Freedom With Side Effects

Adulting did not come with a manual, and honestly, if it did, I am very sure most of us would still skip the instructions and jump straight into the struggle, because tell me why you will wake up one morning, stretch like a normal human being, and suddenly remember you have bills to pay, responsibilities to handle, and people expecting you to have your life together, it is like life just tapped you on the shoulder one random day and said, Oya, you are on your own now, No warning, no soft landing, just vibes and pressure.

Guy, I am tired, Tunde said, dropping his phone on the small plastic table in the buka.

Ayo laughed as he dipped his spoon into his plate of jollof rice, “Tired of what? you just resumed work two months ago.”

That’s exactly why I’m tired, Tunde replied, Two months and I already want to resign from adulthood.

Bisi, who had been quiet, shook her head, you people are funny, this is just the beginning, wait till you start paying rent.

Tunde looked at her like she just cursed him, Please do not say that kind of thing around me, I am still managing my data subscription and feeding.”

They all laughed, but deep down, each of them knew there was truth hiding inside the joke.

Ayo leaned back, See eh, adulting is not even about age, It is when you start making decisions and nobody is there to guide you again, If you mess up, na you go fix am.”

Exactly, Bisi added Like last week, I spent almost all my salary in the first five days, I was just buying things I thought I needed Now I’m counting the days till month end like a prisoner.

Tunde burst out laughing, you? The same you that used to advise us about saving money in school?”

Bisi rolled her eyes. Life will humble you, don’t worry.

A woman walked past their table shouting, Hot amala! Fresh soup!

Tunde turned immediately, Madam, come! Add meat o, no do me dirty.

As the woman served him, Ayo shook his head, see this one, you said you are broke but you are still ordering extra meat.”

Let me enjoy small, Tunde replied , if adulting wants to stress me, I will still chop good food.

They laughed again, but the conversation slowly shifted.

Youu know what scares me? Ayo said quietly, the future. Like… are we really going to figure everything out?

Bisi sighed, I ask myself that question every time, Because right now, it just feels like w eare all guessing.

Tunde nodded, True, nobody really knows what they are doing, everybody is just acting like they do.

There was a brief silence, the kind that comes when truth hits too close.

Then Bisi spoke again, but I think that’s the point, You grow into it, you do not just wake up and have everything sorted,tou learn, you mess up, you adjust.

Ayo smiled, so basically, we are all just learners in this adult life.

Exactly, she said, Paid learners.

Paid? Tunde scoffed. More like paying learners, because na we dey pay for everything.

That one hit all of them, and they burst into laughter again.

Ayo checked his phone and frowned,Ah, my landlord just texted me.

Don’t open it, Tunde said quickly, “
Protect your peace.

Too late, Ayo replied, sighing , He’s reminding me about rent.

Bisi leaned forward. See, this is what I mean, adulting is just constant reminders that life no be beans.

Tunde raised his hand like he was making a speech, at this point, I just want to go back to when my biggest problem was assignment.

Same, Ayo said, Now it is bills, responsibilities, and trying to become something in life

Bisi smiled softly, but you people won’t lie, there’s also some kind of freedom in it, you make your own choices, you decide your path, nobody is controlling you.

Tunde thought about it for a moment. That one is true sha. Even though the freedom comes with stress.

Everything comes with a price, Ayo added.

They sat there for a while, eating, talking, laughing, and lowkey worrying about their lives.

Finally, Tunde spoke againz you know what, I think adulting is just learning how to survive while still trying to be happy.

Bisi nodded, And not losing yourself in the process.

Ayo raised his bottle of drink, To surviving adulthood.

Tunde and Bisi raised theirs too, To surviving.

And just like that, in the middle of laughter, complaints, and small moments of honesty, they realized something simple, nobody really has it all figured out, we are all just trying, one day at a time.

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