Bitterness in a Nylon Bag

I was in the 200 level at Kwara State University when I was given the Cowbell Scholarship. It actually looks like my intention was wrong because, at first, I thought all my fellow friends would be happy for me.

Tope and I have been close friends since our 100-level days when we met at the library. I can remember vividly that day when Tope was holding the chemistry textbook, and jokingly, I interacted with him on the fact that the particular book he was holding had a lot of enemies, even much more than the devil.

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From that causal and jovial interaction, we became friends instantly. We studied together, went to class together and have become close friends since then. On several occasions, we have helped each other to write the class assignments we might be given.

Opening the congratulations email message I received, the first person that came to my mind with whom I thought I would share this good news was Tope.

Instantly, I rushed to actually call Tope my friend.

"Hello, Guy, I got the scholarship,", I told him on the phone with so much excitement.

Tope was quiet for a while before responding. "Oh that's good"

"Good! Is that all" I asked him because I was shocked. I was expecting he would be so happy and rejoice with me.

"Tope, this means our school fees will no longer be paid by us again but by them. Remember, our school fees are around 400k" I once again remind Tope of the worth of the scholarship.

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"Ade, you will agree with me that this is actually political in nature" Tope responded.

"Political as how I don't understand," I asked him.

"You were picked based on favouritism and based on your state of origin"

At first, I laughed because I thought he was teasing me, but after some seconds, I noticed his voice didn't sound like someone who was joking. That was the first sour bite.

After 1 week later, I saw two of my other friends talking. I overheard what they were saying.

"Tope told me that Ade was picked based on pity selection and the factor," one of the guys said.

I was shocked.

It hurt me because of not only the words but also the betrayal feeling I was having within.

I never expected that someone I trusted so much as my friend, like Tope, could be tearing me down instead of celebrating with me. I remember on several occasions that I have come through for him.

Well, since that time, even though some of my friends have asked me if that is true about the pity selection concerning the scholarship. At first, I was explaining to them, but it got to a time when I was tired of explaining, and I moved on. I was using the scholarship money to cater for some family needs.

6-7 years later, I was speaking at a conference where I was invited as a guest speaker. I saw that my friend was in the audience, but he was avoiding me.

After the conference, we exchanged pleasantries.

"Ade, you have really gone far in life,", Tope told me.

"Well, thanks be to God, Tope", I responded.

But deep within me, I remember what he did for me in the university. Sometimes, when life is against you, some people turn to be sour but when it looks like your life is sweet, they want to associate themselves with you.