OCTOBER 2ND, 2018- BY YUSHAB ABOLORE

Yusuf had always felt the constant pressure from his parents at home. His father, who was a strict Muslim, demanded nothing but the best from him, which included performing well in his academics and attending Islamic classes regularly. His mother, on the other hand, was constantly comparing him to his siblings, born to different wives of his father.

One day, on October 2nd, 2018, Yusuf could no longer take the pressure at home. He wanted to be independent and make a living for himself. With nowhere to turn to, he ran away from home and headed straight to Mile 12, the nearest international market in his area. He had always heard that the streets were tough, but he was determined to make it on his own. Also, he had heard stories of young boys who could hustle and make a decent living in the market.

As he got to Mile 12, the reality of his situation hit him. Everywhere he looked, people were hustling. Boys his age and even younger were selling wares, hawking goods and doing all sort of jobs just to survive. Yusuf felt completely out of place; he had no idea how to sell anything.

Moreever, life on the street was nothing like he had imagined. The noise, the hustle, and the chaos were too much for him to handle. He found himself lost and alone, with no one to turn to. He tried making friends with other street boys, but they all seemed distant and uninterested.

As the day wore on, his stomach began to grumble with hunger, and he realized he had no money to buy food. He tried begging for some money, but people ignored him. He was too naive to be begging; he looked like a lost child on the street. The street was unforgiving, and Yusuf was alone. He didn't know anyone, and no one cared about him.

Feeling hopeless, he decided to return home. He swallowed his pride and decided to face the reality that he couldn't survive on his own. Yusuf realized that running away from home was not the solution. The hardship he faced on the street alone made him realize that the pressure he was facing at home paled in comparison. As he walked back home, he promised himself he would work hard and prove himself to his parents. Yusuf knew that education was the only way to success, and he would do everything in his power to make his parents proud.

When he got home, the first person he met was his mother. She promised him that she would make things right between them, and Yusuf knew that he had made the right decision by coming back home.

Yusuf learned that day that the street was no place for a child to be alone. Life on the street could be hard and unforgiving, and the reality was far from what he had seen in movies. From that day forward, Yusuf became more dedicated to his studies. He learned to appreciate the love and care he had at home and worked hard to make his parents proud. The hustle may seem like an easier way out, but sometimes, it is better to face our challenges than to run away from them. Running away from home was a mistake that Yusuf learned from, and it made him a stronger and more resilient person.

Story Continues...

YUSHAB ABOLORE AYOMIDE

- Nigeria