It’s 1 a.m., September 29th, 2023. And it’s my birthday. As I lay in my bed trying to think of an automated way to tell everyone “thanks for the wishes” without lifting a finger, I remembered a story from September 29th, 2013/2014.
It was my first birthday in university. The day before, I had made mouth to my friends that we’d shut down everywhere the next day. But as I walked away from the hostel later that night of the 28th in the guise of going to read, I knew in my mind that the next time anyone would see me would be the 30th of September, a day after my birthday.
I made my way to white house, a popular building in the middle of the school, where there was a lowkey library tucked away exclusively for Geology students. I buried myself in that library from the night of the 28th till the morning of the 30th. Why was I hiding, you might wonder?
Well, if you know anything about Boy’s Hostel, you’d know that explaining to a group of overly enthusiastic friends that my 1000 Naira last card wouldn’t be enough to go ball them on my birthday was not going to cut it.
So, on my actual birthday, I had to put my phone on airplane mode to avoid any surprises.
However, the explanation I gave on the 30th was not any easier. They knew I was lying, they knew I ran away and they trolled me with it for a while 🤣, but at least, I kept my last card.
I’d say your birthday is that day when you can either be angry at life or grateful for it—there's usually no middle ground. But that’d be wrong, as some people really don’t give a damn; they’re just indifferent; I was one of those people in 2013.
I did not give a damn, probably because I didn’t think the day was important enough to be celebrated or probably because 1000 Naira was too small for a birthday flex.
But now, I do give a damn, and it’s not because I have more than 1000 naira. But because, when I think of it, I know, that a legend was born, today.
And before I go back to having a great day, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I’m overly excited today, and wherever you see me, ask me for whatever; I’ll give you. The bad news is that you cannot see me; I’m John Cena.
