Givers Never Lack

I have always tried to inculcate the habit of giving out to people, especially to those I realized are in need and much closer to me than the distant ones. Most times I have always tried not to get myself bothered about what will happen the next day or the next month, I just trust that everything will have itself sorted out.

Giving out was not the bad thing but trying as much not to have oneself affected at the expense of pleasing others is what truly matters.

There was a day while I was living with my brother as a first-year student. Our allowance is sent weekly or at times we receive it biweekly. To me, sincerely the money we received was just to survive, not that we could spend it at our own will. A slight miscalculation in the spending then we get to pay the price among other days.

We had a roommate back then, he’s just way different from us entirely. I just don't know maybe it’s an effect of the way he was trained from home or he turned himself to be like that. But he was less concerned about almost everything happening around him all he wanted was to just enjoy himself.

He will also receive an allowance just like we did, but the very first thing he did with his money was to visit the restaurant he had long-eyed for a while when he was broke without money. Now he is temporarily rich so he has to fulfill his cravings and desires.

You will know he just got his allowance, he comes home with his hand filled with packed takeaway foods. Then he will settle down and enjoy himself. That’s nice but not until you started using your inability to spend wisely to affect others.

My brother will also allow us to spend on good food after receiving our allowance, but he is always sure he has something reserved that will take us till the end of the week or till we receive our next allowance. That way we can put away the shame that comes from borrowing money from people and having our self-respect intact among others.

One day I had to voice out. “Hey, Bro Salam!, you can't continue this way at all”

Salam, as he was always addressed, was a little chubby, dark in complexion, had dark lips and his eyes a little shallow from his forehead. A bald head also. That's it’s kinda obvious that he must have been in his early 30s.

“Please can you stop sneaking around me while I am cooking?” I added.

“Okay! Qudus, you know what happened. I have just been broke for a while now.”

“I will bounce back later,” He added with a pathetic look on his face.

I already knew he was about to ask for his share of the food I was preparing. But I won't give it out that easily. Maybe he will learn to be mindful of his spending next time.

“How may I help you?“ I asked.

“Abeg if it's just a plate from this rice and beans, I will appreciate” “Hunger has almost injured me” Salam responded trying to tease me and make me smile.

Deep within me, I already laughed away. But my expression was unpleasant. I didn’t even give him a response. Not until I served the meal. I knew that could be a perfect time to pour my words out on him.

“Okay Mr Salam, here is your share”

“Thank you so much my guy” he received it with pleasure and gratitude.

“Okay, Why don’t you try saving up or reducing your spending for days like this when you will be stranded” I questioned him out of curiosity.

“Qudus, you cannot understand,” he replied while trying to cool the food in his mouth.

“It's okay then.” As we ended the conversation.

I tried to make sure I figured out the reason why he had said that I wouldn't understand. I am sure something is going on underground.

The next time he received his allowance, he came home with his packages as usual. Then he enjoyed himself again. After that, I realized that he always has a close conversation with almost everyone in the hostel. Then I asked my friend who was my course mate what he had been discussing with him.

So Salam has always lent money from everyone even before his allowance arrived, yet he won't pay up his debts, but enjoy himself first then pay up some of those that he felt were like a thorn in his throat asking for their money. That was his cycle till we left the hostel.