Introduction

“Wonders shall never end “so goes the saying. Indeed, how can I ever forget, Tuesday 22nd December, 2020? The day began like any other day, I woke up by 4: am, said my morning prayers, read some portions of the Bible, and concluded my morning devotion.
I came out to the parlour, and greeted my people, and proceeded to do my morning chores, and then prepared for school. I had a good time at school with my students, and fellow members of staff. I came back from school at the end of the day, had my meal, and did my routine chores.
And, then, after I had finished all the necessary things I had to do, a friend of mine Obinna Johnson came to visit me, around 4pm, he suggested I bring out my football, for us to play. I reluctantly obliged him, but suddenly remembered the adage that, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” or should I say a dull man? And so we started playing the football, and after about one hour of playing, we got tired, and decided to stop. And Obinna suggested we go to the nearby provision store to get some refreshments, and so we got there, and he bought two bottles of cold Pepsi, he took one bottle and gave me one, and we settled down to drink.
And so, I opened my own bottle and took a few sips, I quickly remembered the ongoing radio jingle about the Pepsi Bottling Company Ember months Promo. And so, I decided to pick up the cover of my Pepsi bottle from where I had dropped it on the floor, I picked it up and opened the canter foil, guess what! #50,000.00 (Fifty thousand naira) won. I jumped up and shouted on top of my voice “I have won #50,000!” A mini-crowd soon gathered around me, and started celebrating, and hailing me, saying “This man, you’re very lucky oh” They asked me to go to the Prize Redemption Centre at 150 Azikiwe Road to collect the prize.
Then we, Obinna and I hired a commercial motorcyclist that took us there. On reaching there, we met a very fair lady, as beautiful as mammy water, sitting on the desk; I presented the canter to her, she collected it, smiled, and shook hands with me, telling me, “Congratulations, sir, you have made it.” She counted out crispy #50,000.00, and handed it to me, smiling again and telling me, “Enjoy your Christmas, very well, sir, Pepsi loves you, and celebrates with you.” As the money got into my hands, I jumped up in ecstasy, I almost felt like touching the sky. In fact my joy knew no bounds.
And so, after we returned from collecting the #50,000, Obinna asked me to give him his own share of it, and I asked him, “How much am I supposed to give you?” He told me to give him #30,000; that after all, he is the one that led me out to buy the drink, and that he also bought the drink with his own money. I looked at him, and smiled, and told him that I would give him #25,000.that I want it to be a fifty—fifty deal. After I said that, I watched his mood suddenly change from friendliness to aggression. He looked straight into my face, and said,” Hilary, you are my good friend quite alright, and we have been friends for quite a long time now, and you should know, that I dont compromise my decision, when it comes to matters of money.” He continued, “There is no brother in business, I said you will give me #30,000, and that is my final stand, it is either you do it or be ready for a showdown with you now, and not tomorrow.” I looked up, and down, and thought hard, and then said to him, “Obinna, dear, like you said we have been friends for quite a long time really, and you know me as a devoted Christian, may be you want to cash in on my integrity as good Christian to intimidate me or to give the world a wrong impression of me, well I wont fall into that your booby trap, rather I am even ready and willing to give you all of the money, if that is even how you want it, because after all what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul ? “ After I finished talking I handed him the #50,000. And I took my leave. As he held the money he was speechless and just stood still, as I kept moving away.
However, he started calling me, but I kept moving. He ran, and caught me, and held me in his arms, and said to me,” Hilary, I don`t want to take all the money. My conscience is pricking me, for I have acted foolishly, please forgive me.” He continued, “ Please, let us share the money fifty—fifty as you said, that is the best decision” He handed the money to me , I collected it reluctantly, and counted out #25,000,and gave to him, I gave him extra #2,000 to cover the motorcycle fare that conveyed us to and fro the Prize Redemption Centre ; as I handed him the money he thanked me profusely, and said, “ Hilary, you are one of the best friends anybody can ever have. Thanks a million.” I smiled and said to him, “I am happy now that you are happy, all is well that ends well. I am very happy that this prize did not break our relationship, which has lasted over the years.” We shook hands and parted.
Indeed, December 22nd, 2020 is a day I will never forget.