured for him to sit. Then, she opened up: "It's Olaedo, Dad. Her fees aren't complete yet, and the deadline is tomorrow! I don't know how I can help her."
Nnenna's father nodded thoughtfully, sighing as he rose to ruffle her hair with a smile. "My little girl, always thinking of others. I'm proud of you. Don't worry, the money I borrowed to pay your fees is still a bit more than I needed. I was planning to put it into the convenience store, but this is far more important. Let me go now and meet Olaedo's mom to see how we can complete her fees. Could you please warm the food for me? I'm starving, but I'll settle this first."
Nnenna's already large eyes widened in excitement, making them look even larger. "Dad, are you serious?!"
"Very serious."
"Yeeeeee!" she squealed, bouncing around like a five-year-old child.
Her father shook his head helplessly at her childishness but felt happy knowing she could grow up worry-free.
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Five months later
Olaedo passed with flying colors, As and Bs in every subject. Nnenna also did well, her grades reflecting the benefit of studying with a friend like Olaedo.
But the next mountain soon loomed: university. This time, Olaedo knew it would be impossible.
She had made up her mind to go into business and leave school behind. But convincing her mom was a battle.
After dinner and after her brothers had gone to do their homework, Olaedo called her mom for a chat. "Mom, there's something I need to tell you."
Mrs. Anozie adjusted her posture, seeing that Olaedo looked serious. "What is it, dear?"
Olaedo hesitated, then spoke firmly: "I don't want to go to university. I would rather work for a year and start a company when I'm 18. This way, I can take care of the boys and you. I will make sure they go to school."
Mrs. Anozie widened her eyes in anger. "I disagree! That will never happen. We would never ask you to sacrifice your education for us."
Olaedo nodded hastily. "Yes, I know you aren't asking me to sacrifice my education. This is my personal decision."
"No! I won't allow it, Olaedo. I won't allow it. Even if I don't have the money to send you to university, I will find a way by God's grace. I don't want to hear of this again."
Mrs. Anozie believed strongly in the importance of education. She worked tirelessly to support her children as a single mom raising four kids, a challenging feat, considering she had once been a housewife.
Even so, she was so vehemently opposed to the idea of Olaedo quitting school that they argued for weeks over it. At one point, she refused to speak to her daughter for a whole month.
Usually, Olaedo would back down in such situations. But this time, she stood her ground. Eventually, they reached a compromise: Olaedo promised that once her company was running smoothly, she would return to university.
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Five years had passed, and though life had improved, she had never made it to university.
Olaedo and her family had endured too much hardship. She had sworn never to feel so helpless again, yet here she was on the brink of a fake marriage just to escape debt.
When her mother picked up the phone, she choked back tears.
"Mom? How are you?"
Mrs. Anozie's cheerful voice instantly picked up on her distress. "Yes, honey? I'm here. I'm fine. Are you okay?"
Olaedo hurriedly calmed herself.
"Yes, Mom, I'm okay. It's good that you're fine too. Do you guys need anything? I can send more money."
Mrs. Anozie shook her head helplessly. Olaedo had ensured they never lacked anything since she started her business. "Dear, we are fine. If there's anything we need, it's to see you. You haven't visited in over a week. We know things on your side are busy, but we also need to know that you're okay, eating and sleeping as you should."
"I know, Mom. Don't worry. There's something I need to ask you." Olaedo decided to ask quickly, knowing she had kept Chibuzor waiting too long already.
Mrs. Anozie sensed the urgency in her tone. "Go on, dear. Ask."
"Mom, I was having a discussion with a friend today, and she mentioned someone she knows is considering a marriage for practical reasons rather than love. It got me thinking, do you think it's ever okay to marry someone purely for financial stability or as part of a mutual agreement, even if love isn't involved?"
'What a strange question,' Mrs. Anozie thought, suddenly worried. 'Who is this friend? Or has Olaedo gotten into trouble? I would better ask.'
"Olaedo, who is this friend of yours?"
Olaedo winced. She knew deceiving her mother would not be easy. "Mom, you don't know her. Could you please answer the question?"
Mrs. Anozie decided to hold off her questions for now. She would probe more when Olaedo visited in a few months. "Okay, but we'll talk about this friend when you come home. Concerning your question, marriage is meant to be a one-time thing, 'till death do us part.' Because of that, your friend needs to get it right the first time. Financial stability is part of a good marriage, and I wouldn't advise anyone to marry without it. However, mutual agreement is even more important, it holds a marriage together longer than money or even Eros love, in some cases."
Olaedo blinked. "Really? Why is that?"
"Many marriages today fail because the couple doesn't know how to communicate effectively. They speak but don't COMMUNICATE. Open communication builds trust, understanding, and intimacy. It also helps partners resolve conflicts and respect each other's needs and boundaries. Without it, there can be no mutual agreement. A couple that communicates well can stand the test of time."
"But, Olaedo, remember this, any relationship without love is worthless. Love ranks highest, it must not only be romantic feelings, though. That's where people get it wrong. There are four types of love in the Bible, they are Eros which is romantic or sexual love, Storge, this is familial love, like between a parent and child, Philia, which is friendship or comradeship, and Agape, this is unconditional, sacrificial love, like God's love for us. A good marriage needs all four kinds to survive."
"Wow..." Olaedo whispered.
Mrs. Anozie nodded. "1 Corinthians 13 says that without love, everything is worthless. That's why love is the greatest commandment. You should read that scripture later and reflect on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand it because the Spirit of God brings life through the Word. If your friend isn't sure what love is, those scriptures will help her clarify it.
"She needs to ask herself if she feels all four types of love for her partner. She might only feel one for now, and that's okay, but she must work on building all four BEFORE marriage. Before is the keyword."
Olaedo's doubts started to clear. But one question lingered. "Mom, what if it's urgent? What if she doesn't have time to develop all four? Could she marry now and work on the rest later?"