Hustle

"Get out of my class, must you always cause a distraction whenever I am here? Is that how you do to other lecturers?" Mr. Agbeje yelled at Modupe, and the whole class was frightened.

It was very unusual of him to yell at students, and something definitely felt off from the moment he came into the classroom. Unlike every other day, he instructed us to lock the classroom doors and said no students must come in after him. He threatened to punish the whole class if we snuck in names on the class register.

We all knew that Mr. Agbeje's mood was unusual, but no one would dare to ask what was happening. The always-smiling man came with a frown, and it made everyone uncomfortable.

He has every reason to be angry at Modupe, who sells different things like airtime, data, snacks, and others to our classmates during lectures. Several lecturers have cautioned her for interrupting lectures, but no one has really punished her.

"I am sorry sir," She apologized immediately while leaving her seat, but Mr. Agbede wasn't listening.

He moved from the center of the classroom to the window side, looking at the flower garden behind the mass communication department.

"Please sir, such a thing won't repeat itself. I promise," Modupe's voice trembled as she walked slowly towards the door, hoping that he would change his mind.

"Please sir," the class hoc joined Modupe to apologize, but Mr. Agbeje wasn't having it anymore.

"If you really feel sorry for her, you should follow her out and not apologize to me," He responded angrily, and the silent murmur in the classroom died off immediately.

We all stared at each other, watching Modupe leave the classroom, and no one dared to interfere anymore. I don't want to end up as a victim.

Mr. Agbeje's class ended with a test, and everyone felt so sorry for Modupe and the other students who were not in class. We weren't close friends, but she's very jovial and a real hustler. I admire her strength combining trade and studies, but I was curious about why she was engaging too much in her trade rather than studies.

I watched other students console her after the class, and didn't bother going to her at that time. I waited patiently for everyone to go before meeting her to give her some advice.

"Sorry dear, but Mr. Agbeje didn't do anything wrong. He has every right to be angry," I said to Modupe while she was packing her bags, and she gave me this bad stare.

"You know I also sell stuff, but when it's time for lecture, I put my trade aside?" I told Modupe, who sighed heavily.

"You won't understand why I am trying to combine everything, I don't have other options since I can't sell my body," She replied.

"Option? Sell your body for what?" I stuttered.

"For money? I have responsibilities and must make ends meet," She replied, her voice shaking.

I felt bad even though I wasn't in her shoes because I saw her struggles. I moved closer to her and tried patting her, but she turned away, hiding her tears.

"I don't need anyone's pity," Modupe stuttered, tears gently flowing down her chin. She wiped her tears and smiled, but I could see her sadness; it was written all over her face.

"My parents aren't working anymore. I have to support them and my sibling who is in school, while also fending for myself.

No one wants to support me without asking for my body in exchange, so I just stick to my hustle," Modupe added, and I was speechless.

I couldn't advise her any longer and just kept thinking about what life was for her. I thought about me not having everything, but taking care of my family was optional; no one was depending on me.

"I am really sorry about everything. I was wrong to have concluded that you weren't taking school seriously," I apologized and tried reaching for her hands, which she allowed.

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We chatted briefly, and I couldn't stop thinking of helping her, even if it was just to get Mr. Agbeje's forgiveness. I bade her goodbye, but after leaving, I remembered Mr. Usman, another lecturer who holds spiritual lectures at the school mosque after Jumaat.

I rushed back to Modupe and suggested that we check Mr. Usman, and she agreed immediately. We went to the staff room, and fortunately for Modupe, we met Mr. Agbeje there also.

He expressed his displeasure and didn't want to listen to us, but with Mr Usman's intervention, he eventually forgave her.

He advised her on how to go about her business without using it to create a disturbance in the classroom anymore.

Modupe was happy because Mr. Agbeje not only forgave her, but he also gave her some minutes to write the test in the staff room. That incident brought us together, and we became close buddies all through our years in school.