He Came To Buy Food From The Roadside girl But His Heart Started Beating Fast When He First Saw Her

Uchi and his girlfriend, Maybel, celebrate their third anniversary with a picnic at the beach. Maybel expresses her desire to get married and have children, but Uchi's prolonged joblessness becomes a point of contention. She decides to break up with him, stating that while he is an amazing guy, "amazing isn't going to fit food on the table." Uchi is heartbroken and struggles to comprehend the breakup. His friends try to console him, but also challenge him on his unemployment. They suggest he explore skill acquisition or entrepreneurship, rather than solely focusing on white-collar jobs. One friend introduces him to a questionable investment program, claiming one can triple 25,000 naira in a week by bringing in two new people. Uchi, desperate, tries to recruit people for this scheme over the phone, but it eventually crashes, leaving him devastated and having lost all his invested money. Uchi's parents are also frustrated with his unemployment. His mother constantly nags him to find a job, comparing him to his father who started supporting his family at 30. His father, while more understanding, tries to guide Uchi towards practical career paths. Uchi proposes forex trading, but his father advises against it due to its volatility, suggesting Uber instead. Uchi dismisses Uber, claiming there's no money in it anymore. He then asks his father for 15,000 naira for an online forex trading course, promising to make millions and buy his father a Gwagon. His father, after some hesitation, agrees. However, Uchi discovers the training is a scam and he's been defrauded. His mother is enraged by the loss of money, especially with her retirement approaching. She confronts Uchi, listing his failed ventures: forex, bitcoin, and even his relationship with Maybel. Uchi feels overwhelmed and defeated, questioning what more he can do. His mother then shifts to a spiritual approach, bringing in a pastor to conduct an intense prayer session to combat "demonic manipulation" and "satanic oppression" hindering Uchi's success. The pastor's methods are unorthodox and include shouting, demanding specific offerings, and even suggesting Uchi's body "catch fire" to ward off evil. Uchi continues his job search, facing rejection due to lack of experience. He's told he needs at least five years of working experience for a crucial position, a requirement he finds impossible to meet. He laments the country's system that demands such experience from young graduates. The pastor continues to visit Uchi's home, performing more unconventional prayers and demanding a ram as an offering. Uchi expresses his discomfort with the pastor's methods and refuses to participate in a week-long dry fast suggested by a prophet his mother consulted. His mother insists on the fast, believing it's the only way to break his curse of unemployment. Eventually, Uchi receives a job interview shortlist. His family, especially his mother, is overjoyed and celebrates prematurely, believing he has already secured the job. His father and sister try to temper expectations, reminding them it's just the first step. Uchi, feeling the pressure and burden of his family's expectations, vows to get the job and relieve them of his financial dependence. He prepares diligently for the interview, practicing his responses. His friends join him for a celebratory drink the night before, toasting to his dream job. The next morning, Uchi heads for his interview, encountering a beggar who gives him a cryptic blessing. At the interview, he is surprised to find that the head of HR is Stephanie, an old schoolmate he had a crush on. Stephanie remembers Uchi, recalling how he once defended her from a bully. She reveals that based on his qualifications, the position he applied for is beneath him and offers him a higher role as Chief Admin Officer, complete with an official car and a three-bedroom flat. Uchi is ecstatic and shares the news with his friends, who are amazed by his sudden good fortune. They attribute it to the beggar's blessing and Uchi's "lucky streak." They even test his luck by trying to buy expensive items at a high-end store, where the CEO, Pearl, inexplicably gives Uchi several couture pieces for free, claiming he looks familiar and worships in her church. Uchi celebrates his new job and newfound luck with his friends at a bar. He reflects on his journey, emphasizing the importance of faith. A beautiful lady at the bar sends him a drink, which his friends interpret as another sign of his luck. The next morning, Uchi wakes up late, still in a daze from the previous day's events. His parents are concerned, but Uchi excitedly tells them about his new job and all the incredible things that happened. However, his friends confess that everything was a dream. The "25 million" they supposedly made was actually 730 naira, and the free items and job offer were all part of his dream. Uchi is heartbroken to realize it was all a fantasy. He then rushes to his actual interview, only to be met with a rude gatekeeper and an even ruder HR personnel, Christy, who scolds him for being late. She dismisses his qualifications and advises him to learn a trade like carpentry or bricklaying, implying he's not suited for a white-collar job. The interviewer, a man, echoes Christy's sentiments, telling Uchi he's overqualified for the available positions and that the job has already been given to someone else. He suggests Uchi consider makeup artistry or hairdressing as a career. Uchi returns home, dejected, to find his mother and the pastor in another prayer session. His mother is devastated by his failure to secure the job, regretting all her efforts and the money spent on the pastor's offerings. The pastor continues his loud and theatrical prayers, attributing Uchi's misfortunes to "demonic manipulation" and "alcoholic intoxication." Later, Uchi's sister mocks him for working out without a job, suggesting he's only doing it to impress Maybel. She then reveals that Maybel is getting married, crushing Uchi's hopes further. Uchi is left alone, reflecting on his struggles and the pressure to make money. The story ends with him meditating on his need to make money for his family.