My perfect imperfect life.

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(Edited)

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I stood by the window and stared at the beautifully decorated sky. The stars were actively shining, and the big round moon stood right at the center shining its light on the dark earth. Everyone was asleep, and the toads were out with their noise yet again. The green-water reservoir beside our house was their abode. The mosquitoes flew and danced happily around the tiny room perching on the skin of whoever they found attractive among my sleeping siblings in the overcrowded room.

“God, when will it get better?” I whispered while brushing my hand through my face to clean the tears that were beginning to drop down my cheek. Slowly and quietly, I drew away from the window to sit on the tiny space left on the mat where I would spend the night.

It was midnight, yet I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t take my mind off Anike, my schoolmate who had it all. She would come to school in the most beautiful cars I had ever seen and walked like a princess in training to become the queen of the world someday. Her backpack and lunch packs were usually neatly packed and carried by the house helps and all she needed to do was come to school, study, mix and play in the most decent way she could, and walked back into the beautiful car that would be outside five minutes before the closing time. Oh, how perfect her life must be. “So, when will I get my perfect life, dear God?” I asked again while cleaning the uncontrollable tears rushing down my face.

The last time at school when were asked how our holiday went, she mentioned with so much joy, how she enjoyed her one-month holiday in India, then the United States of America before finally returning to Nigeria. Hm. “When will I be able to finally say this?” I whispered. My holidays had always been from farm to our tiny space, and repeat. The most interesting part of my holiday used to be snail hunting with my siblings because that was the easiest way to get nourishing meal. “Dear God, when?” I repeatedly asked until sleep found me.

The morning came, and off I went to school smiling and greeting the people along the way. I got to school to see Anike waiting with her dad at the school entrance. “Good morning, sir”, good morning, Anike”. I greeted. “We were waiting for you” she exclaimed. Drawn back, I wondered what they could be wanting from a child of nobody like me. “Since you’re a scholarship student, I believe you must be very brilliant.” Her dad interrupted my thought. “So, I want you to be Anike’s best friend so that you can help with her studies”, he concluded.

I struggled to speak because I didn’t understand how to respond or what to feel. Anike’s touch jolted me back to reality. She held my hand and thanked me for agreeing to be her friend even though I had said nothing.

We would study, talk, and play together. One day when we were having our usual talk time, I said, “I envy you”. I told her how I think her life was perfect and how I wished I could go on trips like she did with her family. I mentioned how my holiday routine didn’t change over the years, and how I really looked forward to enjoying something different from the rural life I was used to.

She listened carefully to how I analysed her life, smiled, and said, “nobody has it all”. the trips she made to India and the United States were for health reasons. She has sickle cells and the major reason she transferred schools was because she was bullied because of her health. She wanted to experience genuine friendship and love, that’s why she approached me after carefully observing me for a while. “So, don’t want what I have” she concluded.


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It took some minutes before I realized that my mouth was wide opened. I couldn’t process what she had said. I mean, why will someone beautiful, calm, and comfortable like her have the sickle cell? Why can’t everything be perfect for her? While I was thinking, she took my hand in hers and said, “thank you for being a true friend”.

I got home later that day at my usual spot to think of how the seemingly perfect greener pasture I saw on the other side was not perfect after all. I decided right there to enjoy my life and enjoy every moment while I try to build the greener pasture that I want for myself.

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23 comments
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The grass aren't usually greener on the other side like we so see and even if it is, the gardener must had busted his ass to achieve that.
While we envy others,can we as well envy their pains?
No one hasn't it all,even the rich sometimes cry.

Weldone sis!

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Exactly. Nobody has it or can have it all. Thank you, sis for dropping by. ❤️❤️

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I've definitely had those moments where I look at someone else's situation and think, "Dang, they've got it all figured out!" But your story is such a great reminder that we can't judge a book by its cover, you know?

I am sorry you had to learn that Anike was dealing with her own challenges. But it's beautiful that she saw you as a true friend. That's the real treasure, isn't it? Not the material stuff, but the genuine connections we make.

And the way you realized that you have to focus on building your own greener pasture, instead of just envying someone else's - that's something I admire.

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Thank you very much for the comment, sis.

Because of Anike, I've joined communities campaigning against genotype incompatible marriages. Looks like the only way I can help so that there'll be less people in her situation.

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If this is truly non fiction omoh. Tears must not drop down my face. I am a man and I refuse to cry. No no!

Everyone has one or two battle they are fighting. The outside might look so cool. But many have their a lot under their clothes. Not until we listen to their stories.

I really enjoyed your first paragraph. You are good in character description. I enjoyed my time reading.

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Don't worry. You can cry in my DM on discord. Your secret is safe with me. 💯🙃

Thanks for dropping by, brother. ❤️❤️

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Haha. 😂. I said I don’t want to cry. You are still encouraging me to cry. What is this?

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Men can cry too na. So, it doesn't matter. I'll encourage you. So, come to my DM. Your secret is safe with me. 😂

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How I can trust you so fast. I just read two of your biography. I don’t know much about you yet 😆

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Hmm, the grass is not always greener on the other side sadly. This is such a great story.

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Sometimes, we just have to water the grass we have so it keeps growing beautifully green.

Thanks for dropping by.

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None of us know the battles that others are facing. So many people are dealing with issues bigger than we can imagine. You shared this story with sensitivity, and brought the reader into intimate moments of reflection and prayer. I'm glad you were able to be there for your friend and that through her struggles you were able to appreciate the healthy life that you had, gain a special friendship, and were empowered to live your life to its full.

Thank you for sharing a story from your life with The Ink Well.

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The prompt this week brought us emotional stories with a lot to learn from. And yours is one of them. Beautifully told 👏

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Just because it looks greener on the outside, doesn’t mean that it's greener inside. Your friend whom you envy is passing through her own difficulties as you started in your write.

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This story beautifully captures the lesson that appearances can be deceiving and that everyone faces their own struggles, regardless of how perfect their life may seem from the outside. It's a poignant reminder to appreciate what we have and to focus on building our own happiness instead of envying others.

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