Paid in Full, Received Nothing

When we talk about value for money, we say it as if it is only currency that matters in naira. But some of the worst transactions that I can recall making didn't even involve a single kobo.

I have spent a huge amount of time in my life staying loyal to someone who didn't even consider my feelings a priority. Always been there, checking up, always in the person's defense in places they are in or not. I gave that relationship all my best, everything it demanded from me, and I quietly received something that looked like connection but had no real value when I tried to figure it out eventually. I was just putting water in a basket.

And I was not warned about this type of transaction. It was an emotional one. The type of relationship where I paid with my energy, genuine care, time, and consistency, and what I got in return was emptiness disguised like companionship. At least when we get a bad product, we can point to what failed. But when it comes to emotional losses, those types of feelings are so hard to explain without sounding dramatic, so it is best to just take it in and swallow by moving on like nothing happened.

What most people around will likely say if they get to know about it is that, "you can manage it. Pray about it. Endure it." For something you gave your precious to and received nothing in return. Most people don't know how to have a conversation like that. And yet, the loss is very real. Especially the time it consumed, which can never be regained.

Thank you for reading.

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