Wale sat on the balcony of the school hostel as he dialed his father's line, his thoughts a tangled mess of excitement and doubt about the work-and-travel program.
"Hey, son, what's up?" His dad's thick voice came up.
Wale hesitated before replying. "It's this work-and-travel thing, Dad…"
Wale's dad was quiet for some seconds before replying. "So you've really made up your mind, huh?"
"Not really, Pops. James pushed me to apply, and now that I've been accepted, I don't know if I'm ready. Leaving home for a month and a half, working abroad… It's a lot."
His father studied him for a moment before speaking. "Do you know why I worked so hard to send you to Unilag?"
"To get a good education?" Wale replied, slightly unsure.
"Yes, but it's more than that," his father replied, his voice firm but calm. "Wale, I see the potential in you. You've always had this hunger for more—for knowledge, for success. That hunger is rare, and I don't want you to waste it. Opportunities like this work-and-travel program don't come around every day. It's a chance to step out of your comfort zone and see the world from a new perspective."
"But what if I fail, Dad?" Wale asked, his voice quieter now. "What if I mess up, or I can't handle it?"
"Failure is part of the process, son. It's how you grow. Every great man you admire has failed at some point, but they didn't let it stop them. You have to push yourself, even when it's uncomfortable. That's how you'll achieve your dreams."
Wale looked down at his feet, processing his father's words. "It's just… It feels overwhelming. Leaving everything I know, working in a place I've never been before—it's scary."
"Of course it's scary," his father agreed. "But you're not doing this alone. Your family is here, rooting for you every step of the way. And remember, this isn't just about the work or the money. It's about the experiences, the lessons you'll learn, and the man you'll become because of it."
Wale nodded slowly. "You really believe I can do this?"
"I know you can," his father paused before continuing. "So send me the details about the program, and I'd review it when I'm free so I'll call you at night when I'm settled at home."
A week later, Wale found himself at the bustling work-and-travel program agency. The air was filled with excitement and nervous chatter as participants came in, exchanging cautious smiles. Wale looked around, still trying to process the scores of events that had brought him here.
"Hey, bro! You're alone too?" a cheerful voice called out. Wale turned to see a tall guy with a wide grin approaching him. "I'm Justin. You know, I saw you and thought, 'That guy definitely looks like he needs company.'"
"Yeah, I am," Wale replied with a small smile. "I'm Wale. Nice to meet you."
"Good to meet you too!" Justin said, shaking his hand firmly. "Finally, someone I can gist with!"
As they talked, two more people joined the conversation. Jide was lean and sharp-tongued, quick to fire off sarcastic remarks, while Toyin, a bookish girl with a quiet demeanor, exuded a calm that balanced the group's energy.
Over the next few hours, they bonded while waiting for their interviews to begin. They shared their reasons for joining the program, their dreams, and their fears about what lay ahead.
"I'm here to stack my dollars and flex when I get back home," Collins declared confidently, leaning against his suitcase. "No one's ready for my return glow-up!"
"I'm just excited to explore," Favour said softly, adjusting her glasses. "It's my first time traveling, and I want to experience everything—new cultures, new people, everything."
Justin, however, leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice as if he were sharing a grand secret. "Well, you guys enjoy your plans, sha, because I'm not coming back."
"Wait, what?" Wale asked, eyebrows raised. "You're not coming back to Nigeria?"
"Nope!" Justin grinned mischievously. "See, I've done the maths, and there's nothing for me there. I'm staying back, by hook or by crook. I've already got some funny moves planned."
"Funny moves like what?" Collins asked suspiciously.
Justin shrugged dramatically. "Let's just say a green card is the goal, and love might be the method. You'll see!" He burst into laughter, his deep, booming voice drawing attention from nearby participants.
"You're mad," Wale said, shaking his head with a chuckle.
"Mad? Maybe," Justin replied, wiggling his eyebrow, still laughing. "But don't act like you're not impressed."
As the group continued to banter, Wale felt the weight of his recent troubles start to lift. For the first time in months, he wasn't thinking about Rebecca, his parents' expectations of him, or even the stress of school. Instead, he was here, surrounded by strangers who were quickly becoming friends, on the brink of an adventure he'd never expected to take.
Maybe this was a good decision after all, he thought.