The Beginnings, Shadow of Sacrifice Part 1

Part 1: Beginnings

In the early morning glow of the University of Ibadan, a warm breeze drifted through the campus, carrying the scent of flowers from nearby gardens. The campus was alive with students hurrying across lecture halls, balancing books, backpacks, and the endless thoughts that only students seem to carry. Among the crowd, Seyi cut a solitary figure, tall and confident, with a calm intensity in his eyes. At 21, Seyi was nearing the end of his journey as a Civil Engineering major, and his future looked promising, like the morning sun over the fields.

For the past three years, Seyi’s ambition had been his driving force. Each late-night study session, every calculation on bridge stability, every exam – they were all a means to escape the shadows of his past. His father had passed away when he was only ten, leaving him and his mother in a relentless struggle against poverty. His mother, a petite woman with a resilience that belied her size, was a hawker, selling wares in the bustling markets of Ibadan to keep her son in school. She bore the weight of their dreams alone, praying her son would one day bring them peace and prosperity. The pressure to succeed was Seyi’s constant companion, yet it was a burden he had come to accept.

His thoughts drifted back to Janet as he crossed the campus. Janet, two years his junior, was a Theatre Arts student with a vibrant spirit and an infectious laugh. They had met in his second year during a campus event, and he had been captivated by her liveliness, which seemed to contrast sharply with his reserved demeanor. Janet was beautiful, with rich, dark skin that gleamed under the sun, and a smile that could brighten even the cloudiest of days. More than her looks, however, it was her generosity, her selflessness, that had drawn Seyi to her. Janet had always been there for him, offering warmth and encouragement through the toughest times.

For two years, Janet had been his rock. Seyi knew that his financial burdens were significant, yet Janet had never hesitated to support him. She often gave him money for books, covered small expenses, and even skipped her own meals so that he wouldn’t go hungry. Their relationship grew quietly, like a small plant pushing through cracked cement. Janet had dreams of her own – dreams of gracing stages and telling stories that moved people. But, in her heart, Seyi’s future became intertwined with her own dreams, and she knew that whatever happened, she wanted to be by his side.

As Seyi entered his final year, the looming cost of graduation began to cast a shadow over his hopes. The expenses for his final-year project, tuition, and other fees seemed insurmountable. He had tried to secure scholarships, but competition was fierce, and his part-time job barely covered his basic needs. The more he calculated, the clearer it became that he couldn’t afford to pay for his final year, and the pressure tightened like a noose around his dreams.

When Seyi shared his fears with Janet, she listened, her dark eyes filled with empathy. She reached for his hand, squeezing it gently.

“Seyi, I believe in you. You’re going to be an incredible engineer,” Janet said softly. Her voice was filled with conviction, but behind it was a determination she rarely revealed.

Days passed, and as Seyi’s worries grew, Janet made a quiet decision. She knew how much Seyi’s education meant to him, to his mother, and to the future they had dreamed of. One evening, after her classes, Janet met with Seyi in a quiet spot on campus. The air was thick with the scent of rain, and the sky was a dark, inky blue.

“I’ve been thinking,” Janet began, her voice barely above a whisper. “I want you to take this.”

She extended a small bundle of naira notes toward him. Seyi looked at the money, stunned.

“Janet, what… where did you get this?”

“It’s my tuition for the semester,” she replied, her gaze unwavering.

Seyi pulled his hand back, shaking his head. “No, I can’t accept this. Janet, this is your education—your future.”

But Janet only smiled, a sad yet determined look in her eyes. “Seyi, your future is worth this. I know what this degree means to you, to your mother. You’ve worked so hard. I want you to take this. I’ll find a way to catch up next semester.”

Seyi felt a lump form in his throat. He knew what Janet was giving up, the extent of her sacrifice. In that moment, he understood the depth of her love and loyalty. Reluctantly, he took the money, promising himself that he would pay her back and give her a life far beyond what she could imagine.